SONG: Harlem Shuffle
ARTIST: Bob & Earl
YEAR: 1963
Listen to it here:
THE SONG:
The Harlem Shuffle was written and originally recorded by the duo Bob & Earl in 1963. The single, arranged by Gene Page, peaked at no. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The record was a commercial failure when it was first released in the UK in 1963, but it peaked at number 7 when it was re-released in 1969. There are claims that Barry White has some involvement in this song, which he has denied, though Gene Page, the song’s arranger worked a lot with White later on in his career.
The Harlem Shuffle was covered by the Rolling Stones on their album Dirty Work in 1986, and this song is probably most well known for the opening horns lick – later used by House of Pain.
THE ARTIST:
The original Bob & Earl duo were Bobby Byrd and Earl Nelson. They had both been members of a prolific LA doo-wop group call the Hollywood Flames. In 1957, Bobby Byrd also had a parallel solo career, under the name Bobby Day (of Rockin’ Robin fame). That same year Byrd/Day and Nelson started to record together as Bob & Earl. These early records had little success, and they both went back to their own corners for a while.
In 1962, Nelson recruited another Bobby – Bobby Relf, who had a number of stage names including Bobby Valentino. As Valentino he sang with Valentino and the Lovers, which also featured Barry White.
This duo recorded several singles for different labels, before producing a hit with Harlem Shuffle in 1963. When it was first released it was a moderate hit, but charted again even higher in 1969. The duo recorded several other albums, but no singles were released. They split up for the last time in 1970.
FACTOID CORNER:
The song’s opening horn section was sampled by the hip-hop group House of Pain for their breakthrough hit single, Jump Around in 1992.
Reportedly, George Harrison called it his favourite record of all time.
KELLY’S REVIEW:
Well, now we all know where the intro of Jump Around by House of Pain came from! I didn’t know (obviously it had to come from somewhere, just didn’t know it was this!). When I saw the title Harlem Shuffle I thought it may be somehow related to that stupid viral dance craze from about 10 years ago, but that was the Harlem Shake. Instead what we have is an early soul, almost proto-Sam & Dave sounding duo! This sounds like an early Miracles or Temptations song, but with a punchier horn section. I think the horns are the best part of this song! They have cool lines, they sound good and slightly grimy without getting too schlocky or abrasive. Sam and Da – I mean, Bob and Earl sound pretty good together, nice vocal tone, the kind I come to like and expect from an early 60s soul joint. The harmonies are good too, not too much dubious tuning between the two. I don’t normally like a boomier-sounding bass drum, but I like it here! The guitar sounds good, I can’t really detect any bass. Content-wise, it’s just kind of another instructional dance song, not unlike the Twist, but a little more soulful. And there’s a keychange, and we all know I love a good keychange. It’s good, but not something I NEED in my collection.
HOLLY’S REVIEW:
So, as someone born in the 1980s, it’s damn near impossible to separate that horn section sample from House of Pain and the direction the song goes in afterwards was unexpected even after several re-listens. However, no wonder this sample was used so often. This horn section is SO FUN to listen to. The licks sound great, they’re tight, tonally they work well together and the balance is impeccable. I love how dirty that bari sax sounds! In contrast, I think the drums kind of sound like crap, especially the bass drum which sounds so hollow and fluffy. Bob and Earl sound pretty good together, and I like their voices fine. The melody is pretty repetitive and not super inspiring, but when the one singer starts belting a bit, he really sells it for me. I don’t love the sound of the women singing background, and I think they take away from the tightness between Bob & Earl’s harmonies as well as the horn section. I like a lot of things about this song, but the melody for me is just not that memorable. The horns really do save the day.
Average mark out of 10:
Holly: 7.5/10
Kelly: 7.5/10
Other notable versions of this song:
The Rolling Stones make it more rock and blues, but not better:
Wayne Cochran and his dance moves:
And of course, here’s House of Pain:
Listen with us!
Link to 1,001 Songs to Hear Before You Die spotify playlist:
Holly & Kelly Music Review 