You’ve heard it. Even if you think you haven't, you definitely have. That bright, punchy guitar lick that feels like a shot of pure California sunshine? That's the DNA of Charles Wright Express Yourself, a track that basically redefined what it meant to be "funky" back in 1970.
But here’s the thing. Most people today only know the song because of a sample. Or a Nike commercial. Or maybe they remember Dr. Dre rapping over it without a single swear word.
Honestly, the real story of Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band is way more interesting than just being a footnote in hip-hop history. It’s a story of a "mistake" that became a masterpiece, a band that almost didn't have a name, and a message of self-reliance that somehow sounds just as fresh in 2026 as it did during the Nixon administration.
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The Fluke That Built a Classic
Charles Wright didn't sit down to write a "global anthem."
In fact, the core of the song came out of a live performance of their previous hit, "Do Your Thing." During a show, Wright just started ad-libbing the phrase "express yourself" to keep the energy up. He saw how the crowd reacted. People weren't just dancing; they were locked in.
He took that energy back to the studio.
The resulting track, released in August 1970, hit #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the R&B charts. It wasn't even their highest-charting song at the time—"Do Your Thing" actually peaked one spot higher—but "Express Yourself" had a different kind of legs.
The lyrics are legendary for being a total tongue-twister. You know the line: "It's not what you look like when you're doin' what you're doin', it's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin'." Try saying that three times fast. Or once, really.
It’s basically a philosophical treatise hidden inside a dance track. Wright was telling people to stop worrying about the optics and start worrying about the soul. In the hyper-manicured world of 1970s soul, that was kind of a radical thing to say.
From Watts to Worldwide
The band itself, the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, was a powerhouse of talent that most people overlook.
We’re talking about guys like drummer James Gadson and guitarist Al McKay. If those names sound familiar, they should. McKay eventually joined Earth, Wind & Fire. These guys weren't just some local bar band; they were the architects of the L.A. funk sound.
They even caught the eye of Bill Cosby, who helped them get their deal with Warner Bros. after they opened for him.
The N.W.A. Connection
You can't talk about Charles Wright Express Yourself without talking about 1988.
When N.W.A. was putting together Straight Outta Compton, they were mostly known for "Fuck tha Police" and "Gangsta Gangsta." They were the world's most dangerous group. Then comes "Express Yourself."
It was a total pivot.
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Dr. Dre took Wright’s riff and used it to complain about radio censorship. Ironically, it became their most radio-friendly song because it didn't have any profanity. It’s a weirdly meta moment in music history: a song about being yourself, using a sample of a song about being yourself, to talk about why you can't be yourself on the radio.
The legacy of that sample is insane. In 1990, an Australian radio station called Triple J played the N.W.A. version 82 times in a row as a protest. Why? Because their news director had been suspended for playing a snippet of "Fuck tha Police."
The song literally became a tool for industrial action.
The Never-Ending Life of a Riff
If you watch a lot of movies, you've seen Charles Wright's work everywhere. It’s in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. It’s in The People vs. Larry Flynt. It’s in Cheaper by the Dozen.
Big brands love it too.
- Nike
- Burger King
- Kohl's
- Nissan
Why does it work for everyone? Because the sentiment is universal. Everyone wants to "express themselves." It’s the ultimate "get-up-and-go" track.
But Charles Wright didn't just stop at the 70s. He later re-recorded the song as "Protect Yourself" to raise awareness for the AIDS crisis, performing it at the first AIDS Walk Circle of Life Concert. He’s always been about more than just the groove.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band was just a "studio group."
That’s actually a mix-up with the name's origin. The name was originally coined for a studio session by producer Fred Smith, but the band that actually became famous—Wright’s band—was a tight-knit unit that had been playing the Haunted House nightclub in Hollywood for years.
They were a real, touring, sweating funk machine.
Another weird fact: Daryl Dragon, better known as "The Captain" from Captain & Tennille, was an early member of Wright’s group. Music history is a very small world.
How to Actually "Express Yourself" Like Charles
If you’re a musician or a creator looking at the success of this track, there are a few real takeaways.
First, don't ignore the "mistakes." That title came from a live ad-lib. If Wright had stuck strictly to the script, we wouldn't have the song.
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Second, the pocket matters. The rhythm on this track isn't complicated, but it's deep. It’s about the space between the notes.
Finally, be authentic. The song has survived for over 50 years because it doesn't feel like it’s trying too hard. It’s just... expressing itself.
Actionable Steps for Music Lovers
- Listen to the full album: Don't just stick to the single. The 1970 Express Yourself album has some wild, 17-minute psychedelic soul jams like "High as Apple Pie – Slice II" that show the band's range.
- Trace the samples: Look up Labrinth’s 2012 version or even the Tinchy Stryder track. It’s a masterclass in how a single riff can survive across genres.
- Support the source: Charles Wright is still active and runs his own production company. He even produced a TV show also titled Express Yourself that interviews other legends.
The next time you hear those opening horns and that scratching guitar, remember it’s not just a "classic oldie." It’s a piece of Los Angeles history that escaped the 103rd Street district and took over the world.