Parliament Songs Ranked
Parliament was an American funk band formed in the late 1960s by George Clinton as part of his Parliament-Funkadelic collective. More commercial and less rock-oriented than its sister act Funkadelic, Parliament drew on science-fiction and outlandish performances in their work. The band scored a number of Top 10 hits, including the million-selling 1976 single “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker),” and Top 40 albums such as Mothership Connection (1975). Here are all of Parliament songs ranked.
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13. Theme from the Black Hole (Gloryhallastoopid, 1979)
“No group funks it up like Parliament. The music may be from back in the day but it still sounds good and makes you want to move”
12. Dr. Funkenstein (Dr. Funkenstein, 1976)
“During this era George Clinton and the gang were doing some of their best work, and for the Dr Funkenstein album and the few that would follow, they were just on fire. For me that dark, but still soulful and danceable, vibe was what characterized the era, and God almighty, those horns. The title track feels a little underwhelming next to this one (as it does next to most anything else on the album unfortunately), but it’s pretty necessary as far as cohesion of album concept is concerned, and it’s full of George’s trademark ramblings which can be fun. Overall the single’s a delight.”
11. Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) (Mothership Connection, 1975)
“On most days I will just sing this song in my head, I have heard it far more many times in my head then I did on the radio. I know I want the funk funk too. Give it to me. The singing is not nearly as good as the instrumental breaks, are the hooks. I hope to god Bootsy Collins was involved some how.”
10. Night of the Thumpasorus People (Night of the Thumpasorus People, 1975)
“All true Funkateers will love this song performed by the original Parliament-Funkadelic with Bootsy Collins on bass and Bernie Worrell on keyboards. Pure Funk!!!”
See more: Parliament Albums Ranked
9. Get Off Your Ass and Jam (Let’s Take It to the Stage, 1975)
“Funkadelic’s wildest songs paul warren tears the guitar up on here and tiki’s drumming is loud and explosive as always he’s truly missed and the get off your ass chants p funk still uses that hook at concerts eddie hazel wrote the guitar riffs and there are alternate versions where he play the lead.”
8. Mothership Connection (Star Child) (Mothership Connection, 1975)
“As funk comes, there isn’t anyone better than Parliament. Mothership Connection is all good grooves, there isn’t a duff track, it has a great feel good vibe throughout with a strange sense of humour. Bootsy Collins’ bass sounds like an elastic band and George Clinton sounds insane. This is the music the Chili Peppers tried to copy for their first 3 albums, but this music cant be copied.”
7. P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up) (Mothership Connection, 1975)
“This is the first track on the group’s funny/funky “Mothership Connection” album and as such is a superb taster for the feast that follows. With its hipster, jive talking, split personality vocal, George Clinton interrupts your radio station to play a better song than anything else it was playing at the time, and along the way effortlessly disses out mildly barbed insults to contenders / pretenders Main Ingredients (sic), Blue Magic and white soul boys David Bowie and especially the Doobie Brothers.”
See more: Funkadelic Albums Ranked
6. Not Just Knee Deep (Uncle Jam Wants You, 1979)
“George Clinton Teamed up with the late, great Spinners lead singer Philippe Wynn to create a funky song that Got in Yo pants”
5. Aquaboogie (Motor Booty Affair, 1978)
“Classic Parliament!! ‘Nuff Said!! The classic jam, when you want to get your Funk Party going with the classic George Clinton & Company!!!
4. Maggot Brain (Maggot Brain, 1971)
“For any serious collector of vinyl there’s albums you must have in your collection even if you don’t like the artist or even song’s this album is true real funk at its very best absolute feet trapping arm’s waving hip shaking magic maybe a few beers to get in mood an wow your in funky heaven..”
3. Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (Mothership Connection, 1975)
“When you hear the deep based voice of the late Ray Davis telling you to “Tear the Roof Off”, just try to stay in your seat! “
2. One Nation Under a Groove (One Nation Under a Groove, 1978)
“This is, simply, one of the best musical documents of the 70’s. Hip shaking grooves, killer guitar work and some of George Clintons best lyrics make this the ultimate P-Funk experience. This cd contains an extended version of the title track. Outstanding from beginning to end.”
1. Flashlight (Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome, 1977)
“Maybe I was spoiled because I saw a video and that was the longer version. I love, Love, LOVE the MUSIC. I could never understand many the words, maybe that was a good thing, however, the base sounds in the music were the driving force behind this epic tune. This bands stage performance was just right for the times that they were living; pure escapism with a capital F, for Flash Light.”