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Topsy (instrumental)
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Wikipedia article
"'Topsy'" was a 1938 instrumental release for bandleader Benny Goodman, written by Edgar Battle and Eddie Durham, which became a #14 pop hit. The tune had previously been recorded by Count Basie and His Orchestra on August 9, 1937.Max Harrison, Charles Fox, Eric Thacker (2000). 'Essential Jazz Records: Volume 1: Ragtime to Swing'. London: A&C Black. p. 295.
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. 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.
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'
References
Category:1938 songs
Category:1958 singles
Category:Benny Goodman songs
Category:Pop instrumentals
Category:Cashbox number-one singles
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