Swayin' to the Music (Slow Dancing) - Johnny Rivers (1977) 10/19/21

Remember the song "Slow Dancing" by the Funky Kings? It was a #13 hit on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1976.

I don't remember it either--but the song itself became a "Great Song of the '70s!

Within a year, it had been covered by several others--including Olivia Newton-John-- garnering just about zero airplay.

But then, in 1977, Johnny Rivers took a stab at it with a new title: "Swayin' to the Music (Slow Dancing)." The title was changed to avoid confusion with a song called "Slow Dancing Don't Turn Me On" by the Addrisi Brothers, which had been released a bit earlier.

In the US, Johnny's version went to #8 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart and #10 on the Hot 100. In Canada, it did even better, reaching #7 on the AC Chart and #3 on the Top 40. It also earned Johnny a gold record.

But it almost didn't happen.

Johnny originally released it on his own personal label, Soul City, but was hampered by a lack of funds for proper distribution to radio stations and record outlets. The problem was solved when Johnny leased the song to the MUCH bigger Atlantic Records, who distributed it under its Big Tree label.

Unfortunately, it was Johnny's last hit in the US, but what a way to go out: "Swayin' to the Music (Slow Dancing):" a "Great Song of 1977."

NOTE: In 1979, Johnny Duncan recorded a version of the song under its original title, "Slow Dancing" that reached the Top 10 on the Country Charts in the US and Canada.

And here is the original 1976 version by The Funky Kings: