The song is based on a true story about audience members that yelled out at one of their concerts and said, "play that funky music white boy". So the band went and wrote a song about it.
Similar story with the Righteous Brothers ("white boys"). They would play for military base with many black military personnel. The people of the audience told them they were righteous and that's why they chose the name Righteous Brothers.
@@danrowley6934 what we're prudish about changes through the years, but right now the so called "rebels" are prudish as well. The whole thing is stressful to be around or listen to. I don't like being around people who believe too much in the righteousness of their own worldview.
I remember when this song came out. No one had deep philosophical discussions as to the lyrics and the sound of the lead singer. It put a smile on your face and you went about your business and enjoyed the song.
Lex, you’re not the only black reactors that thought wild Cherry was a black band. It’s all good. Ain’t nothing racial about it whatsoever. A lot of the disco bands in the 70s featured a lot of black musicians. There was a togetherness back then when it came to music.
he is singing a true story lol. this was a rock band. And they were preforming for an audience that was more black than white. I think there were a few bands that were preforming there. A black man come up to them and said... play that FUNKY music white boy lol... So I think he got some guys from another band with their instruments... Anyway took him and them about 30 minutes to come up with this. Which ended up being the only hit they ever had and it was HUGE. I didn't care much for disco.... there were a few disco songs that I liked but I did like the funky stuff like, rubber band man, brick house... this song.... stuff like that
1976 was the year. This song did bring people together. When I was in the Army we got sent to the Yakima desert for War Games. When we finally got to the base for showers.(All needed by the way.) We got to go to the NCO Club. After everyone got beers, this song got played. 100 guys jumping up on the tables and chairs to dance and sing. Black, white, latin it didn't matter. Great song. Thanks
Performed live, no lip synching. The television show was called "Midnight Special". The lady that introduced them was Helen Reddy of "I am Woman" fame. People weren't negatively obsessed by race back then. We were all trying to get along and get it on. You two are helping bring those awesome times back.
I agree with you first sentences but disagree with the last three. There was much more racial tension back then. Young people led the way to getting along with other races but for people over 40 in 1976 when this record came out felt or experienced all kinds of nasty stuff because of race.
Reading the comments.... so it's not just me that thinks there was less racial tension back then. Growing up in the 70s and 80s... seems like a dream compared to now. Everyone was sharing "culture". Glad I'm old now.
Back in the 1970s, The Midnight Special, the show this clip comes from, was must-see late night television on Friday nights. Unlike many music-oriented programs, the performers on The Midnight Special generally played live, instead of lip-synching to a recorded track. This particular song came out in 1976 and the lyrics refer to a true event that occurred to the singer, Rob Parissi, while playing at a club near his hometown. The woman introducing the band is actress and singer Helen Reddy, who was a star in her own right, though more in the pop music and easy listening vein than the rock or disco genres of the time. She was the host for the 1975-1976 season. The show had as its announcer and sometime host Wolfman Jack, who had been a radio DJ in the 1960s and parlayed that success in to movie cameos (he's the DJ on the radio in American Graffitti, playing himself as he was at one of the Border Blaster stations out of Mexico in the mid-60s) and TV deals like this and his own Wolfman Jack show.
This song came from a performance in a predominately black club when a person yelled "play that funky music white boy" it pretty much wrote itself on the way home. It must have been early to mid 70's.
This was in the 70's and I was a teen but I remember a much more polite society then. People seemed to want to get along even though there was racial tension in some places. I went to a mostly white high school and didn't have as much racism as kids today claim they have.
Gotta love Funk Music from the 70’s!! When I was a teenager I looked forward to the Midnight Special! I believe every artist had to play/sing live, no lip syncing! Imagine doing that today?
You're right way too sensitive nowadays. As bRAD SAID "race relations back then is very different to today." A very good observation, sense of humour has disappeared, this was just a fun song.
@@fiamach0 yes, those fun times where people of different colour would not be served in the same restaurants and had to sit in the back of the bus. So much fun back in the day~ ;) yes sometimes it seems a bit "much" nowadays but it's good that people start to wake up and talk about things that can change to make people feel less disregarded.
@@6666Imperator If that were true everywhere, who voted for laws against it? Btw you got to get back to US history class. The 1960s ended segregation, not the 70s.
This song came out in 1976. You asked if this was considered edgy at the time. I don't think so, not at all. You couldn't escape this song, it was playing everywhere that year, and bars and clubs started jumping every time it came on. I always thought it was a bit cringey myself, but it was definitely a fun party song. If you want to hear songs that were considered edgy, you might do a reaction to Society's Child by Janis Ian, or Brother Louie by Hot Chocolate or the less interesting but more successful version by Stories. There are others but these two songs came to me first. Another song that jumps to my mind, an amazing song, is Living For The City by Stevie Wonder. I don't know if there was any controversy around it at the time, but it did not pull any punches. And it was an incredible song by one of the greatest performers ever.
I don't remember this song being edgy or controversial when it came out. It was good, fun music that moved people to dance. There is nothing angry, demeaning, or judgmental about it. Funk and Rock can be great together.
We were not 'racist' back in 70's. We enjoyed mixing and listening to different cultures. Look at bands back then. They mixed differrent genres and instruments, arrangements ...and WE ALL DANCED TOGETHER! 💘 🙌
The ethnic prejudices were still around, but they were waning. Despite all the things happening across the realm, there was definitely a burgeoning of hope. A really amazing decade.
I remember exactly where I was when I first heard this song. I was in the car with my dad In 1976. I'm 100% positive that's the year it was released. It sounded so fun and fresh. We both loved it. I have long since been burned out on it but it was fun watching your reaction.
Lex: "did we just walk through our parents teenage years or something?" Yes... yes you did. You do with most all your reactions and I'm so grateful for it. Thanks guys.
Man, you all need to listen to Ohio Players (Rollercoaster of Love), Parliament and the Funkadelics, Rick James, and KC and the Sunshine Band. Then this song will make more sense to you. You two ACTUALLY think that the 70's were uptight times, with your, "She's showing alot of shoulder there." Trust me, overall, it was a MUCH better time than we are living in now. I'd go back to that time in a heartbeat.
That is a timeless song that is still played on the radio and every time I crank it up and can’t stop dancing. That is the true meaning of good music bringing folks together regardless of race!!
I always considered it was reaction to disco with a disco beat but far better than disco. and no I don't remember edgy reactions. It was just the music of the day.
"I didn't know women showed there shoulders back in the day". Please, this video is from the late 70s. Women were burning there bras in the 60s, and wearing skimpy tube tops by the 70s. Our public dress now has become much more conservative. Even men's shorts and bathing suits were shorter with most men wearing "weenie bikinis" when swimming before knee length boardshorts became popular among non-surfers. People were streaking butt naked like crazy then.
@@Golddust427 Then along came AIDS and the whole sexual revolution got chased back to the '50s -- "make love not war" became far too risky and society became more conservative again. War continued to progress at a rapid pace though.
I played it at the BNB Bar in Kodiak Alaska on the juke box , I played my friend Ron Murry pool and it seemed like i made every shot lol It was bran new in 1976
40 years ago, people had much thicker skin and a sense of humor was allowed without being offensive to the children who are too sensitive. This song is just fun.
Exactly. Race relations were better in the 70's, then they are today. This song wasn't edgie, it was just fun. No one was offended. We didn't have snow flakes, in the 70's.
A sense of humor helps people come together. Communists are always trying to prevent our coming together because their winning strategy is "divide and conquer".
nonsense ... people just knew their place and abided by the societal restrictions of the day (christ 20 years before this song, black and white couldn't even attend concerts together or if they did, separate sections) .. now, in this century, people are finally saying .. "fuck you, we're not taking it anymore like we used to". and that goes for everyone, races, sex, ya know, the different people from the white Christian power structure .. and yeah, i'm white. lol, racial harmony in the 70s, lol ... what planet you people live on.
The song was about Wild Cherry playing in a all black club and someone in the audience yelled out Play That Funky Music,White Boy....As told by the lead singer....They got the name of the band Wild Cherry from a flavor of cough drops
Old enough to remember this song from the mid '70s it had the distinction of being the first song to place in the top 10 on both soul and rock charts. It was edgy but still a classic.
I was born in the 70's. Growing up,myself and most of the people I grew up with listened to different genre of music. No such thing as black or white.I miss those days when music and people were more diverse.
It wasn't edgy, back then people weren't butt hurt and over sensitive about everything. Everyone black, white, yellow it didn't matter all had fun together. People are to up tight In today's world.
Lol, "Everyone black, white, yellow it didn't matter all had fun together." What alternate reality were you born in?! Segregation only ended 12 years prior to this songs release. And it wasn't because those who were opposed to it suddenly became enlightened. No, a national law had to be written to abolish it. You think that sort of hatred is just going to quickly vanish? It's what's causing a lot of the uptightness today.
Nah, what's causing the uptightness today is a political trend of tribalizing and dividing people against each other by making people believe stronger in a group identity than individuality.
Sorry to burst your bubble but racism was a big deal then too, but mainstream media didn't talk about it. Black Mormon men couldn't be ordained until two years after this song came out.
No, it wasn't edgy, just good music. KC and the Sunshine Band did well in the 70s too. Edgy would have been Sly and the Family Stone on their album "Stand".
Music/being in a band was where people of all stripes could come together and just vibe. Where all this tensions comes from with all these sheltered people always droning on about what's wrong in the world when all of us people that are older grew in a world that was much more raw and real and the musicians they are listening to, some of them came from some really tough beginnings to become the people they became and gave joy to us all and we loved them for it.
Another funky song you could try is Grand Funk Railroad "Inside Looking Out" Live 1969. A 3 man band that delivers a jaw dropping performance. You both should like it.
Race relations back then were WAY better than what you are being shown today. WAY better. We had all gone through the MLK teachings and had shed almost all racism. Something happened about 10-15 years ago and for whatever reason, dividing blacks and whites became important to certain people/forces that wanted us to stay apart. Tom MacDonald is keying in on this (rightfully so). It is sad. Don't let it get to you. Good people are everywhere and come in all sizes, shapes and colours.
It was earlier, like mid to late 90s, when that racial schism really widened, kind of after Rodney King and OJ. Coincided with rise in popularity of Gantsa rap.
The media has made it its job to promote many kinds of divisions in society: between the sexes, races, generations, and of course political groups. The only healthy way to live with other people these days is to just ignore the media.
Agree. Not saying there weren’t pockets of racism, but there wasn’t all this tension back in the 70s and 80s when I grew up. People are so much more sensitive now and that is hindering dialogue. We are going backwards.
Disco is my favorite genre to clean house to... when I was a kid, it was all about roller skating to disco. Yeah, Lex, totally can be considered "cheese"
Race relations weren't perfect in the 70's and 80's, but it appeared there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Most of us tried real hard to make it work and to this day I don't understand how its gone so far downhill. Sad
@@jamescox9427 We've been manipulated into this mess by the very people that claim to be trying to solve the problem. Because if they solve the problem, they'll have to get real jobs (and nothing they could get would pay as well as "race hustling community organizer" pays).
Look at 70s fashion, showing shoulders was not "racy" at all!! Short shorts and tube tops!! And this song was huge, huge back in the day...love that funky 70s music. Same style is KC and the Sunshine Band...any of their songs
Wild Cherry is from a city close to where I live. They used to come to my city to play in the bars. I was in 5th grade at the time so I never got to see them in person. This song was them patting themselves on the back because a black audience member yelled "play that funky music white boy" at one of their shows. It showed that music is color blind. Those shoes,,, when I was in Jr. High, we wore platform shoes and tight bellbottom pants and silk wide collared dress shirts. Lol it was a fun time.
What town are you from? From Rayland here Wasnt old enough to hear them live as I wasnt even a year old but learned all of it from my parents when I got older. The town of Mingo Junction got a bit larger.
This was during the birth of disco era in the 70's. It was a incredible time even my parents got into with the bell bottoms platform shoes and boogie nights
Welcome to the 70's Brad and Lex! This is a "one hit wonder" in an era before music videos and the way you got to see performances was to go to live performances or stay up and watch the Midnight Special on Friday nites starting at midnight. And the trumpet player had his 3rd valve slide soldered in so he could twirl his trumpet like that.....
GREAT REACTION GUYS! IN THE MID TO LATE 70'S I PLAYED THIS SONG ON THE JUKE BOX EVERY TIME I PARTIED WITH MY BLACK FRIENDS WHEN I WAS THE ONLY WHITE GUY THERE DOWN HERE IN MISSISSIPPI BECAUSE WE WERE TRULY FRIENDS. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!! WE'RE STILL FRIENDS BECAUSE SKIN COLOR DOESN'T & SHOULDN'T DEFINE WHO YOUR REAL FRIENDS TRULY ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ISN'T MUSIC GREAT?
The woman who introduced them was Helen Reddy she had a big hit called I am woman it became the anthem for the woman's liberation movement that was just starting up!
'Twas a fun song! I was a wee kid when this came out, and it played aaaaa...lot. We used to play my dad's vinyl and it made people 'get up and boogie'! I remember it also got sampled and redone by Vanilla Ice around '89-'90.
Love this old song! I go to a music festival every year & there’s a band called (Souled Out) that play there every year. They always play this song last & dedicate it to me. Then I dance 💃 & act A Fool! There’s video! Why do we think we are better dancers then we really are! Lol 😂. Lex, Most people do think the singer is black. Have a great day guys ✌🏻🦋
We didn't give a shit about what race was singing what about. We partied like there was no fucking tomorrow and enjoyed a wide variety of music. I'm 63 and white. Grew up listening to motown, James Brown, Beatles, the doors. At 11 I heard Zepplin. At the same age listened to Hendrix, Joplin. The list goes on forever. We loved it all.
