The Rhythm of Life

"The Rhythm of Life" is a song from the 1966 Broadway musical Sweet Charity, written by composer Cy Coleman and lyricist Dorothy Fields.

"The Rhythm of Life"
Single by Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations
from the album G.I.T. on Broadway
B-side"Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
Released1970
GenreFunk, R&B, Soul
LabelTamla Motown
TMO 9149
Songwriter(s)Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields[1]
Producer(s)George Schlatter[2]
Diana Ross & the Supremes singles chronology
"Up the Ladder to the Roof"
(1970)		 "The Rhythm of Life"
(1970)		 "Why (Must We Fall in Love)"
(1970)
The Temptations singles chronology
"Psychedelic Shack"
(1970)		 "The Rhythm of Life"
(1970)		 "Why (Must We Fall in Love)"
(1970)

In the musical, the song is performed by the character Big Daddy, the leader of an alternative "hippie" religious group/cult called the "Rhythm of Life Church." In the 1969 movie musical adaptation of Sweet Charity, directed by Bob Fosse (who also directed the original Broadway production), the song is performed by Sammy Davis, Jr., who co-stars as Big Daddy in the film.[3]

The same year as the release of the Sweet Charity film, Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations covered the song for their G.I.T. on Broadway television special, originally broadcast November 12, 1969 on NBC with a soundtrack album released a few days earlier on November 7. Their version was released as a single in 1970 in Australia and New Zealand, where it was a top 5 and top 20 hit, respectively.

Track listing

Australia
Side one
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
1."The Rhythm of Life"Dorothy FieldsCy ColemanGeorge Schlatter4:06
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ain't No Mountain High Enough"Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson2:15

New Zealand
Side one
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
1."The Rhythm of Life"Dorothy FieldsCy ColemanGeorge Schlatter4:06
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Arranger(s)Length
1."Sweet Inspiration"Spooner Oldham, Dan Penn[4]Frank Wilson[5]2:55

Charts

References
  1. "The Rhythm of Life - Diana Ross & the Supremes". Allmusic. Netaktion LLC. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  2. "On Broadway - Diana Ross & the Supremes". Allmusic. Netaktion LLC. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  3. Greenspan, Charlotte (2010-09-02). Pick Yourself Up: Dorothy Fields and the American Musical. Oxford University Press. pp. 213–216. ISBN 978-0-19-977979-6.
  4. "Sweet Inspiration - Diana Ross & the Supremes / The Temptations". Allmusic. Netaktion LLC. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  5. "Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations - Diana Ross & the Supremes / The Temptations". Allmusic. Netaktion LLC. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  6. "Australia's Best Sellers" (PDF). Cashbox. August 8, 1970. p. 50. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  7. "Go-Sets National Top 40". Go-Set. 22 August 1970. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  8. "Every AMR Top 100 Single in 1970". Kent Music Report. Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  9. "Flavour of New Zealand - search listener - Diana Ross and the Supremes and the Temptations". Flavour of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  10. "AMR Top Singles of 1970". Kent Music Report. Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
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