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

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.