Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music

About the Song

In the realm of music, there are songs that resonate with a particular era, capturing the essence of a time and place. And then there are those rare gems that transcend the boundaries of time, becoming timeless anthems that continue to ignite generations of listeners. Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music” falls into the latter category, standing as an enduring testament to the power of funk music to move and inspire.
Released in 1976, “Play That Funky Music” burst onto the scene like a shot of adrenaline, electrifying audiences with its infectious groove and irresistible energy. The song’s opening notes, a flurry of horns and a driving rhythm section, immediately set the stage for a musical journey that is both exhilarating and undeniably funky.

At the heart of “Play That Funky Music” is the commanding vocal delivery of Rob Parissi, the band’s lead singer. Parissi’s voice is a force of nature, soaring over the instrumentation with an effortless charisma that is impossible to resist. He imbues every word with passion and conviction, making it clear that he believes wholeheartedly in the message of the song.
And what a message it is! “Play That Funky Music” is an unabashed celebration of funk, a genre that has its roots in the African American community and has long been associated with liberation, self-expression, and good times. The song’s lyrics are simple yet powerful, urging the listener to let loose and embrace the funk, to lose themselves in the rhythm and let the music take over.

The song’s impact was immediate and far-reaching. “Play That Funky Music” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1976, becoming Wild Cherry’s only major hit but cementing their place in music history. The song has since been covered by countless artists, from James Brown to The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and its influence can be heard in a wide range of genres, from funk and soul to hip hop and rock.
But “Play That Funky Music”‘s legacy extends far beyond its commercial success. The song has become a cultural touchstone, appearing in countless films and television shows, and its instantly recognizable horn riff has been sampled by countless hip hop artists. It is a song that has truly entered the collective consciousness, a testament to its enduring power and appeal.

In a world that often feels divided and uncertain, “Play That Funky Music” stands as a beacon of unity and joy. It is a song that reminds us of the power of music to bring people together, to transcend differences and create a shared experience of pure, unadulterated fun. So next time you find yourself feeling down, put on “Play That Funky Music” and let the funk take over. You might just find yourself feeling a whole lot better.

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Lyrics: Play That Funky Music

Hey, do it now
Hey, once I was a boogie singer
Playin’ in a rock-and-roll band
I never had no problems
Burnin’ down the one-night stands
And everything around me
Got to start to feelin’ so low
And I decided quickly
Yes, I did
To disco down and check out the show
Yeah they were dancin’ and singin’
And movin’ to the groovin’
And just when it hit me
Somebody turned around and shouted
“Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Lay down that boogie
And play that funky music ’til you die.”
‘Til you die?
I tried to understand this
I thought that they were out of their minds
How could I be so foolish
To not see I was the one behind
So still I kept on fighting
Well, losing every step by the way
… we can do
I said, I must go back there
I got to go back
And check to see if things still the same
When they were dancin’ and singin’
And movin’ to the groovin’
And just when it hit me
Somebody turned around and shouted
“Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Lay down that boogie
And play that funky music ’til you die.”
‘Til you die?
Oh, ’til you die
Gonna play some electrified funky music
Hey, wait a minute
Now first it wasn’t easy
Changing rock-and-rolling minds
And things were gettin’ shaky
I thought I’d have to leave it behind
Oh, but now it’s so much better (it’s so much better)
I’m funking out in every way
But I’ll never lose that feelin’ (you know, I won’t)
Of how I learned my lesson that day
When they were dancin’ and singin’
And movin’ to the groovin’
And just when it hit me
Somebody turned around and shouted
“Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Lay down that boogie
And play that funky music ’til you die.”
‘Til you die?
Oh, ’til you die
They shouted
“Play that funky music
Play that funky music
Play that funky music
You got to keep on playin’ funky music
Play that funky music
Play that funky music
Play that funky music
Gonna take you high and low.”
“Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right.”

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