we are family

Sister Sledge gave love in a family dose and put together this chic blend of  funk, gospel, and soul to create a disco classic.  Born and raised in Philadelphia; Kathy, Debbie, Joni, and Kim Sledge cut their teeth singing in local churches.  They released more than a dozen singles with only minor success ('Mama Never Told Me' reached number twenty in the UK while 'Love Don't You Go Through No Changes on Me' was a top five dance hit in the US) until they teamed up with Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic to reach the culmination of their sound.  'We Are Family' features Kathy Sledge on lead vocals for tracks 1, 3, 4, & 5; Debbie Sledge on lead vocals for "You're a Friend to Me"; Joni Sledge on lead vocals for "Lost in Music" and "Easier to Love"; Kim Sledge on lead vocals for "One More Time"; Nile Rodgers on guitar; Bernard Edwards on bass; Tony Thompson on drums; Robert Sabino on piano and clavinet; Raymond Jones on keyboards and Fender Rhodes; Andy Schwartz on piano; Sammy Figueroa on percussion; Jon Faddis and Ellen Seeling on trumpet; Barry Rogers on trombone; Jean Fineberg on saxophone; Alex Foster on saxophone and flute; Gene Orloff as Concert Master with Cheryl Hong, Marianne Carroll, Karen Milne as The Chic Strings;  and Luther Vandross, Norma Jean Wright, David Lasley, Alfa Anderson, Diva Gray on  backing vocals

Kathie revealed at the time:   "Bernard and Nile did all of the arrangements and production for the album.  We started the album back in September so we finished it very quickly really. It's a good mixture of ballads and disco and the thing I love most about it is that it has such a classy sound to it. I love the violins...We really feel that we are close to that big record this time and we have so many things we want to do that we don't want to miss the opportunity. Eventually, we'd like to get more involved in songwriting and even producing — maybe one day we'll even be able to produce ourselves."

'We Are Family' went to number forty-five in New Zealand, thirty-seven in Australia, thirty-three in the Netherlands, seven in the UK, four in Canada, three on the US Billboard 200, and number one on the US R&B album chart.  





http://www.sistersledge.com/






'We Are Family' was a worldwide smash hit, going to number twenty-six in Germany; twenty in Belgium and Ireland; nineteen in Australia; sixteen in the Netherlands; eight in the UK; six in New Zealand; two on the US pop chart; and number one in Canada and on the US R&B and dance charts.  

We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing

We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing

Everyone can see we're together
As we walk on by
And (Fly) and we fly just like birds of a feather
I won't tell no lie
(All) all of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
Just let me state for the record
We're giving love in a family dose

We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing (sing it to me)

We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing

Living life is fun and we've just begun
To get our share of the world's delights
(High) high hopes we have for the future
And our goal's in sight
(We) no we don't get depressed
Here's what we call our golden rule
Have faith in you and the things you do
You won't go wrong, oh-no
This is our family Jewel

We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up everybody and sing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMVe_HcyP9Y





'He's The Greatest Dancer' was a number one dance hit in the US and their only other top ten hit on the pop chart.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-GcL1Cd5b4





'We Are Family' 
full album:





All songs written and composed by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers.

Side A

"He's the Greatest Dancer" – 6:16
"Lost In Music" – 4:52
"Somebody Loves Me" – 4:59
"Thinking of You" – 4:31

Side B

"We Are Family" – 8:24
"Easier to Love" – 5:05
"You're a Friend to Me" – 5:31
"One More Time" – 3:17