The song was first recorded by R&B songstress Patti Drew for her 1968 album Workin' on a Groovy Thing and released as a single to reach #34 on the U.S. R&B chart while crossing-over to #62 on the Billboard Hot 100[2] and reaching #86 in Canada.[3] Future Steam frontman Garrett Scott - working with producer Paul Leka - [4] and the 5th Dimension cut versions of the song in the summer of 1969, with the 5th Dimension's version - released a week before Scott's - reachin #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, #9 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart, and #15 on the U.S. R&B chart. Internationally the 5th Dimension version reached #17 in Canada, and #48 in Australia in 1969.[5] Produced by Bones Howe and arranged by Bill Holman, Bob Alcivar, and Howe,[6]"Workin' on a Groovy Thing" was included on the 1969 5th Dimension album, The Age of Aquarius.[7]
The song was performed on the 1973 episode of The Partridge Family sitcom called "Maid in San Pueblo" but the Partridge Family version has never been released.
