"Grazing in the Grass" | ||||
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Single by Hugh Masekela | ||||
from the album The Promise of a Future | ||||
B-side | Bajabula Bonke (The Healing Song) | |||
Released | May 1968 | |||
Format | 7" | |||
Recorded | March 12, 1968 | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Length | 2:38 | |||
Label | Uni 55066 |
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Writer(s) | Philemon Hou | |||
Producer | Stewart Levine | |||
Certification | Gold | |||
Hugh Masekela singles chronology | ||||
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"Grazing in the Grass" | |
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Single by The Friends of Distinction | |
from the album Grazin' | |
B-side | I Really Hope You Do |
Released | 1969 |
Genre | Pop, R&B |
Length | 2:52 |
Label | RCA Victor |
Writer(s) | Philemon Hou, Harry Elston |
Producer | John Florez |
"Grazing in the Grass" | ||||
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Single by Raven-Symoné | ||||
from the album The Lion King 1½ and This Is My Time |
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Released | 2004 | |||
Genre | R&B, Pop, Soul, Latin Pop | |||
Length | 3:08 | |||
Label | Hollywood | |||
Producer | Robbie Buchanan | |||
Raven-Symoné singles chronology | ||||
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"Grazing in the Grass" is an instrumental composed by Philemon Hou and first recorded by the South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela. It is recognizable by its prominent cowbell part. Released in the United States as a single in 1968, it hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[1]
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"Grazing in the Grass" was inspired by an earlier Masekela recording, "Mr. Bull No. 5". Hou, an actor and singer, came up with the melody while the backing track was already being recorded. The session was held at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood.[2]
The Friends of Distinction recorded a vocal cover version of the tune in 1969 which was also a Top Ten pop and R&B hit, reaching #3 on the former and #5 on the latter.[4] The group's Harry Elston penned lyrics for the song and sang lead on it. "Grazing in the Grass" has been recorded by many other musicians, including Stevie Wonder, Chet Atkins, Galapagos Duck, Boney James, Rick Braun, Willie Mitchell, The Monitors, The Scofflaws, Meco, and cc: DIVA. In 2004 it was covered by Raven-Symoné; her version was played on Radio Disney but never received a general commercial release as a single for airplay in other venues. The video for her version features her and dancing extras interacting with scenes from The Lion King 1½. It is also a staple in the repertoire of New Orleans brass bands.
"Grazing in the Grass" was sampled by the hip hop duo Nice & Smooth on the track "One, Two and One More Makes Three" from their album Ain't a Damn Thing Changed. Also, a sample can be heard in Sugar Ray's 1999 single "Every Morning".
Preceded by "This Guy's in Love with You" by Herb Alpert |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single (Hugh Masekela version) July 20, 1968 - August 3, 1968 (two weeks) |
Succeeded by "Hello, I Love You" by The Doors |
Preceded by "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" by The Temptations |
Billboard Hot R&B Singles number-one single July 13, 1968 – August 3, 1968 (four weeks) |
Succeeded by "Stay in My Corner" by The Dells |
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