"Sideshow" | ||||
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Single by Blue Magic | ||||
from the album Blue Magic | ||||
B-side | "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" | |||
Released | 1974 | |||
Genre | R&B, Philly soul | |||
Length | 4:06 | |||
Label | Atco | |||
Songwriter(s) | Bobby Eli, Vinnie Barrett | |||
Producer(s) | Norman Harris | |||
Blue Magic singles chronology | ||||
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"Sideshow" is a song recorded by American R&B soul vocal quintet Blue Magic, released in 1974. It was first released on the album Blue Magic and when issued as a single it sold over a million copies, going to #1 R&B and #8 pop in the United States in the summer of 1974. Billboard ranked it as the No. 19 song for 1974. It was covered as a reggae version by Barry Biggs who reached #3 on the UK Singles Chart in January 1977. It has also been covered by Ray, Goodman & Brown, Silk, and Joss Stone.
A visit into an antique museum was the inspiration to write a romance metaphor, which took about four months to finish. Composed by Vinnie Barrett and Bobby Eli (both collaborated on another Philly soul ballad "Love Won't Let Me Wait" by former Delfonics member Major Harris), when record producer and guitarist Norman Harris heard "Sideshow", he said that should be recorded by Blue Magic. It was released on the album Blue Magic, it became one of pop music's most affecting ballads and sold over a million copies, going to number one R&B and number eight pop in the middle of 1974.
The song is noted for its introduction, featuring a repeat of the first 10 notes of a slow version of Julius Fucik's "Entrance of the Gladiators" while one of the band's members acts like a master of ceremonies, declaring: "Hurry!! Hurry!!! Step right up! See the saddest show in town for only 50 cents!"