There is a reason he played bass on Michael Jackson's Thriller album. They called him "Thunder Thumbs" cause he routinely would slap his bass so hard the strings would break. Incredible talent. RIP Louis.
Absolutely LOVED this one when it came out, couldn't hear it enough...and it's aged well, still sounds great and I'm still eager to listen to it whenever I hear it. It's an uplifting upbeat song of pure joy IMO.
I didn’t know until I heard a human interest story on the radio about Shuggi Otis about 10 or 15 years ago. His Inspiration Information album is really good. Shuggi was a little ahead of his time musically, which kind of hurt his career in my opinion.
But they are confusing the hell out of me. Some people say that the letters were written by his mom's and thers say they came from his girl which makes more sense to me maybe because I was getting scented letters from my girl at the time. 💃🏾🌹
This was a big "crossover" hit in 1977. Even though The Brothers Johnson was an R&B group this song was also played regularly on mainstream FM rock radio stations. Loved it back then. Still do today!
You might not have noticed but the words "Strawberry Letter 23" are never sung in the song. That's because Strawberry Letter 23 is the words of this song; responding to Strawberry Letter 22.
Hi Ms. D., I have always liked this song.. Even though the name is "Strawberry Letter 23" they say Strawberry Letter 22.. U know I am paying attention.. ☺ ♠W.G.
It's so sad that the young Americans don't know about pass top American mucians I was born in England grew up In Guyana and now I'm back in London I knew these musicians since 60 70 80 and 90 its 2024 now I was very lucky to enjoy top music at a very age thanks to all the Great musicians that Live Thank you all Blessed
The fact that it's a cover was not mentioned I never knew it was a cover proves you're never to old to learn something new and this is the quintessential recording it's more modern with the guitar and bass
Angela, great song to add to your playlist. This song was done pretty close to the original, with jazz band "Fourplay" members coming into play guitar and drums. Lee Ritenour did a great job duplicating the original Shuggie Otis Guitar solo on the track; Harvey Mason's cymbal/hi-hat work is great also. The Brothers Johnson has so many great songs for you to listen to. Recommend you listen to "I'm Giving You All My Love" with a great intro by James Newton Howard; "I Want You" with Toto's great Steve Lukather on a monster guitar solo; and their big hit "Stomp" co-written with Heatwave's Rod Temperton. ENJOY!
@@rmar67 It was hard to whittle it down to just a few, because I feared that my comment was getting too long, I love the Brothers Johnson, from way back in the 70's when they emerged on the music scene. The funk of Louis Johnson's "Thunder Thumbs" bass lines were "sick". It was like listening to another flavor of bass playing by guys like Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller. They probably got about 30 songs that I really like by them.
I would hear this on the radio until I was maybe in the 4'th grade 1984-85. Never heard it again until I was in a Burger King in Austin TX where I only lived for 2 years. I remember asking someone who did this and he said he thinks it was Boz Scags. It took about 2 years after that to learn who recorded this.
Thanks, DayOne! I have always loved this song...Brothers J. were fantastic.. bassist Louis was called "thunder thumbs".. they had such a groove! appreciate your reactions... (p.s. I didn't even know there was a video - I LOVE it!)
I listened to this and watched the content when you originally aired it! I'm leaving this comment on the 1st week of July 2024! To answer your question, the 2 versions are very similar, but I like this one more! It was produced by Quincy Jones, and there is a full version that's over 5 min long! This is one of my favorite songs of all time! Your description was on point! See you on Monday, and hopefully it won't be so 🔥 hot here where I am! Take care!
This song helped me win $250 in a contest on a local radio station when I was a teenager back in '77, so besides being a cool song, it has a special place in my musical history.
I finally heard the Shuggie Otis version just a few years ago. I love both versions for different reasons. I certainly suggest listening to that as well!
