Workin' On a Groovy Thing (song)

"Workin' On a Groovy Thing" is a song written by Neil Sedaka and Roger Atkins which had its highest profile as a 1969 hit single by the 5th Dimension.

"Workin' On a Groovy Thing"
Single by The 5th Dimension
from the album The Age of Aquarius
B-side"Broken Wing Bird"
ReleasedJune 1969
GenreSoul
Length3:09
LabelSoul City
Songwriter(s)Neil Sedaka, Roger Atkins
Producer(s)Bones Howe
The 5th Dimension singles chronology
"Medley: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)"
(1969)
"Workin' On a Groovy Thing"
(1969)
"Wedding Bell Blues"
(1969)

The song was first recorded by R&B songstress Patti Drew for her 1968 album Workin' on a Groovy Thing and released as a single to reach #34 on the U.S. R&B chart while crossing-over to #62 on the Billboard Hot 100[1] and reaching #86 in Canada.[2] Future Steam frontman Garrett Scott - working with producer Paul Leka - [3] and the 5th Dimension cut versions of the song in the summer of 1969, with the 5th Dimension's version - released a week before Scott's - reachin #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, #9 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart, and #15 on the U.S. R&B chart. Internationally the 5th Dimension version reached #17 in Canada, and #48 in Australia in 1969.[4] Produced by Bones Howe and arranged by Bill Holman, Bob Alcivar, and Howe,[5]"Workin' on a Groovy Thing" was included on the 1969 5th Dimension album, The Age of Aquarius.[6]

"Workin' on a Groovy Thing" has also been recorded by Lana Cantrell (album Lana!/ 1968), Allison Durbin (album I Have Loved Me a Man/ 1968), Barbara Lewis (album Workin' on a Groovy Thing/ 1968), Friends of Distinction (album Highly Distinct/ 1969), Neil Sedaka (album, Workin' on a Groovy Thing/ 1969), and Alton Ellis (1972). Instrumental versions of the song include those by Richard Holmes (album Workin' on a Groovy Thing/ 1969), Phil Moore (album Right On/ 1969), David Rose (album Happy Heart/ 1969), Mongo Santamaria (album Workin' on a Groovy Thing/ 1969), Bola Sete (album, Workin' on a Groovy Thing/ 1970), and Johnny Hammond (album/ Breakout/ 1971).

The song was performed on the 1973 episode of The Partridge Family sitcom called "Maid in San Pueblo" but the Partridge Family version has never been released.

Chart history - 5th Dimension version

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Chart (1969) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 48
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[8] 3
Canada RPM Top Singles[9] 18
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[10] 20
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary 9
U.S. Billboard R&B 15
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[11] 23

References

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  1. ^ Patti Drew, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" Chart Positions Retrieved January 17, 2015
  2. ^ Patti Drew, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" Canadian Chart Position Retrieved January 17, 2015
  3. ^ Renzoni, Tony (2017). Connecticut Rock 'n' Roll: a history. Charleston SC: History Press. p. 44. ISBN 9781625858801.
  4. ^ The 5th Dimension, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" Chart Positions Retrieved January 17, 2015
  5. ^ The 5th Dimension, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" single release Retrieved January 17, 2015
  6. ^ The 5th Dimension, The Age of Aquarius Retrieved January 17, 2015
  7. ^ The 5th Dimension, "Workin' On a Groovy Thing" Chart Positions Retrieved January 17, 2015
  8. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1969-09-27. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  9. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1969-09-13. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  10. ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  11. ^ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, August 23, 1969