What’s The Name Of This Funk (Spider Man)

Song Meaning

Ramsey Lewis's "What's The Name Of This Funk (Spider Man)" is less about Peter Parker and more about the intoxicating, almost manic, grip that a particularly potent groove can have on the listener. The repeated questioning – "What's the name of this funk?" – isn't a literal inquiry but a rhetorical device, a playful acknowledgement of the music's undeniable power. The answer, of course, is "Spider Man," a code word for something elusive and captivating. Spider-Man's agility and web-slinging prowess mirror the music's ability to transport and uplift. It suggests a kind of funk that's both playful and impossible to contain, a feeling that’s just out of reach. The lyrics speak to the near-obsessive state induced by the music: "Spider man, spider man sho nuff got me crazy / It's really got me feeling good." This isn't just passive enjoyment; it's an active, almost frenzied engagement. The phrase "bumping and jumping and stuffing things" implies a physical response, a complete surrender to the rhythm. The threat of losing one's cool further emphasizes the overwhelming nature of this funk experience. The repetition of "Spider Man" acts almost like a mantra, solidifying the song's central theme. Ultimately, the song's meaning revolves around the transformative power of music. The "Spider Man" funk isn't just a catchy tune; it's an experience that alters perception and behavior. The playful, repetitive structure reinforces the idea of being caught in a web of rhythm, unable (or unwilling) to escape its infectious pull. It’s a celebration of the pure, unadulterated joy that music can bring, even if that joy borders on the absurd.