Superfly (song)

"Superfly" is a song by Curtis Mayfield, the title track from his 1972 soundtrack album for the film of the same name. It was the second single released from the album, following "Freddie's Dead (Theme From Superfly)", and reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart.[1] The lyrics celebrate the craftiness and determination of the film's main character. The song plays over the film's closing credits.

"Superfly"
Single by Curtis Mayfield
from the album Superfly
B-side"Love to Keep You in My Mind"
ReleasedOctober 1972
GenreFunk, soul
Length3:08 (single edit)
3:53 (album version)
LabelCurtom/Buddah
CR-1978
Songwriter(s)Curtis Mayfield
Producer(s)Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield singles chronology
"Freddie's Dead (Theme From Superfly)"
(1972)		 "Superfly"
(1972)		 "Future Shock"
(1973)

The bassline and the rototom percussion break from the song's introduction (performed by Joseph "Lucky" Scott and "Master" Henry Gibson, respectively)[2] have repeatedly been sampled in songs including Beastie Boys' "Egg Man", The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ready to Die Intro", Goldie Lookin Chain's "Pusherman" and Nelly's "Tilt Ya Head Back" featuring Christina Aguilera. Mayfield himself sampled the original song in "Superfly 1990", a duet he recorded with rapper Ice-T.[3]

Chart history

Later uses

The song appeared in the 2009 film Madea Goes to Jail. The song also appeared in the 2012 movie Dark Shadows.

The song also appeared in the 2019 supernatural horror film The Curse of La Llorona.

Covers

The song was covered by Canadian soul and R&B band jacksoul on their album mySOUL.

The song was sampled by hip hop group Outkast on their album Aquemini on the track "Return of the 'G'".

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 285.
  2. Galloway, A. Scott (1999). In Super Fly (p. 8) [CD liner notes]. Burbank, CA: Rhino Records.
  3. "Superfly". Rap Sample FAQ. Accessed October 31, 2007.
  4. "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  5. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  6. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 285.
  7. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, January 20, 1973
  8. Musicoutfitters.com
  9. Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 29, 1973


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