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Time Is Tight

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Wikipedia article




"'Time Is Tight'" is an instrumental recorded by Booker T. & the M.G.'s for their soundtrack to the 1968 film 'UpTight'.

Background



The group recorded two versions of the song the shorter (3:14), slower version was released as a single in 1969, and became one of the biggest hits of the group's career, peaking at #7 R&B and #6 Pop.Galloway, A. Scott (1994). 'Rock Instrumental Classics Volume 4: Soul' (p. 14) [CD booklet]. Los Angeles: Rhino Records. The longer (4:55) version (which was included on the official soundtrack album) is played at a faster tempo than the single version, and features an extended introduction and an instrumental 'breakdown' section, neither of which was included in the single version.

Personnel



* Booker T. Jones organ

* Steve Cropper guitar

* Al Jackson Jr. drums

* Donald "Duck" Dunn bass

Charts



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



Cover Versions



*The Clash recorded a notable cover, which they had previously used as a "warm-up" in live performances. The song appears on their 1980 singles compilation album 'Black Market Clash', and also on their 1994 album 'Super Black Market Clash'. (The Clash's arrangement differs from the original in one major respect it modulates to D for the 'chorus' section, whereas the MG's version modulates to G.)

*A rendition appears on The Shadows album 'XXV'.

*The Blues Brothers used the song as an intro to their shows in a medley with Otis Redding's "I Can't Turn You Loose". It is featured in 'The Blues Brothers' film as well as in the 1983 mini-album 'Dancin' wid da Blues Brothers'.

Popular Culture



*The song was played by BBC Radio 1 DJ Johnnie Walker in the early 1970s as the back up music to the weekly BBC chart rundowns. These were published by the British Market Research Bureau on the Tuesday and then broadcast later that day on 247 metres medium wave.

References




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