Brothers Johnson greatly improved this recording. Their enhancements and the quality of the singing was far better. Much improvement. It's not at all like sampling. They took it and made it better. That didn't happened occasionally back then.. Recall Marvin Gaye recording I Heard through the Grapevine, just months after Gladys Knight and the Pips recorded it and began moving up the charts. Marvin's version became Motown's best selling record.
Coming off from their Grammy winning debut album a year prior they'd hit big again with this record. Louis Johnson I believe is the Father of the slap bass that was used by many artists during the late 70s into the 80s. 'I'll be good to you' is another great song by these two, taking from the album that won them a Grammy produced by Quincy Jones.
Funny the lyrics clearly say "Strawberry Letter 22".... first time I realized that I was 11 years old, standing on a chair playing Pinball in front of older teenagers at a sub shop.... winning game after game.....
To get a feel for Shuggie Otis' version of this, you really have to listen to the live version. His guitar work on this is superb. Shuggie is an exceptionally talented guitarist who turned down a chance to play with the Rolling Stones, and is the son Rock 'n 'Roll Hall of Fame member band leader and talent scout Johnny Otis.
Two of the coolest cats I've ever seen. Great musicians and (it would appear) awesome guys as well. "Stomp" is my favorite...just try not to dance when you hear it.
What a cool song love this song I just never could figure out why it says strawberry letter 23 and then they're singing strawberry letter 22 thumbs up all the way though I like this song 👍🏽👋👍🏽
I love this song so much, the production, the bass and the guitar break. It's such a sweet composition too. Plus, the video suits the music perfectly with the sun, location, flowers the dancers. It's definitely Mediterranean Europe, either Spain, Portugal or Italy, I'd say. I always think of Shuggie Otis' version compared with the Brothers Johnson version as being like what Prince's I Feel for You is to Chaka Khan's version.
It’s a SHAME that Shuggie Otis didn’t get a lot of air play back in the day! Guess that’s why so many are shocked, including me that it’s a cover- The Brothers did him credit big time!
So glad I found you and ❤️ that you did this song. My first ever black friend Greg introduced me to “ Thunder Thumbs and Lightning Licks” (Bros Johnson) when this song came out. Sadly he drowned in an accident. This song brings him back to my memory for a short time.
Now, when I hear this song, I envision Ordell (Samuel L. Jackson) putting on his gloves after convincing Beaumont (Chris Tucker) to get in the trunk of an Oldsmobile 88 and going around the corner playing this tune eliminate…..in his words “an employee I had to let go”. 😂
Dig those bell bottoms! And those lapels! Louis Johnson inspired a generation of bass players. The Shuggie Otis version is more psychedelic than pop, but generally in the same mode as this cover. The Rolling Stones asked Shuggie Otis to join them on their 1975 tour, but he declined the invitation. Imagine the jams they could have kicked out had he not. Johnny Otis, Shuggie Otis's father, of "Willie and the Hand Jive" fame, hosted a Saturday morning radio show -- live from a restaurant-market in Sebastopol, California -- that I used to always listen to back in the nineties. Shuggie made guest appearances from time to time. And the music was always fire.
The incomparable Louis Johnson on the bass. A true star.
There is a reason he played bass on Michael Jackson's Thriller album. They called him "Thunder Thumbs" cause he routinely would slap his bass so hard the strings would break. Incredible talent. RIP Louis.
This song was just COOL no matter who ya are
Absolutely LOVED this one when it came out, couldn't hear it enough...and it's aged well, still sounds great and I'm still eager to listen to it whenever I hear it. It's an uplifting upbeat song of pure joy IMO.
Remember the red album?
Always loved this song
Junior in high school.
@@sealdrup Same here.
Same! 💯
I didn't know this was a cover. You learn something new every day.
Me neither 😮
I didn’t know until I heard a human interest story on the radio about Shuggi Otis about 10 or 15 years ago. His Inspiration Information album is really good. Shuggi was a little ahead of his time musically, which kind of hurt his career in my opinion.
@@bcriswell I think that may have been when I first found out the Brother's Johnson was a cover.
