Curtis Mayfield, Superfly | Throwback Vibez

In the 44th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Superfly” by Curtis Mayfield.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 44^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Superfly” performed by Curtis Mayfield.

“The man of the hour has an air of great power / The dudes have envied him for so long.” Curtis Mayfield (1942 – 1999) was one of the greatest soul musicians of all time.  Not only did he shine as a member of The Impressions, but he was also a dynamic solo artist.  Mayfield charted nine songs on the pop charts, including “Superfly”.  Notably, “Superfly” was one of his two top 10 hits (“Freddie’s Dead” is the other). The title track from the 1972, gold-certified  Superfly (Original Soundtrack) peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. The self-penned and self-produced single earned him a gold single.

“Superfly” is EVERYTHING, period. Why is it everything?  It begins with the musical backdrop which is one of the greatest of the soul catalog. Chicago soul is alive and well on this soundtrack gem.  There is an infectious, scintillating percussive groove from the onset. It is not only the groove that makes the instrumental of “Superfly” cook.  There are epic horn riffs, sickening rhythmic guitar, and an epic, robust bass line. Regarding the horns, the horn orchestration kick ass and names. The syncopated punch of the low brass is particularly ear-catching. Beyond the brilliant canvas, Curtis Mayfield kills it from a vocal perspective.  He sings with ease yet packs a punch, bringing ample personality. “Hard to understand what a hell of a man / This cat of the slum had a mind, wasn’t dumb,” Mayfield sings memorably in the second verse, continuing, “But a weakness was shown cause his hustle was wrong / His mind was his own but the man lived alone.”  Mayfield’s performance can be described as cool, calm, collected, and commanding. Beyond the tone and tenor of his voice, Mayfield also shines, delivering the rhythmic melodic lines.  The chorus is the centerpiece:

“Oooh, Super Fly

You’re gonna make your fortune by and by

But if you lose, don’t ask no questions why

The only game you know is do or die

Ah-ha-ha.”

There is excellent contrast during the bridge section, specifically the harmonic progression. So much more could be analyzed and described regarding “Superfly”.  However, this high-flying cut from the Curtis Mayfield catalog is best experienced by listening to the elite musicianship. 

Curtis Mayfield // Superfly (Original Soundtrack) // Curtom / Rhino Entertainment // 1972

Curtis Mayfield, Superfly: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 44 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Curtom / Rhino Entertainment; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]