“Pick Up the Pieces” is the signature instrumental hit by Average White Band and one of the most recognizable funk recordings of the 1970s. Built around a driving syncopated groove, sharp horn riffs, and a locked-in rhythm section, the track exemplifies funk’s core principles: repetition, tension, and collective timing. With no lead vocal, the music itself carries the narrative, emphasizing groove as the primary expressive force. Released on the album AWB, the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975, an exceptional achievement for an instrumental funk track. Over time, “Pick Up the Pieces” became a foundational reference for funk musicians, DJs, and producers, frequently sampled and covered across genres. Its enduring popularity lies in its clarity, economy, and irresistible rhythmic momentum, making it a timeless cornerstone of funk history.