About The Song
“Theme from Shaft” was written and recorded by Isaac Hayes in 1971, it is the soul and funk-styled theme song for the film Shaft. The song depicts the protagonist, Shaft, as a confident and commanding figure, described as a “bad mother” who is cool and proud, portraying strength and fearlessness.
Isaac Hayes utilized “Theme From Shaft” to assert his creative vision and place in the music industry. Its success facilitated the recognition of black artists in mainstream music. The song won Isaac Hayes an Oscar and became iconic for its recognizable melody and percussive female background vocals.
Lyrics
Who's the black private dick
That's a sex machine to all the chicks?
(Shaft)
You're damn right
Who is the man
That would risk his neck for his brother man?
(Shaft)
Can you dig it?
Who's the cat that won't cop out
When there's danger all about?
(Shaft)
Right on
They say this cat Shaft is a bad mother
(Shut your mouth)
But I'm talkin' 'bout Shaft
(Then we can dig it)
He's a complicated man
But no one understands him but his woman
(John Shaft)