You would be surprised how many reactors, of many races, thought this singer was black. It's not a racist thing at all... it just comes across that way. He has that amazing Funk in his voice that most black singers have.
Not edgy. As a 'white guy', I didn't give it a second thought, at the time. It was played on the radio every 5 minutes and was the number one song for the year, number one Pop and on the R&B charts. It STILL gets airplay. I will say that, when it gets played on some 'urban gold' formats, the "white boy' phrase is absent. I don't get that. Anyway, this is just a happy party tune. Nothing deep, here. I guess we just weren't as sensitive back in 1975, of which I'm glad. Funny thing, Rob Parissi, the lead singer and songwriter, played it for his dad before it was released. His dad asked him if he was going to keep that phrase 'white boy' in the song, Parissi went against his dad's advice and kept the phrase. I think everybody's glad he did.
This band is from a the Ohio river/farm town of Steubenville, Ohio. It always amused me that they were probably corn fed, church going country boys. Kind of how it was when I went to school, when the kids were absent from school for harvest time. Always loved them though.
Yes to a point but they say Steubenville but its an even smaller town called Mingo Junction. I live exactly 5 miles down the road in a town called Rayland and they are still mentioned around here. Them and Dean Martin who is from Steubenville.
Ok yall dropped a good one this time and no was not edgy back then BRAD.....America wasn't divided by crybaby snowflakes at that time. America was REAL.
Think he knows that the sub n views are here for Lex's reaction n energy, not his....damn near every reactor is surprised that this guy is white, but not BRAD, BRAD knew he was, why would she think he wasn't, he said someone yelled play that funky music white boy....come on man, do better....show your lady some respect, instead of questioning her genuine and very valid reactions all the time
The lyrics actually tell the real story about how this song came about. They noticed gigs were drying up for them because disco was king at the time, and they were a rock & roll band. They needed to get funky if they wanted to keep finding work!
This is just a fun song that would pop up on the radio from time to time back when I was a teen and mtv did not exist, also this is not wayyyyy back in the day Brad!
I was around 16 when this came out in Scotland. Never seen it on tv, loved it. It still makes me happy. Did I think it was a Black singer. I think someone mentioned Charlie Pride. I never took the time to think one way or another. I was enjoying good music in a (slightly) more innocent time. I'll stay in that time if you don't mind.
Sometimes you two make me feel so old! I bought this song on vinyl (a 45) when I was nine or ten years old. I had never heard the song before but I liked the record sleeve. I WAS NOT disappointed! I still love this song, it's still on my playlist. :-)
Don’t feel bad. I grew up with this and didn’t know they weren’t black. I just figured he was jamming with a white boy🤷🏻♀️ Right before commodores Brick House time wise.
same I was 38ish before I saw this video and found out this was a white guy and not a black guy singing about one crazy night at a club. I knew what Brickhouse was years, decades before this lol
When Lex was so surprised about all the cords it made me feel really old lol, a child hood friend of mine grew up and started a small lighting and sound company. i worked with him a little on the side, We basically set up the sound and lighting systems. mixing boards, amps, speakers, mikes, etc. etc. the band would come in, plug in, and do a sound check get every thing they way they want it to sound and go with it. He worked with a lot of big names. I only met a couple of big names, but i did get to run main spot light for Peabo Bryson one time.
I still have Wild Cherry's vinyl record with this song on it. Was trying to think of some popular funk songs from the time and thought of a song called Car Wash by Rose Royce. It was the theme song to a 1976 movie called Car Wash; good and funny movie. War - Low Rider is a very funky song.
This has to be the funniest reaction you've done. 🤣 There is a whole sub section of black reactors on UA-cam saying "I heard this before, I though they were black" ???? Check out some "blue eyed soul" like the Righteous Brothers. Bee Gees should be on the list too.
This was a hit. I never saw it as anything more than a rockin', funky song. The 60's and 70's were turbulent times. Rock music was our bastion of escape from all of that. Although, there were a lot of political messages in the songs. This wasn't one of them. I saw them at the Kings Island Amusement Park in Mason, Ohio in the late '70's.
I lived in Kodiak Alaska it was very peaceful the econemy was VERY STRONG The Bars were full of people ,,Every one was making great money fishing, Kodiak was the biggest fishing port in the USA IN THE 70s ,I was a teen in the 70s and moved back to Oregon with my family , I had my 1st job in 1978 and was doing very well on my own in the late 70s as well ,, It all depends on were you lived iin the 70s
Thanks for checking this one out. This band wasn't considered edgy back in the day though. They played in a period in the 1970s where rock, funk, disco, and soul acts were pretty much integrated, mostly due to pioneering integrated rock and soul acts like Sly and the Family Stone, Booker T and the MGs, James Brown, and Santana from the 1960's. There was still a lot of racial tension and systemic racism, but music had become a way for people to come together. War is another great rock band from this time that really demonstrated the diversity of the musical era.
damn everyone was shredding hard. That drummer was going off at the end there. This song is on every funk compilation in existence haha and also several movies as well. This is the result of people like James Brown influencing music, the official sound of funk which was better than disco :)
A little before y'all time. We loved it when it came out. Had good rhythm and instrumentals. It was a great song that, in my opinion, helped with the different transitions that were going on in music in the 70's and 80's.
I don't think we considered it edgy at all. This song was played over and over on the radio, at skating rinks, at wedding receptions, parties. We all got along with each other in the 70's. There was none of this "racism or suppression talk" going down. The Black people fought for their rights, just as White women fought for their rights. It was a different type of "fighting" than what you see today. I'm born and raised in Texas, and we were taught from the time I was born to respect everyone, regardless of color. My White grandparents and great grandparents all worked the cotton fields picking cotton, side by side with Black people and they were all friends and attended the same school and church. We were raised to say Yes ma'am and yes sir, please and thank you, to everyone of our elders, regardless of skin color. If you're raised right, then nothing is edgy. It's all good and cohesive. The way things are supposed to be. If someone saw this song as edgy, then they had a problem .
In our hangout bar in the 90's when the DJ put this song on everyone stopped what they were doing and started dancing right where they were at. Customers, bartenders,waitresses, bouncers, people sitting at tables would get up and shake it, pool players would stop, and boogie by the tables. It was a regular thing in that place right around closing time.
Lex: it's so funky. It's like cheese! So funky... but smooth". Me: falling off my chair, doing a spit take with my milk and laughing so hard I nearly wet myself. I already held cheese in high regard... but now... cheese is totally epic! Funky and smooth. Lol. Man, I love you guys. Thank you for your channel!
"Play That Funky Music" is a song written by Rob Parissi and recorded by the band Wild Cherry. The single was the first released by the Cleveland-based Sweet City record label in April 1976 and distributed by Epic Records.
