TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)
| Company type | Record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia , United States |
TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) is a 1974 track performed by MFSB with vocal contributions from The Three Degrees. Composed by Gamble and Huff, it served as the theme for the American music television show Soul Train. Issued under Philadelphia International Records, it distinguished itself as the inaugural TV theme song to achieve the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
At the 17th Annual Grammy Awards held in 1975, the piece received the accolade for Best R&B Instrumental Performance.
Background
This instrumental piece combines elements of string instruments and a prominent horn section, featuring two vocal phrases by The Three Degrees: "People all over the world" and "Let's get it on. It's time to get down." Notably, the initial release did not include "People all over the world." A subsequent 1975 rendition on The Three Degrees' album International incorporated the show's title sung atop the opening melody.
In 1974, "TSOP" reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for a duration of two weeks, marking a significant achievement for television theme music.
Don Cornelius, creator and host of Soul Train, restricted any mention of the program's name in the single version, leading Gamble and Huff to adopt an alternative title.
Although re-recordings replaced it with other themes during the late 1970s and 1980s, "TSOP" made a comeback as Soul Train's theme in the 1980s and has remained associated with the show since.
Covers and samples
Dexys Midnight Runners produced a cover of "TSOP," which appeared as a B-side on the 12" release of "Jackie Wilson Said" and was included in their remastered album Too-Rye-Ay. The reggae group Inner Circle also covered this composition in 1978. Additional versions were released by George Duke in 1986 and Sampson in 1999.
In 1998, German act BMR featuring Dutch vocalist Felicia Uwaje sampled "TSOP" in their song Check It Out. A melody resembling "TSOP" can be heard in the anime series Haré+Guu.
Uses of the song
"TSOP" is regularly played at Citizens Bank Park prior to every Philadelphia Phillies home game. It was similarly featured following Vancouver Whitecaps NASL and CSL home matches throughout the 1970s to 1990s.
The Philippine game show Game Ka Na Ba?, hosted by Edu Manzano, adapted "TSOP" into its theme titled "Papayo Yowza". Additionally, its introduction was sampled during Philadelphia 76ers broadcasts on WPHT in the 1970s and was used during NBA on CBS coverage from the 1975 playoffs through to the 1976 Finals.
Weekly charts
| Chart (1973–1974) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 12 |
| Austria | 17 |
| Wallonia | 19 |
| Canada Adult Contemporary | 24 |
| Canada Top Singles | 1 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 20 |
| Dutch Top 100 | 18 |
| New Zealand (Listener) | 13 |
| South Africa (Springbok) | 13 |
| Switzerland | 3 |
| UK Singles Chart | 22 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Hot Soul Singles (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 | 1 |
| West Germany | 5 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1974) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 90 |
| Canada | 14 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 7 |
| US Cash Box | 17 |