"Play That Funky Music" (Rob Parissi) was recorded initially by Wild Cherry (lead Rob Parissi, Bryan Bassett, Ron Beitle and Allen Wentz) in 1976. The single from their self titled album topped both the pop and R&B Billboard charts. The band was named Billboard's Best Pop Group Of The Year.

The Vanilla Ice (Robert Van Winkle) 1989 indie LP "Hooked" included "Play That Funky Music" (Vanilla Ice - Earthquake). The single was issued as the A side to "Ice, Ice Baby". When that rap tune got more airplay "Play That Funky Music" was re-recorded for the major label debut album and chart topping "To The Extreme" and this time it reached number four on Billboard's Top One Hundred and Robert Parissi regained writer credit. This is the single release.