A comprehensive story behind the song and its aftermath for your great subscribers :) 1. Rob Parissi (lead vocals & guitar) was raised in the steel mill town of Mingo Junction, Ohio. Rob formed the band Wild Cherry in 1970 in Steubenville, Ohio, one mile north of Mingo Junction along the Ohio River. 2. The band's name "Wild Cherry" was taken from a box of cough drops while Rob was recuperating from a brief hospital stay. 3. Several records before "Play That Funky Music" were released under their own label during the early 1970s. The music at this stage was pure rock music, not funk. Wild Cherry eventually gained a record contract with Brown Bag Records. 4. At the 2001 Club in Pittsburgh, people kept coming to the stage and teasing: "Are you white boys gonna play some funky music?" One night during a break between sets, drummer Ron Beitle, in a group meeting in the dressing room, uttered the phrase: "Play That Funky Music, White Boy." 5. On the way back to the stage to play the next set, Rob Parissi was immediately inspired to write a song around the phrase, on a drink order pad with a pen borrowed from the bartender. 6. The song took a total of 5 minutes to write. When the band went into the studio to record the song, studio engineer Ken Hamann was blown away by the potential hit and brought the band to the attention of Sweet City Records, which then immediately signed the group. 7. "Play That Funky Music" became a huge hit when released in 1976, peaking at number one on both the Billboard R&B and pop charts. Both the single and Wild Cherry's self-titled debut album went platinum. "Play That Funky Music" was No. I on the Billboard charts for 3 weeks. The band was named Best Pop Group of the Year by Billboard, and received an American Music Award for Top R&B Single of the Year, as well as a pair of Grammy nominations for Best New Vocal Group and Best R&B Performance by a Group or Duo that year.
Another old person from back in the day here. The 70s had a huge amount of rock/funk/jazz crossover music. Northern California was especially bumpin with Sly and the Family Stone, War, Tower of Power, and the Doobie Brothers all having huge hits. But that's just my area so I'm a little more familiar with it. This was going on all over the country. I mean, let's face it, these guys were from Steubenville, Ohio. I mean, If people could get down like this in Steubenville, you know ish was blazin all over the place. Keep up the good work. Love these videos!
Women didn’t show their shoulders back then 😂😂😂😂 That was the 70’s after the 60’s “Free Love, Hot Pants & Go Go Boots” The 70’s my friend well just watch an episode of “Charlie’s Angels” or “Sonny & Cher” from that era The 70’s were pretty wild, she was dressed conservatively Thank you for the giggle and now my old behind shall go to bed Goodnight to you both 😂😊✌️
If today's times weren't so volatile, and it wasn't so risky to hold discussions on whether today is or isn't better or worse off in race relations, I would argue that it was better in the late 70's early 80's than it is today. The risk is proof to the point I suppose. This was fun song that everyone danced to back in the day...hippies, cowboys, disco, pop, rockers and R&B all grooved on this tune. It was played at parties, clubs, roller rinks and parking lots alike...where there was celebrations there was funk.
She’s exactly right. You didn’t think about the singers as much as it was a funkadelic fun dance song. That’s all you needed to know. It’s very self effacing, doesn’t take itself seriously which is what makes it so fun!
The song is based on a true story about audience members that yelled out at one of their concerts and said, "play that funky music white boy". So the band went and wrote a song about it.
yup!
Similar story with the Righteous Brothers ("white boys"). They would play for military base with many black military personnel. The people of the audience told them they were righteous and that's why they chose the name Righteous Brothers.
America has two directories: 1. Sleepy 2. Prudish . We're definitely more Prudish now that we've been in decades. 1800's Prudish.
@@danrowley6934 what we're prudish about changes through the years, but right now the so called "rebels" are prudish as well.
The whole thing is stressful to be around or listen to. I don't like being around people who believe too much in the righteousness of their own worldview.
There was kind of a clash of genre at the time between rock and funk.And then there was disco.
I remember when this song came out. No one had deep philosophical discussions as to the lyrics and the sound of the lead singer. It put a smile on your face and you went about your business and enjoyed the song.
Lex, you’re not the only black reactors that thought wild Cherry was a black band. It’s all good. Ain’t nothing racial about it whatsoever.
A lot of the disco bands in the 70s featured a lot of black musicians. There was a togetherness back then when it came to music.
Wowww! I love to hear it ❤️
Another reason, Why would a white boy use the term "White boy", thats confusing with just audio. Those were different times.
Lots of black dudes in rock bands then too. Didn't matter, what was good is still good.
Such a better time then than now. Everyone had a good time.
In the Discos back then everyone mingled like Pringles ,was the Era of club 54 and every disco try to imitate that same environment,
It wasn't edgy, it was a fun funky jam that everyone danced to in the disco era.
Still IS Funky
Exactly right. It's always fun to hear young people tell us how primitive we all were back in the day.
The studio version is way better But it is what it is lol ROCK ON 70s
he is singing a true story lol. this was a rock band. And they were preforming for an audience that was more black than white. I think there were a few bands that were preforming there. A black man come up to them and said... play that FUNKY music white boy lol... So I think he got some guys from another band with their instruments... Anyway took him and them about 30 minutes to come up with this. Which ended up being the only hit they ever had and it was HUGE. I didn't care much for disco.... there were a few disco songs that I liked but I did like the funky stuff like, rubber band man, brick house... this song.... stuff like that
Ahh yes. The Disco era. Great times
1976 was the year. This song did bring people together. When I was in the Army we got sent to the Yakima desert for War Games. When we finally got to the base for showers.(All needed by the way.) We got to go to the NCO Club. After everyone got beers, this song got played. 100 guys jumping up on the tables and chairs to dance and sing. Black, white, latin it didn't matter. Great song. Thanks
Performed live, no lip synching. The television show was called "Midnight Special". The lady that introduced them was Helen Reddy of "I am Woman" fame. People weren't negatively obsessed by race back then. We were all trying to get along and get it on. You two are helping bring those awesome times back.
I agree with you first sentences but disagree with the last three. There was much more racial tension back then. Young people led the way to getting along with other races but for people over 40 in 1976 when this record came out felt or experienced all kinds of nasty stuff because of race.
Reading the comments.... so it's not just me that thinks there was less racial tension back then. Growing up in the 70s and 80s... seems like a dream compared to now. Everyone was sharing "culture". Glad I'm old now.
@Big Homie Steve The Metal Head Social media plays a huge part in that downward spiral.
@@woodymeadows9363 , social media and the news.
No matter the skin colour they were all getting drafted for Vietnam back then. But down in the South, not so friendly.
@@michaeldowson6988 you dont know what you're talking about.
Lots of money in racial politics and chaos
Back in the 1970s, The Midnight Special, the show this clip comes from, was must-see late night television on Friday nights. Unlike many music-oriented programs, the performers on The Midnight Special generally played live, instead of lip-synching to a recorded track.
This particular song came out in 1976 and the lyrics refer to a true event that occurred to the singer, Rob Parissi, while playing at a club near his hometown.
The woman introducing the band is actress and singer Helen Reddy, who was a star in her own right, though more in the pop music and easy listening vein than the rock or disco genres of the time. She was the host for the 1975-1976 season.
The show had as its announcer and sometime host Wolfman Jack, who had been a radio DJ in the 1960s and parlayed that success in to movie cameos (he's the DJ on the radio in American Graffitti, playing himself as he was at one of the Border Blaster stations out of Mexico in the mid-60s) and TV deals like this and his own Wolfman Jack show.
This song came from a performance in a predominately black club when a person yelled "play that funky music white boy" it pretty much wrote itself on the way home. It must have been early to mid 70's.
WAS RELEASED IN 1976
This was in the 70's and I was a teen but I remember a much more polite society then. People seemed to want to get along even though there was racial tension in some places. I went to a mostly white high school and didn't have as much racism as kids today claim they have.
Gotta love Funk Music from the 70’s!! When I was a teenager I looked forward to the Midnight Special! I believe every artist had to play/sing live, no lip syncing! Imagine doing that today?
Milli Vanilli would have ended SOONER!!
It wasn't edgy--it was just fun. No one gave two thoughts about it. Folks are WAY MORE sensitive to-day.
You're right way too sensitive nowadays. As bRAD SAID "race relations back then is very different to today." A very good observation, sense of humour has disappeared, this was just a fun song.
The 70s were way better than today
@@theodoreritola7641 Ya don't say lol, early to mid eighties were pretty fun too for me anyway.
@@fiamach0 yes, those fun times where people of different colour would not be served in the same restaurants and had to sit in the back of the bus. So much fun back in the day~ ;) yes sometimes it seems a bit "much" nowadays but it's good that people start to wake up and talk about things that can change to make people feel less disregarded.
@@6666Imperator If that were true everywhere, who voted for laws against it?
Btw you got to get back to US history class. The 1960s ended segregation, not the 70s.
This song came out in 1976. You asked if this was considered edgy at the time. I don't think so, not at all. You couldn't escape this song, it was playing everywhere that year, and bars and clubs started jumping every time it came on. I always thought it was a bit cringey myself, but it was definitely a fun party song.
If you want to hear songs that were considered edgy, you might do a reaction to Society's Child by Janis Ian, or Brother Louie by Hot Chocolate or the less interesting but more successful version by Stories. There are others but these two songs came to me first.
Another song that jumps to my mind, an amazing song, is Living For The City by Stevie Wonder. I don't know if there was any controversy around it at the time, but it did not pull any punches. And it was an incredible song by one of the greatest performers ever.
The entire songs in the key of Life album,,, by Stevie Wonder.
This song and video came out in 1976. No auto tune, just pure talent.
THE 70s BABY
I don't remember this song being edgy or controversial when it came out. It was good, fun music that moved people to dance. There is nothing angry, demeaning, or judgmental about it. Funk and Rock can be great together.
We were not 'racist' back in 70's. We enjoyed mixing and listening to different cultures. Look at bands back then. They mixed differrent genres and instruments, arrangements ...and WE ALL DANCED TOGETHER! 💘 🙌
I try to tell people all the time a lot belive me we had it very good in the 70s
The ethnic prejudices were still around, but they were waning.
Despite all the things happening across the realm, there was definitely a burgeoning of hope. A really amazing decade.
@@andrewpetik2034 I was a poor white (trailer trash). Back then, WE KNEW it was a Economic CASTE WAR...NOT a racial war
I remember exactly where I was when I first heard this song. I was in the car with my dad In 1976. I'm 100% positive that's the year it was released. It sounded so fun and fresh. We both loved it. I have long since been burned out on it but it was fun watching your reaction.
I STILL DIG IT And IM 61
Lex: "did we just walk through our parents teenage years or something?"
Yes... yes you did. You do with most all your reactions and I'm so grateful for it. Thanks guys.
more like their grandparents teenage years
Man, you all need to listen to Ohio Players (Rollercoaster of Love), Parliament and the Funkadelics, Rick James, and KC and the Sunshine Band. Then this song will make more sense to you.
You two ACTUALLY think that the 70's were uptight times, with your, "She's showing alot of shoulder there." Trust me, overall, it was a MUCH better time than we are living in now. I'd go back to that time in a heartbeat.
That is a timeless song that is still played on the radio and every time I crank it up and can’t stop dancing. That is the true meaning of good music bringing folks together regardless of race!!
That woman who introduced them was Helen Reddy, a pretty successful singer in her own right....and no, it wasn't edgy. It was disco music.
I always considered it was reaction to disco with a disco beat but far better than disco. and no I don't remember edgy reactions. It was just the music of the day.
"I didn't know women showed there shoulders back in the day". Please, this video is from the late 70s. Women were burning there bras in the 60s, and wearing skimpy tube tops by the 70s. Our public dress now has become much more conservative. Even men's shorts and bathing suits were shorter with most men wearing "weenie bikinis" when swimming before knee length boardshorts became popular among non-surfers. People were streaking butt naked like crazy then.
and everyone wore platform shoes
Brad is hilarious. lmao
I was going to say the exact same thing. Freedom, liberation & the sexual revolution.
Oh God... I pray I never see another woman wearing a tube top ! Some pulled it off... others, should have.
@@Golddust427 Then along came AIDS and the whole sexual revolution got chased back to the '50s -- "make love not war" became far too risky and society became more conservative again. War continued to progress at a rapid pace though.
Brad you are Right On ! It was a Big Hit and Everyone was Dancing and Jamming to This !
Yeah, they were dancing and singing
And moving to the grooving....
Still do
I played it at the BNB Bar in Kodiak Alaska on the juke box , I played my friend Ron Murry pool and it seemed like i made every shot lol It was bran new in 1976
When dude was spinning the trumpet around all I could think was: well, that's one way to empty your spit-trap!
40 years ago, people had much thicker skin and a sense of humor was allowed without being offensive to the children who are too sensitive. This song is just fun.
Exactly. Race relations were better in the 70's, then they are today. This song wasn't edgie, it was just fun. No one was offended. We didn't have snow flakes, in the 70's.
A sense of humor helps people come together. Communists are always trying to prevent our coming together because their winning strategy is "divide and conquer".
Isn't that the truth!
nonsense ... people just knew their place and abided by the societal restrictions of the day (christ 20 years before this song, black and white couldn't even attend concerts together or if they did, separate sections) .. now, in this century, people are finally saying .. "fuck you, we're not taking it anymore like we used to". and that goes for everyone, races, sex, ya know, the different people from the white Christian power structure .. and yeah, i'm white. lol, racial harmony in the 70s, lol ... what planet you people live on.
@@billw715 I don't know what you mean. Are you flirting?
The song was about Wild Cherry playing in a all black club and someone in the audience yelled out Play That Funky Music,White Boy....As told by the lead singer....They got the name of the band Wild Cherry from a flavor of cough drops
Old enough to remember this song from the mid '70s it had the distinction of being the first song to place in the top 10 on both soul and rock charts. It was edgy but still a classic.
I wish i could go back and stay ,,,if i could take my daughter and every one i know with me
You guys would trip out on Sly and the Family Stone!!!
I was born in the 70's. Growing up,myself and most of the people I grew up with listened to different genre of music. No such thing as black or white.I miss those days when music and people were more diverse.
Im 61 and the 70s were the best ten years of my life EASY
It wasn't edgy, back then people weren't butt hurt and over sensitive about everything. Everyone black, white, yellow it didn't matter all had fun together. People are to up tight In today's world.
I'm pretty sure that even 'back then' people weren't all that enamoured by being called yellow.
Lol, "Everyone black, white, yellow it didn't matter all had fun together." What alternate reality were you born in?! Segregation only ended 12 years prior to this songs release. And it wasn't because those who were opposed to it suddenly became enlightened. No, a national law had to be written to abolish it. You think that sort of hatred is just going to quickly vanish? It's what's causing a lot of the uptightness today.
Nah, what's causing the uptightness today is a political trend of tribalizing and dividing people against each other by making people believe stronger in a group identity than individuality.
Sorry to burst your bubble but racism was a big deal then too, but mainstream media didn't talk about it. Black Mormon men couldn't be ordained until two years after this song came out.
I don't think it was really "edgy", just fun. There wasn't that racial tension in music that we see now.
No, it wasn't edgy, just good music. KC and the Sunshine Band did well in the 70s too. Edgy would have been Sly and the Family Stone on their album "Stand".
Music/being in a band was where people of all stripes could come together and just vibe. Where all this tensions comes from with all these sheltered people always droning on about what's wrong in the world when all of us people that are older grew in a world that was much more raw and real and the musicians they are listening to, some of them came from some really tough beginnings to become the people they became and gave joy to us all and we loved them for it.
very good times
Disco days helped a lot
Everybody has heard this tune. It holds up after decades. Good Groovin Music.
"It's like cheese." I have no idea what she means by that and also I know exactly what she means by that. Lex is a damn poet.
😂😂🧀
I LOVE CHEESE
Another funky song you could try is Grand Funk Railroad "Inside Looking Out" Live 1969. A 3 man band that delivers a jaw dropping performance. You both should like it.
I agree with this. Definitely some funk to it.
Yes!! I was going to post this and I saw your post. I hope they react to it.
Yes. This song will blow your minds.
Is the album named Mark Don and Mel?
Race relations back then were WAY better than what you are being shown today. WAY better. We had all gone through the MLK teachings and had shed almost all racism. Something happened about 10-15 years ago and for whatever reason, dividing blacks and whites became important to certain people/forces that wanted us to stay apart. Tom MacDonald is keying in on this (rightfully so).
It is sad. Don't let it get to you. Good people are everywhere and come in all sizes, shapes and colours.
Exactly
It’s called identity politics which the left loves to use to divide voters
As they once did when they where open supporters of the KKk
It was earlier, like mid to late 90s, when that racial schism really widened, kind of after Rodney King and OJ. Coincided with rise in popularity of Gantsa rap.
The media has made it its job to promote many kinds of divisions in society: between the sexes, races, generations, and of course political groups. The only healthy way to live with other people these days is to just ignore the media.
Agree. Not saying there weren’t pockets of racism, but there wasn’t all this tension back in the 70s and 80s when I grew up. People are so much more sensitive now and that is hindering dialogue. We are going backwards.
Disco is my favorite genre to clean house to... when I was a kid, it was all about roller skating to disco. Yeah, Lex, totally can be considered "cheese"
THESE BROTHERS CAN SLING DA FUNK IN EVERY DIFFERENT DIRECTION,, THE AVERAGE WHITE BAND "CUT THE CAKE" & "PICK UP THE PIECES"..MUST HEAR CLASSICS!!
Properly funky Dundonians 😃🏴😃
AWB !!
"Race relations back then where not what they are today"
You're right. They were better. Way better.
It wasn't a term, people got treated mostly as individuals.
Bingo......race relations were WAY better back then. And people weren't so sensitive. I long for those days again.
People weren’t whiny little bitches back then and the media wasn’t as evil as they are today
Race relations weren't perfect in the 70's and 80's, but it appeared there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Most of us tried real hard to make it work and to this day I don't understand how its gone so far downhill. Sad
@@jamescox9427 We've been manipulated into this mess by the very people that claim to be trying to solve the problem. Because if they solve the problem, they'll have to get real jobs (and nothing they could get would pay as well as "race hustling community organizer" pays).
Look at 70s fashion, showing shoulders was not "racy" at all!! Short shorts and tube tops!! And this song was huge, huge back in the day...love that funky 70s music. Same style is KC and the Sunshine Band...any of their songs
We tore it up to this jam back in my teen days in the 70s ,at parties , pools and girls....great times ....
the people that say that the 70s were depressing are lying there ass es off
I love that they're actually playing the song live for this show when it was so common then to play to of the track for a TV appearance
Wild Cherry is from a city close to where I live. They used to come to my city to play in the bars. I was in 5th grade at the time so I never got to see them in person. This song was them patting themselves on the back because a black audience member yelled "play that funky music white boy" at one of their shows. It showed that music is color blind.
Those shoes,,, when I was in Jr. High, we wore platform shoes and tight bellbottom pants and silk wide collared dress shirts. Lol it was a fun time.
What town are you from? From Rayland here
Wasnt old enough to hear them live as I wasnt even a year old but learned all of it from my parents when I got older. The town of Mingo Junction got a bit larger.
This was during the birth of disco era in the 70's. It was a incredible time even my parents got into with the bell bottoms platform shoes and boogie nights
The 70s were very SPECIAL
I remember going to the discos and doing "The Bump" to this song. Fun times.
The dude just LOVES playing and singing the funk!
Welcome to the 70's Brad and Lex! This is a "one hit wonder" in an era before music videos and the way you got to see performances was to go to live performances or stay up and watch the Midnight Special on Friday nites starting at midnight. And the trumpet player had his 3rd valve slide soldered in so he could twirl his trumpet like that.....
GREAT REACTION GUYS! IN THE MID TO LATE 70'S I PLAYED THIS SONG ON THE JUKE BOX EVERY TIME I PARTIED WITH MY BLACK FRIENDS WHEN I WAS THE ONLY WHITE GUY THERE DOWN HERE IN MISSISSIPPI BECAUSE WE WERE TRULY FRIENDS. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!! WE'RE STILL FRIENDS BECAUSE SKIN COLOR DOESN'T & SHOULDN'T DEFINE WHO YOUR REAL FRIENDS TRULY ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ISN'T MUSIC GREAT?
