Tag Archives: Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)

Music Monday: November 6, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last month “CBS Sunday Morning” featured a surprising and fabulous update on the life of the inventor of funk, Sly Stone. He worked with Questlove, the man who brought us the Oscar winning documentary, “Summer Of Soul” which features an unforgettable performance by Sly and his band, The Family Stone, to bring us his story in a memoir named after the group’s #1 song from 1970, “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”.

sly-stone-cover-auwa

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Questlove also wrote the foreword for the book which was written with Ben Greenman. I am sure it will be an incredible read about the man born Sylvester Stewart, who celebrated birthday #80 earlier this year. The fact that the frontman for Sly & the Family Stone- who was born March 15, 1943 in Denton, Texas- survived the 1970’s, let alone has lived to see eight decades of life is remarkable, especially since the report revealed he has only been sober for the last four years.

Stone and his band charted three #1 singles in their career (featured below) while another Top 20 song, “If You Want Me To Stay”, just turned 50 years old after its peak at #12 in September 1973. But despite Stone’s musical prowess, his battle with addiction ended his career and sent him on a downward spiral for most of the last five decades.

While he did not appear in the the CBS segment, we learned from his three children that in addition to his sobriety, Stone is now living a quiet anonymous life in the outskirts of Los Angeles, California. His legacy as a creator of one of the most influential and groundbreaking sounds in music not only remains but continues to influence performers the world over. One of them-the multi-talented Questlove-closes out the report with these incredible words: “As long as Sly is breathing on earth, I consider that OK”. Amen.

Top: Sly Stone circa 1973. Bottom: Sly and the Family Stone in their heyday circa 1972 (L-R): Rose Stone, Larry Graham, Sly Stone, Freddie Stone, Greg Errico, Jerry Martini (seated) and Cynthia Robinson. Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sly & The Family Stone: “Everyday People” (1968, written by Sly Stone). It hit #1 in February 1969 for 4 weeks.

Sly & The Family Stone: “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” (1969, written by Sly Stone). It hit #1 in February 1970 for 2 weeks.

Sly & The Family Stone: “Family Affair” (1971, written by Sly Stone). It hit #1 in December 1971 for 3 weeks.

Stay safe and well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 337

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Feb 2021 Blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

On February 14, 1970 today’s song hit the top spot for the first of two consecutive weeks. I do not think anyone played funk music like Sly & The Family Stone. Twenty years later when I saw Eric Clapton on the “Journeyman” tour, he played a sample of today’s song when he introduced his band. It was an unexpected twist to an already great show & a fabulous tribute from one groundbreaking musician to another. And it made me adore Clapton even more which I did not think was possible.

“Dance to the music
All night long
Everyday people
Sing a simple song“.

Sly Fa,ily Stone

Sly and the Family Stone circa 1970 (L-R): Rose Stone, Larry Graham, Sly Stone, Freddie Stone, Greg Errico, Jerry Martini (seated) and Cynthia Robinson. Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sly & The Family Stone: “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” (1969, written by Sly Stone).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 47

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Peanuts music

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

The success of soul music, R&B & Motown in the 1960’s lead the way for a new genre called funk.  One of the best known groups that mastered this sound was Sly & The Family Stone.  They brought it to the mainstream and were so successful with it they even played at Woodstock.  Their string of hits included “Stand”, “Hot Fun In The Summertime”, “Family Affair”, “Dance To The Music”, “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” and “Everybody Is A Star”.  But for me, today’s song was their best and earned the band its first number one song.

Sly  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sly & The Family Stone:  “Everyday People” (1968, written by Sly Stone).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.