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"Boogie Down" is a 1973 song which was recorded by Eddie Kendricks for Motown Records' Tamla label. The song was co-written by Leonard Caston Jr., Anita Poree and Frank Wilson, the same songwriting team that had composed "Keep On Truckin'", Kendricks' first major hit as a solo artist. Caston and Wilson co-produced the song and the arrangement was handled by Caston, Wilson and David Van De Pitte.

Chart performance

Like "Keep on Truckin'", "Boogie Down" is an up-tempo, disco, dance number that saw heavy rotation in dance clubs. Released as a single from the album of the same name, "Boogie Down" became Kendricks' second consecutive single to top the Billboard's R&B Singles Chart, holding the number one position for three weeks.

It just missed becoming his second straight #1 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart, peaking at number two for two straight weeks, behind "Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks. However, it was Kendricks' second #1 single on the Cash Box Top 100 chart. Billboard ranked it as the #30 Pop single of 1974. Outside the US, it was a Top 40 hit in Britain as well, hitting #39 on the UK Charts.

Personnel

Credits adapted from The Billboard Book of Number One Rhythm & Blues Hits.

• Eddie Kendricks – vocals
• Ed Greene – drums
• Dean Parks – guitar
• Greg Poree – guitar
• King Errisson – congas
• James Jamerson – bass
• Jerry Peters – organ
• Leonard Caston Jr. – piano, clavinet, writer, producer
• Anita Poree – writer
• Frank Wilson – writer, producer

Other charting versions

Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony recorded a version of the song which was released on Avco 4868 in 1974. It was backed with "A Rainy Night in Georgia". It made it to no. 67 on the US R&B Charts that year.

References

1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 319.
2. "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard.
3. Adam White; Fred Bronson (1993). The Billboard Book of Number One Rhythm & Blues Hits. Billboard Books. ISBN 9780823082858.
4. Hitparade.ch - Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony – Boogie Down
5. Soul Years - Van McCoy, Boogie Down
6. MusicVF.com - Boogie Down By: Van McCoy

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• 1973 singles
• 1974 singles
• Songs written by Frank Wilson (musician)
• Tamla Records singles
• Songs written by Leonard Caston Jr.
• Songs written by Anita Poree
• 1973 songs
• Song recordings produced by Frank Wilson (musician)
• Eddie Kendricks songs
• Cashbox number-one singles
• Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony songs
• Avco Records singles
• Song recordings produced by Hugo & Luigi
• 1970s pop song stubs