Song Clearance Sheet
2 sources citedFlash Light
See all P-Funk (George Clinton, Parliament & Funkadelic) in the catalogue →
Funk1970s105BPM
G minKey
More around 110 BPM → · More in G minor →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (Clinton, Worrell, Bootsy Collins), no dispute found — a genuinely clean case. A separate Parliament release from the receivership-affected Funkadelic masters; that complication is not assumed to extend here.
Quick Facts
Released1977
AlbumFunkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome
GenreFunk, P-Funk
LabelCasablanca Records
ProducerGeorge Clinton
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — George Clinton, Bernie Worrell & Bootsy Collins
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — originally Casablanca; a separate release from the Funkadelic receivership
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — a much-sampled funk landmark with one of the most influential synth-bass sounds ever.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed writers of record and no dispute found.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Same Parliament (already in this catalog)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)George Clinton, Bernie Worrell & Bootsy Collins
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
Bootsy rejected the bassline — so Worrell synthesized it
The now-iconic bassline was written for Bootsy Collins, who rejected the part — so Bernie Worrell created it by chaining three or four Minimoogs together, one of funk’s most influential bass sounds. Collins played drums instead, and later recalled session bassists losing work as artists chased the synthesized sound. The hook was inspired by a melody Clinton remembered from a childhood bar mitzvah party. No lyrics reproduced.
Wikipedia / Grokipedia · read it →
The band sold flashlights at shows
As part of the song’s story (the character Sir Nose d’Voidoffunk), band members shone literal flashlights at the Sir Nose performer until he “found the funk.” Fans began bringing their own — so the band started selling flashlights at venues.
Songfacts · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
One of funk’s most influential synth-bass records
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
FL
Clinton, Worrell & Bootsy Collins (Casablanca)
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
Was this page helpful?
Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 10)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass