Family Affair - Sly & The Family Stone (1971) 8/12/21

On the surface, today's "Great Song of 1971," seems to be a celebration of family---but "Family Affair" is the exact opposite.

Sly and the Family Stone was indeed a family group, with Sly leading his brother Freddie, sister Rosie and family friends like bass player Larry Graham.

Throughout much of the 60s, they released a number of "Great Songs" including "Everyday People," "Dance to the Music" "Stand!" and "Thank You."

But as the '70s began, Sly developed a massive drug problem, the group started skipping concerts (angering their fans), and things quickly began to fall apart. There were rumors that black nationalist groups were getting involved and then the family started to splinter.

In the midst of all this came "Family Affair," a song about how everything could wrong.

That didn't stop radio stations from playing it...or fans from buying it...because the groove was good and it SEEMED positive. It went to #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and R&B charts, as well as Canada's Top 40.

But it was the end of an era. Members of the group started leaving and although Sly tried (to a certain extent) to keep things together, he failed--and the group never reached the Top 20 again. By 1975, they were done for good.

It was a sad ending for a great band...but on their way out, they left us a "Great Song" of the '70s."

And I'm not the only one who thinks so: Rolling Stone Magazine has "Family Affair" at #139 on their list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time!"

And here's more proof of its "Greatness:" a cover version by John Legend and Joss Stone (with Van Hunt) won the 2005 Grammy Award for "Best R&B performance by a Duo or Group!"

"Family Affair" by Sly & the Family Stone (1971):

John Legend and Joss Stone (2005):