Superfly (song)

"Superfly" is a song by Curtis Mayfield, the title track from his 1972 soundtrack album for the film of the same name. It was the second single released from the album, following "Freddie's Dead (Theme From Superfly)", and reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics celebrate the craftiness and determination of the film's main character. The song plays over the film's closing credits.

The bassline and the rototom percussion break from the song's introduction (performed by Joseph "Lucky" Scott and "Master" Henry Gibson, respectively) have repeatedly been sampled in songs including Beastie Boys' "Egg Man", The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ready to Die Intro", and Nelly's "Tilt Ya Head Back" featuring Christina Aguilera. Mayfield himself sampled the original song in "Superfly 1990", a duet he recorded with rapper Ice-T.

The song appeared in the 2009 film Madea Goes to Jail. The song also appeared in the 2012 movie Dark Shadows.

Covers

The song was covered by Canadian soul and R&B band jacksoul on their album mySOUL.

Superfly (band)

Superfly is a Japanese rock act that debuted on April 4, 2007. Formerly a duo, the act now consists solely of lyricist and vocalist Shiho Ochi with former guitarist Kōichi Tabo still credited as the group's composer and part-time lyricist. Superfly's first two studio albums have been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan, and their four albums (the third being classified as a "single" by the group) all debuted at the top of the Oricon's Weekly Album Charts, a first for a female recording artist in Japan in over seven years.

History

2003–2006: Formation

Shiho Ochi (越智 志帆, Ochi Shiho) met Kōichi Tabo (多保 孝一, Tabo Kōichi) in 2003 while they were students at Matsuyama University. They were both members of a music circle that covered songs by Finger 5 and the Rolling Stones. In 2004, the group formed the blues band "Superfly", naming themselves after Curtis Mayfield's song "Superfly". The group disbanded in 2005, with only Ochi and Tabo remaining when they went to Tokyo to seek out a label.

Curtis Mayfield

Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, who was one of the most influential musicians behind soul and politically conscious African-American music. He first achieved success and recognition with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the late 1950s and 1960s, and later worked as a solo artist.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mayfield started his musical career in a gospel choir. Moving to Chicago's North Side he met Jerry Butler in 1956 at the age of 14, and joined vocal group The Impressions. As a songwriter, Mayfield became noted as one of the first musicians to bring more prevalent themes of social awareness into soul music. In 1965, he wrote "People Get Ready" for The Impressions, which displayed his more politically charged songwriting. Ranked at no. 24 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, the song received numerous other awards, and was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, as well as being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.

Superfly (Superfly album)

Superfly is the debut studio album by Japanese band Superfly released on May 14, 2008. Approximately 391,182 copies have been sold in Japan and is certified Double Platinum by the RIAJ for the shipment of 500,000 copies. On the iTunes Store, a special remix of "Manifesto" by Ram Rider was included.

Superfly debuted at number 1 on the Oricon's weekly album charts; the last time a female artist had their first album debut at number 1 was Tina's Colorado in 1999.

Tracklist

Charts (Japan)

References

Super Fly (film)

Super Fly is a 1972 blaxploitation, crime drama film directed by Gordon Parks, Jr., starring Ron O'Neal as Youngblood Priest, an African American cocaine dealer who is trying to quit the underworld drug business.

This film is probably best known for its soundtrack, written and produced by soul singer Curtis Mayfield. Super Fly is one of the few films ever to have been outgrossed by its soundtrack.

Leading man O'Neal reprised his role as Youngblood Priest and directed a sequel to the film that was released a year later in 1973, Super Fly T.N.T. Super Fly producer Sig Shore directed a second sequel in 1990, The Return of Superfly.

Plot

Youngblood Priest (Ron O'Neal) is an up-and-coming cocaine dealer in New York City. On his way to a meeting point in Harlem early one morning he is mugged by two junkies. Priest beats one up and gives chase to the other, beating him until he gets the money back. Afterwards, Fat Freddie and Nate Adams, Priest's main dealers, turn up at his apartment to make their payments. Later that night, Priest and Eddie arrive at Scatter's restaurant. The pair then goes on to sell a kilo of cocaine. Priest and Eddie arrive in a bar in Harlem to meet a potential buyer. While they are waiting, three black activists approach them and try to shake Priest down. Priest demands they leave. Their buyer arrives, samples the cocaine and agrees to make a deal.