We Are Family (1979) 3/30/20

So far, we've highlighted several "Great Songs of the '70s" that a record label, producer, or even an artist originally thought was a dud. Today's song is yet another example.

Bernard Edwards and Nile Rogers of the group Chic were hired by Atlantic Records to write songs for its stable of heavy hitters like the Rolling Stones and Bette Midler.

They hesitated, because they felt that credit for any songs they wrote for an established act would go to the act itself--and not them. So they made a deal. If they could write a hit for a NEW Atlantic act--and get full credit for it--they would then write for anyone else on the roster.

It was an interesting offer, and Atlantic President Jerry Greenberg took them up on it. He assigned them to the newly-signed Sister Sledge, gave them a little background on the group, and turned them loose.

Edwards and Rogers took their notes from the meeting, went into the studio...rearranged them into lyrics...and "We Are Family" was born. Just like that.

Of course, Greenberg HATED the song...but he let them produce it for Sister Sledge anyway, fully expecting it to tank.

It didn't. :-)

In 1979, it was a Top 10 hit in 9 countries--including #1 in Canada. In the US, It was #1 on Billboard's Dance Chart, and #2 on the Hot 100. Billboard also has it listed at #20 on their list of "Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time!"

In 2017, the song was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant."

Take THAT, Greenberg!

TRIVIA: "We Are Family" became the theme song of the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates as they overcame a 3-games-to-1 deficit to beat the Baltimore Orioles in the 1979 World Series!.