“He's like "every frog." He's the Jimmy Stewart of frogs.” »read more
Search for
Songfacts: You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.
Gene McFadden and John Whitehead were songwriters and producers who were working with some Philadelphia Soul bands in the '70s. Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who wrote many of the songs that defined the "Philadelphia Sound," suggested McFadden and Whitehead record a track as a duo. This was the result.
McFadden & Whitehead wrote and produced this with keyboard player Jerry Cohen.
McFadden And Whitehead also wrote "Bad Luck" for Harold Melvin and "Back Stabbers" for the O'Jays. This was their only hit as a duo.
Whitehead's sons Johnny and Kenny recorded as part of an R&B group called the Whitehead Brothers. (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for all above)
On May 11, 2004, Whitehead was shot to death while he was working on a vehicle in Philadelphia. He was 55.
Wayman Tisdale recorded an instrumental version for his 2004 album Hang Time that was a hit on American smooth jazz radio stations. (thanks, Beau - Phoenix, AZ)
Comments:
Get the Ringtone
Get Song @ Amazon
Get the Sheet Music
I had the pleasure of working a little bit with Jerry Cohen in the early 1980's. He carried an electronic keyboard with him that was in a black music case. He had layed it down as you would if you were going to open the case. Using stencils, he carefully painted his name JERRY COHEN on the side of the case. Unfortunatly, he did it from the same side as you would when you open the case. What that means is when he carried the keyboard, his name was upside down. (P.S., no lie, this song came on the radio as I wrote this)
- tom, souderton, PA
This song and the Jones Girls "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else" were the last two million-sellers on Gamble and Huff's legendary Philadelphia International Records label.
- John, Nashville, TN
this song was also a hit in 1988 for a relatively unknown singer called steve walsh who also had a hit with a cover of the fatback bands 1984 hit 'i found lovin'
- jeff, liverpool, England
This song,a huge disco hit,was also a metaphor for what the authors hoped would be a resurgence of the old civil rights movement.
It was also sampled in Jocko Henderson's rap song,Rhythm Talk from 1982.
- Doug, Oakland, CA
McFadden & Whitehead recorded a modified version of this song for the 1980 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies. They also did a version for the Philadelphia 76ers, who used it as a promotional song during the 1999-2000 season.
- Jack, Philadelphia, PA
McFadden died this year (2006) after suffering from cancer in Philadephia, PA. He was 56-years old. - John, Silver Creek, MS
- John-Martin, Silver Creek, MS
I've heard that the lyrics to this song were written in the back of a limo on the way to the recording studio. Apparently, the duo had put the task off and instead partied the previous night. In a hangover-ridden writing frenzy, either McFadden or Whitehead (or both) completed the lyrics in the car, arrived at the studio and laid the song down. I have no idea if this is true, but, damn, I hope it is.
- Reed Coss, Los Angeles, CA