The Floaters were an R&B vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, USA, that formed in 1976.

The band was formed by the former The Detroit Emeralds’ singer James Mitchell, with his brother Paul Mitchell, Larry Cunningham, Charles Clark, and the unrelated Ralph Mitchell. Their only top hit, “Float On”, was written by Arnold Ingram, Marvin Willis and James Mitchell Jr., and produced by Woody Wilson. It became a world wide hit in 1977 on ABC Records, reaching #1 on the U.S. R&B chart, #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #1 in the UK Singles Chart (for a single week in August that year). Follow-ups such as “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” could not duplicate the bizarre charm of “Float On,” but, with some changes in the line-up, the group remained active for several years, unable to shake off their one-hit wonder tag.

The Floaters recorded a new version of “Float On” with Full Force for their album “Still Standing”.