Probably the first most listeners ever heard from Sly & the Family Stone was this spectacular late-1968 hit. Opening with a blistering, jazzy fanfare, the first unique touch was a wordless, a cappella (except for tambourine) passage that is indeed one of the greatest aural hooks of the day. Like Brian Wilson, Sly Stone had an incredible ability to draw listeners in with brief passages. The other sections of the song are hard-driving soul breakdowns, immaculately performed. Adding instruments and introducing the bandmembers recall classic soul revues. The lyrics are almost an order and call to arms to the now integrated rock and soul audience. All of this in three minutes. A "stone" classic.