Three Hearts In a Tangle - James Brown and His Famous Flames

Three Hearts In a Tangle - James Brown and His Famous Flames

2:44

Tour the U.S.A., 1962

Written by Ray Pennington and Sonny Thompson, 1958

Apparently the first version of this song was country, but Brown turns it into a funk with a '60s go-go beat, percussion giving faint island vibes, and crooning background vocals.  It's not exactly a masterpiece or Brown's best work, but he's screaming it out like it might make or break him (and it did hit the R&B charts, so good for him!).

I'll Go Crazy - James Brown and the Famous Flames

I'll Go Crazy - James Brown and the Famous Flames

2:11

Think!, 1960

Written by James Brown

This "please don't leave me" funky track evokes Ray Charles in its delivery and pacing, more 1960s rythym and blues than soul.  I'm not sure if the echoing backing vocals are an asset to this particular song; I find them a little distracting.  The narrator assures his love that he'll go crazy if she's gone, but then, defiantly, puts out a power mantra: "you gotta live for yourself, yourself and nobody else!"  From what I know of Brown, that's the philosophy he lived by: act famous, act like you're the show, don't compromise your beliefs for fame or anything, play your cards close to your vest.