Licking Stick - Licking Stick (Pts. 1&2) by James Brown And The Famous Flames

James Brown released this scorching funk gem in May of 1968. The song is about a girl (“Sister”) who causes a commotion in her neighborhood when she’s caught doing the latest dances in her backyard. Sister is joined by “Junior,” who dances a mean “mashed potatoes" and even attempts to do the “James Brown.” Some of her prudish neighbors feel that these dances are inappropriate for a young girl and urge “Mama” to break out her “licking stick” to straighten out the brazen youngster.

Brown stresses the importance of education in one verse: “I don’t profess to be no teacher/these are my latest outlooks/She’s got to get herself back in the mathematics books/Do you hear me now?” He’s letting his young listeners know that having fun and dancing is all well and good, but getting an education should always be their top priority.

“Licking Stick - Licking Stick” is similar to Brown’s seminal funk classic “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” in that both songs have protagonists who know how to get down on the dance floor and are funky. And like Papa, Sister knows all the latest dances and stuns onlookers with her funky dance moves. 

This track is hittin’ on all groove cylinders, with the band serving up huge helpings of funk. This tight, highly syncopated groove has kind of a Western feel to it–with sassy rhythm guitar licks and a soulful, countrified vocal break. The groove is centered around an irresistible bass line, and it boasts a killer horn arrangement and a smokin’ beat. And Maceo Parker’s superb sax solo is the icing on the cake of this massively funky track. Additionally, Brown brings his patented raw soul and dynamic energy to his vocal performance.

“Licking Stick - Licking Stick” was written by Brown, Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis and Bobby Byrd, who harmonizes with Brown on the vocal break. It was produced by Brown and released on King Records. It was also included on his album Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud (1968). 

The players on “Licking Stick - Licking Stick” were Tim Drummond (bass), Maceo Parker (tenor saxophone), John “Jabo” Starks (drums), Jimmy Nolen (guitar), Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis (alto saxophone) and St. Clair Pinckney (tenor saxophone).

The song had quite an impressive showing on the charts, peaking at #2 on Billboard’s R&B singles chart and #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop charts. And it climbed to #31 on Canada’s singles chart. It has been sampled on eight songs.

James Brown performing "Licking Stick - Licking Stick" live in Dallas in 1968

"Licking Stick - Licking Stick" available at Amazon