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{{short description|1991 single by Boyz II Men}}
{{Short description|1991 single by Boyz II Men}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Motownphilly
| name = Motownphilly
| cover = MotownphillyB2M.jpg
| cover = MotownphillyB2M.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = U.S. 12-inch vinyl single
| caption = US 12-inch vinyl single
| type = single
| type = single
| artist = [[Boyz II Men]]
| artist = [[Boyz II Men]]
| album = [[Cooleyhighharmony]]
| album = [[Cooleyhighharmony]]
| released = April 30, 1991
| released = April 30, 1991
| recorded = Fall 1990
| recorded =
| studio =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
* [[Soul music|Soul]]<ref name= "Pitchfork Staff 2022">{{cite web|last= Pitchfork Staff |title= The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s |website= [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date= September 27, 2022 |url= https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-songs-of-the-1990s/|quote= ...the track, which features classic soul harmonies over a new jack swing beat, as well as a totally gratuitous doo-wop showcase at the end.|accessdate= October 21, 2022}}</ref>
| genre = [[New jack swing]]
* [[new jack swing]]<ref name= "Pitchfork Staff 2022">{{cite web|last= Pitchfork Staff |title= The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s |website= [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date= September 27, 2022 |url= https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-songs-of-the-1990s/|quote= ...the track, which features classic soul harmonies over a new jack swing beat, as well as a totally gratuitous doo-wop showcase at the end.|accessdate= October 21, 2022}}</ref>
* [[doo-wop]]<ref name= "Pitchfork Staff 2022">{{cite web|last= Pitchfork Staff |title= The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s |website= [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date= September 27, 2022 |url= https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-songs-of-the-1990s/|quote= ...the track, which features classic soul harmonies over a new jack swing beat, as well as a totally gratuitous doo-wop showcase at the end.|accessdate= October 21, 2022}}</ref>
| length = 3:56
| length = 3:56
| label = [[Motown]]
| label = [[Motown]]
| writer = [[Dallas Austin]], [[Michael Bivins]], [[Nathan Morris]], [[Shawn Stockman]]
| writer =
* [[Dallas Austin]]
* [[Michael Bivins]]
* [[Nathan Morris]]
* [[Shawn Stockman]]
| producer = [[Dallas Austin]]
| producer = [[Dallas Austin]]
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = [[It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday]]
| next_title = [[It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday]]
| next_year = 1991
| next_year = 1991
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Rciee-oQLoI|"Motownphilly"}}}}
}}
}}
⚫
"'''Motownphilly'''" is a song by American vocal harmony group [[Boyz II Men]], released in April 1991 by [[Motown]] as the first single from their debut album, ''[[Cooleyhighharmony]]'' (1991). Co-written and produced by [[Dallas Austin]], the song was a success, peaking at number three on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. [[Michael Bivins]], who co-wrote the song, provides a guest rap during the bridge. The song's title is a portmanteau of two of the group's main musical influences: 1960s Motown and 1970s [[Philly soul]].


⚫
The accompanying music video for the song was filmed in various locations in the group's hometown of [[Philadelphia]]. Two [[new jack swing]] groups, [[Another Bad Creation]] and [[Bell Biv DeVoe]], are mentioned in the lyrics. They appear briefly in the video, as does Sudden Impact, a short-lived R&B group organized by Bivins. Additionally, [[Questlove]] appears briefly as a drummer, due to his previous relationship with the group from high school.
⚫
"'''Motownphilly'''" is a 1991 song by American vocal harmony group [[Boyz II Men]], released as their first single from their debut album, ''[[Cooleyhighharmony]]''. The single was a success, peaking at number three on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. [[Michael Bivins]], who co-wrote the song, provides a guest rap during the bridge.


==Critical reception==
⚫
The accompanying [[music video]] for the song was filmed in various locations in [[Philadelphia]], the group's home city in December 1990. Two [[new jack swing]] groups, [[Another Bad Creation]] and [[Bell Biv DeVoe]] (of which Bivins was a member), are mentioned in the first verse: "Boyz II Men, ABC, BBD, the East Coast Family." Both groups appear briefly in the video, as does Sudden Impact, a short-lived, all-white R&B group organized by Bivins. [[Questlove]] of [[The Roots]] also makes a brief appearance in the video.
[[Dele Fadele]] from ''[[New Musical Express|NME]]'' wrote, "Floating on a cloud through the chequered history of [[Soul music|soul]], yet inherently modern, [[Boyz II Men]] are plotting the new musical map. From [[Detroit]] to [[Philadelphia]], this is East Coast style and sass in abundance, mixing and matching [[MFSB]] strings, House synth-bass, raps and the ghost of several songs rolled into one. Somewhere in the ever-shifting mix you learn their tale and, if I were [[Bell Biv DeVoe]], I'd prepare to be usurped."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Dele|last=Fadele|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52486134582/|title=Singles|magazine=[[New Musical Express|NME]]|date=November 9, 1991|page=22|access-date=May 2, 2023|author-link=Dele Fadele}}</ref>