But they are confusing the hell out of me. Some people say that the letters were written by his mom's and thers say they came from his girl which makes more sense to me maybe because I was getting scented letters from my girl at the time. 💃🏾🌹
This is the best version of the song
I was in Germany when this version came out and I to was receiving scented letters from my girlfriend nack in Baltimore.💃🏾🌹👑
This song is infectious. Psychedelic meets funk blend.
Louis Johnson hypnotizes on his bass as usual🎸
This was a big "crossover" hit in 1977. Even though The Brothers Johnson was an R&B group this song was also played regularly on mainstream FM rock radio stations. Loved it back then. Still do today!
The Brothers Johnson and Hall & Oates are the two greatest duo's ever😎
You might not have noticed but the words "Strawberry Letter 23" are never sung in the song. That's because Strawberry Letter 23 is the words of this song; responding to Strawberry Letter 22.
Stomp and I'll Be Good To You by Bros Johnson are both great dance tunes.
Brothers Johnson - Stomp from 1981
j'adores les brothers Johnson rip louis 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
I love watching her reactions!
Love Strawberry Letter 23 by Shuggie Otis.....Nostalgic...Hi i'm Halim from Malaysia.....
Hi Ms. D., I have always liked this song.. Even though the name is "Strawberry Letter 23" they say Strawberry Letter 22..
U know I am paying attention.. ☺ ♠W.G.
It's so sad that the young Americans don't know about pass top American mucians I was born in England grew up In Guyana and now I'm back in London I knew these musicians since 60 70 80 and 90 its 2024 now I was very lucky to enjoy top music at a very age thanks to all the Great musicians that Live Thank you all Blessed
The Brothers Johnson’s cover is definitely the best version of this song!! Especially Louis on the bass, took it to a whole new level!!!
The fact that it's a cover was not mentioned I never knew it was a cover proves you're never to old to learn something new and this is the quintessential recording it's more modern with the guitar and bass
My Favorite Song of 1977!
Heard this a million times but never saw this video with it. Love the song.
Coolest song ever.
Yes i love it.❤❤❤
If there was ever a song about "The Groove," this is the tune that displays it best.
Great Chillin vibe song...
You gotta listen to their...biggest hit ..."Stomp"... One of best party dance songs of all time!
any song that makes you dance...
I've had this in my library for years
It's one of the all-time greats
Angela, great song to add to your playlist. This song was done pretty close to the original, with jazz band "Fourplay" members coming into play guitar and drums. Lee Ritenour did a great job duplicating the original Shuggie Otis Guitar solo on the track; Harvey Mason's cymbal/hi-hat work is great also. The Brothers Johnson has so many great songs for you to listen to. Recommend you listen to "I'm Giving You All My Love" with a great intro by James Newton Howard; "I Want You" with Toto's great Steve Lukather on a monster guitar solo; and their big hit "Stomp" co-written with Heatwave's Rod Temperton. ENJOY!
And "I'll Be Good to You".
@@rmar67 It was hard to whittle it down to just a few, because I feared that my comment was getting too long, I love the Brothers Johnson, from way back in the 70's when they emerged on the music scene.
The funk of Louis Johnson's "Thunder Thumbs" bass lines were "sick". It was like listening to another flavor of bass playing by guys like Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller.
They probably got about 30 songs that I really like by them.
Everyone loved this one
I would hear this on the radio until I was maybe in the 4'th grade 1984-85. Never heard it again until I was in a Burger King in Austin TX where I only lived for 2 years. I remember asking someone who did this and he said he thinks it was Boz Scags. It took about 2 years after that to learn who recorded this.
Super smooth grooooove
Thanks, DayOne! I have always loved this song...Brothers J. were fantastic.. bassist Louis was called "thunder thumbs".. they had such a groove! appreciate your reactions... (p.s. I didn't even know there was a video - I LOVE it!)
Wait, what? This is a cover? Well I’ll be… Always loved this one.
