The Electric Spanking of War Babies

The Electric Spanking of War Babies is the 13th studio album by the American funk band Funkadelic, released in April 1981 on Warner Bros. Records. The title is an allusion to the Vietnam War and baby boomers. Sly Stone contributed to the recording sessions, singing lead vocals on "Funk Gets Stronger (Killer Millimeter Longer Version)".

For the song, see The Electric Spanking of War Babies (song).
The Electric Spanking of War Babies
Studio album by
Funkadelic
ReleasedApril 14, 1981
GenreFunk
Length44:10
LabelWarner Bros.
ProducerGeorge Clinton
Funkadelic chronology
Connections & Disconnections
(1980)		 The Electric Spanking of War Babies
(1981)		 By Way of the Drum
(2007)
P-Funk collective chronology
Trombipulation
(1980)		 The Electric Spanking of War Babies
(1981)		 Computer Games
(1982)
Alternative cover
Original, uncensored cover

Background

Clinton originally planned on a double album, but the idea was quashed by Warner Brothers. Some of the deleted tracks appeared on later P-Funk releases, most notably the 1982 hit single "Atomic Dog," which appeared on the first George Clinton solo album, Computer Games. The title refers to the US government's use of media propaganda to promote imperialism and war.[1]

It includes many relative newcomers to P-Funk, many of whom remained employed by George Clinton on future releases under his own name or under the name George Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars. Of all the original group members since Funkadelic's debut album, only George Clinton, Ray Davis, and Eddie Hazel appear on this album. Junie Morrison plays all the instruments on the title track except the guitar solo which was played by Michael Hampton. This was the last Album to feature Eddie Hazel, Ray Davis, Garry Shider, Junie Morrison, Mallia Franklin, and Jessica Cleaves. Also this is the only Funkadelic album the late Roger Troutman appears on as well. Sly Stone performs several instruments and contributed production work to the album.

Artwork controversy

The cover artwork was designed by long-time Funkadelic collaborator Pedro Bell. Deemed inappropriate due to the cover featuring an overtly phallic spaceship that transported a naked woman, the work was edited, despite the fact that Funkadelic "was following up two consecutive million-selling records," while signed to Warner Bros.[2] Bell revised The Electric Spanking of War Babies so the image was featured with a lime-green sketch of shape covering the majority of the cover art, which says, “Oh Look! The Cover that ‘They’ were TOO-SCARED to print!”[2]

Critical response
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Blender[3]
Christgau's Record Guide: The '80sA−[4]
New York Times(mixed)[5]
Rolling Stone[6]
Uppity Music(favorable)[7]
  • "Whether or not one cares to examine its hidden political messages, Electric Spanking is an above-average party album."
  • "George Clinton reaches into the disgusting depths of his drug-addled mind and comes up with the solidest, weirdest chunk of P-Funk since one nation gathered under a groove."

Track listing
Side One
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Electric Spanking of War Babies"Bob Bishop, George Clinton, Junie Morrison8:40
2."Electro-Cuties"Jimmy Ali, Clinton, Ron Ford6:12
3."Funk Gets Stronger, Part 1"Clinton, Michael Hampton6:41


Side Two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Brettino's Bounce"Larry Fratangelo3:40
2."Funk Gets Stronger (Killer Millimeter Longer Version)" (interpolates She Loves You by the Beatles)Clinton. Sylvester Stewart4:43
3."Shockwaves"Ron Dunbar, DeWayne McKnight5:08
4."Oh, I"Clinton, Rodney Curtis, Garry Shider4:54
5."Icka Prick"Clinton, Shider4:08

4 produced by George Clinton. All others co-produced by Clinton with:

1 - Junie Morrison; 2 - Ron Ford; 3 - Bootsy Collins and Sly Stone; 5 - Sly Stone; 6 - Ron Dunbar; 7,8 - Garry Shider.

Personnel
  • George Clinton - lead vocals (on #1-3,5,8)
  • Junie Morrison - bass, rhythm guitar, keyboards and drums (1)
  • Roger Troutman - rhythm guitar, bass and Moog synthesizer (3)
  • Michael Hampton (1-3,7,8), Jerome Ali (2,7), Eddie Hazel (5) - lead guitar
  • DeWayne McKnight - guitar (6)
  • Gordon Carlton (2,7), Garry Shider (7,8) - rhythm guitar
  • Jimmy Ali (2), Lige Curry (3,6,8), Rodney Curtis (7) - bass
  • Kenny Colton (2,6), Tyrone Lampkin (3,7) - drums
  • Larry Fratangelo - percussion (3,4,6), drums (4)
  • Muruga Booker - electric talking drum (3)
  • Marion Saulsby - keyboards (7)
  • David Lee Chong - Moog synthesizer and keyboards (8)
  • Pat Rizzo (3,5), Michael Brecker (7) - saxophone
  • Cynthia Robinson - trumpet (3,5)
  • Bootsy Collins - vocals (3)
  • Donnie Sterling - lead vocals (6)
  • Garry Shider - lead vocals (7), rhythm guitar (8)
  • Sly Stone - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards and drums (5)
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References
  1. Allmusic review
  2. Edwards, Gavin (January 15, 2015). "Banned in the U.S.A.: 20 Wildest Censored Album Covers - Funkadelic, 'The Electric Spanking of War Babies' (1981)". Rolling Stone.
  3. Blender review Archived 2009-08-22 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Robert Christgau review
  5. New York Times review
  6. Rolling Stone review
  7. Uppity Music review
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