Standing on the Verge of Getting It On cover

Standing on the Verge of Getting It On

Funkadelic · 1974

37 min · 7 tracks · funk

A vibrant blend of psychedelic funk grooves and provocative lyrics that challenge societal norms and celebrate individuality.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Red Hot Mama Start here — This track opens the album with infectious energy, showcasing blistering guitar riffs intertwined with suggestive lyrics that set the tone for the entire record.
  • →
    Standing on the Verge of Getting It On — The title track encapsulates Funkadelic's ethos of liberation and desire, blending engaging rhythms with a call for self-empowerment that resonates throughout the album.
  • →
    Good Thoughts, Bad Thoughts — This extended piece highlights the band's improvisational skills, featuring complex arrangements that explore themes of consciousness while maintaining a deeply funky groove.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

70 /100
Alpine
Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production, with a unique sound that reflects its era while addressing bold themes.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a high-energy track that features layered guitar riffs and prominent brass sections, establishing a vibrant funk groove.
  • Each song typically features multiple tempo changes, with some tracks transitioning from slow, sultry sections to fast-paced grooves.
  • The lyrics often blend humor and social commentary, with several tracks using call-and-response vocal techniques that engage the listener.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic emotional journeys
  • long, immersive listening sessions
  • playful and experimental vibes

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Solidified Funkadelic's reputation in funk after prior successes.
Themes
psychedelic liberation· suburban desire· cosmic self-empowerment
Career context
Released on September 1, 1974, this album marked Funkadelic's fourth studio release, solidifying their place in the funk genre following the success of 'Cosmic Slop' in 1973. The band was experiencing a peak in creativity and experimentation, with George Clinton leading them through a transformative phase that would further define their sound.

Tracklist

  • 1 Red Hot Mama Start here 4:56
  • 2 Alice in My Fantasies 2:30
  • 3 I'll Stay 7:18
  • 4 Sexy Ways 3:08
  • 5 Standing on the Verge of Getting It On 5:10
  • 6 Jimmy's Got a Little Bit of Bitch in Him 2:33
  • 7 Good Thoughts, Bad Thoughts 12:17

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata