Song:Float On
Album:Float On
Float On was a top five hit in 1977. It was the only chart single for the Floaters. So yes they are a one hit wonder. You may have heard of The Detroit Emeralds. They had a few minor hits in the early 70s. By 1974 they were falling apart and and there were even two groups performing in the Detroit area using The Detroit Emeralds name. That group's leader James Mitchell was trying to figure out his next move. They owned the Emerald Lounge nightclub. Sunday was new talent day. One group the Junior Floaters got Mitchell's attention. The group featured Mitchell's younger brother Paul Mitchell along with Larry Cunningham, Ralph Mitchell, Charles Clark and Jonathan Murray. Mitchell started working on songs for them. Float On came to him in a dream. And like many songwriters, Mitchell kept a tape recorder next to his bed in case a song idea popped into his head. He also noticed how women in the audience responded to the Floaters. So he had them introduce themselves with an astrological sign. You'll see that in the video. Mitchell released a Floaters single on Woody Wilson's Fee Records who then signed a distribution deal with ABC Records. Float On reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It topped the British charts and it was a big hit internationally. The album was certified Platinum. One of the reasons DJs liked the song is the album version was eleven minutes long and it could be used for a bathroom break. Subsequent singles did not do well and the Floaters were dropped after three albums. They split up after one more album. James Mitchell returned to The Detroit Emeralds and they still tour the oldies circuit. The Floaters also toured the oldies circuit in the 90s after getting the rights to the group name. That ended when Larry Cunningham died in 2011. Here's the Floaters performing Float On on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert 1977.
I have been meaning to say this. This music comes from a whole different time and era and a way different attitude towards women in the music scene. It's a far cry from Rap and even Hip Hop. It's like night and day. I like this music and the other hits from this time.
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