Workin' On a Groovy Thing (song)

Last updated
"Workin' On a Groovy Thing"
Workin' On a Groovy Thing (song).jpg
Norwegian release picture sleeve
Single by The 5th Dimension
from the album The Age of Aquarius
B-side "Broken Wing Bird"
Released June 1969
Genre Sunshine pop [1]
Length3:09
Label Soul City
Songwriter(s) Neil Sedaka, Roger Atkins
Producer(s) Bones Howe
The 5th Dimension singles chronology
"Medley: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)"
(1969)
"Workin' On a Groovy Thing"
(1969)
"Wedding Bell Blues"
(1969)

"Workin' On a Groovy Thing" is a song written by Neil Sedaka and Roger Atkins which had its highest profile as a 1969 hit single by the 5th Dimension.

Contents

The song was first recorded by R&B songstress Patti Drew for her 1968 album Workin' on a Groovy Thing and released as a single to reach No. 34 on the U.S. R&B chart while crossing-over to No. 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 [2] and reaching No. 86 in Canada. [3] Future Steam frontman Garrett Scott - working with producer Paul Leka - [4] and the 5th Dimension cut versions of the song in the summer of 1969, with the 5th Dimension's version - released a week before Scott's - reachin No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 9 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart, and No. 15 on the U.S. R&B chart. Internationally the 5th Dimension version reached No. 18 in Canada, and No. 48 in Australia in 1969. [5] [6] Produced by Bones Howe and arranged by Bill Holman, Bob Alcivar, and Howe, [7] "Workin' on a Groovy Thing" was included on the 1969 5th Dimension album, The Age of Aquarius . [8]

"Workin' on a Groovy Thing" has also been recorded by Lana Cantrell (album Lana!/ 1968), Allison Durbin (album I Have Loved Me a Man/ 1968), Barbara Lewis (album Workin' on a Groovy Thing/ 1968), Friends of Distinction (album Highly Distinct/ 1969), Neil Sedaka (album, Workin' on a Groovy Thing / 1969), and Alton Ellis (1972). Instrumental versions of the song include those by Richard Holmes (album Workin' on a Groovy Thing/ 1969), Phil Moore (album Right On/ 1969), David Rose (album Happy Heart/ 1969), Mongo Santamaria (album Workin' on a Groovy Thing/ 1969), Bola Sete (album, Workin' on a Groovy Thing / 1970), and Johnny Hammond (album/ Breakout / 1971).

The song was performed on the 1973 episode of The Partridge Family sitcom called "Maid in San Pueblo" but the Partridge Family version has never been released.

Charts

5th Dimension version

Chart (1969)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [9] 48
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary [10] 3
Canada RPM Top Singles [11] 18
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 [12] 20
U.S. Billboard Easy Listening 9
U.S. Billboard R&B Singles 15
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 [13] 23

References

  1. Deming, Mark. Various Artists - Chartbusters USA: Sunshine Pop (2009) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  2. Patti Drew, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" Chart Positions Retrieved January 17, 2015
  3. "RPM Top 100 Singles - August 26, 1968" (PDF).
  4. Renzoni, Tony (2017). Connecticut Rock 'n' Roll: a history. Charleston SC: History Press. p. 44. ISBN   9781625858801.
  5. "RPM Top 100 Singles - September 6, 1969" (PDF).
  6. The 5th Dimension, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" Chart Positions Retrieved January 17, 2015
  7. The 5th Dimension, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" single release Retrieved January 17, 2015
  8. The 5th Dimension, The Age of Aquarius Retrieved January 17, 2015
  9. The 5th Dimension, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" Chart Positions Retrieved January 17, 2015
  10. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1969-09-27. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  11. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1969-09-13. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  12. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN   0-89820-089-X
  13. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, August 23, 1969