⚫
==Track listings==
The song title etymology involves a combination of two of the group's main musical influences: 1960s [[Motown]] and 1970s [[Philly soul]].

The song was featured during the [[2016 Democratic National Convention]], as the convention took place in [[Philadelphia]], the city that the song is named for. The song was featured in the 1991 [[Full House]] episode "Gotta Dance".<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLaSH7o986M&index=1659&list=FL2szkDC_smXOK_JYUXknxPw Full House Motown Philly <!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It was also featured in a 2013 episode of ''[[It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia]]'', "The Gang Gets Quarantined",<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTqL14T7I8M</ref> in which the main characters repeatedly rehearse an [[a cappella]] version of the song in order to try to win a spot opening for Boyz II Men in concert while an [[influenza]] [[epidemic]] is sweeping the city of [[Philadelphia]]. [[Kids Incorporated]] covered "Mowtownphilly" in 1992 in the Season 8 episode "The Commercial".<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbHAvi9d9to Kids Incorporated - Motownphilly (1992) <!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The song made an appearance twice on the show [[Hangin' with Mr. Cooper]]: Season 1 episode, Pilot, and Season 4 episode, Talent Show. It is also a featured song in video game radio station CSR on ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'' (2004). The song was sampled by contemporary hip hop group [[A Tribe Called Quest]] for their penultimate album ''[[The Love Movement]]'' on the track "Give Me".
The track was covered by [[The Trammps]] for their "Disco Inferno" compilation.

⚫
==Track listing==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
* '''US vinyl, 12"''' [http://www.discogs.com/Boyz-II-Men-Motownphilly/release/414571]
* '''US vinyl, 12-inch'''
:A1: "Motownphilly" [12" Version] 4:47
:A1: "Motownphilly" (12-inch version) – 4:47
:A2: "Motownphilly" [LP Version] 3:52
:A2: "Motownphilly" (LP version) – 3:52
:B: "Motownphilly" [Instrumental] 5:50
:B: "Motownphilly" (instrumental) – 5:50


* '''US CD maxi''' [http://www.discogs.com/Boyz-II-Men-Motownphilly/release/1443202]
* '''US CD maxi'''
# "Motownphilly" [12" Version Edit] 4:47
# "Motownphilly" (12-inch version Edit) – 4:47
# "Motownphilly" [LP Version] 3:52
# "Motownphilly" (LP version) – 3:52
# "Motownphilly" [Quiet Storm] 4:06
# "Motownphilly" (quiet storm) – 4:06
# "Motownphilly" [12" A] 5:50
# "Motownphilly" (12-inch A) – 5:50
# "Motownphilly" [12" Dub] 4:08
# "Motownphilly" (12-inch dub) – 4:08


* '''UK vinyl, 7''' [http://www.discogs.com/Boyz-II-Men-Motownphilly/release/246736]
* '''UK vinyl, 7-inch'''
:A: "Motownphilly" [7" Radio Version] 3:50
:A: "Motownphilly" (7-inch radio version) – 3:50
:B: "Motownphilly" [Philly Instrumental] 3:50
:B: "Motownphilly" (Philly instrumental) – 3:50
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
* '''UK vinyl, 12"''' [http://www.discogs.com/Boyz-II-Men-Motownphilly/release/345039]
* '''UK vinyl, 12-inch'''
:A: "Motownphilly" [12" Extended Club Mix] 5:35
:A: "Motownphilly" (12-inch extended club mix) – 5:35
:B1: "Motownphilly" [7" Radio Version] 3:50
:B1: "Motownphilly" (7-inch radio version) – 3:50
:B2: "Motownphilly" [Philly Instrumental] 3:50
:B2: "Motownphilly" (Philly instrumental) – 3:50
:B3: "Motownphilly" [Dub Mix] 4:08
:B3: "Motownphilly" (dub mix) – 4:08


* '''Germany CD maxi''' [http://www.discogs.com/Boyz-II-Men-Motownphilly/release/1000897]
* '''Germany CD maxi'''
# "Motownphilly" [12" Version] 5:50
# "Motownphilly" (12-inch version) – 5:50
# "Motownphilly" [7" Main] 3:20
# "Motownphilly" (7-inch main) – 3:20
# "Motownphilly" [12" Dub] 4:09
# "Motownphilly" (12-inch dub) – 4:09
# "Motownphilly" [Quiet Storm] 4:06
# "Motownphilly" (quiet storm) – 4:06
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


Line 69: Line 72:


===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for "Motownphilly"
!align="center"|Chart (1991–92)
!Chart (1991–1993)
!align="center"|Peak<br>position
!Peak<br />position
|-
|-
{{single chart|Australia|32|artist=Boyz II Men|song=Motownphilly|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2023}}
⚫
!scope="row"|[[UK Dance Singles Chart|UK Dance]] (''[[Music Week]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-12-26.pdf |title= Top 60 Dance Singles |magazine= [[Music Week]] |date= 26 December 1992 |page= 24 |accessdate= 30 September 2020}}</ref>
⚫
|28
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Retail Singles (''[[The Record (magazine)|The Record]]'')<ref name="Lwin">{{cite book|last=Lwin|first=Nanda|author-link=Nanda Lwin|date=2000|title=Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide|publisher=Music Data Canada|page=49|isbn=1-896594-13-1}}</ref>
⚫
{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|3|artist=Boyz II Men|rowheader=true}}
| 38
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Contemporary Hit Radio (''[[The Record (magazine)|The Record]]'')<ref name="Lwin"/>
!scope="row"|US [[Hot R&B Singles]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/Boyz-II-Men/chart-history/BSI|title=Boyz II Men Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>
|4
| 34
|-
!scope="row"|Europe ([[Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-01-16.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=10|issue=3|date=January 16, 1993|page=15|access-date=March 24, 2024}}</ref>
| 48
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|16|artist=Boyz II Men|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2023}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|29|artist=Boyz II Men|song=Motownphilly|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2023}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|38|artist=Boyz II Men|song=Motownphilly|rowheader=true|access-date=May 16, 2023}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|23|artist=Boyz II Men|rowheader=true|date=19921226}}
|-
⚫
!scope="row"|[[UK Dance Singles Chart|UK Dance]] (''[[Music Week]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-12-26.pdf |title= Top 60 Dance Singles |magazine= [[Music Week]] |date= December 26, 1992 |page= 24 |access-date= September 30, 2020}}</ref>
⚫
| 28
|-
⚫
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|3|artist=Boyz II Men|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|4|artist=Boyz II Men|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2022}}
|-
! scope="row"| Zimbabwe (ZIMA)<ref>* Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. ''Zimbabwe: singles chart book''. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000</ref>
| 1
|}
|}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Year-end chart performance for "Motownphilly"
!Chart (1991)
!Chart (1991)
!Position
!Position
|-
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 21, 1991 |title=1991 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles |page=YE-14 |magazine=Billboard |volume=103 |issue=51 |last1=Nielsen Business Media |first1=Inc }}</ref>
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite magazine |title=1991 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles |magazine=Billboard |volume=103 |issue=51 |page=YE-14 |date=December 21, 1991}}</ref>
|11
| 11
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-12-21.pdf |title=The Year in Music: 1991 – Top R&B Singles |magazine=Billboard |volume=103 |issue=51 |date=December 21, 1991 |page=YE-18<!-- 72 --> |issn=0006-2510 |accessdate=October 24, 2020 |via=American Radio History}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US Hot R&B Singles (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-12-21.pdf |title=The Year in Music: 1991 – Top R&B Singles |magazine=Billboard |volume=103 |issue=51 |date=December 21, 1991 |page=YE-18 |issn=0006-2510 |accessdate=October 24, 2020 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
| 23
| 23
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


==See also==
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Motownphilly"}}
Let's Stay Together by [[Guy (band)|Guy]]
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Boyz II Men|title=Motownphilly|award=Platinum|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|access-date=October 7, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

