WXPN’s top 10 songs by, from, and about Philly

If you’ve been tuning in all weekend up to now, you’ve heard 240 songs that we at WXPN have deemed the essentially Philly songs.

The list was curated over several weeks with the held of listener submissions, in-house staff, and Philly-area music figures.

And now, we are introducing the top 10 songs that are by, from, and about Philadelphia.

No. 1
“TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)” by MFSB (feat. The Three Degrees)

Recorded and released in 1974 at the legendary Sigma Sounds Studios, “TSOP” by MSFB (which features scant vocals by Fayette Pinkney, Sheila Ferguson, and Valeria Holiday of The Three Degrees) is a Philadelphia soul and disco track that embodies the Philadelphia sound like none other. The song was penned by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the men who pioneered the Philadelphia sound that defined a generation of artists.

It hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, is played before every Phillies game to this day, and has seen several covers from artists such as English pop band Dexys Midnight Runners and Jamaican reggae band Inner circle.

No. 2
“Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John

You know this list had to include what could be considered one of Philadelphia’s unofficial anthems. The British pop-rock superstar and his partner Bernie Taupin wrote this song in honor of tennis icon Billie Jean King’s team, the Philadelphia Freedoms. Philadelphians embraced the song due to its lyrics and the Philly soul sound that so clearly influenced nearly all aspects of its production.

It’s an RIAA Certified Platinum song and ended its 1975 chart run at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Fifty years later, it hit the charts again when the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

No. 3
“Love Train” by The O’Jays

A timeless classic that ushered in the disco era, “Love Train” is another song that endures thanks to the exquisite instrumentation from the aforementioned MSFB, Gamble and Huff’s catchy lyrics that embody the spirit brotherly love, the crisp Sigma Sounds production style, and the smooth vocals and harmonies from Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, and William Powell of The O’Jays.

Released in late 1972, it hit Billboard Hot 100’s top 40 on January 27, 1973, the very same day the Paris Peace Accords were signed, ending the Vietnam War. It’s message of unity likely didn’t play a role in ending the quagmire, but it did — and still does — remind us of the power of love and music.

No. 4
“Gonna Fly Now” by Bill Conti

While composer Bill Conti is Rhode Island native, he’s a bit of an honorary Philadelphian for composing the Rocky theme. Written for the Academy Award-winning Philly-set and -shot film, “Gonna Fly Now” is one of the city’s unofficial anthems. It’s crescendoing motifs, groovy basslines, soaring strings, tearing guitar solo, choir-like vocals, and blasting horns issue a clarion call to underdogs everywhere, urging them to persevere through adversity.

It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, earned an Oscar nomination, reached certified Gold status, and was ranked 58th on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Songs list.

No. 5
“Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

The West Philly natives dropped “Summertime” a few months after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air debuted on NBC. Despite Will Smith’s turn to Hollywood, his lyrics shout out out Philly and specifically Belmont Plateau, where the music video was shot in addition to other iconic Philly locations. Smith’s laid back delivery and Jeff Townes’ smooth beat accentuated by synthy stings makes “Summertime” a favorite for realxin’ all cool in the summer heat.

It’s a certified Platinum track that reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts and won the duo the Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

No. 6
“Punk Rock Girl” by The Dead Milkmen

The song that thrust the local punk scene into the international spotlight could be considered one of the first modern pop-punk hits. Released at the tail end the DC hardcore punk scene’s halcyon days, The Dead Milkmen heralded a new version and era of punk that paved the way for bands like Green Day, Blink-182, and more to achieve global success after “Punk Rock Girl” got major airtime on MTV.

Vocalist Joe Genaro sings about the beloved and long-closed South Street punk store Zipperhead and Philadelphia Pizza Company. The video also includes shots at Zipperhead and Eastern State Penitentiary.

No. 7
“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead

Dubbed “the new black national anthem” after its 1979 release, McFadden & Whitehead’s dance-inducing disco track partially signaled the end of Philly soul’s dominance. In addition to the song’s personnel, production, writing, and more being Philly-based, John Whitehead himself said the song is about he and Gene McFadden’s “independence” from Kenny Gamble of Philadelphia International Records.

The song reached double Platinum status, peaked at No. 13 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, and has become a staple at celebrations, parties, and more in Philly and beyond.

No. 8
“Fall in Philadelphia” by Darryl Hall and John Oates

Philly’s most iconic songwriting duo dropped their debut album Whole Oats in 1972. The record included “Fall in Philadelphia,” a jaunty tune that has Darry Hall banging away on piano and John Oates laying down some plucky country-blues tinged lead guitar work. Lyrically, the song’s narrator (likely Hall himself) laments the woes of living in Philadelphia and a desire to vacate the city, but ultimately admits he’s “gonna spend another fall In Philadelphia.”

That debut album was a stepping stone to the duo’s worldwide success, which includes 29 top 40 hits (six hitting No. 1), millions of albums sold, sold-out tours, and some of the most memorable music videos of all time.

No. 9
“Lady Marmalade” by LaBelle

Millennials might only know the 2001 version of this song (which features Bucks County native Pink), but Philly’s own Patti LaBelle, along with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, laid down the original version in 1972 as the group LaBelle. Despite the song’s risqué nature — which LaBelle said she was unaware of when recording — it became a massive hit for the group and spawned a handful of covers, including the early aughts version for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, breathing new life into the iconic song.

“Lady Marmalade” in 2021 was added to the National Recording Registry and ranked No. 16 on Billboard’s “100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.”

No. 10
“Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men

The first single from Boyz II Men’s debut album, “Motownphilly” gave children of the ’80s and ’90s their own version of soul and R&B music in new jack swing. Even though the song and album were released on Motown, Nathan Morris, Wanyá Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Michael McCary made sure to shout out Philadelphia soul in the track’s title.

While not as popular as “End Of The Road” and “I’ll Make Love To You,” “Motownphilly” was the springboard to Boyz II Men becoming one of the most celebrated vocal groups in the world and some of Philly’s proudest ambassadors.