This week, we’re highlighting one of the best of the best featuring the classic Philadelphia Sound: 1975’s “Bad Luck” by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes.

This song was a veritable Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame production, with legends from top to bottom.

“Bad Luck” was co-written by the prolific songwriting team of Gene McFadden & John Whitehead, produced by the legendary team of Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, and in addition to Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes on the vocals, the track featured the instrumental backing of Philadelphia’s best session musicians, collectively known as MFSB (Mothers/Fathers/Sisters/Brothers), who also had a hit or two of their own!
With all of that talent on board, how could the song miss?
When the single was released from the album “To Be True,” it went straight to the dance floors of America, topping Billboard’s Disco Chart, while reaching #4 on the Soul Chart and #15 on The Hot 100.

And here’s a Fun Fact for you; : Due to a recording error, the Hi-Hat cymbal was mixed too loud to fix, so they let it go…and, as “luck” would have it, it actually started an early disco trend for “more Hi-Hat in almost every Philadelphia-based song!”

“Bad Luck” brought “Good Luck” to Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes–and their all-star production team. It’s a Great Example of the Philadelphia Sound…and a Great Song of 1975!

–Mike Cook