Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 10, 2026

Escape-ism

"Escape-ism" is a funk song by American musician James Brown. It was Brown's first release on his own label, People Records. It charted #6 R&B and #35 Pop as a two-part single in 1971. Both parts also appeared on the album Hot Pants in 1971, with the previously unreleased nineteen-minute unedited take of the track appearing on the album's 1992 CD re-release. According to Robert Christgau the song was "supposedly cut to kill time until Bobby Byrd arrived" at the studio.

Last revised
Jul 10, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
190 w
Citations
2
Source
Wikipedia ↗
"Escape-ism (Part 1)"
Single by James Brown
from the album Hot Pants
B-side"Escape-ism (Part 2 & 3)"
Released1971 (1971)
Genre
Length
  • 3:14 (Part 1)
  • 4:00 (Part 2 & 3)
LabelPeople
2500
SongwriterJames Brown
ProducerJames Brown
James Brown charting singles chronology
"I Cried"
(1971) 		"Escape-ism (Part 1)"
(1971) 		"Hot Pants Pt. 1 (She Got to Use What She Got to Get What She Wants)"
(1971)
Audio video
"Escape-Ism (Pt. 1)" on YouTube

"Escape-ism" is a funk song by American musician James Brown. It was Brown's first release on his own label, People Records. It charted #6 R&B and #35 Pop as a two-part single in 1971.1 Both parts also appeared on the album Hot Pants in 1971, with the previously unreleased nineteen-minute unedited take of the track appearing on the album's 1992 CD re-release. According to Robert Christgau the song was "supposedly cut to kill time until Bobby Byrd arrived" at the studio.2

A live version of "Escape-ism" is included on Brown's live album Revolution of the Mind.

The song was sampled in Bell Biv Devoe's song Poison.

References

References

  1. White, Cliff (1991). "Discography". In Star Time (pp. 54–59) [CD booklet]. New York: PolyGram Records.
  2. "CG: James Brown". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 2016-10-03.