Motownphilly

"Motownphilly" is the debut single 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

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

• US vinyl, 12-inch

A1: "Motownphilly" (12-inch version) – 4:47

A2: "Motownphilly" (LP version) – 3:52

B: "Motownphilly" (instrumental) – 5:50

• US CD maxi

1. "Motownphilly" (12-inch version Edit) – 4:47
2. "Motownphilly" (LP version) – 3:52
3. "Motownphilly" (quiet storm) – 4:06
4. "Motownphilly" (12-inch A) – 5:50
5. "Motownphilly" (12-inch dub) – 4:08

• UK vinyl, 7-inch

A: "Motownphilly" (7-inch radio version) – 3:50

B: "Motownphilly" (Philly instrumental) – 3:50

• UK vinyl, 12-inch

A: "Motownphilly" (12-inch extended club mix) – 5:35

B1: "Motownphilly" (7-inch radio version) – 3:50

B2: "Motownphilly" (Philly instrumental) – 3:50

B3: "Motownphilly" (dub mix) – 4:08

• Germany CD maxi

1. "Motownphilly" (12-inch version) – 5:50
2. "Motownphilly" (7-inch main) – 3:20
3. "Motownphilly" (12-inch dub) – 4:09
4. "Motownphilly" (quiet storm) – 4:06

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Release history

References

1. ^ 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. ^ Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 49. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
4. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100". Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 3. January 16, 1993. p. 15. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
5. ^ "Top 50 Airplay Chart". Music Week. 16 January 1993. p. 16. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
6. ^ "Top 60 Dance Singles". Music Week. December 26, 1992. p. 24. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
7. ^ "The Record Mirror Club Chart". Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). November 21, 1992. p. 6. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
8. ^ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
9. ^ "1991 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-14.
10. ^ "The Year in Music: 1991 – Top R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-18. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved October 24, 2020. – via World Radio History.
11. ^ "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 29/07/91: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 79. July 28, 1991. p. 19.
12. ^ "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.
13. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. December 5, 1992. p. 25.

External links

• "Motownphilly" at Genius