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Peter Gunn (song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Peter Gunn
| type = single
| artist = Henry Mancini
| cover =
| album = The Music from Peter Gunn
| B-side = The Brothers Go to Mother's
| released =
| recorded = 1958
| studio = Radio Recorders (Los Angeles)
| genre = Instrumental theme music
| length = 2:04
| label = RCA Victor
| composer = Henry Mancini
| producer = Simon Rady
| misc =
}}
"'Peter Gunn'" is the theme music composed by Henry Mancini for the television show of the same name.Henry Mancini: 'Sounds and Scores', Northridge Music, Inc. 1973, 1986 The song was the opening track on the original soundtrack album, 'The Music from Peter Gunn', released in 1959.RCA Victor LPM/LSP-1956 liner notes Mancini won an Emmy Award and two Grammys for Album of the Year and Best Arrangement.'Did They Mention the Music?', Henry Mancini with Gene Lees, Contemporary Books, 1989, page 236
Recording and releases
In his 1989 autobiography, 'Did They Mention the Music?', Mancini states:
Mancini arranged the first single version of the song for trumpeter Ray Anthony in 1959. Recorded for Capitol Records at Radio Recorders and featuring tenor saxophonist Plas Johnson, it reached number eight on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 and number 12 on the R&B chart.
Mancini has recorded several different versions of his theme music including "Seor Peter Gunn" on his 1965 album, 'The Latin Sound of Henry Mancini', and in a new arrangement for the 1967 movie 'Gunn...Number One!'.
Lyrics were added by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans and first recorded in 1965 by Sarah Vaughan in an arrangement by Bill Holman on her album 'Sarah Vaughan Sings the Mancini Songbook'.Liner notes to Mercury Records SR 61009 Mancini also recorded a vocal version titled "Bye Bye" that is on his 1967 soundtrack album 'Gunn...Number One!'.Liner notes to RCA Victor LPM/LSP-3840
Other charting versions
In addition to the many different arrangements of the "Peter Gunn" theme recorded by Mancini, the music has also been recorded by numerous other artists. Versions that reached the record charts include:
* An instrumental version by guitarist Duane Eddy reached number six on the UK Singles Chart on June 25, 1959, and number 27 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 on November 14, 1960.
* Deodato released a version of the song in 1976, which reached number 20 on the US dance chart, number 84 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100, and number 96 on the R&B chart.
* Art of Noise released a version of the song featuring Eddy in 1986, which reached number two on the US dance chart, number eight in the UK, number 14 in Canada, and number 50 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100. It was featured on their 1986 album 'In Visible Silence', and was awarded a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
References
Category:1958 songs
Category:1959 singles
Category:1976 singles
Category:1979 singles
Category:1980 singles
Category:1986 singles
Category:Songs with music by Henry Mancini
Category:Duane Eddy songs
Category:Aretha Franklin songs
Category:The Blues Brothers songs
Category:Art of Noise songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Lee Hazlewood
Category:Song recordings produced by Lester Sill
Category:Atlantic Records singles
Category:Capitol Records singles
Category:Decca Records singles
Category:MCA Records singles
Category:Television drama theme songs
Category:Songs from television series
Category:Jamie Records singles
Category:1950s instrumentals
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