Topsy (instrumental)
| "Topsy" | |
|---|---|
_(Recording_Cover).jpeg) | |
| Single by Count Basie and His Orchestra | |
| Released | August 9, 1937 |
| Genre | jazz |
| Length | 3:12 |
| Label | Decca |
| Songwriters | Eddie Durham, Edgar Battle |
"Topsy" is an instrumental by Count Basie and His Orchestra, released on August 9, 1937, written by Edgar Battle and Eddie Durham.[1] It became a #14 pop hit for bandleader Benny Goodman in 1938.[2]
In 1958, drummer Cozy Cole recorded the song and issued it in two parts as a single. The A-side ("Topsy I") made it to #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while the B-side ("Topsy II") reached #3 on the Hot 100 chart and #1 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart, staying atop the latter for six weeks.[2] The two songs were simultaneous hits; they were closest together on the Hot 100 chart for the week ending November 2, 1958, when Topsy I was at #27 and Topsy II was at #4.[3]
Notable versions
- Count Basie Orchestra
- Charlie Christian (credited as "Swing to Bop")
- Jimmy Giuffre, on his album Western Suite
- The Chico Hamilton Quintet, on their album Chico Hamilton Quintet in Hi Fi
- Meco (1977)
- Clare Fischer (1995), on his solo album Just me
References
- ↑ Max Harrison, Charles Fox, Eric Thacker (2000). Essential Jazz Records: Volume 1: Ragtime to Swing. London: A&C Black. p. 295.
- 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 126.
- ↑ "The Billboard Hot 100", Billboard, 1958-10-27, retrieved 2016-01-30