Sly & The Family Stone SLY LIVES! Soundtrack
Music lovers and fans of the iconic Family Stone sound, get ready! The original motion picture soundtrack for SLY LIVES! (aka the Burden of Black Genius), the critically acclaimed documentary directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, is arriving soon. This musical companion piece, celebrating the enigmatic Sly & The Family Stone, will be available digitally today, February 13th, with CD and LP versions to follow on May 9th.
This exciting release from Legacy Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment offers more than just the band’s greatest hits. The SLY LIVES! soundtrack is a treasure trove for enthusiasts of the family stone’s pioneering funk and soul. It features seven rare and previously unreleased alternate versions of classic tracks, providing fresh perspectives on familiar favorites. Adding a contemporary spin, Questlove himself, alongside Brooklyn-based DJ and producer J.PERIOD, has crafted three exclusive new edits, bridging the gap between the band’s legendary past and modern sounds.
Curated by music journalist Jeff Mao and producer/director Joseph Patel, and co-produced with Questlove and Rob Santos, the soundtrack is available for pre-order now. Fans can choose their preferred format: digital, CD, or LP, each offering a unique way to experience the musical genius of Sly & The Family Stone.
The documentary SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), produced by Two One Five Entertainment and Network Entertainment in partnership with MRC Non-Fiction and Disney’s Onyx Collective, delves deep into the story of Sly & The Family Stone. This groundbreaking interracial and mixed-gender band redefined music in the late 1960s and 70s. They seamlessly blended soul, funk, gospel, Latin, and psychedelic rock, achieving both chart-topping success with hits like “I Want to Take You Higher” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” and critical acclaim for albums such as 1969’s Stand! and 1971’s There’s a Riot Goin’ On.
The film explores the band’s meteoric rise, their cultural impact, and subsequent decline, also shedding light on the pressures faced by successful Black artists in America. It features appearances by music icons including André 3000, D’Angelo, Nile Rogers, Chaka Khan, George Clinton, and more, testament to the enduring influence of Sly & The Family Stone and their unique family stone musical innovation.
Since its Sundance Film Festival premiere on January 25th, SLY LIVES! has garnered widespread critical praise. Publications like Variety and Vulture have lauded the documentary as definitive and exhilarating, while The Wrap highlighted its illuminating and rich narrative. The film has been celebrated for Questlove’s directorial skill in pacing and composition, solidifying its position as an essential watch for music lovers.
SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) marks Questlove’s second directorial project of 2025, following Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music. This comes after his Oscar-winning debut, Summer of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), further establishing Questlove’s significant contribution to music documentary filmmaking.
SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Track Listing:
LP
Side A
- Sing a Simple Song (Alternative Mix) *
- Underdog
- Trip to Your Heart (Alternative Mix) *
- Dance to the Music (J.PERIOD Edit)
- M’Lady
Side B
- Everyday People (J.PERIOD Edit)
- Hot Fun in the Summertime (Interlude) *
- Hot Fun in the Summertime (Mono Single Master)
- Everybody Is a Star (Mono Single Master)
- Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
- Thank You For Talkin’ to Me, Africa (Alternate Mix) *
Side C
- Family Affair (Questlove Rhythm King Edit)
- Runnin’ Away (Alternate Mix) *
- Just Like a Baby
- Babies Makin’ Babies (Interlude) *
- If You Want Me to Stay (Alternate Version)
Side D
- Thankful N’ Thoughtful (Alternate Version)
- Family Affair (Wedding Band Interlude) *
- Can’t Strain My Brain
- Stand! (Take 1) *
- Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)
*previously unreleased
DIGITAL / CD
- Sing A Simple Song (Alternate Mix) *
- Underdog
- Trip to Your Heart (Alternative Mix) *
- Dance to the Music (J.PERIOD Edit)
- M’Lady
- Everyday People (J.PERIOD Edit)
- Hot Fun in the Summertime (Interlude) *
- Hot Fun in the Summertime (mono single master)
- Everybody Is a Star (mono single master)
- Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
- Thank You For Talkin’ to Me, Africa (Alternate Mix) *
- Family Affair (Questlove Rhythm King Edit)
- Runnin’ Away (Alternate Mix) *
- Just Like a Baby
- Babies Makin’ Babies (Interlude) *
- If You Want Me to Stay (Alternate Version)
- Thankful N’ Thoughtful (Alternate Version)
- Family Affair (Wedding Band Interlude) *
- Can’t Strain My Brain
- Stand! (Take 1) *
- Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be Will, Will Be)
*previously unreleased
