Strawberry Letter #23 is one of the most sublime hit songs of all time. It will definitely grow on you. It’s a cover of a song by Shuggie Otis. Prince, David Byrne, and countless other noteworthy musicians were fans of Otis. Shuggie Otis was friends with Jimi Hendricks and it shows in the trippy lyrics.
This was a cover of Shuggie Otis Strawberry Letter #23. Shuggie wrote it when he was like 15. He was like Prince he could write and play every instrument. Absolute genius before his time. He recorded it when he was like 18, early 70s.
Yes, Shuggie Otis wrote the original back in the day , but it evolved into so many different singers including akon under Quincy Jones which I think is the best version
Bass player Louis Johnson was given the moniker "Thunder Thumbs". He played bass on Michael Jackson's Thriller. In the documentary for USA for Africa's "We Are the World", you can see him for a few seconds doing an incredible (though brief) bass solo. R.I.P. Louis Johnson. This song, though, my mom said when it came out, she would sit me in her lap and sing it to me when I was a baby. I love your reactions when I come across them.
I was in junior high school in 77. Days of vinyl. I read that when the labels were sent to record maker to glue on stamped vinyl, the person who sent labels over put 23 instead of 22. By time they realized it to many records were made already. They just left it alone. Lol true or not?? Hmm lol
I grew up listening to Brothers Johnson and Louis "thunder thumbs" Johnson is one of the reasons I learned to play bass. They have some really good other songs worth a listen. If you like this version of Strawberry Letter 23 you should listen to the original by Shuggie Otis and his other songs.
Man, I hear this song and suddenly, I’m 15 again and tightening up the laces on my skates and hitting the floor. (This was a “backwards-skate” tune. Only the smoothest, funkiest, coolest tunes had us putting on our best backward’s moves.) Get CHILLS when I hear the opening chimes! 🤘🏼❤️
GIRLLLLLL BACK IN THE DAY!!!!! THOSE WERE SOME GOODDDD TIMES. THE (MUSIC) WAS THE (BOMB) ; THE BROTHERS HANDSOME; PEACE AND FUN; AND JUST ABOUT EVERYONE GETTING ALONG. I FELL IN (LOVE) WITH THE (BROTHERS JOHNSON) AND LOVE THEIR MUSIC. WHAT CAN I SAY; THERE WAS A LOT OF (TALENTED PEOPLE) IN THE 60'S - 70'S - 80'S. I MISS THOSE DAYS. 🎵🎤🎵🎤🎸🎵🎤🎸🎵🎤🎸🎤🎵🎤🎵🎸
Young lady this' some classic stuff you're hearing here. As a teen back in '77 this song rocked the house. Brother Johnson was awesome. Louis Johnson bass playing inspired me to pick up a bass. And yes they was on both Midnight Special and Soul Train. RIP Louis Johnson, you was one of the best bassist everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Oh my, the memories rush back to when I was a freshman in high school, times were so different then and music was everything to us. This song was such a fun hit and Brothers Johnson were extremely talented and have other great songs. Their music is magical and timeless. Thank you India. 💚🦋💕
Great reaction video (as always), India! It does my ol' heart good to see younger folks like yourself discovering and appreciating "the good stuff"... I wanted to tell you too - Many original copies of the 45 record of "Strawberry Letter #23" came in a picture sleeve that was strawberry-scented. Luckily I bought a copy back when it first came out - Still have it and, believe it or not, it *still* smells faintly of strawberries! :-)
Love this song. Along the lines of '70's love groove is Bill Withers song "Lovely Day", and dance groove " Groove Line" by Heatwave. Classic '70's! Thank you for the fun! 😊
Written and original performed by Shuggie Otis from his 1971 'Freedom Flight' album. Love his version too. “Otis wrote this the song at age 17. He wrote it for his girlfriend describing the feelings evoked by "Strawberry Letter 22," the title indicating the hopes of another letter. It is commonly believed that she wrote to him on strawberry-scented paper but Otis told Spinner in a 2013 interview that the song has nothing to do with the smell of strawberries. "What I pictured when I was writing that song, was a girl handing a guy a pink envelope; a love letter. The guy and the girl had written each other 22 letters so far. And the 23rd one he writes is a song. But no scents." - Songfacts
Was born in 67 (Cleveland) heard this song growing up and still thought about it when it stopped getting airtime. Oh my goodness i was happier than a pig in mud when i heard it again! Listen to it at least twice a month. Extremely thankful to the internet
Welcome home, Lil’ Sis. 😉 As a native of Dayton, Ohio, known as The Land of Funk, you will def need to go down the funk music rabbit hole. *Required.* (Examples: The Ohio Players, Slave, Sun, Lakeside, Zapp & Roger Troutman, Bootsy Collins/Bootsy’s Rubber Band, Cameo, etc.)
