Boogie Friday
Has anyone out there ever seen (or even heard of) the 1977 Richard Pryor movie "Which Way Is Up?" Even if it's a stinking pile of celluloid poo it has this cracking theme song going for it which is something in it's favor. Written and produced by the legendary Norman Whitfield who had conjured up similar funky movie music magic with Rose Royce and "Car Wash" the year before, this is seven wonderful minutes of slinky funk groove that goes right to your hips. Stargard were a Labelle-ish trio of sassy mamas with a taste for ridiculous costumes (see above) who didn't have much success beyond this track, but the real dazzling genius here is Whitfield. I have seen "Car Wash" and though it was a long time ago I'm pretty sure that the theme song was the best thing about it. I've a feeling the same could be said for "Which Way Is Up?"
[Download]
Theme From "Which Way Is Up?" - Stargard
9 Comments:
this one is a sure gem! and i didn't know it... though i'm a NWhitfield fan
thanks for sharing
btw, you ranked n°1 in best blogsites 'round here, congratulations!
Thanks. Round where?
great stuff. Very fun.
Hey, not only have I heard of the movie, but I bet I've seen it 4 or 5 times! Classic, funny Richard. Also, the song got some heavy airplay where I lived. (I'm pretty sure I have the 45!) :-)
Thanks!
from j alien,
move me twice
c'mon baby
so great
sweet thanks and praises
You owe it to yourself to watch Car Wash again if it's been that long. There's a number of good things in it than just the theme.
The only thing I remember about it was Antonio "Huggy Bear" Vargas was pretty funny.
What a great track. Listening to it now for the first time. This is a keeper.
Herself
Just in case you needed to know one more bootylicious fact about Stargard - they played the backup group, "The Diamonds," to the evil Lucy in the horrendous 1978 film "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
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