We Are Family
Encyclopedia
We Are Family is a 1979 album
by Sister Sledge
. The album which was both written and produced by Nile Rodgers
and Bernard Edwards
of the band Chic
and includes four hit singles: the anthemic title track, "He's the Greatest Dancer
", "Lost in Music", and "Thinking of You
", all four of which have been sampled, remixed, and reissued through the 80's, 90's and 2000's.
We Are Family is one of two albums produced by Bernard Edwards
and Nile Rodgers
in 1979, the other being Chic
's second album C'est Chic
including hit singles "Le Freak" and "I Want Your Love".
We Are Family was digitally remastered and reissued on CD by Rhino Records in 1993.
Side B
Bonus Track *
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by Sister Sledge
Sister Sledge
Sister Sledge is an American musical group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 1972 and consisting of four sisters: Kim Sledge Debbie Sledge , Joni Sledge , and Kathy Sledge . They are granddaughters of the former opera singer Viola Williams. The sisters used to perform under the name of "Mrs...
. The album which was both written and produced by Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers
Nile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
and Bernard Edwards
Bernard Edwards
Bernard Edwards born in Greenville, North Carolina, was a bass player and record producer, both as a member of the Funk/Disco band Chic and on his own. He died of pneumonia while touring in Japan.-History:...
of the band Chic
Chic (band)
Chic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
and includes four hit singles: the anthemic title track, "He's the Greatest Dancer
He's the Greatest Dancer
"He's the Greatest Dancer" is a disco song written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers and recorded by Sister Sledge for their 1979 breakout album We Are Family ....
", "Lost in Music", and "Thinking of You
Thinking of You (Sister Sledge song)
"Thinking of You" is a single released by Sister Sledge in 1984 that became a hit single in the UK. It was originally recorded for their 1979 album, We Are Family....
", all four of which have been sampled, remixed, and reissued through the 80's, 90's and 2000's.
We Are Family is one of two albums produced by Bernard Edwards
Bernard Edwards
Bernard Edwards born in Greenville, North Carolina, was a bass player and record producer, both as a member of the Funk/Disco band Chic and on his own. He died of pneumonia while touring in Japan.-History:...
and Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers
Nile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
in 1979, the other being Chic
Chic (band)
Chic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
's second album C'est Chic
C'est Chic
C'est Chic is the second studio album by American R&B band Chic, released on Atlantic Records in 1978. C'est Chic includes the band's classic hit "Le Freak" which topped the US Hot 100 chart, US R&B, and US Club Play in October 1978, selling six million copies in the US alone and is to date both...
including hit singles "Le Freak" and "I Want Your Love".
We Are Family was digitally remastered and reissued on CD by Rhino Records in 1993.
Original LP
Side A- "He's the Greatest DancerHe's the Greatest Dancer"He's the Greatest Dancer" is a disco song written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers and recorded by Sister Sledge for their 1979 breakout album We Are Family ....
" – 6:16 - "Lost In Music" – 4:52
- "Somebody Loves Me" – 4:59
- "Thinking of YouThinking of You (Sister Sledge song)"Thinking of You" is a single released by Sister Sledge in 1984 that became a hit single in the UK. It was originally recorded for their 1979 album, We Are Family....
" – 4:31
Side B
- "We Are FamilyWe Are Family (song)"We Are Family" is a 1979 dance hit song by Sister Sledge, composed by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. Rodgers and Edwards offered the song to Atlantic Records; although the record label initially declined, the track was released as a single from the album of the same name and quickly began to...
" – 8:24 - "Easier to Love" – 5:05
- "You're a Friend to Me" – 5:31
- "One More Time" – 3:17
CD reissue
- "He's the Greatest Dancer" – 6:16
- "Lost in Music" – 4:52
- "Somebody Loves Me" – 4:59
- "Thinking of You" – 4:31
- "We Are Family"
- "Easier to Love" – 5:05
- "You're a Friend to Me" – 5:31
- "One More Time" – 3:17
- "We Are Family (Sure Is Pure Remix)" – 8:05 *
- "We Are Family (Steve Anderson DMC Remix)" – 8:13 *
- "Lost in Music (Sure Is Pure Remix)" – 8:38 *
- "Lost in Music (1984 Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers Remix)" – 6:37 *
Bonus Track *
Personnel
- Kathy Sledge - Lead VocalsTrk. 1, 3, 4, 5
- Debbie Sledge - Lead Vocals "You're a Friend to Me"
- Joni Sledge - Lead Vocals "Lost in Music", "Easier to Love"
- Kim Sledge - Lead Vocals "One More Time".
- Nile RodgersNile RodgersNile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
- Guitar - Bernard EdwardsBernard EdwardsBernard Edwards born in Greenville, North Carolina, was a bass player and record producer, both as a member of the Funk/Disco band Chic and on his own. He died of pneumonia while touring in Japan.-History:...
- Bass - Tony ThompsonTony ThompsonAnthony T. "Tony" Thompson was a session drummer best known as a member of Chic. He was raised in the middle-class community of Springfield Gardens, in Queens, NY.-Chic:...
- Drums - Robert SabinoRobert SabinoRobert Sabino is an American rock keyboardist.. , The New York Times He was born and raised in the Bronx...
- Piano, Clavinet - Raymond Jones - Keyboards, Fender Rhodes
- Andy Schwartz - Piano
- Sammy FigueroaSammy FigueroaSammy Figueroa is an American percussionist born in The Bronx, New York. At 18 he joined the band of bassist Bobby Valentín and also co-led the Brazilian/Latin fusion group Raices....
- Percussion - Jon FaddisJon FaddisJon Faddis is an American jazz trumpet player, conductor, composer, and educator renowned for both his highly virtuosic command of the instrument and for his expertise in the field of music education...
, Ellen Seeling - Trumpet - Barry Rogers - Trombone
- Jean Fineberg - Saxophone
- Alex Foster - Saxophone, Flute
- Gene Orloff - Concert Master
- Cheryl Hong, Marianne Carroll, Karen Milne (The Chic Strings) - Strings
- Luther VandrossLuther VandrossLuther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
, Norma Jean WrightNorma Jean WrightNorma Jean Wright was the lead vocalist of the soul, R&B and disco group Chic, from 1977 to 1978. Before joining Chic in 1977, she sang in the female trio, the Topettes, and toured for a short time with The Spinners...
, David LasleyDavid LasleyDavid Lasley is an American singer-songwriter, best known for his contributions as a background singer for such artists as Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor and Luther Vandross....
, Alfa Anderson, Diva Gray - Backing Vocals - Simon LeBon - Additional vocals on "Lost in Music" (1984 mix)
- John Taylor - Additional vocals on "Lost in Music" (1984 mix)
Charts
| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Pop Albums Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
3 |
| Billboard Top Soul Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
1 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Pop Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
US Dance |
||
| 1979 | "We Are Family" | 2 | 1 | - |
| "He's The Greatest Dancer" | 9 | 1 | 1 | |
| "Lost In Music" | - | 35 | - | |