Barbara Pennington - Twenty Four Hours A Day

My first record to cross over in America. Barbara had first signed to Island but our two releases didn't take off like Evelyn Thomas and L.J. Johnson's did, and I was determined to give her a showcase record for her talent. "Twenty Four Hours A Day" started off breaking on the Northern Soul scene, and resulted in Richard Searling being forbidden to play it any more at Wigan. But my mentor Martin Davis signed it to United Artists, and it came out in America and topped the US Disco Charts in Billboard in 1977 for a staggering seven weeks, and people today still tell me it was one of the biggest and most beloved records of the entire Disco era.

[@IanLevine]

What you may not know is that originally we never did a twelve inch version, and we cobbled it together just using the seven inch version here, with a few bits added from the three minute instrumental version backing track, which we had mixed at the same time.

[@stuckin1979]

Well, I want you to know that you did an outstanding job!! This is my favorite disco song of 1977, and one of may favorites of all time! It is incredible! And I'd like to personally thank you for creating it! I literally own about 6 copies of the 12 inch, most of which are in mint condition. I can remember as a teenager hearing this on the radio and loved it. Later, on heard it in the discos in Boston and Providence,RI and it filled the dance floor. God bless those days, I wish the'd come back!

[@allennelson6985]

A classic song. They don't come much better than this.

[@paddythereddog3231]

Fantastic string arrangements!!

[@GrahamLondonUK]

Thirty years ago, I used to dance to this at The Sundown and Global Village (both in central London), also KingsWest and Sherry's (both in Brighton).

[@IanLevine]

She's now living in St. Louis, Missouri.

[@stevewaugh2]

Great Song .. Thanks !

[@benjaminrubenstein7345]

great melody & tempo with good range

[@davidarnold963]

one of my very favorite songs, luv it,,,,,

[@latinorama]

I listen to this song every day, I was 15 years old when this song was released, what a masterpiece! listening to it makes me feel that age again! the electro-strings and keyboards and drums are amazing, amazing harmony! Barbara, I love you! and Mr Levine, you are a genious.

[@Chocklad]

Not too crazy about the video but I'm glad we finally get to see the originator of this song. This girl can SANG! LOL This song was very important in helping me evolve on the social scene. Won't ever forget it!

[@dmanLVN]

OMG!!! So glad to find this song again. This song WAS and still IS the SHIT!!! I have it on 12" vinyl..... the long-ass version.... YAAAAAAY!!! One of the BEST ALL TIME disco tunes.... rock on Barbara, whatever you're doing these days. Peace. Tom 8-)>

[@PaulO-gx2bn]

I love this song reminds me of 1977 Tiffanys at Grimsby and Cleethorpes all-Dayer what a brilliant track to dance to Happy Days!

[@bbuc]

This song was one of my favorites from the by gone days of Disco, loved he vocals, it did sustain for a period in clubs but she didn't, this was a one hit wonder. I have it on Vinyl.

[@GasMaskHeadhunter]

Blimey just had a flashback. Dancing to this on the coach going to the Casino from the Mecca. All that bullshit used to piss me off. Although my 1st love is out n out stompers i had a love for Soul music. This is SOUL. I had real problems with Russ and the out n out shite he came out with. But music should be passionate and start conversations. but mostly to make us happy.

[@dmanLVN]

OMG!! Soooo glad I found this song! This song WAS and IS the BEST!! One of the best disco tunes ever..... I have it on 12" vinyl. Wherever you are Barbara..... rock on, babe. Thanks for posting this. Peace. Tom 8-)>

[@lastbus]

Got this track on Ian's CD and will be danced to on my wedding in Whakatane iN NZ March.Luv it

[@telebambam]

Keep on workin' it, Barbara!!!

[@IanLevine]

No, I'm afraid this was filmed nine years ago, in 1998.

[@dadevi]

Is this Ms. Pennigton in 2007? She still looks great!

[@iWasGrovemasterITA]

Soul diva outstanding

[@martynbutlerOBE]

Class ;)

[@IanLevine]

I have been trying to reach Barbara but her phone is disconnected. Does anyone on here know where she is and how to reach her ?? I imagine she's still somewhere in Chicago.

[@elvingtonred]

Have a copy Ian got it from Alan Rhodes when I ran Jaspers in York...GRRRREAT!

[@dadevi]

Well, as long as she's happy, I'm happy for her.

[@jkwill01]

do yo thang baby

[@dadevi]

Is she still performing? I haven't heard anything from her recently...

[@IanLevine]

@bbuc - I think it's quite ridiculous to claim that she was a one hit wonder without even checking your facts. She had two massive records which both crossed over pop - "Fan The Flame" and "On A Crowded Street", both of which are far more well known than "Twenty Four Hours A Day", and achieved much higher chart positions. Please stop and check before writing such erroneous garbage. And that's not to mention her High Energy classic "All American Boy".

[@stuckin1979]

You can find it on ebay

[@IanLevine]

Last time we spoke, she was a security guard, emptying and filling ATM machines.

[@dionsawyer]

She got rid of that fish tank about three years ago.