The Floaters, Float On | 1 Hit WONDERful

In the 16th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2025), we highlight “Float On” performed by the Detroit R&B collective, The Floaters. 

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy ! On 1 Hit WONDERful, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  It is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, that ONE hit earned them recognition. So, in the 16^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2025), we dive into “Float On”, the one-hit wonder by The Floaters.

“Float, float on.” Word. Those are the key lyrics from the simple but memorable chorus of “Float On”. “Float On” was the sole pop hit by the Detroit R&B group, The Floaters.  The Floaters were James Mitchell Jr., Larry Cunningham (1951 – 2019), Charles Clark, Paul Mitchell (1949 – 2021), and Ralph Mitchell (post-“Float On,” Jonathan Murray joined the group). Ultra successful, “Float On” peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was certified gold by the RIAA. The Floaters did not chart other songs on the Billboard Hot 100, hence their one-hit wonder status. The single version of the top R&B song of 1977 runs four and a quarter minutes long. The album version runs nearly 12 minutes.  “Float On” commences the group’s 1977, platinum-certified album, The Floaters.  Arnold Ingram, James Mitchell Jr., and Marvin Willis wrote “Float On.” Woody Wilson produced it.

“Aquarius, Libra, Leo, Cancer / Ralph, Charles, Paul, Larry.”  Those are the astrological signs of The Floaters in the order they perform on “Float On.” “Float On” stands out for many reasons.  Backed by a lush, soulful music backdrop (rhythm section, strings), the music floats along fittingly. Spoken word performances by Ralph, Charles, Paul, and Larry ride the glistening musical backdrop like a champ. Each member introduces their sign, themselves, and their preference in a woman.  “Aquarius and my name is Ralph,” Ralph Mitchell speaks, adding, “Now I like a woman who loves her freedom / And I like a woman who can hold her own.” The late Larry Cunningham is the final voice heard in the fourth verse:

“Cancer and my name is Larry, huh

And I like a woman that loves everything and everybody

Because I love everybody and everything

And you know what, ladies, if you feel that this is you

Then this is what I want you to do.”  

The sung vocals – the pre-chorus and chorus – are marvelous, too (“Take my hand / Come with me, baby, to Love Land / Let me show you how sweet it could be / Sharing love with me, I want you to / Float, float on…”). Charles Clark shines in his pre-chorus, spoiling listeners with a ripe falsetto.  “Float On” was the only hit by The Floaters, but it’s a good one – one for ‘all time!’

The Floaters // The Floaters // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1977

The Floaters, Float On: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 16 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; UMG Recordings, Inc.; Antoni Shkraba, KoolShooters, Pavel Danilyuk, Photo By: Kaboompics.com, RDNE Stock project from Pexels; AcatXIo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]