Different strokes for different folks, and so went Sly and the Family Stone, breaking barriers in the 1960s as rock and roll's most diverse group, singing about peace, harmony, and togetherness. Their songs ranged from philosophical to political to pure funky grooves and their unique style continues to inspire genre defying musicians to this day.
420 to 30: A Music Retrospective
Here's 7 of my favorites from Sly and the Family Stone.
Week 43: SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE
#295/420 - Sly and the Family Stone, “If You Want Me to Stay”
One of their later, and greater, hits from 1973, this is one of their coolest and sexiest for sure. While this does depart a bit from the usual “Family Stone” style, Sly does a great job here for what it is. It’s super chill, groovy, funky, and absolutely as fresh as its album title. A great one for sliding into a little Sly and the Family Stone.
#296/420 - Sly and the Family Stone, “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”
“Thank you for lettin’ me be myself, again.” They don’t get much funkier than this. This is my favorite era of music from the group where they were writing their very best material.
This is an influential track in the funk genre, helping set an early standard for what makes funk, funk. It’s also one of their only songs that features the whole Family Stone singing at once through the entire song for the vocals.
#297/420 - Sly and the Family Stone, “Qué Será, Será (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)”
This was the first version of this song I ever heard and the one that sticks with me the most. Rose Stone is elegant on the vocals here and the iconic Family Stone backing is like a warm hug around her. It’s the only cover to be featured on any of their albums, originally done by Doris Day in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much, but it is a very well-purposed as their only such song and it suits them well, showing off a side not seen in any of their original works.
The expression, though presented as a Spanish or Italian saying, is and has been primarily used in the English language, and signifies what the subtitle reads. Though the expression may not quite make sense in Spanish or Italian, it does make sense in English, and it makes sense to me. “Whatever will be, will be.” Some things are out of your control and you don’t need to worry about every little detail because, as I see it and as I take from this song, it’s not about worrying or wondering, it’s about doing and being. Things are what they are now, and they will be what they will be. Appreciate where you are now and trust that it will take you where you are meant to go and know that whatever that is cannot be known in advance.
It packs a lot into a little, but I love how it’s delivered by Sly and the Family Stone here and it remains one I’m fond of for sure.
#298/420 - Sly and the Family Stone, “Family Affair”
I had this set as the ringtone for all of my family members back when I had a flip phone. This marked a new era for Sly and the Family Stone after a couple years without a new release during a tumultuous time for the group and Sly Stone specifically. This track features Sly and Rose, actual brother and sister, on lead vocals, with a much calmer and more reserved delivery than their often bombastic style in the 60s.
It reached number one on the charts, the final of three top hits for the group.
I enjoy the simple observation the song makes that even raised in the same household, each child in the family can turn out very differently, and I enjoy even more the funky method by which that idea is delivered.
#299/420 - Sly and the Family Stone, “Everybody Is a Star”
One of my favorites off of my Greatest Hits record that saw quite a lot of play in my Chicago apartment back in 2007. I really enjoy the mellow groove of this one, and it just exudes positivity. The vocals are great here with the iconic Family Stone change-ups, I really enjoy the way they jump between super low vocals and high-pitched ones. Rose Stone is amazing here, as always, and the rest of the guys really fill it out well.
Sly and the Family Stone were one of a kind, and to make a song like this into something awesome instead of something cheesy is a feat few to any performers have ever been able to pull off so well.
#300/420 - Sly and the Family Stone, “Everyday People”
Different strokes for different folks. A simple, important, and wonderful message packed into a nice and short 2 minute, 20 second running time. From their Stand! album, this is perhaps Sly and the Family Stone’s most stand-out track out of their entire discography. It was their first number one hit, and really shows off their biggest talents and greatest strengths.
While Sly and the Family Stone were definitely products (and producers) of their generation, their messages transcend the era in a timeless way. The piano is great here and so are the vocals. It’s catchy and bright and one I have always enjoyed listening to over the years and scooby dooby doo.
#301/420 - Sly and the Family Stone, “Hot Fun in the Summertime”
My favorite of all from Sly and the Family Stone and one of my favorite songs in general. There are many great songs about summer, perhaps more than any other season, but this one is tops for me. I love the lackadaisical piano playing and instrumentation and the swaying nature of the vocals. Rose Stone has some awesome accents with her “I cloud nine when I want to” and “boop-boop-ba-boop-boop when I want to” and adds such perfectly dosed jolts to the song. Freddy, Larry, and Sly come in with their parts and all together make a hot, fun sound.
With very small vignettes of summer, they manage to fill a song with sunlight and country fairs, no more school, and getting high. It successfully takes me to summer whenever it isn’t, and makes an actual summer day all the more complete.
I think Sly and the Family Stone is fairly under-appreciated or lesser known than their contemporaries by most today, but I really feel they were right at or around the very top of their class in their time, and their music holds up very well still many years later. I loved playing their records back during my first year away from home in Chicago and they’ve been a mainstay in my music collection since and even before. Always a band I appreciate hearing whenever I get the chance.
Next week, another group that got heavy vinyl play from me back in the day, and one I originally heard on my friend’s dad’s vinyl record as well. The frontman is best known for his trumpet playing and the trumpet is my favorite instrument. They covered many fantastic songs over the years, always putting their distinct touch on them, and made many great originals as well, among the very best of 60s instrumental jazz, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass.
420 to 30: A Music Retrospective
Week 2: The Jackson 5/The Jacksons
Week 3: A Tribe Called Quest
Week 4: Weezer
Week 5: Bob Dylan
Week 6: Led Zeppelin
Week 7: 2Pac/Makaveli
Week 8: Billy Joel
Week 9: Electric Light Orchestra
Week 10: Elvis Presley
Week 11: Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band
Week 12: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Week 13: Nirvana
Week 14: The Doors
Week 15: The Rolling Stones
Week 16: Gnarls Barkley
Week 17: Gábor Szabó
Week 18: Galaxie 500
Week 19: Simon & Garfunkel
Week 20: Gorillaz
Week 21: Ennio Morricone
Week 22: The Moody Blues
Week 23: Koji Kondo
Week 24: Rob Zombie/White Zombie
Week 25: Paul McCartney/Wings
Week 26: George Harrison
Week 27: Phil Spector
Week 28: John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
Week 29: Public Enemy
Week 30: The Love Language
Week 31: Barry White
Week 32: Frank Sinatra
Week 33: David Bowie
Week 34: Queen
Week 35: The Offspring
Week 36: Louis Prima
Week 37: The Notorious B.I.G.
Week 38: Nancy Sinatra
Week 39: Stevie Wonder
Week 40: Roger Miller
Week 41: Röyksopp
Week 42: N.W.A
View the full list of "420 Songs" here: https://tinyurl.com/y8fboudu (Google spreadsheet link)