About The Song
“Play That Funky Music” was released in 1976, it became Wild Cherry’s signature track, topping the US Pop Chart and enduring as a legendary hit over the years. Originally a hard rock cover band, Wild Cherry struggled to book gigs during the disco era’s rise in popularity. Facing this challenge, the band crafted “Play That Funky Music”.
The song’s origin stems from a black audience member’s exclamation at one of Wild Cherry’s gigs, showcasing the fusion of musical influences and the band’s adaptability to new sounds. The song features a memorable riff, funky ninth chords, tight drumming, and precise horn arrangements, contributing to its party-starting vibe.
Video
Lyrics
Hey, do it now
Hey, once I was a boogie singer
Playin’ in a rock-and-roll band
I never had no problems
Burnin’ down the one-night stands
And everything around me
Got to start to feelin’ so low
And I decided quickly
Yes, I did
To disco down and check out the show
Yeah they were dancin’ and singin’
And movin’ to the groovin’
And just when it hit me
Somebody turned around and shouted
“Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Lay down that boogie
And play that funky music ’til you die.”
‘Til you die?
I tried to understand this
I thought that they were out of their minds
How could I be so foolish
To not see I was the one behind
So still I kept on fighting
Well, losing every step by the way
… we can do
I said, I must go back there
I got to go back
And check to see if things still the same
When they were dancin’ and singin’
And movin’ to the groovin’
And just when it hit me
Somebody turned around and shouted
“Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Lay down that boogie
And play that funky music ’til you die.”
‘Til you die?
Oh, ’til you die
Gonna play some electrified funky music
Hey, wait a minute
Now first it wasn’t easy
Changing rock-and-rolling minds
And things were gettin’ shaky
I thought I’d have to leave it behind
Oh, but now it’s so much better (it’s so much better)
I’m funking out in every way
But I’ll never lose that feelin’ (you know, I won’t)
Of how I learned my lesson that day
When they were dancin’ and singin’
And movin’ to the groovin’
And just when it hit me
Somebody turned around and shouted
“Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Lay down that boogie
And play that funky music ’til you die.”
‘Til you die?
Oh, ’til you die
They shouted
“Play that funky music
Play that funky music
Play that funky music
You got to keep on playin’ funky music
Play that funky music
Play that funky music
Play that funky music
Gonna take you high and low.”
“Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music, white boy
Play that funky music right.”