Honky Tonk (instrumental) – Wikipedia

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1956 single by Bill Doggett

“Honky Tonk” is an instrumental written by Billy Butler, Bill Doggett, Clifford Scott, and Shep Shepherd. Doggett recorded it as a two-part single in 1956.[2] It became Doggett’s signature piece and a standard recorded by many other performers.[3]

The instrumental peaked at number two for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100,[4] and was the biggest R&B hit of the year, spending thirteen non-consecutive weeks at the top of the charts.[5] It was included in Robert Christgau’s “Basic Record Library” of 1950s and 1960s recordings, published in Christgau’s Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981).[6]

James Brown version[edit]

In 1972, James Brown recorded “Honky Tonk” with his band The J.B.’s, who were credited as “The James Brown Soul Train”. The song was released as a two-part single which reached number seven on the R&B chart and number 44 on the pop chart.[7][8]

References[edit]

  1. ^

    Harris, Craig. “Bill Doggett Biography”. AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-08-17.

  2. ^ All Music Guide to the Blues. Backbeat Books. 2003. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-87930-736-3. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
  3. ^ Unterberger, Richie. “Bill Doggett: ‘Honky Tonk’ – Review”. AllMusic. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 166.
  5. ^ “Hot R&B singles of 1956”. Billboard.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  6. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). “A Basic Record Library: The Fifties and Sixties”. Christgau’s Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 0899190251. Retrieved March 16, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  7. ^ White, Cliff (1991). “Discography”. In Star Time (pp. 54–59) [CD booklet]. New York: PolyGram Records.
  8. ^ Leeds, Alan (1995). Discography. In Funky Good Time: The Anthology [CD booklet]. New York: PolyGram Records.


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