==Release history==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Release history for "Motownphilly"
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Format(s)
!scope="col"|Label(s)
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!scope="row"|United States
|April 30, 1991
|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}
|rowspan="3"|[[Motown]]
|{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}
|-
!scope="row"|Japan
|August 21, 1991
|Mini-CD
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/154394/products/58695/1/|title=モータウンフィリー {{!}} ボーイズ・II・メン|trans-title=Motownphilly {{!}} Boyz II Men|publisher=[[Oricon]]|language=ja|access-date=August 30, 2023}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom
|December 7, 1992
|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}
|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=25|date=December 5, 1992}}</ref>
|}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
{{Boyz II Men}}
*[https://genius.com/Boyz-ii-men-motownphilly-lyrics "Motownphilly"] at [[Genius (company)|Genius]]


{{authority control}}
{{Boyz II Men}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:1990 songs]]
[[Category:1990 songs]]
[[Category:1991 debut singles]]
[[Category:1991 debut singles]]
[[Category:Boyz II Men songs]]
[[Category:Boyz II Men songs]]
⚫
[[Category:Culture of Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Motown singles]]
[[Category:Motown singles]]
[[Category:New jack swing songs]]
[[Category:New jack swing songs]]
⚫
[[Category:Songs about Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Dallas Austin]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Dallas Austin]]
[[Category:Songs written by Dallas Austin]]
[[Category:Songs written by Dallas Austin]]
Line 117: Line 173:
[[Category:Songs written by Nathan Morris]]
[[Category:Songs written by Nathan Morris]]
[[Category:Songs written by Shawn Stockman]]
[[Category:Songs written by Shawn Stockman]]
[[Category:South Street]]

Latest revision as of 13:57, 20 October 2024

"Motownphilly"
US 12-inch vinyl single
Single by Boyz II Men
from the album Cooleyhighharmony
ReleasedApril 30, 1991
Genre
Length3:56
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dallas Austin
Boyz II Men singles chronology
"Motownphilly"
(1991) 		"It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday"
(1991)
Music video
"Motownphilly" on YouTube

"Motownphilly" is a song by American vocal harmony group Boyz II Men, released in April 1991 by Motown as the first single from their debut album, Cooleyhighharmony (1991). Co-written and produced by Dallas Austin, the song was a success, peaking at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100. Michael Bivins, who co-wrote the song, provides a guest rap during the bridge. The song's title is a portmanteau of two of the group's main musical influences: 1960s Motown and 1970s Philly soul.

The accompanying music video for the song was filmed in various locations in the group's hometown of Philadelphia. Two new jack swing groups, Another Bad Creation and Bell Biv DeVoe, are mentioned in the lyrics. They appear briefly in the video, as does Sudden Impact, a short-lived R&B group organized by Bivins. Additionally, Questlove appears briefly as a drummer, due to his previous relationship with the group from high school.

Critical reception

[edit]

Dele Fadele from NME wrote, "Floating on a cloud through the chequered history of soul, yet inherently modern, Boyz II Men are plotting the new musical map. From Detroit to Philadelphia, this is East Coast style and sass in abundance, mixing and matching MFSB strings, House synth-bass, raps and the ghost of several songs rolled into one. Somewhere in the ever-shifting mix you learn their tale and, if I were Bell Biv DeVoe, I'd prepare to be usurped."[2]

Track listings

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Motownphilly"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[16] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release history for "Motownphilly"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States April 30, 1991
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Motown [citation needed]
Japan August 21, 1991 Mini-CD [17]
United Kingdom December 7, 1992
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [18]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Pitchfork Staff (September 27, 2022). "The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 21, 2022. ...the track, which features classic soul harmonies over a new jack swing beat, as well as a totally gratuitous doo-wop showcase at the end.
  2. ^ Fadele, Dele (November 9, 1991). "Singles". NME. p. 22. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  3. ^ "Boyz II Men – Motownphilly". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 49. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  5. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 3. January 16, 1993. p. 15. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Boyz II Men". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  7. ^ "Boyz II Men – Motownphilly" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  8. ^ "Boyz II Men – Motownphilly". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  9. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  10. ^ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. December 26, 1992. p. 24. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  11. ^ "Boyz II Men Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  12. ^ "Boyz II Men Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  13. ^ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  14. ^ "1991 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-14.
  15. ^ "The Year in Music: 1991 – Top R&B Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-18. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved October 24, 2020 – via World Radio History.
  16. ^ "American single certifications – Boyz II Men – Motownphilly". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  17. ^ "モータウンフィリー | ボーイズ・II・メン" [Motownphilly | Boyz II Men] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  18. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. December 5, 1992. p. 25.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Motownphilly&oldid=1252244817"