YOU NAILD IT BIG TIME ,,
Lex has the best metaphors. “It’s like cheese… seriously.. it’s funky, but it’s like smooth.” 👍🏻
The woman who introduced them was Helen Reddy she had a big hit called I am woman it became the anthem for the woman's liberation movement that was just starting up!
Yes Brad, back in the day this song was good for bringing people together. Man, I'm getting old.....real old! Great reaction.
Every time I hear this song, I absolutely cannot sit still and must DANCE! And I am 55!
'Twas a fun song! I was a wee kid when this came out, and it played aaaaa...lot. We used to play my dad's vinyl and it made people 'get up and boogie'! I remember it also got sampled and redone by Vanilla Ice around '89-'90.
ANOTHER CLASSIC RELEASED ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS THIS SONG,, THE SPINNERS "RUBBERBAND MAN"..A LEGENDARY BAND WITH MANY CLASSIC HITS.
Love this old song! I go to a music festival every year & there’s a band called (Souled Out) that play there every year. They always play this song last & dedicate it to me. Then I dance 💃 & act A Fool! There’s video! Why do we think we are better dancers then we really are! Lol 😂. Lex, Most people do think the singer is black. Have a great day guys ✌🏻🦋
Brad is so lucky, Lex always has such a happy smiling face. So cute♥
We didn't give a shit about what race was singing what about. We partied like there was no fucking tomorrow and enjoyed a wide variety of music. I'm 63 and white. Grew up listening to motown, James Brown, Beatles, the doors. At 11 I heard Zepplin. At the same age listened to Hendrix, Joplin. The list goes on forever. We loved it all.
You would be surprised how many reactors, of many races, thought this singer was black. It's not a racist thing at all... it just comes across that way. He has that amazing Funk in his voice that most black singers have.
1975. 7th grade... Roller Skating. Smoking Thai Stick .
Memories.
Never saw them live. But, I hear they put on an incredible show.
Not edgy. As a 'white guy', I didn't give it a second thought, at the time. It was played on the radio every 5 minutes and was the number one song for the year, number one Pop and on the R&B charts. It STILL gets airplay. I will say that, when it gets played on some 'urban gold' formats, the "white boy' phrase is absent. I don't get that. Anyway, this is just a happy party tune. Nothing deep, here. I guess we just weren't as sensitive back in 1975, of which I'm glad. Funny thing, Rob Parissi, the lead singer and songwriter, played it for his dad before it was released. His dad asked him if he was going to keep that phrase 'white boy' in the song, Parissi went against his dad's advice and kept the phrase. I think everybody's glad he did.
This band is from a the Ohio river/farm town of Steubenville, Ohio. It always amused me that they were probably corn fed, church going country boys. Kind of how it was when I went to school, when the kids were absent from school for harvest time. Always loved them though.
Yes to a point but they say Steubenville but its an even smaller town called Mingo Junction. I live exactly 5 miles down the road in a town called Rayland and they are still mentioned around here. Them and Dean Martin who is from Steubenville.
Ok yall dropped a good one this time and no was not edgy back then BRAD.....America wasn't divided by crybaby snowflakes at that time. America was REAL.
Think he knows that the sub n views are here for Lex's reaction n energy, not his....damn near every reactor is surprised that this guy is white, but not BRAD, BRAD knew he was, why would she think he wasn't, he said someone yelled play that funky music white boy....come on man, do better....show your lady some respect, instead of questioning her genuine and very valid reactions all the time
The lyrics actually tell the real story about how this song came about. They noticed gigs were drying up for them because disco was king at the time, and they were a rock & roll band. They needed to get funky if they wanted to keep finding work!
Wow that's an old song. It came out when I was in high-school. It looks like they performing on the show Midnight Special which was a awesome show
This song is everywhere. You have probably heard it on several occasions and yes your parents probably played it a lot. Everyone loves funk
Music is what feelings sound like.
This band performed this in 1975!!! The 1970s were the good times! Blacks,white,yellow,red and every color got along so great! I miss thosse days!!
This is just a fun song that would pop up on the radio from time to time back when I was a teen and mtv did not exist, also this is not wayyyyy back in the day Brad!
For Brad, this was wayyyyy back. Lol
I'm 60 and remember how much fun this was when it came out. No tension, everybody loved it.
I was around 16 when this came out in Scotland. Never seen it on tv, loved it. It still makes me happy. Did I think it was a Black singer. I think someone mentioned Charlie Pride. I never took the time to think one way or another. I was enjoying good music in a (slightly) more innocent time. I'll stay in that time if you don't mind.
Add George Thorogood & the destroyers to the list. Bad to the bone or 1 bourbon 1 scotch 1 beer
Sometimes you two make me feel so old! I bought this song on vinyl (a 45) when I was nine or ten years old. I had never heard the song before but I liked the record sleeve. I WAS NOT disappointed! I still love this song, it's still on my playlist. :-)
Don’t feel bad. I grew up with this and didn’t know they weren’t black. I just figured he was jamming with a white boy🤷🏻♀️ Right before commodores Brick House time wise.
same I was 38ish before I saw this video and found out this was a white guy and not a black guy singing about one crazy night at a club. I knew what Brickhouse was years, decades before this lol
Brick House... Tune!! 👍
I literally just found out
When Lex was so surprised about all the cords it made me feel really old lol, a child hood friend of mine grew up and started a small lighting and sound company. i worked with him a little on the side, We basically set up the sound and lighting systems. mixing boards, amps, speakers, mikes, etc. etc. the band would come in, plug in, and do a sound check get every thing they way they want it to sound and go with it. He worked with a lot of big names. I only met a couple of big names, but i did get to run main spot light for Peabo Bryson one time.
It was not edgy at all, things were a lot better for all of us at time.
I still have Wild Cherry's vinyl record with this song on it.
Was trying to think of some popular funk songs from the time and thought of a song called Car Wash by Rose Royce. It was the theme song to a 1976 movie called Car Wash; good and funny movie.
War - Low Rider is a very funky song.
This has to be the funniest reaction you've done. 🤣
There is a whole sub section of black reactors on UA-cam saying "I heard this before, I though they were black" ????
Check out some "blue eyed soul" like the Righteous Brothers. Bee Gees should be on the list too.
I love this song - it comes on the radio sometimes and I start rocking out in traffic! LOL!
This was a hit. I never saw it as anything more than a rockin', funky song. The 60's and 70's were turbulent times. Rock music was our bastion of escape from all of that. Although, there were a lot of political messages in the songs. This wasn't one of them. I saw them at the Kings Island Amusement Park in Mason, Ohio in the late '70's.
