We Are Family (song)

Infobox Single
Name = We Are Family


Artist = Sister Sledge
from Album = We Are Family
Released = 1979
Format = CD single
Recorded = 1979
Genre = Pop, R&B, Dance-pop
Length = 8:24
Label = Cotillion Records
Writer = Bernard Edwards
Nile Rodgers
Producer = Bernard Edwards
Nile Rodgers
Certification = Gold
Last single = "He's the Greatest Dancer"
(1979)
This single = "We Are Family"
(1979)
Next single =

"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 gain club and radio play. It eventually went Gold, becoming the number one R&B and number two pop song on the US charts in 1979. It was also the theme song for the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, and was featured in the 1996 film "The Birdcage", starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane.

Popularity

The song was used as the 1979 theme song for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who won baseball's World Series that year. The song was also played during the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston.

This song was re-released in 1993 in remix form in the UK, where the original had peaked at number seven on the singles chart. Titled the "Sure Is Pure Remix Edit", the single surpassed the success of the original, reaching number five in the UK and remains their third biggest hit to date in that country (after "Frankie" and the 1984 remix of "Lost in Music").

This song is also featured on "DANCE! Online", a multiplayer online casual rhythm game, and the karaoke game "Karaoke Revolution Volume 2".

During the 1980s and 1990s, The Disney Channel featured the song in a D-TV music video set entirely to clips from the cartoon short "Casey Bats Again".

Cover versions

Artists who have covered the song include Jordan Pruitt, the Spice Girls, The Corrs, and Babes in Toyland. In addition, it was re-recorded in 2001 as a benefit record for the September 11, 2001 attacks. In December 2007, the song was announced as one of the 2008 inductees to the Grammy Hall of Fame.

External links

* [http://www.allmusicguide.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:dzdsyl28xpeb All Music Guide entry]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gzfyxquhld0e Allmusicguide.com]