Licking Stick – Licking Stick

"Licking Stick — Licking Stick" is a song recorded by James Brown in 1968. It was released as a two-part single and also appeared on the album Say It Loud — I'm Black and I'm Proud. The song's title refers to a stick used to administer corporal punishment (a "lickin'").

"Licking Stick — Licking Stick" was one of Brown's first post-Famous Flames hits to feature backing vocals by original Flames member Bobby Byrd, a role he would continue in later recordings such as "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine" and "Soul Power". Byrd also co-wrote the song. It was also the first stereo single release by Brown's label King Records.

Chart positions

Live version

Brown performs a live version of "Licking Stick — Licking Stick" on his 1970 album Sex Machine.

References

• Leeds, Alan M., and Harry Weinger (1991). Star Time: Song by Song. In Star Time (pp. 46–53) [CD liner notes]. London: Polydor Records.
• White, Cliff (1991). Discography. In Star Time (pp. 54–59) [CD liner notes]. London: Polydor Records.