People Gotta Move

Album: Powerful People (1974)
Charted: 22
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This dance song was written by Vannelli. He became the first white singer to appear on Soul Train when he performed this on the show February 15, 1975 (guitarist Dennis Coffey was the first white performer on the show, appearing in 1972). When Vannelli asked the show's producer/host Don Cornelius why he had him on, Cornelius told him he considered Vannelli "off-white." Gino had a black sound, and after his appearance on the show, he gained a large black audience. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mark - Sarnia, ON

Comments: 6

  • Seventh Mist from 7th HeavenI remember GV best for his 1975 song, “I Just Wanna Stop.”
  • Bill from UsI remember reading an interview with Vannelli in the 70's where they said even people that didn't necessarily like his music used his vinyl records to audition buying new stereo equipment because they were known for their superior mastering. In fact that is how I came to like him, I needed to buy some speakers!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyGino Vannelli was the second white artist to appear on 'Soul Train'; three years earlier on January 8th, 1972 Dennis Coffey performed "Scorpio" on the show, at the time the song was in its first of three weeks at #6 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, and that was also its peak position on the chart...
    It reached #9 on Billboard's R&B Single chart...
    {See next post below}.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyAs stated above; on February 15th, 1975 Gino appeared on 'Soul Train'; he performed "People Gotta Move", two months earlier on December 14th, 1974 was its last day on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, it was at #90...
    On November 17th, 1974 it peaked at #22 {for 1 week} and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
    Between 1974 and 1987 the Canadian singer had ten Top 100 records; with two making the Top 10, "I Just Wanna Stop"* {at #4 in 1978} and "Living Inside Myself" {at #6 in 1981}...
    R.I.P. Don Cornelius {1936 - 2012} and Gino will celebrate his 63rd birthday in four months on June 16th {2015}...
    * On December 30th, 1978 "I Just Wanna Stop" reached #1 {for 2 weeks} on the Canadian RPM Singles chart.
  • Donna from Ft. Lauderdale, FlI totally get the "white/black" connotation. To me this song always had an Isaac Hayes feel to it.
  • Dalinda from Cresskill, NjGino is a world famous legendary artist.Mostly in the U.S.,Europe and Australia.Especially Holland. I'm half Italian and half Dutch and my relatives in The Netherlands go to every one of his concerts. My relatives in Italy,too.I hope Gino reads this and if so,"Hi Gino! You're #1!!"
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.