"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.
| "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by The 5th Dimension | ||||
| from the album The Age of Aquarius | ||||
| B-side | "Broken Wing Bird" | |||
| Released | June 1969 | |||
| Genre | Soul | |||
| Length | 3:09 | |||
| Label | Soul City | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Neil Sedaka, Roger Atkins | |||
| Producer(s) | Bones Howe | |||
| The 5th Dimension singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
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 #34 on the U.S. R&B chart while crossing-over to #62 on the Billboard Hot 100[1] and reaching #86 in Canada.[2] Future Steam frontman Garrett Scott - working with producer Paul Leka - [3] 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 #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, #9 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart, and #15 on the U.S. R&B chart. Internationally the 5th Dimension version reached #17 in Canada, and #48 in Australia in 1969.[4] Produced by Bones Howe and arranged by Bill Holman, Bob Alcivar, and Howe,[5]"Workin' on a Groovy Thing" was included on the 1969 5th Dimension album, The Age of Aquarius.[6]
"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.
Chart history - 5th Dimension version edit
| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] | 48 |
| Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[8] | 3 |
| Canada RPM Top Singles[9] | 18 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[10] | 20 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | 9 |
| U.S. Billboard R&B | 15 |
| U.S. Cash Box Top 100[11] | 23 |
References edit
- ^ Patti Drew, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" Chart Positions Retrieved January 17, 2015
- ^ Patti Drew, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" Canadian Chart Position Retrieved January 17, 2015
- ^ Renzoni, Tony (2017). Connecticut Rock 'n' Roll: a history. Charleston SC: History Press. p. 44. ISBN 9781625858801.
- ^ The 5th Dimension, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" Chart Positions Retrieved January 17, 2015
- ^ The 5th Dimension, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" single release Retrieved January 17, 2015
- ^ The 5th Dimension, The Age of Aquarius Retrieved January 17, 2015
- ^ The 5th Dimension, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" Chart Positions Retrieved January 17, 2015
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1969-09-27. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1969-09-13. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- ^ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, August 23, 1969
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