<Ul> <Li> file </Li> <Li> help </Li> </Ul> <P> "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" is a song written and recorded by James Brown . Released as a two - part single in 1965, it was Brown's first song to reach the Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten, peaking at number eight, and was a number - one R&B hit, topping the charts for eight weeks . It won Brown his first Grammy Award, for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording . </P> <P> Consolidating the rhythmic innovations of earlier James Brown recordings such as "I've Got Money" and "Out of Sight", "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" is considered seminal in the emergence of funk music as a distinct style . As Brown sings the praises of an old man brave enough to get out on the dance floor of a nightclub ("brand new bag" meaning new interest, taste, or way of doing something), his band provides a horn - heavy backdrop with a prominent rhythm and an electric guitar riff for a hook . Both singer and musicians place overwhelming emphasis on the first beat of each measure ("on the One"). The song is Brown's first recording to feature Jimmy Nolen on guitar . </P> <P> The taped recording of "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" was edited and sped up for its single release, increasing the tempo and raising the pitch by a half step . In 1991 the recording was released in unedited form at its original speed on the box set Star Time . The track includes lead - in studio chatter, with Brown throatily (and presciently) shouting "This is a hit!" just before the drum and horn intro . </P>

James brown song papa's got a brand new bag