| Hollywood Swinging | |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Kool & the Gang |
| Album: | Wild and Peaceful |
| B-Side: | Dujii |
| Released: | April 6, 1974[1] |
| Recorded: | 1973 |
| Genre: | Funk[2] |
| Length: | 4:35 |
| Label: | De-Lite Records |
| Chronology: | Kool and the Gang |
| Prev Title: | Jungle Boogie |
| Prev Year: | 1973 |
| Next Title: | Higher Plane |
| Next Year: | 1974 |
"Hollywood Swinging" is a 1974 song by R&B/funk band Kool & the Gang from their album Wild and Peaceful. It was written by Robert "Kool" Bell, Ronald Bell, George M. Brown, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Claydes Charles Smith, Dennis R. Thomas and Rick A. Westfield.
"Hollywood Swinging" was the group's first number one R&B single, reaching that position in June 1974. The single was a successful crossover hit, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart as well.[3]
In 2015, Nile Rodgers stated that Chic's 1979 song "Good Times" was partly inspired by "Hollywood Swinging". Rodgers is the cousin of Robert Mickens.[4]
De-Lite Records – DE-561:[5]
Record World said "These guys have to be funk personified. Make way for their next million seller."[6]
Daryl Easlea of the BBC wrote "Hollywood Swinging packs appropriate punch".[7] Andrew Hamilton of Allmusic called Hollywood Swinging "a slightly faster than mid-tempo song with whistles, festive ambiance and lead vocals by keyboardist Ricky West."
"Hollywood Swinging" appears in the game as well as the game's soundtrack during the dance sequences in the mission "Life's a Beach".[9] It also appears in the Academy Award-winning documentary in a montage detailing Simpson's rise to fame in the late 1970s.[10] The song is also one of the official themes for the WWE Premium Live Event WrestleMania 39.
The song has been sampled in several rap songs, including:
Brian Culbertson featuring Musiq Soulchild and Gerald Albright covered "Hollywood Swinging" on Culbertson's 2008 album Bringing Back the Funk.[13] In 1982 the Big Boys released the Fun, Fun, Fun... EP containing a cover of "Hollywood Swinging".
The group Brockhampton covered "Hollywood Swinging" in 2022 for the soundtrack of the animated film , which consisted primarily of contemporary artists covering 1970s music. [14]
| Hollywood Swinging | |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Kool & the Gang featuring Jamiroquai |
| Album: | In Store Jam and |
| Label: | Edel Records |
| Producer: | Jason Kay |
| Chronology: | Jamiroquai |
| Prev Title: | (Don't) Give Hate a Chance |
| Prev Year: | 2005 |
| Next Title: | Runaway |
| Next Year: | 2006 |
A version of "Hollywood Swinging" was originally recorded by British funk/acid jazz band Jamiroquai in 1997. The group released the recording, alongside three other tracks, on an exclusive Japanese MiniDisc entitled "Hollywood Swinging", which was available from November 6, 1997. This version also appeared on the group's compilation album, In Store Jam, which was only available for purchase in the US. In 2004, Kool & the Gang re-recorded "Hollywood Swinging" as a collaboration with the group, releasing it on December 8, 2005, having recorded it in 2004. The song was released as a single from their album of re-recorded songs, , and was released on several different formats. Despite strong radio airplay, the song failed to chart anywhere.
Japanese mini single
Spanish CD single
European CD single
UK CD single
UK 12" vinyl