"Boogie Wonderland" | ||||
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Single by Earth, Wind & Fire with the Emotions | ||||
from the album I Am | ||||
B-side | "Boogie Wonderland (Instrumental) (Vinyl)" | |||
Released | May 6, 1979 | |||
Recorded | 1978 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:49 (LP/7") 8:15 (12") | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
Earth, Wind & Fire singles chronology | ||||
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The Emotions singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Boogie Wonderland" on YouTube |
"Boogie Wonderland" is a song by American band Earth,Wind &Fire with the Emotions,released in April 1979 on Columbia Records [1] as the first single from their ninth album, I Am (1979). The song peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard dance chart,number six on the Hot 100,and number two on Billboard Hot Soul Singles. [2] [3] It was certified gold in the US and platinum in the UK. "Boogie Wonderland" was Grammy-nominated for Best R&B Instrumental Performance and Best Disco Recording; [4] it won the Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental Performance. [5]
The song was composed by Allee Willis with Jon Lind [6] and produced by EWF leader Maurice White and Al McKay. [1]
WIllis wrote the lyrics in response to seeing the crime drama film Looking for Mr. Goodbar ,where Rosanne Quinn,a murdered schoolteacher,tries to paper over her pain and feelings of insecurity with alcohol,drugs,and sex. “Boogie wonderland”described in the song is a magical place,but the lyrics also focus on the dreary reality from which discos provided an escape. The song creates a general vibe of escapism and begins with the unpleasant aftermath of a night out that made life better,but for only for a few hours. [7]
Rose Riggins of Gannett wrote "Boogie Wonderland is the hit. But it is more than just an average pop song. The song is an exploration of times spent at house parties and at discos,when you wanted to be disco queen or king and the spotlight just wouldn't focus on you. You wonder why and look into the mirror and it says,Uh,Uh,baby it don't work you dance to shake the hurt. Like so many of EWFs hits,Boogie Wonderland,is bolstered by the blazing horns that have become the groups trademark. Teamed up with the talented vocal group the Emotions,EWF has created a song that will join the ranks of such past hits as Mighty Mighty,Getaway,Fantasy and September." [8] Dave Marsh of Rolling Stone said Maurice White "takes simple dance formulas like 'Boogie Wonderland' and finds fresh possibilities within them." [9]
James Johnson of the Evening Standard called it a song "couched in a more down-to-earth,dance-floor dialogue." [10] Matthew Greenwald of AllMusic stated:"one of the few records that paired two full-fledged groups successfully,the combination of EWF and the Emotions worked wonders here and it remains a classic of the period." [11] Allen Weiner of Morning Call wrote:"Boogie Wonderland is the LP's most commercial tune,a tribute to both jazz/soul and disco fans that is pulsating and pleasing." [12] Ace Adams of the New York Daily News also found that "The Emotions' Boogie Wonderland gets Earth,Wind &Fire off to a flying start on this album". [13] Cash Box called it a "a standout pop dance track," saying that "sharp,slamming horn intro segues into bright backup singing by the Emotions,blending in perfectly with E,W &F leader Maurice White's vocal." [14]
Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
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Gary Mulholland | UK | This Is Uncool:The 500 Best Singles Since Punk Rock[ citation needed ] | 2002 | * |
Dave Marsh | U.S. | The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made[ citation needed ] | 1989 | 737 |
Bruce Pollock | U.S. | The 7,500 Most Important Songs of 1944-2000[ citation needed ] | 2005 | * |
The Guardian | UK | 1000 Songs Everyone Must Hear[ citation needed ] | 2009 | * |
(*) designates lists that are unordered.
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [32] Digital | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [33] Sales since 2009 | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [34] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [35] Physical | Gold | 500,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [36] Sales since 2015 | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [37] Physical | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |