“Play That Funky Music” is a funk rock disco song recorded by the rock band Wild Cherry and written by lead vocalist and guitarist Robert Parissi. The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 18, 1976 and was also number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart. The single was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of over two million records. The autobiographical song was inspired by the times, and the song’s unforgettable title and chorus came from drummer Ron Beitle’s observation during a break between sets at the 2001 Club in Pittsburgh. The group was mostly a hard rock outfit, but the disco era was really gaining steam and many of the group’s loyal followers were asking for more dance songs. While taking a break between sets, Ron uttered the now-classic line, “Play some funky music, white boy”. Lead singer Robert Parissi decided they should, and wrote down the phrase on a bar order pad. They later recorded it in Cleveland with a disco sound. The song sold over two million copies, but was Wild Cherry’s only hit. “Play That Funky Music was listed at #73 on Billboard’s Greatest Songs of All Time. Thischannel is dedicated to all the great ‘old school’ R&B music I grew up with, the stuff that originally made me tap my feet and want to be a DJ. Funk, soul, disco, R&B, dance, hip-hop, rap, jazz, pop . . . 60s, 70s, 80s . . . whatever you call it, it’s all ‘old school’ and it’s all here! See my videos featuring the …
This is the extended version, not the original 1976 mix, the vocal track (only the chorus is intact) is not the same. Nice to hear a variation of this song
In an interview they said that the “White Boy” was a direct reference to david Bowie who in that period was in he dance charts with Fame and Golden Years.
@ohsnapiam59 ‘despite being white’ is insulting everyone while trying to explain to everyone how it’s not.
Personally, I’m not insulted because I couldn’t give two shits and don’t have a stick up my ass, but you should’ve just left it alone, bro
@ohsnapiam59 ‘despite being white’ is insulting everyone while trying to explain to everyone how it’s not.
Personally, I’m not insulted because I couldn’t give two shits and don’t have a stick up my ass, but you should’ve just left it alone, bro
@tthomaselli2 yea yea,,,,
When this band first came around with this album I honestly thought they were a black band… But when I saw they were white it blew my mind… no offense to any black bands…
@TypicalUser7
@tthomaselli2 I always said play that fucky music, untill my older brother decided to tell lol
I had a band in the 60′s-70′s and this song was one of our ‘go-to-standards’s when we wanted the place “TO JUMP”!!! Back then we measured our success (to us was) not by how many we packed in….but rather…How Many We Could Pack on the Dance Floor!!! This song even had the non-dancer’s up and ‘boogying’!!! Man those were the days……
You shouldn’t live in the past…. but you SHOULD enjoy the memories!!!
So make pleasant ones!
Be Well All… and…. “Peace”………
I saw an interview on VH1′s Where Are They Now….Rob Parissi is strictly living off of the royalties from this song…. a songwriter’s dream….!!!!
One of the best songs
@jennettswan I love it, I was introduced to this song when I was about 16, now I’m almost 50. Never forget them old tunes that make us bop. Terri
Wooohooo, the #1 song on the day I was born.
Who would ever dislike this song”"”"”?
Regarding the above comment, grandmothers still still get down too!! I have 11 grandchildren and “love” to dance! This song makes me smile and “want” to dance. I dont know how you can listen to this one and “not” want to dance, LOL!!!!
Love This Music!
I’m RADARLOVE and I approve this groove!
63 people don’t know good music when they hear it!!!!! ITS TIME TO DANCE
yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
i wish i lived in 60/70/80 and then died in 2005 when I found out for bieber and all those fuckers ruing good music.
I can almost smell cherry. The fuck?!
i approve of this music
@gtas321 is that when Evolution came out I think it might be and the song was a big part of that movie ok not a big part but the best part anyway lol
Ssweeeeet. Inner city Americana circa 1970′s! Sweeeeet!
THIS IS REAL MUSIC FOLKS…..not computer made…heheheeee!!! ya know what i mean shame on you…..blah blah blah songs if you call it music
@tthomaselli2 I still say “Play that fucking music white boy” when i sing it now ! lol