James Brown performs for American troops during the Vietnam War. June, 1968. Photo by Christian Simonpietri/Sygma/Corbis

“I ain’t talkin’ just to tease. People like you don’t grow on trees. Look here, this is what’s gonna be. I have everything I need around my soulful Christmas tree. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. I love you. Have good cheer. I love you. Good God. Got my baby, my precious love. Happiness. Good God. Huh. I got plenty of it. Would you believe I got peace of mind? And I’ll be grooving at Christmastime. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. May you have good cheer. I love you. James Brown loves you, you lucky so and so. Oh. Ow. Soulful Christmas like a sweet melody. I’m a lucky so and so. The bells are gonna ring for me. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. To all of my fans, have good cheer. I love you, I love you. Won’t take nobody else. I can’t stand myself. Huh. Good God. I gotta heart full of love for the whole wide world and a little special love for my soulful girl. I get this feelin’ every night and then I gotta get ready to bring the New Year in.”

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James Brown – Soulful Christmas
from Funky Christmas. Polydor, 1968 | buy mp3s

James Brown backstage and on the stage in Vietnam. June, 1968. Photos by Christian Simonpietri/Sygma/Corbis