Grazing in the Grass

"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]

Recording

"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]

Personnel

• Hugh Masekela - Trumpet
• Bruce Langhorne - Guitar
• Al Abreu - Alto sax
• William Henderson - Piano
• Henry Franklin - Bass
• Chuck Carter - Drums^[3]

Other versions

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.

Appearances in other songs

"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".

Appearances in other media

• In the 2007 biopic Talk to Me, it can be heard following the scene in which Petey Greene is told by his manager that he's to appear on The Tonight Show.
• In the 2006 film Bobby, the song plays during the ballroom scene.
• In the soundtrack of the 2006 film The Last King of Scotland.
• In the 2004 film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, the Friends of Distinction version can be heard during the pool party scene. The song is also heard in the film's trailer.
• In the 2000 film Space Cowboys, it's played in the background during the scene when Clint Eastwood's character meets up with Tommy Lee Jones's character at the latter's place of business. This particular version of "Grazing in the Grass" was recorded by Rick Braun and Boney James.
• In the 1997 film "Jackie Brown", it can be heard playing in the background when Samuel L. Jackson's character, Ordell Robbie, shoots Robert De Niro's character Louis Gara.
• In the 1995 film I Shot Andy Warhol, at the beginning of a party at The Factory.
• In the 1988 film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, in a scene featuring Isaac Hayes singing along off-key for comic effect.
• Raven-Symoné's recording was used in The Lion King 1½ and in her third studio album This Is My Time as the first single.
• The Friends of Distinction's version of "Grazin' in the Grass" played in the background of an Old Navy commercial featuring Morgan Fairchild.
• "Grazing in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it?" was used as a riff during a picnic scene in the short film, A Day at the Fair, on the comedy show Mystery Science Theater 3000. It was said in a dry, stodgy tone that mimicked the narrator of the short.

References