TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)

"TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)"
Single by MFSB (Mother, Father, Sister, Brother)
from the album Love is the Message
B-side	"Touch Me in the Morning"
Released	1974
Genre	Philly soul Disco
Length	5:42 (album cut) 3:54 (single version)
Label	Philadelphia International Records
Writer(s)	Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff
Producer	Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff

This article is for the song, for the record label see Philadelphia International Records

"TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" is a 1974 hit recording by MFSB (Mother, Father, Sister, Brother) featuring vocals by The Three Degrees. A classic example of the Philadelphia soul genre, it was written by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff as the theme for the American musical television program Soul Train, which specialized in African American musical performers. The single was released on the Philadelphia International label, and it is arguably the first disco song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song is essentially an instrumental piece, featuring a lush blend of strings and horns in the Philadelphia soul style. There are only two vocal parts to the song: a passage close to the beginning during which The Three Degrees sing "People all over the world!"; and the chorus over the fadeout, "Let's get it on/It's time to get down". The words "People all over the world!" are not heard in the original version. "TSOP" hit number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1974 and remained there for two weeks. It also topped the American R&B chart (for one week) and adult contemporary chart (for two weeks). The Three Degrees would revisit the top of the AC chart later in 1974 with their hit single, "When Will I See You Again".

Although it was rerecorded a number of times for future versions of the show, "TSOP" remained the theme song for Soul Train through the disco, 1980s R&B, new jack swing, hip-hop, and neo soul eras of black music.

"TSOP" was covered by Dexys Midnight Runners and released as a B-side on the 12" version of the "Jackie Wilson Said" single, later issued on the remastered version of the album Too-Rye-Ay. The band also used it to open some of their live shows.

Another cover was made in 1978 by reggae band Inner Circle, who had a history of covering American soul songs in the laid-back reggae style of the late 1970s.

Two more covers were made in 1987 (by George Duke), and 1999 (by Sampson); both versions would be used as themes for Soul Train. The 1999 theme would be used until ST's final episode in 2006.

The song is played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia prior to every Phillies home game. The song was also played after Vancouver Whitecaps NASL home games at Empire Stadium in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and after Vancouver 86ers CSL home games in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Pilipinas, Game KNB?, a Philippines game show hosted by actor/politician Edu Manzano, used an adaptation of TSOP (Tanya) called "Papayo Yowza" as its theme.

References

Preceded by "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John	Billboard Hot 100 number one single April 20–27, 1974	Succeeded by "The Loco-Motion" by Grand Funk
Preceded by "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me" by Gladys Knight & the Pips	Billboard Hot Soul Singles number one single April 13–20, 1974	Succeeded by "The Payback (Part 1)" by James Brown
Preceded by "I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song" by Jim Croce	Billboard Easy Listening Singles number-one single by MFSB May 4, 1974 (2 weeks)	Succeeded by "The Entertainer" by Marvin Hamlisch