Sly and the Family Stone – Family Affair

About The Song

“Sly and the Family Stone’s ‘Family Affair’ is a timeless soul and funk anthem released in 1971. Written and produced by Sly Stone, the song showcases the band’s innovative blend of funk, rock, and soul, featuring a minimalist arrangement and socially conscious lyrics. With its unique sound and influential style, ‘Family Affair’ remains a classic in the realm of popular music.”

Five Facts:

Innovative Sound: “Family Affair” is known for its groundbreaking sound, incorporating a pioneering use of the Maestro Rhythm King drum machine. This marked one of the first instances of a drum machine in a popular song, contributing to the track’s distinctive and futuristic vibe.
Chart Success: The song achieved commercial success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States in 1971. It became Sly and the Family Stone’s third and final number-one single.
Emotional Depth: The lyrics of “Family Affair” touch upon themes of family, relationships, and the challenges of maintaining connections. Sly Stone’s introspective and poignant lyrics added emotional depth to the song, resonating with listeners on a personal level.
Sly Stone’s Multitalented Role: Sly Stone, the band’s frontman and creative force, played multiple roles in the production of “Family Affair.” Apart from writing and producing the song, he also performed vocals and played several instruments, showcasing his versatility as a musician.
Impact on Music: “Family Affair” has left a lasting impact on the music industry and has been sampled and covered by various artists across different genres. Its influence can be heard in the work of subsequent generations of musicians, cementing its status as a classic in the evolution of funk and soul music.

Video

Lyrics

It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair
It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair

One child grows up to be
Somebody that just loves to learn
Another child grows up to be
Somebody you’d just love to burn

Mom loves the both of them
You see, it’s in the blood (blood, blood)
Both kids are good to Mom
Blood’s thicker than the mud

It’s a family affair (it’s a family affair)
It’s a family affair (it’s a family affair)
Blood out there, blood out there
(Ain’t nothing but a family)
(Nothing but a family affair)
Ain’t nothing but a family
Nothing but a family affair

Newlywed a year ago
You’re still checking each other out
Nobody wants to blow
Nobody wanna be left out

You can’t leave ’cause your heart is there
And you, you can’t stay ’cause you been somewhere else
You can’t cry ’cause you’ll look broke down
But you’re cryin’ anyway ’cause you’re all broke down

It’s a family affair (it’s a family affair)
It’s a family affair (it’s a family affair) oh
Yeah, a family affair (it’s a family affair) oh, yeah, oh, yeah
It’s a family affair (oh)

It’s a family affair, it’s a family affair
It’s a family affair (it’s a family affair)
It’s a family affair (yeah)
Oh, yeah