Celebration

After having hits with such chart-topping '70s funk workouts as "Hollywood Swinging" and "Higher Plane," Kool and the Gang's '80s sides were more melodic "sing-alongs." Working with producer Eumir Deodato and engineer Jim Bonnefond, the group followed up their two gold singles, the number one R&B/Top Eight pop hit "Ladies Night" and the Top Five R&B/pop smash "Too Hot," with the platinum single "Celebration." Lead singer James "J.T." Taylor's mother, after hearing "Celebration," knew right off that her son "would be singing that song for the rest of your life." It seemed kismet that "Celebration" would be the band's biggest hit. Listen to the closing minutes of "Ladies Night": "Come on let's celebrate." Group member Khalis Bayyan started writing the song after reading about the Creation in the holy Qur'an. Taylor, band keyboardist Earl Toon, and Imani Smith added their ideas, along with the rest of the band. As with their other '80s records, the trio Something Sweet contributed background vocals. Like Sister Sledge's "We Are Family," "Celebration" became a festive standard, being heard at weddings, bar mitzvahs, family reunions, sporting events, even the Toy Story 2 DVD, just about anyplace there's a celebration. Selling over two million copies, it topped the R&B charts for six weeks and stayed at number one pop for two weeks in late 1980. The Celebrate! LP went platinum, also boasting "Jones Vs. Jones" and "Take It to the Top." Timing also played a crucial part in "Celebration"'s success as it was adopted as the theme song for the celebration of the release of the American hostages from Iran.