Song Clearance Sheet
5 sources citedHollywood Swinging
Funk1970s112BPM
F♯ minKey
More around 110 BPM → · More in F♯ minor →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (the full band, who share credit collectively by design) and no dispute found — a genuinely clean case that completes a real chain of influence to “Good Times,” with a delightful documented family connection to Nile Rodgers.
Used by independents?
Unconfirmed — the page doesn't yet document enough sampler detail to tell.
Quick Facts
Released1974
AlbumWild and Peaceful
GenreFunk, R&B, Soul
LabelDe-Lite Records
ProducerKool & the Gang
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Kool & the Gang (the full band, collective credit by design)
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — originally De-Lite Records; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — Kool & the Gang are widely regarded as one of the most sampled bands in hip-hop; this song directly inspired Chic’s “Good Times” (already in this catalog) per Nile Rodgers.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record and no dispute found — a clean case.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Nile Rodgers stated “Good Times” was partly his reinterpretation of this song (an influence, not a sample)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown, Robert Mickens, Claydes Smith, Dennis Thomas & Rick Westfield
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A genuinely delightful family connection
Nile Rodgers is directly related by family to co-writer Robert “Spike” Mickens. Rodgers has described Kool & the Gang as “basically my family,” noting the band formed in his own uncle’s living room.
GBH · read it →
Rodgers’ own gracious philosophy about influence
Rodgers has embraced the whole chain of influence from “Hollywood Swinging” through “Good Times” to “Another One Bites the Dust” and beyond, quoting Verdi on borrowing versus stealing and calling artists who later drew from his own music great composers in turn.
The National · read it →
A collective songwriting ethos
Kool & the Gang decided from the band’s inception to share songwriting credit among all members, even though Ronald Bell was typically the primary writer.
The Vinyl Dialogues · read it →
A star in the city the song names
Kool & the Gang received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015 — specifically in the city referenced by this song’s own title.
Hollywood Bowl · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
Inspired Chic’s “Good Times”
Covers
—
First flip
Big names who used itChic (influence)
Who to Contact
HS
Kool & the Gang
The confirmed songwriters of record (collective credit)
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
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References
Every source cited on this page — 5 in total
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 4)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass