Fred Wesley & The J.b.'s - Doing It To Death (pts. 1 & 2) (slayd5000) Apr 2026

: The song features a rare and famous modulation where Brown directs the band to move downward from F to D, famously saying, "In order for me to get down, I have to get down in D".

: It marked the return of legendary saxophonist Maceo Parker to the group, whose presence is acknowledged by Brown during the track's banter. Structure and Length : The song features a rare and famous

: Despite the title, the phrase "doing it to death" never actually appears in the lyrics. The title was inspired by a figure of speech James Brown heard trombonist Fred Wesley use. The title was inspired by a figure of

The track is celebrated for its infectious hook, "We're gonna have a funky good time". While many listeners are familiar with the edited single versions, the song exists in several formats: "Doing It To Death (Pts

: According to Fred Wesley, the session was remarkably efficient, coming together in about 30 minutes to an hour with almost no editing or mixing required afterward.

"Doing It To Death (Pts. 1 & 2)" is a landmark funk anthem released in 1973 , credited to but famously led by James Brown . Recorded for Brown’s People Records label, it became a massive success, selling over one million copies and topping the R&B charts. Key Facts and Production