Living in America (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| “Living in America” | ||
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| Single by James Brown from the album Rocky IV and Gravity |
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| A-side | "Living in America" | |
| B-side | "Farewell" by Vince DiCola | |
| Released | 1985 | |
| Genre | R&B/Pop | |
| Length | 5:56 (full version), 4:41 (single version) | |
| Label | Scotti Bros. | |
| Writer(s) | Dan Hartman, Charlie Midnight | |
| Producer | Dan Hartman | |
"Living in America" is a 1985 song composed by Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight and performed by James Brown (Hartman also provided backing vocals). It was prominently featured in the motion picture Rocky IV. In the film, Brown sings the song before Apollo Creed enters the boxing ring, in reference to the character's patriotism.
"Living in America" was released as a single in 1985 and reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also became a top five hit for Brown in the United Kingdom, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart; this was his only top 10 single in the UK. It appeared on the Rocky IV soundtrack album the following year. The full version of the song (nearly six minutes long) was also included on Brown's 1986 album, Gravity, and on various compilations throughout the 1990s.
In 1986 "Living in America" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, and James Brown won a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
[edit] Parody
"Weird Al" Yankovic parodied "Living in America" on his 1986 album Polka Party! in a song entitled "Living with a Hernia", describing various kinds of hernias where Brown originally listed several American cities.
Paul Shanklin also parodied "Living in America" on his 1999 album "Bill Clinton: The Comeback Kid Tour" in a song entitiled "Sneaking in America", as a reference to illegal immigration to America.
[edit] Other appearances
- WWE's Lilian Garcia sang "Living in America" at the 75th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while on the WWE's (at the time WWF) parade float.
- It was also featured in an episode of The Simpsons aired in February 6, 2000, titled "Saddlesore Galactica", in which the elementary school band play the song at a state fair.
- The song was used as the opening sequence to the 1st hour of The Radio Factor with Bill O'Reilly.
- The song is used on Soccer AM when the fans of the weeks attempt to score into the "O" of the hollywood sign. During season 07/08.
