Songs of Brotherly Love
September 26, 2017 8:17 AM Subscribe
Recommend me some music that celebrates Philadelphia as a city. Any genre. The song doesn't need to specifically call out the city's name, nor does it need to be explicitly an "I love Philly" song. I'm just looking for songs that are unapologetically Phila-centric and recognizable as such to those who know the city.
I will say that I am looking for good music. Songs that are popping and have incidentally Philadelphian content are better than mediocre songs that are Philly beginning to end.
I think "T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)" by MFSB is a mandatory inclusion, as is "Philly Jump" by Instant Funk.
posted by mykescipark at 8:24 AM on September 26, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by mykescipark at 8:24 AM on September 26, 2017 [3 favorites]
Elton John's Philadelphia Freedom.
posted by FencingGal at 8:25 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by FencingGal at 8:25 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
Back in Philly, we be out in the park, a place called the plateau is where everybody go
posted by Rock Steady at 8:27 AM on September 26, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 8:27 AM on September 26, 2017 [4 favorites]
I claim Love Train for Philadelphia because it was written by Gamble and Huff recorded on the Philadelphia International label.
posted by gladly at 8:36 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by gladly at 8:36 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
Bandstand Boogie
We're goin' hoppin' , we're goin' hoppin' today
Where things are poppin' , The Philadelphia way...
The show American Bandstand's roots are in Philadelphia, and while the theme song's lyrics (added in the 70s by some guy named Barry Manilow) only mentions the city twice, it belongs to Philadelphia just the same.
posted by kimberussell at 8:41 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
We're goin' hoppin' , we're goin' hoppin' today
Where things are poppin' , The Philadelphia way...
The show American Bandstand's roots are in Philadelphia, and while the theme song's lyrics (added in the 70s by some guy named Barry Manilow) only mentions the city twice, it belongs to Philadelphia just the same.
posted by kimberussell at 8:41 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
I always think of this as part of my soundtrack for lemonade in the backyard during summer : G Love and Special Sauce : I-76
posted by BlueBlueElectricBlue at 8:42 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by BlueBlueElectricBlue at 8:42 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince, Summertime.
posted by Beverley Westwood at 8:49 AM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Beverley Westwood at 8:49 AM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
The Rocky theme song? (which googling tells me is called "Gonna Fly Now".)
posted by LizardBreath at 8:50 AM on September 26, 2017
posted by LizardBreath at 8:50 AM on September 26, 2017
No one's said Streets of Philadelphia yet?
posted by capricorn at 8:51 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by capricorn at 8:51 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
Bowie too had a soft spot for Philadelphia and its sound.
posted by los pantalones del muerte at 8:54 AM on September 26, 2017
posted by los pantalones del muerte at 8:54 AM on September 26, 2017
The Orlons, South Street.
posted by sevenstars at 8:56 AM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by sevenstars at 8:56 AM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
Punk Rock Girl by the Dead Milkmen.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 9:05 AM on September 26, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 9:05 AM on September 26, 2017 [6 favorites]
Everyday people, Sly and the Family Stone
posted by captainscared at 9:08 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by captainscared at 9:08 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Guys, I just gotta say I'm getting mad homesick watching all these videos.
posted by 256 at 9:18 AM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by 256 at 9:18 AM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hall and Oate's Fall in Philadelphia
posted by MidsizeBlowfish at 9:22 AM on September 26, 2017
posted by MidsizeBlowfish at 9:22 AM on September 26, 2017
Rocky and Philly go together like broccoli rabe and roasted pork so any music from those movies reminds me of the city. Such as Eye Of The Tiger.
Nothing may be more Philly than Move Closer To Your World.
posted by Diskeater at 9:25 AM on September 26, 2017 [7 favorites]
Nothing may be more Philly than Move Closer To Your World.
posted by Diskeater at 9:25 AM on September 26, 2017 [7 favorites]
Funky Sixteen Corners: Funky Philadelphia has a good selection.
posted by sciencegeek at 9:26 AM on September 26, 2017
posted by sciencegeek at 9:26 AM on September 26, 2017
Nothing may be more Philly than Move Closer To Your World .
