Nursery Rhymes (Part I)

"Nursery Rhymes (Part I)" by People's Choice

Step into early 1976, when the Philadelphia soul sound was at its peak and funky, danceable grooves filled the airwaves and the clubs. People's Choice, a Philadelphia group with a gift for irresistible funk, delivered "Nursery Rhymes (Part I)," a playful, groove-driven track that turned familiar childhood imagery into a funky dance workout. The song captured the infectious energy of the era's funk and soul, a fun and rhythmic cut from a band known for getting bodies moving.

A Philadelphia Funk Outfit

People's Choice were part of the rich Philadelphia music scene that produced so much great soul and funk in the 1970s. The group was best known for their hit "Do It Any Way You Wanna," a funky dance favorite that showcased their tight grooves and danceable energy. "Nursery Rhymes (Part I)" came from that same world of Philly funk, a track built on the kind of irresistible rhythm that made the group a reliable presence on the dance floor and the funk and soul charts of the mid-seventies.

A Playful Funk Workout

The recording is built on a tight, funky groove, full of punchy rhythm, sharp instrumentation, and the danceable energy that defined the Philadelphia sound. The playful concept of using nursery-rhyme imagery gives the track a fun, lighthearted twist, layering familiar childhood references over a serious funk foundation. The mood is energetic and irresistible, designed to fill the dance floor. There is a sense of humor and groove throughout, the sound of a band that knew how to combine clever, playful ideas with the kind of rhythm that simply demands movement.

A Brief Run on the Hot 100

The single had a short presence on the chart in early 1976. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on February 7, 1976, at number 98, then edged up through 97 to its peak of number 93 during the week of February 21, 1976. The record spent just three weeks on the Hot 100, a modest pop showing that reflected its primary appeal on the funk and dance side, where the group's groove-driven tracks found their most enthusiastic audience among lovers of Philadelphia funk and soul.

A Funky Footnote

"Nursery Rhymes (Part I)" stands as a fun example of mid-seventies Philadelphia funk, a playful, groove-driven track from a band devoted to the dance floor. While not among the era's biggest hits, the song captures the infectious energy and clever spirit that made People's Choice a notable funk outfit. It endures as an enjoyable artifact of the Philly funk scene, the kind of rhythmic, danceable cut that defined the era's club culture. The song remains a groovy window into a fertile period for funk and soul.

The Richness of the Philadelphia Sound

The Philadelphia music scene of the 1970s was one of the most productive and influential in all of popular music, producing a sophisticated, soulful sound that defined an era. While the city is often celebrated for its lush, orchestrated soul, it also produced plenty of harder, funkier material aimed squarely at the dance floor, and groups like People's Choice operated in that funkier corner. The sheer depth of talent in the Philadelphia scene meant that even the funky dance tracks were crafted with genuine skill, built on tight rhythm sections and an instinctive feel for groove. A track like "Nursery Rhymes (Part I)" demonstrates that craftsmanship, taking a playful concept and grounding it in a serious, irresistible funk foundation. The playful use of nursery-rhyme imagery shows a band willing to have fun with its material while never sacrificing the groove. For lovers of seventies funk, the Philadelphia scene offers an enormous wealth of music to explore beyond its most famous hits, and groups like People's Choice are part of that rich legacy. The song captures a moment when the city's musicians were producing some of the most danceable, infectious funk anywhere, music made to move both the body and the spirit.

Press play and let People's Choice's playful funk groove get your feet moving on the Philadelphia dance floor.

"Nursery Rhymes (Part I)" — People's Choice's singular moment on the 1970s charts.