Logging in from Wellington, New Zealand. This made #1 on the US R& B Charts and #5 on Billboard in 1964. It was a fairly big chart topper in New Zealand as well and went to #5 in March 1964.
This is the most "real sounding" 45 recording that ive heard so far, and I should know, Ive got over 1200 albums and 200 45s ( which aint sayin much )
What a GREAT song, by Major Lance and Curtis Mayfield! And some GREAT ad executive, saw fit to use it for their commercial! ABSOLUTELY fantastic!
I am a retired Radio Personality, that had forgotten about this song, until I heard it on a National commercial! THEN I had to figure out, the name of the song! That took some time! LOL Much love to you, GREAT Ad Exect! Barry Pope, (former Radio Nationwide Personality)! Google my name, