The band was formed by the former The Detroit Emeralds' singer James Mitchell, with his brother Paul Mitchell, Larry Cunningham, Charles Clark, and the unrelated Ralph Mitchell. Their only top hit, "Float On", was written by Arnold Ingram, Marvin Willis and James Mitchell Jr., and produced by Woody Wilson. It became a world wide hit in 1977 on ABC Records, reaching #1 on the U.S. R&B chart, #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #1 in the UK Singles Chart (for a single week in August that year). Follow-ups such as "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" could not duplicate the bizarre charm of "Float On," but, with some changes in the line-up, the group remained active for several years, unable to shake off their one-hit wonder tag.
The Floaters recorded a new version of "Float On" with Full Force for their album "Still Standing".
Larry Cunningham (June 23, 1951 - January 10, 2019)
"Float On" is a 1977 hit song by the soul group The Floaters. The spoken verses combine two popular trends from the time, star signs and video and phone dating, in lines such as Aquarius and my name is Ralph / Now I like a woman who loves her freedom. The song was co-written by James Mitchell of The Detroit Emeralds group.
Released from their self-titled debut album, it became one of the biggest singles of the year, spending six weeks at number one on the U.S. Hot Soul Singles chart. "Float On" was also a crossover hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 behind Andy Gibb's "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" and The Emotions' "Best of My Love", but with no other Hot 100 hits, The Floaters became a one-hit wonder on that chart. "Float On" also reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, and number five on the Irish Singles Chart. The song was covered by two hip-hop bands: Stetsasonic on its album In Full Gear (1988), and Dream Warriors on its album The Master Plan (1996), the latter of which was released as a single.
Also in 1977, Cheech and Chong released a parody of the song called "Bloat On". It was later included on their 1980 album Let's Make a New Dope Deal.
The song was adapted in the early 1990s to advertise Cadbury's Crème Eggs.
Float On
The Floaters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ralph, Charles, Paul, Larry
Float, float on
Float on, float on
Float, float, float on
Float on, float on
Float on, float on
Float, float, float on
Float on, float on
Float, float on
Float on, float on
Float, float, float on
Float on, float on
Aquarius, Libra, Leo, Cancer
Ralph, Charles, Paul, Larry
Aquarius and my name is Ralph
Now I like a woman who loves her freedom
And I like a woman who can hold her own
And if you fit that description, baby, come with me
Take my hand, come with me, baby, to Love Land
Let me show you how sweet it could be
Sharing love with me, I want you to
Float, float on (Come on, come on, come on, baby, yeah)
Float on, float on (Ooh, ooh, baby)
Float, float, float on
Float on (Float with me), float on
Libra and my name is Charles
Now I like a woman that's quiet
A woman who carries herself like Miss Universe
A woman who would take me in her arms
And she would say, Charles, yeah
And if you fit that description
This is for you especially
Mmm take my hand
Come with me, baby, to Love Land
Let me show you how sweet it could be
Sharing loving with me, I want you to
Float, float on (Girl, yes)
Float on, float on (With Charles)
Float, float, float on (Ooh, yeah)
Float on, float on
Leo and my name is Paul
You see I like all women of the world
You see to me all women are wild flowers
And if you understand what I'm sayin'
I want you to
Mmm take my hand
Come with me, baby, to Love Land
Let me show you how sweet it could be
Sharing love with me, I want you to
Float, float on (So float with me, baby)
Float on, float on (Yeah)
Float, float, float on (Float with Paul, y'all)
Float on, float on
Cancer and my name is Larry, huh
And I like a woman that loves everything and everybody
Because I love everybody and everything
And you know what, ladies, if you feel that this is you
Then this is what I want you to do
Ooh, yeah, take my hand
Let me take you to love land
Let me show you how sweet it could be
Sharing your love with Larry, listen
Float, float on (You better float with me now)
Float on, float on (Float on)
Float, float, float on (Yeah, yeah)
(You better float on)
(Float on)
(Ah)
The Floaters’ “Float On” is a smooth and catchy love song that expresses the desires of four gentlemen, each by their astrological signs and names: Aquarius, Libra, Leo, and Cancer - Ralph, Charles, Paul, and Larry respectively. Each man describes his ideal woman, starting with Ralph, who seeks a woman who values her freedom and can “hold her own.” Charles, a Libra, desires a quiet and confident woman. Paul, a Leo, believes that every woman is a “wild flower,” while Larry, a Cancer, wants a woman who loves everything and everybody.
The chorus of the song, “Float, float on,” is a reference to the Zodiac, as Aquarians, Libras, Leos, and Cancers are grouped as water signs. The verses are a message from each man, inviting women who fit their ideal type to “float on” with them. They all want to take their woman to the magical Love Land, where they can share love together.
The song is a playful testimony to the art of wooing, and it is admirable how the lyrics capture male vulnerability and the need for companionship. The beat and funky rhythm of the song have made it a timeless classic, with its melody being sampled by other famous artists like Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, and Mary J. Blige.
Line by Line Meaning
Aquarius, Libra, Leo, Cancer
These are the astrological signs that the singers identify with in alphabetical order.
Ralph, Charles, Paul, Larry
These are the names of the singers in alphabetical order.
Float, float on
The singers are inviting the listeners to join them in a carefree, positive mindset.
Float on, float on
Repetition of the invitation to float on.
Float, float, float on
Further repetition of the invitation to float on.
Float on, float on
More repetition of the invitation to float on.
Aquarius and my name is Ralph
Ralph introduces himself as an Aquarius who likes independent women.
Now I like a woman who loves her freedom
Ralph finds independence an attractive quality in a woman.
And I like a woman who can hold her own
Ralph values self-sufficiency in a woman.
And if you fit that description, baby, come with me
Ralph is inviting women who fit his ideal to join him.
Take my hand, come with me, baby, to Love Land
Ralph is urging the listener to follow him to a place where love is abundant.
Let me show you how sweet it could be
Ralph wants to demonstrate the goodness of Love Land to the listener.
Sharing love with me, I want you to
Ralph wants the listener to share the experience of Love Land with him.
Float, float on (Come on, come on, come on, baby, yeah)
Ralph is repeating the invitation to float on in a playful and encouraging way.
Float on, float on (Ooh, ooh, baby)
Further repetition of the invitation to float on in a sensuous way.
Libra and my name is Charles
Charles introduces himself as a Libra.
Now I like a woman that's quiet
Charles likes women who are reticent and composed.
A woman who carries herself like Miss Universe
Charles admires women who are poised and confident.
A woman who would take me in her arms
Charles wants to be nurtured by the woman he's looking for.
And she would say, Charles, yeah
Charles imagines being affirmed and admired by his ideal woman.
And if you fit that description
Charles is looking for a specific type of woman.
This is for you especially
Charles is addressing the listener who fits his ideal.
Mmm take my hand
Charles is inviting the listener to follow him.
Come with me, baby, to Love Land
Charles is urging the listener to experience the wonders of Love Land with him.
Let me show you how sweet it could be
Charles is eager to demonstrate the joys of Love Land to the listener.
Sharing loving with me, I want you to
Charles wants the listener to share the love-filled experience of Love Land with him.
Float, float on (Girl, yes)
Charles is urging the listener to float on in a playful and flirtatious way.
Float on, float on (With Charles)
Charles encourages the listener to float on with him personally.
Float, float, float on (Ooh, yeah)
Further repetition of the invitation to float on in a sensuous way.
Leo and my name is Paul
Paul introduces himself as a Leo.
You see I like all women of the world
Paul finds all types of women attractive.
You see to me all women are wild flowers
Paul sees women as unique and beautiful like wild flowers.
And if you understand what I'm sayin'
Paul is hinting at a connection with the listener.
I want you to
Paul is inviting the listener to join him.
Mmm take my hand
Paul is urging the listener to follow him.
Come with me, baby, to Love Land
Paul is inviting the listener to experience the beauty of Love Land with him.
Let me show you how sweet it could be
Paul wants to demonstrate the specialness of Love Land to the listener.
Sharing love with me, I want you to
Paul wants the listener to share in the experience of Love Land with him.
Float, float on (So float with me, baby)
Paul is urging the listener to float on in a passionate way.
Float on, float on (Yeah)
Repetition of the invitation to float on.
Float, float, float on (Float with Paul, y'all)
Paul is encouraging the listener to float on with him individually and joyfully.
Cancer and my name is Larry, huh
Larry introduces himself as a Cancer.
And I like a woman that loves everything and everybody
Larry is attracted to women who are loving and empathetic.
Because I love everybody and everything
Larry is similarly full of love and positivity.
And you know what, ladies, if you feel that this is you
Larry is seeking a connection with a woman who shares his values.
Then this is what I want you to do
Larry is making an invitation to the right woman.
Ooh, yeah, take my hand
Larry is urging the listener to take his hand and follow him.
Let me take you to love land
Larry is promising to take the listener to a loving place.
Let me show you how sweet it could be
Larry wants to demonstrate the pleasures of Love Land to the listener.
Sharing your love with Larry, listen
Larry is asking the listener to share her love with him and listen to his invitation.
Float, float on (You better float with me now)
Larry is playfully urging the listener to float on with him and appreciate his message.
Float on, float on (Float on)
Repetition of the invitation to float on in a happy way.
Float, float, float on (Yeah, yeah)
Further repetition of the invitation to float on.
(You better float on)
Larry is insisting that the listener join him in floating on.
(Float on)
Repetition of the phrase to float on.
(Ah)
An interjection to emphasize the fun of floating on.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore
Written by: Arnold Darnell Ingram, James Jr. Mitchell, Marvin L. Willis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bernadette4484
2024 Floaters Still listening !
@N1611n
Listening here too in 2024...,
@deadkirby2270
I WAS BORN IN 2002 , LISTENING TO THIS IN 2024 , I’m here to say you can do it . And nobody is stopping you
@yeromey1
Good Taste knows no age! 👍👍
@rose2009219
I listening too
@nadinecamille
I was born in 1992 and grew up on 70s and 80s music
@ericlangevin818
If Youre Listening to this in 2024 or any year, you have great taste in music 💯
@ellenschwartz-tn5wi
You got that right, mos def!!!
@HomieWitDaXtraChromie
They don't make silky smooth music like this anymore. I could listen to this forever.
@denniscarey8426
The idea for the lyrics was to spotlight each member of the band was really cool at the time. They introduced themselves with their name and astrological sign. The verses read like personal ads, as each member makes his pitch to the ladies. They briefly expressed their true feelings of what kind of woman they liked. Brilliant!