Tunes Du Jour Presents Sly & The Family Stone

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In the annals of music history, few bands have left as indelible a mark as Sly & The Family Stone. Led by the enigmatic genius Sly Stone, this multiracial and multicultural collective reshaped the landscape of popular music in the late 1960s and early 1970s with their infectious blend of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelic sounds. Their influence can still be felt today, echoed in the rhythms and messages of countless artists across genres.

At the heart of Sly & The Family Stone’s music lies a celebration of diversity and inclusivity. Tracks like “Everyday People” and “Stand!” resonate with themes of unity and acceptance, serving as anthems for a generation seeking harmony amidst societal upheaval. Sly Stone, with his visionary approach to composition and performance, became a symbol of multiculturalism in an era fraught with racial tension. His bold experimentation with sound, highlighted in songs like “Dance To The Music” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” challenged conventions and paved the way for future generations of artists to explore new sonic territories.

Beyond their musical contributions, Sly & The Family Stone were also champions of social justice and philanthropy. In an era marked by civil rights struggles, they used their platform to advocate for equality and empowerment. Sly Stone, in particular, was known for his involvement in various charitable endeavors aimed at uplifting marginalized communities. From organizing benefit concerts to supporting grassroots initiatives, he demonstrated a commitment to making a positive impact beyond the realm of music.

As we revisit classics like “Family Affair” and “If You Want Me To Stay,” it’s important to recognize the enduring relevance of Sly & The Family Stone’s message. In an age where diversity and inclusion remain pressing concerns, their music serves as a reminder of the power of unity and the potential for change. Through their timeless grooves and unwavering commitment to social justice, they continue to inspire listeners to strive for a more equitable and harmonious world.

Accompanying this reflection is a curated playlist featuring not only Sly & The Family Stone’s iconic hits but also tracks produced by Sly and performed by The Beau Brummels, Bobby Freeman, Little Sister, and 6ix, plus Sly’s 1986 guest feature on a track by Jesse Johnson of The Time. As we immerse ourselves in their music, let us also honor their dedication to diversity, inclusion, and philanthropy, ensuring that their message continues to resonate for years to come.

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It’s Draw A Bird Day And I Need To Dance!

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From the Draw a Bird Day website:
In 1943, Dorie Cooper was a 7 year old living in England. Her mother took her to a hospital in to visit her uncle who was wounded in the war. While they were there, Dorie’s uncle was very distraught, having lost his right leg to a land mine. In an attempt to cheer him up, she asked him “Draw a bird for me, please” Even though he was unwell, he decided to do as Dorie asked. He looked out his window and drew a picture of a robin.

After seeing her uncle’s bird picture, Dorie laughed out loud and proclaimed that he was not a very good artist, but that she would hang the picture in her room nonetheless. Her uncle’s spirits were lifted by his niece’s complete honesty and acceptance. Several other wounded soldiers also had their day brightened by the event and every time Dorie came to visit thereafter, they held drawing contests to see who could produce the best bird pictures. Within several months, the entire ward’s walls were decorated by bird drawings.

3 years later, Dorie was killed after being struck by a car. At her funeral, her coffin was filled with bird images that had been made by soldiers, nurses and doctors from the ward where her uncle had been. Ever since then, those men and women remembered the little girl that brought hope to the ward by drawing birds on her birthday, April 8th.

Draw a Bird Day was never declared an official holiday, but it grew through those soldiers and medical personnel and their families. Today, it is celebrated world wide as a way to express joy in the very simplest of things in life and as a way to help soldiers everywhere forget war and suffering even if only for a short time.

bird001This blogger’s drawing of a bird

After you draw your bird, continue expressing joy through dance. Tunes du Jour’s weekly dance party kicks off with The Time.


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A Sly & The Family Stone Playlist

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doggies + Sly 002
Today the musical genius that is Sly Stone turns 71 years old.

On our menu:
“Dance to the Music”
From 1968, Sly & The Family Stone’s first hit single helped launch the “psychedelic soul” sound that was a huge influence on acts such as The Temptations, The Undisputed Truth, War, Parliament and The 5th Dimension. Interestingly, the Family Stone didn’t care for the track, thinking it too commercial.

“Sing a Simple Song”
Sly & The Family Stone drummer Greg Errico said this song isn’t simple at all; it’s actually difficult to play live.

“Runnin’ Away”
“In those days it was the hippies who cut their hair and ran away from the hippy feeling. It’s about how, at a certain time, everybody runs away from something.” – Sly Stone

“Family Affair”
From 1971, this was Sly’s third #1 pop hit and his last top ten.

“Somebody’s Watching You”
A track from 1969, seventeen years after President Truman formed the NSA.

“Hot Fun in the Summertime”
This song contains the lyric “I cloud nine when I want to,” a reference to The Temptations hit song “Cloud Nine,” insinuating that the Motown band was echoing The Family Stone’s vocal style. This single went to #2 on the pop chart, kept from the top spot by The Temptations’ “I Can’t Get Next to You.”

“Don’t Call Me Nigger, Whitey”
And vice versa, per the song. Made more impactful due to the fact that this as one of the first integrated bands (which also had men and women playing major roles).

“If You Want Me to Stay”
The band’s final gold single, from 1973

“Everybody is a Star”
Recorded for an album that was never competed, this song, along with “Hot Fun in the Summertime” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” was included on a 1970 Greatest Hits set from the band.

“Stand!”
“In the end you’ll still be you, one that’s done all the things you set out to do”

“I Want to Take You Higher”
Released as the b-side of the “Stand!” single, the band’s incendiary performance of the tune at Woodstock had their record label release it as a single a-side, becoming another top 40 hit for them.

“Everyday People”
“And so on and so on and scooby doobie doobie.” Has any other song said so much as elegantly?

“Que Sera, Sera”
One of the few cover versions his band recorded

“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”
Hulk Hogan’s daughter Brooke released a cover of this song. It’s not as well known.

“Crazay”
Jesse Johnson, lead guitarist of The Time, brought in Sly to help on this 1986 club hit that went to #2 on the r&b chart.

#1 In Glenn’s Ten On This Day Throughout History

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Today’s playlist is made up of songs that were at #1 in Glenn’s Ten on this day, in chronological order. A few of the songs are not on Spotify, so I’ll give you YouTube links so you may experience them.

Originally intended to be the b-side of a George Harrison single entitled “This Is Love,” supergroup Traveling Wilburys’ “Handle With Care” was my #1 on this day on 1988. Per the liner notes of this album’s reissue in 2007, the word “wilbury” came from a remark George Harrison made to producer Jeff Lynne about errors made while recording – “We’ll bury ’em in the mix.”

Despite referencing Santa in its title and being a December #1 in 1991, De La Soul’s “Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa” in not a Christmas song. It’s about a girl seeking revenge on a sexually-abusive parent.

“I Got My Education” performed by New York house duo Uncanny Alliance was my #1 this day in 1992. It hit #2 on Billboard‘s dance chart. The duo released one album and neither member was ever heard from again.

My #1 on this day in 2005 was The White Stripes’ “Walking with a Ghost,” a cover of a song released just a few months earlier by Tegan and Sara.

Here are the other #1s from this day in Glenn’s Ten history, except for 1985’s entry, as I cannot locate the book where I maintained that year’s lists.