Georgy Porgy (song)
Encyclopedia
For other uses, see Georgy Porgy
"Georgy Porgy" is a song written by David Paich
, released on Toto
's self-titled debut album in 1978. It was released as a single and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 (#48) as well as on both the R&B (#18) and the Dance (#80) charts.
The lead vocals are performed by guitarist Steve Lukather
. Cheryl Lynn
provided the female backing vocal.
The song is still performed on tour. It is adapted with improvisational solos on guitar and keyboards.
In an 1988 interview with Modern Drummer
, Jeff Porcaro
discussed developing the groove for "Georgy Porgy":
"...it's imitating Paul Humphrey heavily; it's imitating Earl Palmer very heavily. When it comes to that groove, my biggest influences were Paul Humphrey, Ed Greene, Earl Palmer, and the godfather of that 16th-note groove, James Gadson. That "Georgie Porgie" groove I owe to them."
released a version in 1980. It was on their "After The Rain" album. It made it to 77 in the US R&B charts.
A version by US soul band Charme
was released in 1982 featuring an uncredited vocal by Luther Vandross
. The single was re-released a few years later after the vocalist's rise in popularity and he was then credited as the featured artist. It remains a popular version in rare groove
circles.
In 1999, a cover version by Eric Benét
(with Faith Evans
on background vocals) was released as the first single from Benét's album A Day in the Life
. Their version reached number two in New Zealand
.
MC Lyte
used this song as the musical foundation of "Poor Georgie", from her 1991 album Act Like You Know.
The song was used by Devin the Dude
in his song "Georgy" from album "The Dude (Devin the Dude album)" and by Guru
in "Kissed the World" from album "Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip-Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future
" also.
In 2005, guitarist Nils offered a rendition of this song from his popular Contemporary jazz
radio Baja/TSR Records
released album, 'Pacific Coast Highway.'
Its also sampled on the remix of Joe's "All Or Nothing" single from his 1994 album of the same name called the Georgy Porgy remix.
In 2009 a rearranged instrumental rendition was also done by Japanese artist DJ Deckstream on his Music Castle album.
Georgy Porgy
For other uses, see Georgy Porgy"Georgy Porgy" is a short story by Roald Dahl first published in 1960. It is included in Dahl's short story collection Kiss Kiss.-Plot summary:...
"Georgy Porgy" is a song written by David Paich
David Paich
David Frank Paich is a session musician, keyboard player, recording producer, arranger, vocalist and main composer of the Los Angeles-based rock/pop band Toto. David is the son of the late jazz composer, musician, and arranger Marty Paich...
, released on Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
's self-titled debut album in 1978. It was released as a single and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 (#48) as well as on both the R&B (#18) and the Dance (#80) charts.
The lead vocals are performed by guitarist Steve Lukather
Steve Lukather
Steve "Luke" Lukather is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer best known for his work with the rock band Toto. Lukather has played with many artists, released several solo albums, and worked as a composer, arranger, and session guitarist on more than 1,500 albums...
. Cheryl Lynn
Cheryl Lynn
Lynda Cheryl Smith , known better by her professional name Cheryl Lynn, is a female African-American disco, R&B and soul singer known best for her 1978 disco song, "Got to Be Real".-Early career:...
provided the female backing vocal.
The song is still performed on tour. It is adapted with improvisational solos on guitar and keyboards.
In an 1988 interview with Modern Drummer
Modern Drummer
Modern Drummer is a monthly publication targeting the interests of on drummers and percussionists. The magazine features interviews, equipment reviews, and columns offering advice on technique, as well as information for the general public...
, Jeff Porcaro
Jeff Porcaro
Jeffrey Thomas "Jeff" Porcaro was an American session drummer and a founding member of the Grammy Award winning band Toto. Porcaro was one of the most recorded drummers in history, working on hundreds of albums and thousands of sessions...
discussed developing the groove for "Georgy Porgy":
"...it's imitating Paul Humphrey heavily; it's imitating Earl Palmer very heavily. When it comes to that groove, my biggest influences were Paul Humphrey, Ed Greene, Earl Palmer, and the godfather of that 16th-note groove, James Gadson. That "Georgie Porgie" groove I owe to them."
Cover versions
In 1980 a band by the name Side EffectSide Effect
Side Effect were an American disco band, that recorded between 1972 and 1982. The group was formed by founder and leader Augie Johnson in Los Angeles, California in 1972.-Career:...
released a version in 1980. It was on their "After The Rain" album. It made it to 77 in the US R&B charts.
A version by US soul band Charme
Charmé
Charmé is a commune in the Charente department in southwestern France.-Population:-References:*...
was released in 1982 featuring an uncredited vocal by Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross
Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
. The single was re-released a few years later after the vocalist's rise in popularity and he was then credited as the featured artist. It remains a popular version in rare groove
Rare groove
Rare groove is defined as very hard to source or relatively obscure soul or jazz music. Rare groove is primarily associated with funk, jazz and pop, but is also connected to sub-genres including jazz fusion, Latin jazz, soul, R&B, northern soul, and disco. Vinyl records that fall into this...
circles.
In 1999, a cover version by Eric Benét
Eric Benét
Eric Benét, is an American singer. His duet with Tamia, "Spend My Life With You" was a number one song for three weeks on the US Billboard R&B chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000....
(with Faith Evans
Faith Evans
Faith Renée Evans is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, record producer, actress and author. Born in Florida and raised in New Jersey, Evans relocated to Los Angeles during 1993 for a career with the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B...
on background vocals) was released as the first single from Benét's album A Day in the Life
A Day in the Life (Eric Benét album)
A Day in the Life is the Platinum-selling second studio album by R&B singer Eric Benét, originally released on April 27, 1999 on Warner Bros. Records. as the second album, A Day in the Life, Eric Benet's follow-up to his debut album, True to Myself...
. Their version reached number two in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
MC Lyte
MC Lyte
MC Lyte is an American rapper who first gained fame in the late-1980s becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock.-Early life:...
used this song as the musical foundation of "Poor Georgie", from her 1991 album Act Like You Know.
The song was used by Devin the Dude
Devin the Dude
Devin Copeland , better known by his stage name, Devin the Dude, is a Houston hip hop artist, and rapper. He is best known for his unique rapping style, his long career signed to Rap-A-Lot Records, and his 2002 song, "Lacville '79"....
in his song "Georgy" from album "The Dude (Devin the Dude album)" and by Guru
Guru (rapper)
Keith Edward Elam , better known by his stage name Guru, was an American emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts...
in "Kissed the World" from album "Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip-Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future
Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip-Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future
Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger: Back To The Future is the fourth entry in the Jazzmatazz series from Guru of Gang Starr. There's an official video of the song "State Of Clarity" which features clips from the movie Fritz The Cat....
" also.
In 2005, guitarist Nils offered a rendition of this song from his popular Contemporary jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
radio Baja/TSR Records
TSR Records
TSR Records is an independent record label based in Tarzana, California, that produced many hit songs in the 1980s, especially dance music. Founded by Tom Hayden and his wife Suzanne...
released album, 'Pacific Coast Highway.'
Its also sampled on the remix of Joe's "All Or Nothing" single from his 1994 album of the same name called the Georgy Porgy remix.
In 2009 a rearranged instrumental rendition was also done by Japanese artist DJ Deckstream on his Music Castle album.