Rick James speaking

1st verse:

Let's have a toast to the man who was funky and fresh, makin mad hit records gettin money and blessed, lil jail time had him feelin bummy and stressed, gotta focus on the good and not what's funny to rest, lookin for some growth and shine, lil fire and desire, all things that we hope to find, you could catch him on stage yo wit Teena Marie, rockin out at just about any arena they'd see, those were the good days, he talked about how you could be in the ghetto then leave but still the hood stays, the good life, some don't have the same option, these were just the times and trials of James Johnson, yea, cuz life will get tough fosho, family of eight in Buffalo, had to do what u had to do to make ends meet, now ur gone so I guess this is where the end meets

Chorus: "This song goes out to a true pioneer, man with great talent if he was still here we'd say "Go James, Go James, Go James, Go James"

"Back in my mind I hear your catalog playing, shame you ain't here, if you were we'd be saying "Go James, Go James, Go James, Go James"

2nd verse:

Thinkin bout the Naval Reserve and how u bounced cuz musically u just weren't able to serve, couldn't find a way to balance em both, had to go wit what u knew best Rick cuz your talent was dope, Big Jimmy, that was your stage name, had a group of guys ready to blast but didn't share the same aim, started workin wit Motown, became a songwriter and producer cuz u just couldn't slow down, people weren't ready for the sound u brought, till "You and I" broke through off the ground and popped, "Come Get It", that was your debut, people wanted you to change your style but u always stayed true, just avoided temptation, "Super Freak" came out wit guest vocals by the Temptations, you were a hardworker never in a hurry to quit, come on, you gave Eddie Murphy a hit


Chorus:


Bridge:

"Gone but not forgotten, a legend in your own right, the music's still rockin, and everything is alright, go, go, go, go, go"