Radical Music Videos: Parliament Funkadelic

Parliament Funkadelic is legendary, enough said. They have revolutionized music with their funky beats and flashing stage costumes. Their music lives on today through some of hip hop's best artists. Check out this 1978 concert footage where they perform one of my favorite songs, Mothership Connection, with a performance from the late, great Glen Goines.

The lyrics "Swing down, sweet chariot" paraphrase the traditional spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," which is sung primarily in African American churches and has references to the Underground Railroad. Many music critics have said over the years that this song is a reference to the continued struggle of African Americans, and that "the motherhsip will take us to a better place one day."