" 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 Great Britain as well, hitting #39 on the UK Charts.
Personnel
Credits adapted from
The Billboard Book of Number One Rhythm & Blues Hits.
Other charting versions
Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony recorded a version of the song which was released on
Avco Records 4868 in 1974. It was backed with "A Rainy Night in Georgia".
[Hitparade.ch - Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony – Boogie Down] It made it to no. 67 on the US R&B Charts that year.
[Soul Years - Van McCoy, Boogie Down][ MusicVF.com - Boogie Down By: Van McCoy]