Sister Sledge, We Are Family | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

Reading Time: 2 min read

In the 181^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge.

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 that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 181^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “We Are Family”, performed by Sister Sledge.

“Let me just state for the record / We’re giving love in a family dose.” Yes, yes, yes, Sister Sledge! Sister Sledge is comprised of the Debbie Sledge, Kathy Sledge, Kim Sledge, and the late Joni Sledge (1956 – 2017). Kathy performs lead vocals on the collective’s most successful single, “We Are Family”, which appears as the fifth track on the platinum-certified, 1979 album, We Are Family. “We Are Family” peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Furthermore, it was certified gold by the RIAA. Adding to the accolades, “We Are Family” earned a Grammy nomination – the sole Grammy nomination of its career.

“We Are Family” features exuberant sounding production. What makes it so awesome? It’s the marvelous string arrangement, the active, robust bass line, epic rhythm guitar riffs, and those glorious keys . Beyond the instrumental, what about the utterly sublime singing from the collective? It’s perfect in every way. Kathy delivers a compelling lead, with superb backup singing from her sisters. “We Are Family” features one of the catchiest, most infectious choruses of all time. Sing it with me!

“We are family

I got all my sisters with me

We are family

Get up everybody and sing.”

Let’s face it, the writing and production team comprised of Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers put their foot into “We Are Family”. No extensive analysis is necessary to validate its iconic nature and sheer excellence – it speaks for itself!