Strawberry Letter 23 is a cool, funky song that I’ve always loved, even back in the days when I completely despised anything R&B. It’s got a great guitar solo, some really funky bass playing, and some awesome lyrics. From Wikipedia:
“Strawberry Letter 23″ is a song written by Shuggie Otis, although known most prominently by the version done by The Brothers Johnson. Otis wrote the song for a girlfriend, who used strawberry-scented paper in letters to him. George Johnson of The Brothers Johnson was dating one of Otis’ cousins when he came across Freedom Flight, Otis’ 1972 album that featured the song. The group would later record it for their 1977 album Right On Time, under legendary producer Quincy Jones. The album would go platinum. “Strawberry Letter 23″, as recorded by The Brothers Johnson, in a funkier, more dance oriented vein than the original Otis version, hit the Hot 100 #5 and R&B #1 in 1977. The famous solo in this song was originally recorded by Shuggie Otis. Studio guitar player Lee Ritenour later recreated Shuggie Otis original solo for the Brothers Johnson 1977 album.
The song’s title appears to be a misnomer, the actual lyrics reading in part: “…a present from you, Strawberry Letter 22.” This however is not true. Otis wrote it for his girlfriend, who liked to send him letters written on strawberry scented paper. The song describes the feelings evoked by “Strawberry Letter 22,” the title indicating the hopes of another letter. Another explanation is that the song is a reply to strawberry letter 22 and the title refers to the song being like a “strawberry letter 23″
The Brothers Johnson version of the song featured prominently in the penultimate “Ecotone” episode of the HBO series Six Feet Under when main character Nate Fisher and his brother David experienced a shared dream which included their deceased father.
It was used in Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown. It was featured in the second episode of the third season of Nip/Tuck. It was also included in the Collector’s Edition of the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. It was also featured in a commercial for Special K Red Berries breakfast cereal. In addition, the song’s melody was sampled for the verses on Beyoncé’s “Be With You” from her 2003 debut solo album, Dangerously In Love .
And of course, the lyrics:
Hello, my love
I heard a kiss from you
Red magic satin playing near, too
All through the morning rain
I gaze - the sun doesn’t shine -
Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind
In the garden - I see west
Purple shower, bells and tea
Orange birds and river cousins dressed in green
Pretty music I hear - so happy
And loud - blue flower echo
From a cherry cloud
Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
Playgrounds will laugh
if you try to ask
Is it cool?, is it cool?
If you arrive and don’t see me
I’m going to be with my baby
I am free - flying in her arms, over the sea
Stained window, yellow candy screen
See speakers of kite - with velvet roses diggin’ freedom flight
A present from you - Strawberry letter 22
The music plays, I sit in for a few
Ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…
A present from you - Strawberry letter 22
The music plays, I sit in for a few
Ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…
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