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Harlem Shuffle
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Wikipedia article
"'Harlem Shuffle'" is an R&B song written and originally recorded by the duo Bob & Earl in 1963.
In 1986 it was covered by The Rolling Stones on their album 'Dirty Work'.
Bob & Earl
The original single, arranged by Gene Page, peaked at on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart and on the 'Cash Box' chart. The record was a commercial failure when first released in the UK in 1963, but on reissue in 1969 peaked at . It was released on Marc Records, a subsidiary of Titan Records. Barry White stated in a 1995 interview with the 'Boston Herald' that, despite some claims to the contrary, he had no involvement with "Harlem Shuffle", though Page and White later worked extensively together.White, Barry. [http://thekatztapes.com/barry-white/ "Telephone interview with Larry Katz."] June 1 or 2, 1995. 'The Katz Tapes.' Retrieved June 4, 2015.Nelson, Valerie J. [http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jul/25/local/me-nelson25 "'Harlem Shuffle' co-writer was part of the soul duo Bob & Earl."] Los Angeles Times, July 25, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
In 2003, the original Bob & Earl version of the song was ranked by the music critics of 'The Daily Telegraph' on their list of the "50 Best Duets Ever". The song was used in the 1989 comedy-drama 'Shag' and the 2017 Edgar Wright film 'Baby Driver'.
Charts
The Rolling Stones version
The Rolling Stones' cover version, with Bobby Womack on backing vocals, appeared on their 1986 album 'Dirty Work'. It went to number 5 on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart, number 13 in the United Kingdom, and number 1 in New Zealand. Keith Richards had been looking for songs to possibly include on the album and had been working up songs with Ronnie Wood and Womack while waiting for Jagger to return to the studio in Paris after doing promo work on his solo album. To Richards' surprise, Jagger liked the feel and cut the vocals quickly. It became the first cover song the Stones had released as an opening single off a new studio album since 1965. It opens with:
In 1986, a 12" extended single mix of the song was released. One side contained the "London Mix" and ran 6:19. The other side had a "New York Mix" and ran 6:35. Both mixes were variations of the 7" mix. The "New York Mix" is available on the CD, 'Rarities 19712003', although it has been edited to 5:48. Both full-length 12" versions can be found on Disc 25 of 'Singles 19712006'.
Music video
The Rolling Stones produced an accompanying four-minute music video, which combined live-action and animation.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6868934/ IMDb ~ Rolling Stones 'Harlem Shuffle' (1986 video) ] The live-action was directed by animation director Ralph Bakshi and the animation was directed by future 'The Ren & Stimpy Show' creator John Kricfalusi. Other animators who worked on the video included Lynne Naylor, Jim Smith, Bob Jaques, Vicky Jenson, Pat Ventura and two other unknown animators.Personnel
'The Rolling Stones'*Mick Jagger lead and backing vocals, harmonica
*Keith Richards electric and acoustic guitars, piano, backing vocals
*Ronnie Wood electric, acoustic and pedal steel guitar, tenor saxophone, backing vocals
*Bill Wyman bass guitar, synthesizer
*Charlie Watts drums
'Additional personnel'
*Chuck Leavell keyboards
*Ivan Neville backing vocals, bass guitar, organ, synthesizer
*Philippe Saisse keyboards
*Anton Fig shakers
*Dan Collette trumpet
*Ian Stewart piano
*Marku Ribas percussion
*Jimmy Cliff, Don Covay, Beverly D'Angelo, Kirsty MacColl, Dolette McDonald, Janice Pendarvis, Patti Scialfa and Tom Waits backing vocals
Charts
Weekly charts
1Remix
Year-end charts
Certifications
Other versions
A version by The Traits from the fall of 1966 reached number 94 on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100 and number 91 on 'Cash Box'. The Action recorded the song in 1968 and released it as a single in Germany.
Samples
The song's opening horn section was sampled by American rap group House of Pain for their breakthrough single "Jump Around" in 1992.
References
Category:1963 songs
Category:1963 singles
Category:1986 short films
Category:1986 singles
Category:Animated music videos
Category:Dance-rock songs
Category:Hansa Records singles
Category:Music videos directed by John Kricfalusi
Category:Novelty and fad dances
Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand
Category:The Rolling Stones songs
Category:Song recordings produced by JaggerRichards
Category:Song recordings produced by Steve Lillywhite
Category:Songs about dancing
Category:Songs about New York City
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