We Are Family

Sister Sledge

About We Are Family

"We Are Family" is a song recorded by American vocal group Sister Sledge. Composed by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, they both offered the song to Atlantic Records; although the record label initially declined, the track was released as a single from the album of the same name in April 1979 and began to gain club and radio play, eventually becoming the group's signature song."We Are Family" went gold, becoming the number 1 R&B and number 2 pop song on the American charts in 1979 (behind "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer). Along with the tracks "He's the Greatest Dancer" and "Lost in Music", "We Are Family" reached number 1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs. It was also the theme song for the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2017, the song was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant." Billboard magazine named the song number 20 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. 


Year:
2000
3:33
116 
#1

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We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev'rybody and sing
We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev'rybody and sing

Ev'ryone can see we're together
As we walk on by
(Hey) and we fly just like birds of a feather
I won't tell no lie
(ALL!) all of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
Just let me state for the record
We're giving love in a family dose

We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev'rybody and sing
We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev'rybody and sing

Living life is fun and we've just begun
To get our share of the world's delights
(HIGH!) high hopes we have for the future
And our goal's in sight
(WE!) no we don't get depressed
'Cause here's what we call our golden rule
Have faith in you and the things you do
You won't go wrong
This is our family Jewel

We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev'rybody and sing
We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev'rybody and sing
We are family
We are family
We are family
We are family
We are family
We are family
We are family

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Sister Sledge

Sister Sledge is an American musical group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 1971 and consisting of four sisters: Kim Sledge (born August 21, 1957), Debbie Sledge (born July 9, 1954), Joni Sledge (born September 13, 1955), and Kathy Sledge (born January 6, 1959). They are granddaughters of the former opera singer Viola Williams. The sisters used to perform under the name of "Mrs. Williams' Grandchildren." The group is best known for their hit songs "We Are Family" and "Frankie (song)". more »

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Written by: Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Release
"We Are Family" was released on April 23, 1979, as part of the album with the same name.
Creation
The song was written by Rodgers and Edwards, popularly known as the founding members of the music band "Chic".
Popular Performance
The track was performed by the American vocal group Sister Sledge, consisting of four sisters Debbie, Joni, Kim and Kathy Sledge.
Chart Success
"We Are Family" reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned Sister Sledge their only number one Hot Soul Singles hit.
Grammy Nomination
The song was later nominated for a Grammy in 1979 in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with vocals category.
Cultural Impact
Due to its catchy tune and positive message about family unity, the song has often been played at gatherings, parties, and various sports events.
Sports Anthem
The Pittsburgh Pirates adopted "We Are Family" as their theme song during their 1979 championship season.
Remake
The song was remade in 2001 by renowned singers including Nile Rodgers, Chic, Sister Sledge along with a wide array of artists including Diana Ross, Roberta Flack for the benefit of the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
Movie Feature
"We Are Family" was included in the soundtrack of the French movie "La Cage Aux Folles" (The Birds of a Feather).
Samples
Other artists like Jordan Knight, Spice Girls, and Madonna have sampled the song in their music.
Copyright Dispute
In the 2000s, the song came under copyright controversy when the heirs of one of the writers claimed that they had not been paid royalties for its use.
Legacy
The song is often cited as an anthem for the gay community and it has also been adopted by many other social and political movements over the years.
Induction into Hall of Fame
In 2017, "(We Are) Family" was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant."
Charity
Nile Rodgers and Sister Sledge have created "We Are Family Foundation," a charity named after the song to promote unity through music.

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    "We Are Family Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3728828/Sister+Sledge/We+Are+Family>.

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    We Are Family

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1979

    Billboard #2


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