Thanks, girl, for listening to my 3rd favourite song of all time...was a huge top 5 smash in 1977 when I was 5 years old....and from your reactions to this video, you need a lot of Brothers Johnson songs in your life! Lol...next one you should listen to is "I'll Be Good To You", their 1st hit from 1976!
These were The greatest funk band of all time. Fell in love with with the track Right on time. Bought the album and was hooked. They were brilliant ❤️❤️!!! Herb ☘️
There were 22 letters to Otis' girlfriend and this song was Letter #23. How romantic is that?! I bought the 45 and it was indeed Strawberry scented!! These bruthas went way out for their fans!! Sadly, one has passed on. RIP Louis.
I love this song!!!!!! My husband just introduced me to your channel! This was my favorite summer song in 1977 when I was 17 years old. You have a new subscriber!
No crap. 1977? This was the very first 12" Single version I ever bought, I was 12. A punk. At night, after listening to John Peel, would tune my AM radio (UK) - to hear, wonderfully, all the funk stations from the USA. I had a small group of 'girl' friends at the time and they introduced me to this sound.
Thank you for reacting to this song. This was the music I grew up to. This song was actually the more popular cover version of the song (much like Tears for Fears' "Mad World"). This song, was a response, to Strawberry letter 22, thus the song is Strawberry letter 23. The original writer artist, was indeed in love, and he and his amour numbered their letters, thus 23! Yes, she took on sending him letters scented in strawberries. The original artist used a lot of metaphor imagery in his letters to his lady love. The Brothers Johnson, (I heard they were cousins of the original artist, but others say no) were up in his attic, when they came across the lyrics of the original song (which was released about 8 years earlier). They added a funk beat to it, and made this song which is almost night to day different. One of my all time favorite songs.
Your reaction is priceless! They are the real deal. Been hearing them since I first got introduced to them in the 80’s. You gotta do moar! Thanks for the reaction.
Hey, girl - thanks for reacting to my favorite song by them - (BTW "Brothers Johnson" - not all that unusual - did you not know that the Bee Gees were named for "Brothers Gibb" ?- - now, just think about that for a second - would the Brothers Johnson would like to be called the "Bee Jays"? - I doubt it - lol) - Louis Johnson was the bassist, BTW - and was known as "thunder thumbs" b/c of his slapping-great sound...
Great reaction to a great song (unless your Beaumont Livingston!) I'd like to see you react to How Long (Has This been going On) by Ace and Jimmy Loves Mary Anne by Looking Glass.
I'm sure I've heard this in passing on the radio as a youngster but I first officially heard it from watching Jackie Brown (1997). Dope film if u get the chance to react to it. This song is so smooth.
Ooooooh India, Sister you never heard of the Brothers Johnson. They were the Bomb, IMHO one of the greatest love songs EVER written. Soul, Funk, Dang, trying to imagine how many babies were made listening to this.
Hi India, you for sure bring out the PR agent in me... I start my day often watching your beautiful expressiveness and playful nature. Our business is bringing freeform dance back to the daylight and now include this epic song in our playlists winddown. Thank you India for rockin' it like you do...💕❤🔥💯
Yes Ma'am! One of the great groups of the 1970s Strawberry Letter 22" instead of the actual title of the song. This is because the meaning of the song is that a couple is exchanging love letters in musical form. The singer is creating "Strawberry Letter 23" as a reply to the song he has received from his lover, and he refers to her previous message as "Strawberry Letter 22" when replying. Louis Johnson (brown clothes) passed away in 2015. He was called 'Thunder Thumbs.' George Johnson (white clothes) called 'Lightnin' Licks' If I'm wrong, I know my oldheads will help me out! 😁 Reaction to: STOMP! and ... I'll Be Good To You
First of all, you look like a Queen with you newest hairstyle. Secondly I hope you react to "STOMP" one of their best songs and one of my favorite R&Bsongs of all time
Having friends over, grillin and chillin all day, sun setting, sipping on whiskey and slowly dancing the night away. Good memories! Now bring on Al Green "For the good times"
Been a long time since I've heard this. We used to get out of the car at the red lights to dance to this. Hahaha. I'll have to look them up again. Thanks for the memories!
This takes me back. The brothas! 'Look Out For # 1' was one of my all-time favorite albums! 'Get the Funk Out My Face,' the BEST, most funky cover of 'Come Together' & the superb closing track, the eerie & menacing 'The Devil'. Funk yeah! I wore that cassette out!! Yes, cassette. It was the 80's & I was listening to this alongside Parliament-Funkadelic, The Clash, Suicidal Tendencies, Slayer, Metallica, Black Sabbath, the Beatles, The Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, KRS-One, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, James Brown, etc. Louis Johnson was my man: Thunder Thumbs & Lightning Licks fo' sho!! Music was everything to me then. No social medfia, no instant gratification. I spent endless hours in used record stores poring over the stacks of vinyl, scoping out the artwork, reading liner notes, expanding my world. Good times!! Glad to see your positive reaction. Smooooth! that's right.
