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Song of the Day #5,768: ‘T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)’ – MFSB ft. The Three Degrees

Throwing back to the week of April 20, 1974, the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 was ‘TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia),’ a disco instrumental by soul band MFSB, a Philly-based group comprised of more than 30 musicians. Vocal group The Three Degrees show up to deliver the song’s only words, the repeated phrase “Let’s get it on, it’s time to get down.”

This track was written as the theme song for Soul Train, and became the first TV theme to ever reach #1. Four more repeated the feat, and rather than give those away here I’ve made a note to do a week on them after I finish with Cowboy Carter.

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Song of the Day #5,767: ‘Ameriican Requiem’ – Beyoncé

Continuing my countdown of the songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter…

#10. ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’

Cowboy Carter‘s lead single is its most overtly country song, and one that set listeners up to have their expectations upended by an album that travels well outside those genre boundaries. It was a clever marketing strategy, but this is also a great song — proof that if Beyoncé had just stuck to the country basics, she still would have delivered a memorable record.

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Song of the Day #5,766: ‘Sweet * Honey * Buckiin” – Beyoncé

Continuing my countdown of the songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter…

#13. ‘II Hands II Heaven’

I’ve seen this track listed as a favorite of a lot of fans and critics, and I totally get it. It’s expansive and emotional, a sultry blend of traditional R&B with electronic flavors. It slips a few slots on my personal list because, at just under six minutes, it wears out its welcome a bit. But at this point I’m nitpicking.

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Song of the Day #5,765: ‘Just For Fun’ – Beyoncé

Continuing my countdown of the songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter…

#16. ‘Desert Eagle’

A sick bass line drives this minute-long track, layered with sweet harmonies. To say it leaves you wanting more is an understatement.

#15. ‘Blackbiird’

The more successful of the album’s two classic covers, this one finds Beyoncé delivering a faithful version of The Beatles’ masterpiece (so faithful that the vocals are laid over Paul McCartney’s original instrumental track). Beyoncé showcases a quartet of female Black country artists — Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, and Brittney Spencer — using her platform to elevate others.

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Song of the Day #5,764: ‘Jolene’ – Beyoncé

Continuing my countdown of the songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter…

#19. ‘Jolene’

A Beyoncé cover of one of country’s most iconic songs — Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ — should be a reason to celebrate. And this one is certainly a fun listen.

I do wish Queen Bey had delivered a faithful interpretation, though, rather than rewrite it as a rebuke to the woman trying to split up a marriage. The vulnerability, jealousy, and insecurity of the original is refreshingly, relateably human. This is a song that should have no room for bravado.

Or maybe flipping the script in that way is just the thought-provoking exercise an album this adventurous needs. I can see both arguments.

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