I have no recollection of this song or band. I was 11. I like it. Thanks for reviewing it.
I too have always loved this 🎵
I remember Quentin Tarantino put this in his movie soundtrack Jackie Brown and reminded me how much I loved this tune
On my short list of all time favorites
This song is fantastic, I mean listen to everything going on musically.
I listened to this and watched the content when you originally aired it! I'm leaving this comment on the 1st week of July 2024!
To answer your question, the 2 versions are very similar, but I like this one more! It was produced by Quincy Jones, and there is a full version that's over 5 min long! This is one of my favorite songs of all time! Your description was on point! See you on Monday, and hopefully it won't be so 🔥 hot here where I am! Take care!
Never knew this was a cover!
Try 'Stomp' from them. Upbeat and very danceable. You'll like it
Nice one!!
Great, Fantastic & Funky!!
Hey 🍓 strawberry The Brother Johnson all the way!
holy smoke this was the song of 77 the great snowstorm like your reaction thanx
First time I heard of an alembic bass guitar.
One of my fav songs… I played this song out! when it came out…
I'm glad you let it play straight through; you probably remember it from the movie Jackie Brown. Great movie if you have yet to see it.
Yeah you're going to love this one
Playlist guaranteed
This song helped me win $250 in a contest on a local radio station when I was a teenager back in '77, so besides being a cool song, it has a special place in my musical history.
I didn't know this was a cover, I didn't know Tainted Love was a cover.
You're doing a great job, thank you.
It was a song on a commercial years ago, for something like a cereal or pop tarts. Something sweet, like the song.
I finally heard the Shuggie Otis version just a few years ago. I love both versions for different reasons. I certainly suggest listening to that as well!
What a great song, the year I graduated from HS , brings back good memories. I never get tired of it even after 40+ years.
Brothers Johnson greatly improved this recording. Their enhancements and the quality of the singing was far better. Much improvement. It's not at all like sampling. They took it and made it better. That didn't happened occasionally back then.. Recall Marvin Gaye recording I Heard through the Grapevine, just months after Gladys Knight and the Pips recorded it and began moving up the charts. Marvin's version became Motown's best selling record.
This song was played in a few movies, particularly Quentin Tarantino Jackie Brown, you might have heard it there and didn't realize.
This song was used in the movie, Jackie Brown. :)
Coming off from their Grammy winning debut album a year prior they'd hit big again with this record. Louis Johnson I believe is the Father of the slap bass that was used by many artists during the late 70s into the 80s. 'I'll be good to you' is another great song by these two, taking from the album that won them a Grammy produced by Quincy Jones.
Larry Graham..
@@Mr.56Goldtop🤔 Sly and The Family Stone
@@Mr.56Goldtop ... Right, the father of slap bass is Larry. I like Louis, he's a great player, but Larry started that chit.
Wanna see him make his bass talk?. Check this out ua-cam.com/video/9Z0PZIEOSKc/v-deo.html
Explosion of beautiful auditory creativity. Loved the Brothers Johnson. Not a fan of the vid, but hey ... the crazy 70's, you know.
Every Block party ❣️❣️❣️ Rolling in a
1964Buick skylark West Coast slam on Supremes 😋.
Great time to be Alive ✌️♥️
Oh yeah now your diggin deep Angela. Takes me back to my childhood. Viba la 70's haha
❤️❤️❤️
I remember buying the single and the record sleeve smelled like strawberries.
OMG what a flashback. Took me right back to the girlfriend, postage stamp apartment, warehouse job. Thanks
Funny the lyrics clearly say "Strawberry Letter 22".... first time I realized that I was 11 years old, standing on a chair playing Pinball in front of older teenagers at a sub shop.... winning game after game.....
Great song with an ill conceived video. Never knew this was a cover
Great Jam !
This and STOMP are great tunes.
To get a feel for Shuggie Otis' version of this, you really have to listen to the live version. His guitar work on this is superb. Shuggie is an exceptionally talented guitarist who turned down a chance to play with the Rolling Stones, and is the son Rock 'n 'Roll Hall of Fame member band leader and talent scout Johnny Otis.
good song
The original by Shuggies Otis (who was 18 years old when he wrote the song) sounds like an unpolished demo tape.
Try their song Stomp. Great dancing music. Love it
Two of the coolest cats I've ever seen. Great musicians and (it would appear) awesome guys as well. "Stomp" is my favorite...just try not to dance when you hear it.
Louis Johnson, rip!
I always dug this song! Billy Paul did a song called "Me and Mrs. Jones" but you need to react to the awesome cover of that song by the Dramatics.
I absolutely love this song and I love the Brothers Johnson! I did not know this was a cover but they made this song their own! Great music!❤❤
What a cool song love this song I just never could figure out why it says strawberry letter 23 and then they're singing strawberry letter 22 thumbs up all the way though I like this song 👍🏽👋👍🏽
I remember the small record smelled like Strawberries.
Cool memory - the first time I drove by myself this was on the radio . can't believe I remember that
Hauntingly beautiful ❤
I first heard it in the movie Jackie Brown starring Pam Grier. Great song , reaction and movie. Thank you.
This is better than the original.
It features in the movie Jackie Brown by Tarantino. You might have heard it there.
ABOUT THE SONG MEANING: Guy is on a date with this girl, he is taken by her perfume, ' What is that ' he asked. She says ' Strawberry Letter 23'
Cool as the other side of the pillow
nicknamed Thunder Thumbs & Lightning Licks.
These bros have a cousin - Weir - who would play with them and got so good that the Talking Heads have him in Stop Making Sense.
I love this song so much, the production, the bass and the guitar break. It's such a sweet composition too. Plus, the video suits the music perfectly with the sun, location, flowers the dancers. It's definitely Mediterranean Europe, either Spain, Portugal or Italy, I'd say. I always think of Shuggie Otis' version compared with the Brothers Johnson version as being like what Prince's I Feel for You is to Chaka Khan's version.
It’s a SHAME that Shuggie Otis didn’t get a lot of air play back in the day! Guess that’s why so many are shocked, including me that it’s a cover- The Brothers did him credit big time!
I love that song, came out when I graduated (yes I’m old) music is timeless though
never heard the original. always thought the brothers johnson version was the original 😆
So glad I found you and ❤️ that you did this song. My first ever black friend Greg introduced me to “ Thunder Thumbs and Lightning Licks” (Bros Johnson) when this song came out. Sadly he drowned in an accident. This song brings him back to my memory for a short time.
Voice like warm honey...and how about his brother...the famous 'thunder thumbs' on bass. Just a perfect song!
This song is a trip! You got the beat Angela 👍🏼
please do a reaction to stomp also by the brothers Johnson
I never realized this was a cover version!
Good song. It puts me in mind of Earth, Wind & Fire. And that's awesome😎👍
Now, when I hear this song, I envision Ordell (Samuel L. Jackson) putting on his gloves after convincing Beaumont (Chris Tucker) to get in the trunk of an Oldsmobile 88 and going around the corner playing this tune eliminate…..in his words “an employee I had to let go”. 😂
I remember the B.J. being dubbed "the black beatles" because of the beatle like lyrical content to this tune..
Dig those bell bottoms! And those lapels! Louis Johnson inspired a generation of bass players. The Shuggie Otis version is more psychedelic than pop, but generally in the same mode as this cover. The Rolling Stones asked Shuggie Otis to join them on their 1975 tour, but he declined the invitation. Imagine the jams they could have kicked out had he not. Johnny Otis, Shuggie Otis's father, of "Willie and the Hand Jive" fame, hosted a Saturday morning radio show -- live from a restaurant-market in Sebastopol, California -- that I used to always listen to back in the nineties. Shuggie made guest appearances from time to time. And the music was always fire.