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Scorpio (instrumental)
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Wikipedia article
'"Scorpio"' is a song by Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band. It charted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song has been sampled in several hip-hop songs since its release in 1971, most notably Mark Ronson's debut single "Ooh Wee", Public Enemy's "Night of the Living Baseheads", LL Cool J's "Jingling Baby", and Young MC's "Bust a Move".
In 2016, the song was featured in the American television drama series 'Better Call Saul' in the episode "Inflatable". The song is played over a montage of lawyer Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) as he attempts to get himself fired.
Background
"Scorpio" was written by Dennis Coffey for his sophomore album 'Evolution'. The guitar line which begins the record actually consists of nine guitar riffs overdubbed on top of one another, spanning three octaves.
It features Coffey on rhythm guitar; Rare Earth's Ray Monette and Joe Podorsek from the Detroit Guitar Band on guitar; Uriel Jones and Richard "Pistol" Allen on drums; Bob Babbitt on bass; "Bongo" Eddie Brown on congas; Jack Ashford on tambourine; and Earl Van Dyke on piano. Bob Babbitt and Eddie "Bongo" Brown perform solos. It was written by Dennis Coffey, produced by Mike Theodore, and arranged by both. Jim Burzzese directed recording, which took place at GM Recording Studios in East Detroit. Ray Hall was in charge of mixing, which took place in RCA Recording Studios in New York City.
The song charted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 9 on R&B Singles. It was Coffey's largest hit; his follow-up "Taurus" peaked at number 18 and no further Coffey single peaked higher than number 93.
Reception
NPR said that "as a distinctive mix of Afro-Latin rhythm and Motor City psyche, it's hard to imagine a more impeccably matched creation".
The song would later be sampled in several hip-hop records: Public Enemy on their song "Night of the Living Baseheads" on their album 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back' in 1988; LL Cool J on his song "Jingling Baby" on his album 'Walking with a Panther' in 1989; Queen Latifah on her song "Mama Gave Birth To The Soul Children" on her album 'All Hail the Queen' in 1989; Young MC on his song "Bust A Move (song)" on his album 'Stone Cold Rhymin' in 1989; Geto Boys on their song "Do it Like a G.O." on their albums 'Grip It! On That Other Level' in 1989 and 'The Geto Boys' in 1990; Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth on their song "Keep It Flowing" on their album 'Funky Technician' in 1990; House of Pain on their song "All My Love" on their album 'House of Pain' in 1992 and Mark Ronson on his song "Ooh Wee" from his album 'Here Comes the Fuzz' in 2003.
Chart performance
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
Category:1971 singles
Category:1971 songs
Category:1970s instrumentals
Category:Sussex Records singles
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