Wild Cherry — Play that Funky Music White Boy
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Length: 4:52
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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.
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.
Comments (60)add comment
sfoster66 wrote:
How sad for you. Welp, find your joy elsewhere, I suppose. 
Barf. As a rule, I ALWAYS change the station when this comes on...
We sure had a blast with this made-for-sing-along hit back in the day... Seemed to tickle our fancy with the Earth, Wind & Fire songs that were also hot on the airwaves then. I'm still mighty enamored of it -- let's have more uplifting outbursts of funky exuberance in our lives, why don't we?! -- and glad to hear it here!
Barf. As a rule, I ALWAYS change the station when this comes on...
NewWaveGurly, you out there?
vandal wrote:
Same here. I was in college at the time! Much better now in FLAC through great equipment! Thanx RP!
Absolutely hated this back when it was released and I was in HS. Really love it now. Solid 8.
Same here. I was in college at the time! Much better now in FLAC through great equipment! Thanx RP!
remember watching evolution and this came on cranked it up loud
Ah, yes - real men, playing real instruments...'til they die!
I'm Triggered!
If nothing else, you’ve got to love the energy!
Absolutely hated this back when it was released and I was in HS. Really love it now. Solid 8.
jmsmy wrote:
It got plenty of airplay here in Cleveburg. But they are from Ohio ... And we had some pretty remarkable radio here back then, too.
One reason why RP is so great - this would never get played on AOR radio in the 70s
It got plenty of airplay here in Cleveburg. But they are from Ohio ... And we had some pretty remarkable radio here back then, too.
cely wrote:
And it has cow bell!
ONe of the greatest riffs in rock.
And it has cow bell!
White Funk Matters!
Well at least this song did, at the time.
Well at least this song did, at the time.
Never fails to make me stop and crank up that volume.
ONe of the greatest riffs in rock.
So, if I understand this song correctly it's a tale of a rock n' roller discovering his funkiness? Perhaps we all need to discover our funkiness?
steeler wrote:
Yes.
Then and Now.
Tongue firmly in cheek....
No. Not then. Not now.
Yes.
Then and Now.
Tongue firmly in cheek....
Ihatethissong wrote:
THANK YOU!!!!
Lyrics
Hey do it now yeah hey
Yeah, there was a funky singer
Playin' in a rock and roll band
And never had no problems yeah
Burnin' down one night stands
And everything around me, yeah
Got to stop to feelin' so low
And I decided quickly, yes I did
To disco down and check out the show
Yeah they was
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 till you die
Till you die, oh till you die
I tried to understand this
I thought that they were out of their minds
How could I be so foolish (How could I)
To not see I was the one behind
So still I kept on fighting
Well, loosing every step of the way
I said, I must go back there (I got to go back)
And check to see if things still the same
Yeah they was 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 the boogie and play that funky music till you die
Till you die, ya
Till you die
Now first it wasn't easy
Changin' Rock and Roll and minds and things were getting shaky
I thought I'd have to leave it behind
But now its so much better (it's so much better)
I'm funking out in every way
But I'll never lose that feelin' (no 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 the boogie and play that funky music till you die
Till you die
Oh' till you die
They shouted play that funky music
(Play that funky music)
Play that funky music
(You Gotta keep on playin' funky music)
Play that funky music
(Play that funky music)
Play that funky music
(Come and take you higher, ya)
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right, ya
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Hey do it now yeah hey
Yeah, there was a funky singer
Playin' in a rock and roll band
And never had no problems yeah
Burnin' down one night stands
And everything around me, yeah
Got to stop to feelin' so low
And I decided quickly, yes I did
To disco down and check out the show
Yeah they was
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 till you die
Till you die, oh till you die
I tried to understand this
I thought that they were out of their minds
How could I be so foolish (How could I)
To not see I was the one behind
So still I kept on fighting
Well, loosing every step of the way
I said, I must go back there (I got to go back)
And check to see if things still the same
Yeah they was 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 the boogie and play that funky music till you die
Till you die, ya
Till you die
Now first it wasn't easy
Changin' Rock and Roll and minds and things were getting shaky
I thought I'd have to leave it behind
But now its so much better (it's so much better)
I'm funking out in every way
But I'll never lose that feelin' (no 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 the boogie and play that funky music till you die
Till you die
Oh' till you die
They shouted play that funky music
(Play that funky music)
Play that funky music
(You Gotta keep on playin' funky music)
Play that funky music
(Play that funky music)
Play that funky music
(Come and take you higher, ya)
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right, ya
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
THANK YOU!!!!
