The Nitty Gritty (song)

"The Nitty Gritty"
Single by Shirley Ellis
from the album The Nitty Gritty
B-side"Give Me a List"
Released1963
GenreR&B, novelty
Length2:12
LabelCongress
SongwriterLincoln Chase
ProducerHutch Davie
Shirley Ellis singles chronology
"The Nitty Gritty"
(1963)		 "(That's) What the Nitty Gritty Is"
(1964)
"The Nitty Gritty"
Single by Gladys Knight & the Pips
from the album Nitty Gritty
B-side"Got Myself a Man"
ReleasedJune 26, 1969
Recorded1969
StudioMotown
GenreR&B[1]
Length2:59
LabelSoul Records
SongwriterLincoln Chase
ProducerNorman Whitfield
Gladys Knight & the Pips singles chronology
"Didn't You Know (You'd Have to Cry Sometime)"
(1969)		 "The Nitty Gritty"
(1969)		 "Friendship Train"
(1969)

"The Nitty Gritty" is a 1963 song written by Lincoln Chase and recorded by Shirley Ellis. Released by Congress Records, it reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1964.[2] In Canada it was No. 19 for 2 weeks.[3][4]

Cover versions

  • The Beatles, comprising a panel on Jukebox Jury in December of 1963, gave their quick reactions to hearing the track. They liked it but all voted that it would not be a hit in the U.K. (it did not chart). George predicted that it would be a hit in the U.S. where it reached #8, saying 'the public (in the U.K.) haven't gotten round to that sort of stuff yet,' although 'just lately they've been going for the more way-out stuff and Rhythm & Blues type of stuff...We've liked this kind of stuff for years but it hasn't caught on in England.' Paul said he loved it but doubted it would be a hit because 'it doesn't say anything' and because 'lots of teenagers love this kind of music but don't buy records.'[7]
  • A televised performance of the dance associated with the song was recorded for a January 1964 episode of The Judy Garland Show, featuring choreography by Robert Banas. The performance became popular via YouTube some 60 years after its original airing, with over 18 million views as of 2013.[8]
  • The song can be heard on the final episode of Disney's streaming series Win or Lose called "Home" as Coach Dan uses the song to prepare the softball field for the game.
  • The Beatles, comprising a panel on Jukebox Jury in December of 1963, gave their quick reactions to hearing the track. They liked the track but all voted that it would not be a hit in the U.K. (it did not chart). George predicted that it would be a hit in the U.S. where it reached #8, saying 'the public (in the U.K.) haven't gotten round to that sort of stuff yet,' although 'just lately they've been going for the more way-out stuff and Rhythm & Blues type of stuff...We've liked this kind of stuff for years but it hasn't caught on in England.' Paul said he loved it but doubted it would be a hit because 'it doesn't say anything' and because 'lots of teenagers love this kind of music but don't buy records.'

References

  1. ↑ Considine, J.D.; Coleman, Mark; Evans, Paul; McGee, David (1992). "Gladys Knight and the Pips". In DeCurtis, Anthony; Henke, James; George-Warren, Holly (eds.). Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York: Random House. pp. 163–164.
  2. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 205.
  3. ↑ "CHUM Hit Parade - December 30, 1963".
  4. ↑ "CHUM Hit Parade - January 6, 1964".
  5. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 330.
  6. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Singles - August 30, 1969" (PDF).
  7. ↑ {{cite web |title=1963 12 07 The Beatles Juke Box Jury recorded at Empire Theatre Liverpool with David Jacobs |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmS9G_EpcNQ}
  8. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Best 60s Dancer Boy Ever - The Nitty Gritty. YouTube.


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