The Electric Spanking of War Babies

The Electric Spanking of War Babies is the twelfth studio album by the American funk rock 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
Length43:52
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. The original tracklist featured the instrumental version of the title track found on the 12" single's b-side, as well as the tracks "May Day (S.O.S.)" and "I Angle", later released on the George Clinton Family Series albums Plush Funk and Testing Positive 4 the Funk, respectively.[1] The title refers to the US government's use of media propaganda to promote imperialism and war.[2]

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.[3] 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!”[3]

Critical response
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Blender[4]
Christgau's Record Guide: The '80sA−[5]
The New York Times(mixed)[6]
Rolling Stone[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)Producer(s)Length
1."The Electric Spanking of War Babies"Bob Bishop, George Clinton, Junie MorrisonGeorge Clinton, Junie Morrison8:37
2."Electro-Cuties"Jimmy Ali, Clinton, Ron FordGeorge Clinton, Ron Ford6:10
3."Funk Gets Stronger, Part 1"Clinton, Michael HamptonGeorge Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Sly Stone6:37
Side Two
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Brettino's Bounce"Larry FratangeloGeorge Clinton3:38
2."Funk Gets Stronger (Killer Millimeter Longer Version)" (interpolates "She Loves You" by the Beatles)Clinton. Sylvester StewartGeorge Clinton, Sly Stone4:42
3."Shockwaves"Ron Dunbar, DeWayne McKnightGeorge Clinton, Ron Dunbar5:10
4."Oh, I"Clinton, Rodney Curtis, Garry ShiderGeorge Clinton, Garry Shider4:51
5."Icka Prick"Clinton, ShiderGeorge Clinton, Garry Shider4:07

Personnel

References
  1. "Tracklist of the original planned Electric Spanking". 20 August 2020.
  2. AllMusic review
  3. 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.
  4. Blender review Archived 2009-08-22 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Robert Christgau review
  6. Rockwell, John (6 December 1981). "BIG BLACK POP BANDS HAVE LOST EXCITEMENT AND ADVENTURE (Published 1981)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2018-01-26.
  7. Rolling Stone review
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