Lyrics
Hey do it now yeah hey
Yeah, there was a funky singer
Playin' in a rock and roll band
And never had no problems yeah
Burnin' down one night stands
And everything around me, yeah
Got to stop to feelin' so low
And I decided quickly, yes I did
To disco down and check out the show
Yeah they was
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 till you die
Till you die, oh till you die
I tried to understand this
I thought that they were out of their minds
How could I be so foolish (How could I)
To not see I was the one behind
So still I kept on fighting
Well, loosing every step of the way
I said, I must go back there (I got to go back)
And check to see if things still the same
Yeah they was 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 the boogie and play that funky music till you die
Till you die, ya
Till you die
Now first it wasn't easy
Changin' Rock and Roll and minds and things were getting shaky
I thought I'd have to leave it behind
But now its so much better (it's so much better)
I'm funking out in every way
But I'll never lose that feelin' (no 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 the boogie and play that funky music till you die
Till you die
Oh' till you die
They shouted play that funky music
(Play that funky music)
Play that funky music
(You Gotta keep on playin' funky music)
Play that funky music
(Play that funky music)
Play that funky music
(Come and take you higher, ya)
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right, ya
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Hey do it now yeah hey
Yeah, there was a funky singer
Playin' in a rock and roll band
And never had no problems yeah
Burnin' down one night stands
And everything around me, yeah
Got to stop to feelin' so low
And I decided quickly, yes I did
To disco down and check out the show
Yeah they was
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 till you die
Till you die, oh till you die
I tried to understand this
I thought that they were out of their minds
How could I be so foolish (How could I)
To not see I was the one behind
So still I kept on fighting
Well, loosing every step of the way
I said, I must go back there (I got to go back)
And check to see if things still the same
Yeah they was 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 the boogie and play that funky music till you die
Till you die, ya
Till you die
Now first it wasn't easy
Changin' Rock and Roll and minds and things were getting shaky
I thought I'd have to leave it behind
But now its so much better (it's so much better)
I'm funking out in every way
But I'll never lose that feelin' (no 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 the boogie and play that funky music till you die
Till you die
Oh' till you die
They shouted play that funky music
(Play that funky music)
Play that funky music
(You Gotta keep on playin' funky music)
Play that funky music
(Play that funky music)
Play that funky music
(Come and take you higher, ya)
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right, ya
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
No wonder sounds like AWB...both made up of white boys...play that funky music, boys!
Thinking it was AWB....me too. AWB must have modeled these dudes a lot
One reason why RP is so great - this would never get played on AOR radio in the 70s
🤧
We have a regular jam at my brother's house, basically a dad band that plays mainly for our own enjoyment. The other night, the bass player started in on this riff...
We couldn't resist. Probably sounded awful, but we had fun. :)
We couldn't resist. Probably sounded awful, but we had fun. :)
Haven’t heard this one in a while
It still has the funk all these years later
Wild Cherry, rats! I’ve just lost an argument that this song was played by The Average White Band!
I own this album somewhere, this is probably the best track on it.
No. Not then. Not now.
PLAY THAT FUCKIN' MUSIC -
WHITE DEVIL! 👿
clwguy wrote:
Dang, I think you're right... nah, I'm drinkin ... it's bumpin the same as way back then. 8
This song is better now then it was in 1976.
Dang, I think you're right... nah, I'm drinkin ... it's bumpin the same as way back then. 8
"I am funkin out in every way."
I'll be disco-ing down and check out the show...
So funky, white boy!
nagsheadlocal wrote:
Yes, and I'm not embarrassed by that at all. Well, mostly not embarrassed.
Check out the YouTube video of the band playing this on the old Midnight Special TV program.
Man, did we really wear that stuff back in the 70s?
Man, did we really wear that stuff back in the 70s?
Yes, and I'm not embarrassed by that at all. Well, mostly not embarrassed.
martinc wrote:
Nope. They did do "Pick Up The Pieces" a couple of years earlier though.
Did Average White Band do this as well?
Nope. They did do "Pick Up The Pieces" a couple of years earlier though.
jagdriver wrote:
Funk is the Commodores' Brick House. This is just AM pablum.
Whatchu talkin bout Willis? This song ROCKS!This song is better now then it was in 1976.
jagdriver wrote:
Lionel Richie getting gritty!
Funk is the Commodores' Brick House. This is just AM pablum.
Lionel Richie getting gritty!
papaman wrote:
Groovy!
Groovy!
I can't hear this song without getting "The 2 Ronnies" parody verson in my head....
Did Average White Band do this as well?
Absolutely LOVE this.
Funk is the Commodores' Brick House. This is just AM pablum.
I'm over the moon that Bill's integrating some fabulous funk to the mix!
A classic of its kind.
For those enjoying this, check out Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears "Sugarfoot"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayebYim1l1I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayebYim1l1I
Check out the YouTube video of the band playing this on the old Midnight Special TV program.
Man, did we really wear that stuff back in the 70s?
Man, did we really wear that stuff back in the 70s?
I can still hear my dad saying "what the hell are they singing there?!"
LET'S DO THE BUMP!!!
beakaye wrote:
Meeeee toooooo !!
I love it..reminds me of my days back in 70's!
Meeeee toooooo !!
Who just got married?
I love it..reminds me of my days back in 70's!
Bring the funk!
We don't get enough funky interludes here at RP.
We don't get enough funky interludes here at RP.
One reason why RP is so great - this would never get played on AOR radio in the 70s
But is played DAILY on the satellite guys 70s station...DAILY...trust me, it'll quickly suck the joy outta the room after a few repeats...