The only thing more Philly than that is The Roots' cover of it, from Made In America, aired on WPVI!
posted by gladly at 9:29 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
The only thing more Philly than that is The Roots' cover of it, from Made In America, aired on WPVI!
posted by gladly at 9:29 AM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
Marah, especially Christian St. but really most of their catalog will do.
posted by Flannery Culp at 9:37 AM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Flannery Culp at 9:37 AM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
Lots of songs from The Roots! Do You Want More?!!!??!
posted by stillmoving at 9:38 AM on September 26, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by stillmoving at 9:38 AM on September 26, 2017 [3 favorites]
Martha & The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street mentions Philadelphia.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:43 AM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Room 641-A at 9:43 AM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
Elton John, "Philadelphia Freedom"!
posted by MonkeyToes at 9:50 AM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by MonkeyToes at 9:50 AM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
No one's said Streets of Philadelphia yet?
Always pairs with Neil Young's "Philadelphia" in my mind, probably thanks to the Philadelphia soundtrack.
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 1:28 PM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
Always pairs with Neil Young's "Philadelphia" in my mind, probably thanks to the Philadelphia soundtrack.
posted by Sockin'inthefreeworld at 1:28 PM on September 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
Might not meet your "popping" criteria but damn if I don't have a soft spot for it anyway: You Can't Get to Heaven on the Frankford El.
posted by ActionPopulated at 2:25 PM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by ActionPopulated at 2:25 PM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
Beanie Siegel and Eve, "Philly, Philly".
posted by kevinbelt at 5:44 PM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by kevinbelt at 5:44 PM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
The whole Philadelphia soundtrack is 👌. I binged on it heavy at least a decade before I moved here. Streets is great, but the Neil track really captures some somberness. (In retrospect I would have expected Springsteen to do better.)
On that note: “Atlantic City”
They blew up the Chicken Man in Philly last night
Now they blew up his house too
posted by supercres at 7:00 PM on September 26, 2017
On that note: “Atlantic City”
They blew up the Chicken Man in Philly last night
Now they blew up his house too
posted by supercres at 7:00 PM on September 26, 2017
And honestly, anything containing the word “jawn”
posted by supercres at 7:01 PM on September 26, 2017
posted by supercres at 7:01 PM on September 26, 2017
Loosen Up! (I have no idea what's up with the photos used in that video.)
posted by bink at 11:19 PM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by bink at 11:19 PM on September 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
darn it kids, all these wonderful musical memories have made the room very dusty. Thank you 256 for asking, and thanks to everyone else who contributed.
posted by james33 at 5:53 AM on September 27, 2017
posted by james33 at 5:53 AM on September 27, 2017
The Dean Ween Group also did the Action News Theme. 1:13 of concentrated awesome. Enjoy.
posted by whuppy at 12:10 PM on September 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by whuppy at 12:10 PM on September 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
There's only a tiny mention, but lovely - In the Company of You, by local band Grey Eye Glances.
posted by you must supply a verb at 2:45 PM on September 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by you must supply a verb at 2:45 PM on September 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh my God--from the More Philly than the Rocky Theme post--Atom and His Package, "Philadelphia."
"the statue of William Penn ... sitting all ...well he's kind of a loner
if you look at it from the right angle it looks like he has a boner"
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:55 AM on September 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
"the statue of William Penn ... sitting all ...well he's kind of a loner
if you look at it from the right angle it looks like he has a boner"
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:55 AM on September 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
The Fresh Prince is West Philadelphia born and raised.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:20 AM on September 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Room 641-A at 8:20 AM on September 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by CheeseLouise at 8:22 AM on September 26, 2017 [8 favorites]