Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Sly & the Family Stone was responsible for performing some of the greatest music ever. By breaking away from the classifying genre barriers normally placed on pop artists, they managed to create a sound that blended elements of rock, jazz, R&B;, folk and even country.
Sylvester Stewart (a.k.a. Sly) was the genius behind the the music of Sly & the Family Stone. Stewart was not only the group’s lead singer, but he also wrote both the music and lyrics to basically every song that they ever recorded. Sly & the Family Stone had quite a few hit records and singles during their all too short reign at the top of the music landscape. Many of their songs are staples of radio stations in the present and will remain so in the future. Some of their songs are not as well known as others but are nonetheless good and in some cases even better. While many fans of Sly & the Family Stone have there own personal favorites, it would probably not be disputed that many of their songs are great and that it’s extremely difficult to narrow it down to 10 selections. Nevertheless, it will be attempted in the following list. Differences of opinions are expected and they are welcomed. These songs are list not listed in order of preference because they are all loved equally.
1. “(You Caught Me) Smilin’ Again” (from the album There’s a Riot Goin’ On)- Feelings of hopelessness and despair have always and unfortunately will continue to overwhelm the lives of many. Often when this occurs in one’s life, others who love and care about the person are effected deeply. It can feel as though a loved one may never know peace and happiness again. The fact that they may not have much of a reason to smile again becomes a possibility. However, most people can manage to break though there darkness, but it can be a slow process. “(You Caught Me) Smilin’ Again” is about an experience such as this and because of that many people can relate to it. Of course, that could be said about many songs by many different artists. But “(You Caught Me) Smilin’ Again” provides a view of depression that is commonly experienced yet it also feels incredibly specific and individualistic.
2. “If You Want Me To Stay” (from the album Fresh)- In a relationship, there are many times when people engage in stupid and useless arguments that are both time consuming and emotionally draining. This can lead to an attitude of indifference by either one or both of the people in this situation. “If You Want Me To Stay” explores the first of those two possibilities, meaning one person’s disgust and indifference with such a circumstance. One line in the song that particularly stands out is as follows: When you see me again, I hope that you have been the kind of person that you really are now. This is a particularly amusing lyric because it is essentially describing the tendency, by woman especially, (and before getting all offended by that comment, please note that the writer of this piece is a woman) to be over dramatic. How many times to relationships end because one of the people involved has to go “find themselves?” How often do they end up finding out nothing about “who they are” that they did not already know?” “If You Want Me To Stay” portrays this scenario both insightfully and accurately.
3. Hot Fun in the Summertime” (from the album Greatest Hits) – This a simply wonderful song. It is about that yearning for times when one was younger and life was easier. It’s a haunting song in a way, particularly as time moves by in one’s own life. Who doesn’t occasionally wish for days when life was free of adult responsibility and complexity?
4. “Trip to Your Heart” (from the album A Whole New Thing)- “Trip to Your Heart” was featured on Sly & the Family Stone’s 1967 debut album A Whole New Thing. Unfortunately, this record received very little recognition at the time of it’s release. The band’s sophomore album Dance to the Music fared much better. “Trip to Your Heart” is a song that was musically head of it’s time. Actually, the song is probably best known as being sampled by LL Cool J on the title track of his 1990 album Mama Said Knock you Out.
5. “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” (from the album Greatest Hits) – “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” is one of Sly & the Family Stone’s most well known songs. Like “Trip to Your Heart,” this track to was incredibly head of it’s time and as such has been sampled by many hip hop artist over the years. “Thank You” celebrates triumphing over adversity and being grateful for both positive and negative experiences. “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” also appears under a different title (“Thank You For Talkin’ To Me Africa”) on Sly & the Family Stone’s 1971 album There’s a Riot Goin’ On. That version of the song is much mellower and not as well known as the original version.
6. “Somebody’s Watching You” (from the album Stand) – The themes of “Somebody’s Watching You” are conscience and consequences. People always have to live with the consequences of their actions. If their conscience tells them to do something differently or without such carelessness for others, later on that can be a consequence in and of itself. No one gets let off the hook forever.
7. “Runnin’ Away” (from the album There’s a Riot Goin’ On) – “Runnin’ Away” is very similar in theme to “Somebody’s Watching You.” It also deals with the consequences of one’s wrong doing. The final line of the song goes Another day, you’re farther away, a longer trip back home. In other words, the longer someone keeps screwing up, the harder it will be to get back to what is important and real in life.
8. Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” (from the album Fresh)– This is a remake of Doris Day’s best known song. However, Sly & the Family Stone’s version is not as upbeat and actually works better within the context of the lyrics. “Que Sera, Sera” is not necessarily a happy song, but more a song of acceptance. The way Doris Day sings it does not reflect that at all. Sly & the Family Stone’s take of the song is much more accurate.
9. “Life” (from the album Life) – “Life” is literally a life affirming song. As one line in the refrain of the song state You don’t have to die, before you’ve lived. Essentially, life is too short to spend dwelling on negative things.
10. “That Kind of Person” (from the album A Whole New Thing) – “That Kind of Person” is a song of falling in love with someone who is not the person that they originally made themselves out to be. Many songs deal with a similar sort of scenario, but this song is stands out as being especially heartbreaking.
