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Shotgun (Junior Walker & the All Stars song)

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Wikipedia article




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"'Shotgun'" is a song written by Junior Walker and recorded with his group the All Stars. Called a "dance tune",

it was produced by Berry Gordy Jr. and Lawrence Horn. Gordy's Soul Records, a Motown Records subsidiary, issued it as a single in 1965. It reached #1 on the U.S. R&B Singles chart for four non-consecutive weeks and peaked at #4 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100. In Canada, the song reached #26.

Recording



"Shotgun" was Walker's debut as a vocalistwhen the singer who was hired to perform at the recording session did not show up, Walker stood in. Rather than re-record the vocal at a later date, producer Gordy decided to keep Walker's take, much to the latter's surprise.

The song opens with the sound of a shotgun blast and a drum roll, with the verses alternating between Walker's vocals and tenor saxophone fills. It does not employ the typical progression, but remains on one chord throughout.



'Personnel'

* Junior Walker tenor saxophone, lead vocals

* Willie Woods lead guitar, harmony vocals

* Eddie Willis rhythm guitar

* Johnny Griffith Hammond organ

* Victor Thomas keyboards

* James Jamerson bass guitar

* Benny Benjamin drums

* Jack Ashford tambourine

Performances and renditions



In his biography, Robbie Robertson recalled an early performance of the song:



In July 1965, Jimi Hendrix, who was then touring with Little Richard, made his first television appearance performing the song. With Richard's backup band and vocalists Buddy and Stacy, he was filmed for Nashville's Channel 5 'Night Train' show.

In 1966, the Norwegian R&B group Public Enemies performed the song in the film 'Hurra for Andersens'. Their version reached number seven on Radio Luxembourg's Top 20 Chart. A version by Vanilla Fudge reached #59 in Canada in 1969.

See also



* List of number-one R&B singles of 1965 (U.S.)

Footnotes



References



Category:1965 songs

Category:1965 singles

Category:Junior Walker songs

Category:Songs written by Junior Walker

Category:Song recordings produced by Berry Gordy

Category:Motown singles


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