Today’s song of the day is an R&B/Soul hit “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge.
Fun Facts:
- Sister Sledge was founded in 1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They became famous during the height of America’s disco era. The four members of the group really are sisters–Debbie, Joni, Kim, and Kathy Sledge.
- “We Are Family” was written by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, founders of the group, Chic. They wrote the song specifically for Sister Sledge after interviews with the sisters.
- The song was released in 1979 and re-released in 1988. It was re-recorded again in 2001 in honor of the victims of the September 11 attacks.
- It reached the number 3 spot on Billboard in 1979 and remained on the charts for 19 weeks. It was named for a Grammy that year.
- The song was used as the theme of the We Are Family Foundation. It’s also been used in SpongeBob Square Pants and Sesame Street.
- Sister Sledge’s other hits were “Lost in Music,” “My Guy,” and “Thinking of You.”
- In 1989, Kathy Sledge left the group to perform as a solo artist.
- Sister Sledge never broke up even though Joni Sledge died of natural causes in 2017. The daughter of Debbie, Camille Sledge, has performed with Debbie and Kim.
Lyrics:
We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing
We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing
Everyone can see we’re together
As we walk on by
(And) and we fly just like birds of a feather
I won’t tell no lie
all of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
Just let me state for the record
We’re giving love in a family dose
We are family (hey, y’all)
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing (sing it to me)
We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing
Living life is fun and we’ve just begun
To get our share of this world’s delights
(High) high hopes we have for the future
And our goal’s in sight
no, we don’t get depressed
Here’s what we call our golden rule
Have faith in you and the things you do
You won’t go wrong, oh no
This is our family jewel
We are family (hey, sing it to me)
I got all my sisters with me
We are family (oh, I can hear you now)
Get up everybody and sing
We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family (get up, get up y’all)
Get up everybody and sing
We are family (I got my sisters with me)
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing (get up and sing it to me)
We are family