Sing a Song (Earth, Wind & Fire song)

"Sing a Song"
Single by Earth, Wind & Fire
from the album Gratitude
B-side"Sing a Song (Instrumental)"
ReleasedNovember 1975
Recorded1975
Genre
Length3:26
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Maurice White, Al McKay
Producer(s)Maurice White, Charles Stepney
Earth, Wind & Fire singles chronology
"That's the Way of the World"
(1975) 		"Sing a Song"
(1975) 		"Can't Hide Love"
(1976)
Music video
"Sing a Song" on YouTube

"Sing a Song" is a song recorded by R&B/funk band, Earth, Wind & Fire, which was issued as a single in November 1975 on Columbia Records.[1] The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2][3]

Overview

"Sing a Song" spent two weeks atop the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.[2] The song was composed by Maurice White with Al McKay and produced by White and Charles Stepney. An instrumental version of Sing a Song was the b-side of the single. Sing a Song also came off the band's 1975 album, Gratitude.[1]

Critical reception

Alex Henderson of AllMusic called Gratitude "uplifting."[4] Record World said that "With vocal parlays reminiscent of early Sly & the Family Stone and a horn section that is as tight as Chicago's, the group should soon be back on top.'"[5] Cliff White of NME exclaimed "Particularly good is a hybrid from Curtis Mayfield's Impressions and The Blackbyrds called "Sing A Song".[6]

Samples and covers

"Sing a Song" was covered by the gospel group Point of Grace on their 1996 album, Life Love & Other Mysteries and jazz guitarist Richard Smith on his 2003 album SOuLIDIFIED. Take 6 also covered the song on their 1996 album, Brothers.[7][8][9]

"Sing a Song" was sampled by Beyoncé on the track "Hey Goldmember" from the soundtrack to the 2002 feature film Austin Powers in Goldmember.[9]

Appearances in other media

"Sing a Song" appeared on the soundtrack to the 2000 feature film The Color of Friendship.[10] The song was also featured on the soundtrack to the 2003 feature film Something's Gotta Give.[11]

Chart history

Chart (1975–1976) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot Soul Singles[2] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[3] 5
Belgian Singles (Ultratop 50 Singles)[12] 24
Canada RPM Top Singles 13
Dutch Singles (Dutch Single Top 100)[13] 19

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[14] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Earth, Wind & Fire: Sing a Song. Columbia Records. November 1975.
  2. ^ a b c "Earth, Wind & Fire: Sing A Song (Hot Soul Songs)". billboard.com.
  3. ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: Sing A Song (Hot 100)". billboard.com.
  4. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Gratitude". allmusic.com. Allmusic.
  5. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. November 15, 1975. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  6. ^ White, Cliff (February 7, 1976). "Earth Wind & Fire: Gratitude" (PDF). worldradiohistory.com. New Musical Express. p. 20.
  7. ^ Evans Price, Deborah (October 12, 1996). They're Playing My Song. Vol. 108. Billboard Magazine. p. 44.
  8. ^ "Take 6: Brothers". jazztimes.com. March 1997.
  9. ^ a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: Sing a Song". genius.com.
  10. ^ "The Color of Friendship (Soundtrack)". imdb.com.
  11. ^ "Something's Gotta Give (Soundtrack)". imdb.com.
  12. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Sing a Song". ultratop.be.
  13. ^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Sing a Song". dutchcharts.nl.
  14. ^ "American single certifications – Earth, Wind & Fire – Sing a Song". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 18, 2021.


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