The Top 100 R&B Album Covers of All Time (No.20) Funkadelic / America Eats Its Young

One of the more interesting and controversial album covers to be released in the late seventies by the soul/funk group Funkadelic set the tone for a very memorable piece of American music history. The album cover represents the dollar bill in a most attention-grabbing format; the design gives light to the reality of how economics is a vital part of our American society. The album cover has inklings of mastermind George Clinton, the founder of Parliament and Funkadelic.

The bold headline that shows The United States of America as its main headline thrust the viewer into a surreal reality of artistic genuine creativity. Another interesting factor of the album cover is the depiction of the Statue of Liberty nestling children of many colors, a grand representation of America's melting pot.

Pop culture has always inspired artist to create album covers that deal on the realities of our society, bringing about new awareness and appreciation for these lost art forms.

Funkadelic has two subliminal messages on the album cover that are actually a parody relating to the future. The eagle symbol has been replaced by a turkey grasping a syringe in one claw and grasping a naked child in the other. The images may be bold, but they do represent a truth to America today and during the era when the album was released.

Another similar addition that has a bold future prediction, there is a 1984 date on the left hand side of the animated QUOD EST logo, a peculiar prediction that closely relates to George Orwell's novel. Many times great album covers are inspired by the society and the events that surround our lives. It is also a reminder of how diversified Funkadelic music has been, and engaged music fans appetite for so many years.

Poster Art: Cathy Abel - 1972

Cover Art: Paul Weldon - 1972

Resources: http://www.discogs.com/Ramsey-Lewis-Sun-Goddess/release/1241385