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Howzat (song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Howzat
| cover = Howzat (Single Cover).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Side A of the Australian single
| type = single
| artist = Sherbet
| album = Howzat
| B-side = Motor of Love
| released = May 1976
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = Rock
| length = 3:43
| label = Infinity (Festival sublabel), Epic, MCA
| writer = Garth Porter, Tony Mitchell
| producer = Richard Lush, Sherbet
| prev_title = Child's Play
| prev_year = 1976
| next_title = Hollywood Dreaming"/"Gimme Love
| next_year = 1976
| misc =
}}
"'Howzat'" is a song by Australian band Sherbet, released in May 1976.[http://www.45cat.com/record/k6398 Sherbet - Howzat at 45cat] The song reached number 1 in Australia on the Kent Music Report[http://australianmusicdatabase.com/recordings/howzat-by-sherbet--2 Sherbet - Howzat at Australian Music Database] and it also reached number 1 in New Zealand on the Recorded Music NZ. It was released from Sherbet's album of the same name, 'Howzat'. The song was written by band members Garth Porter and Tony Mitchell. The title track was also a number one hit and remains the group's biggest hit, especially outside of Australia, reaching the top 5 of the UK charts and also entering the lower end of the US 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart.[http://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=Howzat+by+Sherbet&id=37526 Sherbet - Howzat at Music Vf]
At the Australian 1976 King of Pop Awards the song won Most Popular Australian Single.
In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Howzat" was ranked number 42.
Title track
It is often used as a cricket anthem and is sometimes loudly played by ground organisers at limited-overs matches. Howzat is a cry used by cricketers when appealing to the umpire for a wicket.
Song origin
In 1976, someone suggested to Tony Mitchell and keyboardist Garth Porter that 'Howzat' might make a good title for a song because some of the members of Sherbet loved cricket. Despite Mitchell not being a good cricketer, he sat down with Garth Porter at Porter's Rose Bay home to work on the idea. Mitchell soon came up with the "doo-doo, doo-doo" bass riff, after which the first thing that came into Porter's mind was the phrase "I caught you out."
Reception
'Cash Box magazine' said "The song is refreshing, with a subdued, economical arrangement, and professional, pleasing vocals. Should be top ten in no time at all. Good use of minor chords."
Track listing
Personnel
* Daryl Braithwaite lead vocals, tambourine
* Harvey James guitar, vocals
* Tony Mitchell bass, vocals
* Alan Sandow drums
* Garth Porter keyboards, vocals
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
Category:1976 songs
Category:1976 singles
Category:Sherbet (band) songs
Category:Festival Records singles
Category:Epic Records singles
Category:MCA Records singles
Category:Number-one singles in Australia
Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand
Category:Number-one singles in South Africa
Category:Songs written by Garth Porter
Category:Songs written by Tony Mitchell (musician)
Category:Song recordings produced by Richard Lush
Category:Sporting songs
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