Harman Patil (Editor)

Motownphilly

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Released
  
January 24, 1991

Recorded
  
1990

Length
  
3:56

Format
  
Vinyl, 7", 12"

Genre
  
New jack swing

Label
  
Motown

"Motownphilly" is Boyz II Men's 1991 debut single for their debut album Cooleyhighharmony. The single was a success peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Michael Bivins, who co-wrote the song, provides a guest rap during the bridge.

The video for the song was filmed in various locations in Philadelphia, the group's home city in December 1990. Two new jack swing groups, Another Bad Creation and Bell Biv DeVoe (of which Bivins was a member), are mentioned in the first verse: "Boyz II Men, ABC, BBD, the East Coast Family." Both groups appear briefly in the video, as does Sudden Impact, a short-lived, all-white R&B group organized by Bivins.

The song title etymology involves a combination of two of the group's main musical influences: 1960's Motown and 1970's Philly soul.

The song was featured during the 2016 Democratic National Convention, as the convention took place in Philadelphia, the city that the song is named for.

Track listing

US Vinyl, 12" [1]

  • A1 Motownphilly [12" Version] 4:47
  • A2 Motownphilly [LP Version] 3:52
  • B Motownphilly [Instrumental] 5:50
  • US Maxi-CD [2]

  • 1 Motownphilly [12" Version Edit] 4:47
  • 2 Motownphilly [LP Version] 3:52
  • 3 Motownphilly [Quiet Storm] 4:06
  • 4 Motownphilly [12" A] 5:50
  • 5 Motownphilly [12" Dub] 4:08
  • UK Vinyl, 7 [3]

  • A Motownphilly [7" Radio Version] 3:50
  • B Motownphilly [Philly Instrumental] 3:50
  • UK Vinyl, 12" [4]

  • A Motownphilly [12" Extended Club Mix] 5:35
  • B1 Motownphilly [7" Radio Version] 3:50
  • B2 Motownphilly [Philly Instrumental] 3:50
  • B3 Motownphilly [Dub Mix] 4:08
  • Germany Maxi-CD [5]

  • 1 Motownphilly [12" Version] 5:50
  • 2 Motownphilly [7" Main] 3:20
  • 3 Motownphilly [12" Dub] 4:09
  • 4 Motownphilly [Quiet Storm] 4:06
  • References

    Motownphilly Wikipedia