Mustang Sally (song)

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"Mustang Sally" is an R&B / straight-forward Blues song written and first recorded by Mack Rice in 1965. It gained greater popularity when it was covered by Wilson Pickett the following year.

According to music historian Tom Shannon, the song started as a joke when Della Reese's band leader wanted a new Ford Mustang. Rice called the early version "Mustang Mama," but changed the title after Aretha Franklin suggested "Mustang Sally."

Rice's version made it to #15 on the U.S. R&B charts in 1965. Pickett's version climbed to #6 R&B and #23 Pop in 1966.

The song has become a staple of blues bands all over the world and is played quite often, becoming to blues what "Stairway to Heaven" is to rock. During the 80s, many guitar store employees put up humorous "No Stairway to Heaven" signs to discourage the daily onslaught of noodlers playing the song. In that vein, John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom Room has had a sign on the stage for more than a decade that says, "No Mustang Sally."

In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song #434 on a list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

[edit] Cover versions

The following is a list of notable artists who have recorded cover versions of the song:

• The Chambers Brothers (1965; released 1997)
• Wilson Pickett (1966)
• The Kingsmen (1966)
• The (Young) Rascals (1966)
• Ken Boothe (1968)
• The Mar-Keys (1969)
• Silver Apples (1969; released 1998)
• Muddy Waters (1974; released 1990)
• Maurice Williams (1975)
• Willie Mitchell (1977)
• Magic Slim (1980)
• Rufus Thomas (1980)
• The Commitments (1991)
• Buddy Guy (1991)
• Sam & Dave (1995)
• Fiona Day (1999)
• Albert Collins (2000)
• Los Lobos (2000), for the film Miss Congeniality
• Solomon Burke (2004)
• Bruce Springsteen (Live)
• Chris Farrow Cenntanni's Restaurant (2008)

[edit] References

• Shannon, Tom. "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett.