Motownphilly Explained

Motownphilly
Cover:	MotownphillyB2M.jpg
Caption:	US 12-inch vinyl single
Type:	single
Artist:	Boyz II Men
Album:	Cooleyhighharmony
Released:	April 30, 1991
Genre:	Soul^[1] new jack swing^[2] doo-wop^[3]
Length:	3:56
Label:	Motown
Producer:	Dallas Austin
Next Title:	It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday
Next Year:	1991

"Motownphilly" is a song by American vocal harmony group Boyz II Men, released in April 1991 by Motown as the first single from their debut album, Cooleyhighharmony (1991). Co-written and produced by Dallas Austin, the song was a success, peaking at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100. Michael Bivins, who co-wrote the song, provides a guest rap during the bridge. The song's title is a portmanteau of two of the group's main musical influences: 1960s Motown and 1970s Philly soul.

The accompanying music video for the song was filmed in various locations in the group's hometown of Philadelphia. Two new jack swing groups, Another Bad Creation and Bell Biv DeVoe, are mentioned in the first verse. They appear briefly in the video, as does Sudden Impact, a short-lived R&B group organized by Bivins. Additionally, Questlove appears briefly as a drummer, due to his previous relationship with the group from high school. The end of the song features the words "ABC BBD" standing for Another Bad Creation and Bell Biv Devoe respectively.

Critical reception

Dele Fadele from NME wrote, "Floating on a cloud through the chequered history of soul, yet inherently modern, Boyz II Men are plotting the new musical map. From Detroit to Philadelphia, this is East Coast style and sass in abundance, mixing and matching MFSB strings, House synth-bass, raps and the ghost of several songs rolled into one. Somewhere in the ever-shifting mix you learn their tale and, if I were Bell Biv DeVoe, I'd prepare to be usurped."^[4]

Track listings

• US vinyl, 12-inch

A1: "Motownphilly" (12-inch version) – 4:47

A2: "Motownphilly" (LP version) – 3:52

B: "Motownphilly" (instrumental) – 5:50

• US CD maxi

1. "Motownphilly" (12-inch version Edit) – 4:47
2. "Motownphilly" (LP version) – 3:52
3. "Motownphilly" (quiet storm) – 4:06
4. "Motownphilly" (12-inch A) – 5:50
5. "Motownphilly" (12-inch dub) – 4:08

• UK vinyl, 7-inch

A: "Motownphilly" (7-inch radio version) – 3:50

B: "Motownphilly" (Philly instrumental) – 3:50

• UK vinyl, 12-inch

A: "Motownphilly" (12-inch extended club mix) – 5:35

B1: "Motownphilly" (7-inch radio version) – 3:50

B2: "Motownphilly" (Philly instrumental) – 3:50

B3: "Motownphilly" (dub mix) – 4:08

• Germany CD maxi

1. "Motownphilly" (12-inch version) – 5:50
2. "Motownphilly" (7-inch main) – 3:20
3. "Motownphilly" (12-inch dub) – 4:09
4. "Motownphilly" (quiet storm) – 4:06

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Motownphilly"!Chart (1991–1993)!Peak
position

Canada Retail Singles (The Record)^[5]	38
Canada Contemporary Hit Radio (The Record)	34
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[6]	48
UK Dance (Music Week)^[7]	28
Zimbabwe (ZIMA)^[8]	1

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Motownphilly"!Chart (1991)!Position

US Billboard Hot 100^[9]	11
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)^[10]	23

Release history

Region!scope="col"

Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	April 30, 1991		Motown
Japan	August 21, 1991	Mini-CD		^[11]
United Kingdom	December 7, 1992			^[12]

External links

• "Motownphilly" at Genius

Notes and References

1. Web site: Pitchfork Staff . The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s . . September 27, 2022 . ...the track, which features classic soul harmonies over a new jack swing beat, as well as a totally gratuitous doo-wop showcase at the end.. October 21, 2022.
2. Web site: Pitchfork Staff . The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s . . September 27, 2022 . ...the track, which features classic soul harmonies over a new jack swing beat, as well as a totally gratuitous doo-wop showcase at the end.. October 21, 2022.
3. Web site: Pitchfork Staff . The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s . . September 27, 2022 . ...the track, which features classic soul harmonies over a new jack swing beat, as well as a totally gratuitous doo-wop showcase at the end.. October 21, 2022.
4. Dele. Fadele. Singles. NME. November 9, 1991. 22. May 2, 2023. Dele Fadele.
5. Book: Lwin, Nanda. Nanda Lwin. 2000. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. 49. 1-896594-13-1.
6. Eurochart Hot 100. Music & Media. 10. 3. January 16, 1993. 15. March 24, 2024.
7. Top 60 Dance Singles . . December 26, 1992 . 24 . September 30, 2020.
8. • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
9. 1991 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles . Billboard . 103 . 51 . YE-14 . December 21, 1991.
10. The Year in Music: 1991 – Top R&B Singles . Billboard . 103 . 51 . December 21, 1991 . YE-18 . 0006-2510 . October 24, 2020 . World Radio History.
11. Web site: モータウンフィリー ボーイズ・II・メン. Motownphilly Boyz II Men. Oricon. ja. August 30, 2023.
12. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 25. December 5, 1992.