Peak
2
Weeks
16
Score
2,933
Chart Year
1977
The Floaters were an R&B group formed by members of The Detroit Emeralds. "Float On" was their only hit. Group member James Mitchell got the idea for this song when it came to him in a dream. He jumped out of bed and hummed the tune into a tape recorder so he would remember it. The idea for the lyrics was to spotlight each member of the band, who introduced themselves with their name and astrological sign. The verses read like personal ads, as each member makes his pitch to the ladies. For instance: Cancer and my name is Larry And I like a woman that loves everything and everybody Because I love everybody and everything Astrology was often part of the courtship ritual in 1970s America. Guitarist Dennis Coffey, who is tied to astrology through his 1971 hit "Scorpio," didn't play on this but did have a part in it. Coffey was doing arrangements for The Floaters, and on this track, the group was trying to get the guitar sound Coffey used on "In The Rain" for The Dramatics. The key to that sound is the Echoplex effects unit, so Coffey let them use his and showed them how to work it.
Aquarius, Libra, Leo, Cancer Ralph, Charles, Paul, Larry Float, float on Float on, float on Float, float, float on Float on, float on Float, float on Float on, float on Float, float, float on Float on, float on Float, float on Float on, float on Float, float, float on Float on, float on Aquarius, Libra, Leo, Cancer Ralph, Charles, Paul, Larry Aquarius and my name is Ralph Now I like a woman who loves her freedom And I like a woman who can hold her own And if you fit that description, baby, come with me Take my hand, come with me, baby, to Love Land Let me show you how sweet it could be Sharing love with me, I want you to Float, float on (Come on, come on, come on, baby, yeahâ?¦eahâ?¦) Float on, float on (Ooh, ooh, baby) Float, float, float on Float on (Float with me), float on Libra and my name is Charles Now I like a woman that's quiet A woman who carries herself like Miss Universe A woman who would take me in her arms And she would say, â??Charles, yeahâ?? And if you fit that description This is for you especially Mmmâ?¦take my hand Come with me, baby, to Love Land Let me show you how sweet it could be Sharing loving with me, I want you to Float, float on (Girl, yes) Float on, float on (With Charles) Float, float, float on (Ooh, yeah) Float on, float on Leo and my name is Paul You see I like all women of the world You see to me all women are wild flowers And if you understand what I'm sayin' I want you to Mmmâ?¦take my hand Come with me, baby, to Love Land Let me show you how sweet it could be Sharing love with me, I want you to Float, float on (So float with me, baby) Float on, float on (Yeah) Float, float, float on (Float with Paul, why'all) Float on, float on Cancer and my name is Larry, huh And I like a woman that loves everything and everybody Because I love everybody and everything And you know what, ladies, if you feel that this is you Then this is what I want you to do Ooh, yeah, take my hand Let me take you to Love Land Let me show you how sweet it could be Sharing your love with Larry, listen Float, float on (You better float with me now) Float on, float on (Float on) Float, float, float on (Yeah, yeah) (You better float on) (Float on) (Ah)
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jul 9, 1977 | 81 | 45 |
| 2 | Jul 16, 1977 | 61 | 65 |
| 3 | Jul 23, 1977 | 50 | 76 |
| 4 | Jul 30, 1977 | 40 | 86 |
| 5 | Aug 6, 1977 | 29 | 97 |
| 6 | Aug 13, 1977 | 23 | 103 |
| 7 | Aug 20, 1977 | 13 | 113 |
| 8 | Aug 27, 1977 | 8 | 118 |
| 9 | Sep 3, 1977 | 6 | 120 |
| 10 | Sep 10, 1977 | 5 | 121 |
| 11 | Sep 17, 1977 | 2 | 124 |
| 12 | Sep 24, 1977 | 2 | 124 |
| 13 | Oct 1, 1977 | 19 | 107 |
| 14 | Oct 8, 1977 | 29 | 97 |
| 15 | Oct 15, 1977 | 50 | 76 |
| 16 | Oct 22, 1977 | 72 | 54 |