It would take a lot of work not to like this song. It’s very meaningful and it’s catchy. They even shared a line from a new cartoon…Scooby Doo “And so on and so on and scooby dooby dooby.” The song was written by Sly Stone.
Sly & the Family Stone was a great band. This song was released in 1968 and it peaked at #1 in the Billboard 100, #2 in Canada, and #36 in the UK Charts in 1969. Sly arranged this song perfectly with great dynamics for the chorus. A great piece of songwriting and arranging. It would have been a hit whenever it was released.
It was this song that broke them into a larger audience and Stone into stardom. Billboard later ranked it as the #5 song of 1969, and the single’s success helped power the album Stand! to sales of three million copies.
Sly and the Family Stone really made their presence known at Woodstock with a great set. Carlos Santana has remarked that they were the standout band. They recorded songs in many genres, including funk, psychedelic soul, rock, soul, pop, funk rock, and R&B.
Billy Preston played organ on this single and the song has been used in many movies, TV shows, and commercials.
Everyday People
Sometimes I’m right and I can be wrong
My own beliefs are in my song
The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then
Makes no difference what group I’m in
I am everyday people, yeah, yeah
There is a blue one
Who can’t accept the green one
For living with a fat one
Trying to be a skinny one
Different strokes
For different folks
And so on and so on
And scooby dooby dooby
Oh sha sha
We got to live together
I am no better and neither are you
We are the same, whatever we do
You love me, you hate me, you know me and then
You can’t figure out the bag I’m in
I am everyday people, yeah yeah
There is a long hair
That doesn’t like the short hair
For being such a rich one
That will not help the poor one
Different strokes
For different folks
And so on and so on
And scooby dooby dooby
Oh sha sha
We got to live together
There is a yellow one
That won’t accept the black one
That won’t accept the red one
That won’t accept the white one
Different strokes
For different folks
And so on and so on
And scooby dooby dooby
Oh sha sha
I am everyday people
