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Grazing in the Grass
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Grazing in the Grass
| cover = GrazingInTheGrassMasekelaSingle.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Hugh Masekela
| album = The Promise of a Future
| B-side = Bajabula Bonke (Healing Song)
| released = May 1968
| recorded = March 12, 1968
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Jazz
| length = 2:55
| label = Uni (55066)
| writer = Philemon Hou
| producer = Stewart Levine
| prev_title = There Are Seeds to Sow
| prev_year = 1968
| next_title = Puffin' on Down the Track
| next_year = 1968
| misc =
}}
"'Grazing in the Grass'" is an instrumental composed by Philemon Hou and first recorded by the South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela. Released in the United States as a single in 1968, it followed United States trumpeter Herb Alpert's vocal performance of "This Guy's in Love with You" to the top spot on the Hot 100 chart, ranking it as the 18th biggest hit of the year. The song also reached #15 Adult Contemporary. Masekela included the song in his albums 'Grazing in the Grass: The Best of Hugh Masekela' (2001), 'Still Grazing' (2004), and 'Live at the Market Theatre' (2006).
Masekelas recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018.
A vocal version by The Friends of Distinction, with lyrics by band member Harry Elston, was a US chart hit in 1969. "Grazing in the Grass" has been recorded by many other musicians.
Hugh Masekela recording
The music was inspired by an earlier novelty recording, "Mr. Bull No. 4", by Freddie Gumbi,[https://curious.com/curios/14569#date "Grazing grooves", 'Song Curio', January 23, 2020]. Retrieved 18 August 2021 which Masekela had heard in Zambia, that started with a cowbell. When Masekela was recording his debut album, the running order was short by three minutes and his record company suggested he add the tune. Philemon Hou, an actor and singer who was present in the studio, came up with a new melody while the backing track was already being recorded. The session was held at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood.
Personnel
*Hugh Masekelatrumpet*Bruce Langhorneguitar
*Al Abreualto sax
*William Hendersonpiano
*Henry Franklinbass
*Chuck Carterdrums, cowbell
Charts
The Friends of Distinction version
{{Infobox song
| name = Grazing in the Grass
| image = Grazing in the Grass by The Friends of Distinction US single.png
| alt =
| caption = Side A of the US single
| type = single
| artist = The Friends of Distinction
| album = Grazin'
| B-side = I Really Hope You Do
| released = March 1969
| recorded = 1969
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 2:52
| label = RCA Victor
| writer =
| producer = John Florez
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Going in Circles
| next_year = 1969
| misc =
}}
The Friends of Distinction recorded a vocal remake of the tune in 1969 on RCA Victor, which was also a Top Ten pop and R&B hit, reaching #3 on the former and #5 on the latter. One of the group's members, Harry Elston, wrote lyrics for the song and sang lead on the Friends Of Distinction's version of it.
Personnel
*The Friends of Distinctionvocals*Max Bennettelectric bass
*Jim Gordondrums
*Al Casey and Arthur Wrightguitars
*Gene Ciprianopiccolo flute
*John Audino, Anthony Terran, Bud Childers, Dalton Smithtrumpets
*King Errissoncongas
*Douglas Daviscello
*Jim Horntenor saxophone
*Garry Nuttycombeviola
*Harry Bluestone, Jimmy Getzoffviolins
*Jack Arnoldpercussion
*Larry Knechtelpiano
Legacy
The Friends of Distinction appear, performing the song on Peter Griffin's lawn, in S17 Episode 8 of the adult animated sitcom 'Family Guy', as part of a dream sequence.
A cover by Raven was in the end credits of the animated film 'The Lion King 1'.
Chart performance
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
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