"Play That Funky Music" is a popular funk rock song by the band Wild Cherry, written by lead singer Rob Parissi. It was released in 1976 and became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song originated from an incident where the band, originally a rock band, was playing to funk-loving audiences and was told, "play that funky music, white boy," inspiring Parissi to write the track. The lyrics tell the story of transitioning from rock to funk to please the audience and capture the vibe of the disco era. It is recognized for its distinctive guitar riff and memorable chorus, emphasizing playing funky music with energy and passion until the end.