I lived in Kodiak Alaska it was very peaceful the econemy was VERY STRONG The Bars were full of people ,,Every one was making great money fishing, Kodiak was the biggest fishing port in the USA IN THE 70s ,I was a teen in the 70s and moved back to Oregon with my family , I had my 1st job in 1978 and was doing very well on my own in the late 70s as well ,, It all depends on were you lived iin the 70s
It was used in the 2001 movie "Evolution" with David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Sean William Scott and Julianne Moore, also.
Thanks for checking this one out. This band wasn't considered edgy back in the day though. They played in a period in the 1970s where rock, funk, disco, and soul acts were pretty much integrated, mostly due to pioneering integrated rock and soul acts like Sly and the Family Stone, Booker T and the MGs, James Brown, and Santana from the 1960's. There was still a lot of racial tension and systemic racism, but music had become a way for people to come together. War is another great rock band from this time that really demonstrated the diversity of the musical era.
True
Yes War Slippin Into Darkness check it out
I always assumed the "white boy" was the bassist cause that's some really funky bass lines.
damn everyone was shredding hard. That drummer was going off at the end there. This song is on every funk compilation in existence haha and also several movies as well. This is the result of people like James Brown influencing music, the official sound of funk which was better than disco :)
A little before y'all time. We loved it when it came out. Had good rhythm and instrumentals. It was a great song that, in my opinion, helped with the different transitions that were going on in music in the 70's and 80's.
I don't think we considered it edgy at all. This song was played over and over on the radio, at skating rinks, at wedding receptions, parties. We all got along with each other in the 70's. There was none of this "racism or suppression talk" going down. The Black people fought for their rights, just as White women fought for their rights. It was a different type of "fighting" than what you see today. I'm born and raised in Texas, and we were taught from the time I was born to respect everyone, regardless of color. My White grandparents and great grandparents all worked the cotton fields picking cotton, side by side with Black people and they were all friends and attended the same school and church. We were raised to say Yes ma'am and yes sir, please and thank you, to everyone of our elders, regardless of skin color. If you're raised right, then nothing is edgy. It's all good and cohesive. The way things are supposed to be. If someone saw this song as edgy, then they had a problem .
The story of this band is in the lyrics my God just listen to them"once I was a boogie singer playing in a rock and roll band"kind of says it all...
Gotta follow this with and Average White Band track like "Pick Up the Pieces"!
I Suggested The Same As Well As "Cut The Cake"
Song was a BANGER. Everyone loved it. White, Black, Spanish and Asian.
No, this was not edgy. It was fun as hell! FUNK EEEEEEE
In our hangout bar in the 90's when the DJ put this song on everyone stopped what they were doing and started dancing right where they were at. Customers, bartenders,waitresses, bouncers, people sitting at tables would get up and shake it, pool players would stop, and boogie by the tables. It was a regular thing in that place right around closing time.
Lex: it's so funky. It's like cheese! So funky... but smooth".
Me: falling off my chair, doing a spit take with my milk and laughing so hard I nearly wet myself.
I already held cheese in high regard... but now... cheese is totally epic! Funky and smooth. Lol. Man, I love you guys. Thank you for your channel!
😂😂🙏🏽 we appreciate you Mel!
"Play That Funky Music" is a song written by Rob Parissi and recorded by the band Wild Cherry. The single was the first released by the Cleveland-based Sweet City record label in April 1976 and distributed by Epic Records.
A comprehensive story behind the song and its aftermath for your great subscribers :)
1. Rob Parissi (lead vocals & guitar) was raised in the steel mill town of Mingo Junction, Ohio. Rob formed the band Wild Cherry in 1970 in Steubenville, Ohio, one mile north of Mingo Junction along the Ohio River.
2. The band's name "Wild Cherry" was taken from a box of cough drops while Rob was recuperating from a brief hospital stay.
3. Several records before "Play That Funky Music" were released under their own label during the early 1970s. The music at this stage was pure rock music, not funk. Wild Cherry eventually gained a record contract with Brown Bag Records.
4. At the 2001 Club in Pittsburgh, people kept coming to the stage and teasing: "Are you white boys gonna play some funky music?" One night during a break between sets, drummer Ron Beitle, in a group meeting in the dressing room, uttered the phrase: "Play That Funky Music, White Boy."
5. On the way back to the stage to play the next set, Rob Parissi was immediately inspired to write a song around the phrase, on a drink order pad with a pen borrowed from the bartender.
6. The song took a total of 5 minutes to write. When the band went into the studio to record the song, studio engineer Ken Hamann was blown away by the potential hit and brought the band to the attention of Sweet City Records, which then immediately signed the group.
7. "Play That Funky Music" became a huge hit when released in 1976, peaking at number one on both the Billboard R&B and pop charts. Both the single and Wild Cherry's self-titled debut album went platinum. "Play That Funky Music" was No. I on the Billboard charts for 3 weeks. The band was named Best Pop Group of the Year by Billboard, and received an American Music Award for Top R&B Single of the Year, as well as a pair of Grammy nominations for Best New Vocal Group and Best R&B Performance by a Group or Duo that year.
Another old person from back in the day here. The 70s had a huge amount of rock/funk/jazz crossover music. Northern California was especially bumpin with Sly and the Family Stone, War, Tower of Power, and the Doobie Brothers all having huge hits. But that's just my area so I'm a little more familiar with it. This was going on all over the country. I mean, let's face it, these guys were from Steubenville, Ohio. I mean, If people could get down like this in Steubenville, you know ish was blazin all over the place. Keep up the good work. Love these videos!
Women didn’t show their shoulders back then 😂😂😂😂
That was the 70’s after the 60’s “Free Love, Hot Pants & Go Go Boots”
The 70’s my friend well just watch an episode of “Charlie’s Angels” or “Sonny & Cher” from that era
The 70’s were pretty wild, she was dressed conservatively
Thank you for the giggle and now my old behind shall go to bed
Goodnight to you both 😂😊✌️
I’m with her on this! Despite the lyrics, I thought for the longest time that this track was performed by black musicians!
After all this time...still amusing to know how these guys came up with the lyrics!!!
White boy got funk. And spinning the sax while he boogies down and seeing Lex expression. love it
If today's times weren't so volatile, and it wasn't so risky to hold discussions on whether today is or isn't better or worse off in race relations, I would argue that it was better in the late 70's early 80's than it is today. The risk is proof to the point I suppose.
This was fun song that everyone danced to back in the day...hippies, cowboys, disco, pop, rockers and R&B all grooved on this tune. It was played at parties, clubs, roller rinks and parking lots alike...where there was celebrations there was funk.
They did a great version together with Rammstein and Metalica. The lyrics go: Play that funky music, Rammstein. I think DJ Cumberband did record it.
Hey guys if you feel like going down the 70's funk road, check out Kc and the Sunshine Band "I'm Your Boogie Man". Classic.
She’s exactly right. You didn’t think about the singers as much as it was a funkadelic fun dance song. That’s all you needed to know. It’s very self effacing, doesn’t take itself seriously which is what makes it so fun!