Sly and the Family Stone’s 10 Best Songs

Sly Stone, the leader of Sly and the Family Stone, and one of the most influential musicians of all time, passed away at the age of 82 on June 9th, 2025. He left behind a musical legacy that is only rivaled by very few artists. With Sly and the Family Stone, he helped bring psychedelic soul and funk to the mainstream, releasing some of the most iconic songs ever, including such classics as “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” and “Family Affair.”

A testament to the Sly and the Family Stone’s lasting legacy is the countless times the group’s songs have been covered and sampled, with a prime example being Arrested Development’s “People Everyday,” which put a new spin on “Everyday People.” And while Sly’s name was front and center, the rest of the band is legendary, as well, including his brother Freddie and sister Rose, as well as dynamic singer-trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, the innovative Larry Graham (one of the 100 Greatest Bassists of All Time), drummer Gregg Errico, and saxophonist Jerry Martini, among others.

Questlove, who recently directed the documentary Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius), wrote on the day of Stone’s passing that “Sly was a giant — not just for his groundbreaking work with the Family Stone, but for the radical inclusivity and deep human truths he poured into every note. His songs weren’t just about fighting injustice; they were about transforming the self to transform the world.” The ten songs below reflect that legacy — for no matter the story being told, Stone’s message remained consistent: Take care of each other, because we’re all we’ve got.

In tribute to the great Sly Stone, we present Consequence’s picks for Sly and the Family Stone’s 10 Best Songs.

— Spencer Kaufman

“Dance to the Music” (1967)

From the moment singer/trumpeter Cynthia Robinson kicks this tune off by shouting, “Get up and dance to the music,” this song brings the party. “Dance to the Music” is also one of the most influential songs of all time, with its psychedelic soul vibe inspiring countless artists, as Motown acts like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations took a cue from this groundbreaking 1967 hit. The song helped introduce Sly and the Family Stone to the masses, and laid the groundwork for an iconic discography to come. — S. Kaufman

“Everybody Is a Star” (1969)

Released as the B-side to “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” “Everybody Is a Star” might often get overshadowed by its more rambunctious wax-mate, but it’s no less awe-inspiring. Slower and more soulful, though still retaining Sly’s sense of loose fun (especially with the bouncy “ba-bas”), the tune is simply undeniable. No wonder it’s been covered by everyone from The Jackson 5 to Gwen Stefani and sampled by acts like The Roots. — Jonah Krueger

“Everyday People” (1968)

A No. 1 hit on the Billboard 100, “Everyday People” is a call for peace and equality wrapped up in the perfect pop song. It might not go as deep into the funk and soul of Sly and the Family Stone’s other classics, but it’s arguably the catchiest tune in the band’s legendary discography, with a chorus that makes you want to lift your hands up in the air as you sing along. This is two-and-a-half minutes of musical bliss. –S. Kaufman

“Family Affair” (1971)

There’s something downright seductive about the bassline for “Family Affair,” the most commercially successful track of the Family Stone’s career. What’s fascinating about that fact is it’s a darker tune than many of the other songs on this list, whether that be a reflection of behind-the-scenes turmoil with the band or the general state of the country at that time. Stone said in a 1971 Rolling Stone interview that it’s about “a family affair, whether it’s a result of genetic processes or a situation in the environment.” So bring your own interpretation while you groove along. — Liz Shannon Miller

“Hot Fun in the Summertime” (1969)

There have been plenty of songs that attempt to capture the breezy lazy warmth of a June afternoon, but few of them have the same power as “Hot Fun in the Summertime.” The band gets a little more orchestral than usual here, bringing in both horns and strings to create something almost ethereal, lackadaisical — while still precisely engineered in a way that belies how much hard work is involved in sounding so casual and loose. It’s a summer classic now and forever, not to mention a great song to play in the middle of January, when you need a little sunshine in your life. — L.S. Miller

“I Want to Take You Higher” (1970)

With enough energy to power a motor vehicle, “I Want to Take You Higher” is a five-minute demonstration of Sly and the Family Stone’s powder keg formula. Like the best of their recordings, the song has a live-wire feel, where it feels like anything could happen and the song could start speeding up by 30 bpm at any second. The wild solos from Sly Stone on the harmonica, Freddie Stone on the guitar, and Cynthia Robinson help establish this tension, but luckily, Greg Errico’s incessant snare hits keep everything just barely on the rails. Imagine hearing this in 1969! — Paolo Ragusa

“If You Want Me to Stay” (1973)

An intrepid bass line flows through the center of “If You Want Me to Stay,” powering the dense funk that Sly and the Family Stone are known and loved for. Sly’s vocals shift from rugged to vulnerable as he begs for an opportunity to be authentic with his lover; he’s as unafraid to wail as he is to coo. One of the band’s later hits, “If You Want Me to Stay” has been covered by diverse artists including Etta James and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and sampled by MCs like Tha Dogg Pound and Dana Dane. — Kiana Fitzgerald

“Stand!” (1969)

One of their biggest hits and most jubilant entries, “Stand!” features Sly Stone at his most versatile. He could go off the rails (like he does on the track’s explosive B-side), but he also knows when to emerge with soulful clarity and when to let it rip. The composition of “Stand!” is also a force to be reckoned with; the chords topple down on each other throughout the verses to create a sense of doubt and uncertainty, but they’re followed by an ascending, cards-on-the-table chorus that hits like a ray of sunshine. Like its title suggests, the group knew exactly how to get you off your chair and on your feet. — P. Ragusa

“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” (1969)

By leaning on their robust musicality, Sly and the Family Stone managed to turn a heavy topic into a hit song. Sonically sunny, bright, and funked-out, “Thank You” includes contemplative lyrics like, “Dying young is hard to take/ Selling out is harder.” In 1970, the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard soul singles chart and the Hot 100. Janet Jackson, along with her co-producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, sampled the bass line for the 1989 single “Rhythm Nation,” expanding the song’s reach even further. “Thank You” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2017, nearly five decades after its release — a deserved achievement. — K. Fitzgerald

“You Can Make It If You Try” (1968)

Even decades removed from its initial release, it’s not hard to see why Sly and the Family Stone decided to close out their classic album Stand! with “You Can Make It If You Try.” Following the smash hit “Everyday People” and a rousing, extended rendition of “Sex Machine,” the tune arrives to send listeners off with three-and-a-half minutes of pure optimism. The positivity baked into each horn blast, guitar stab, and harmony is absolutely infectious. Throw this one on and try to frown — we promise you won’t be able to. — J. Krueger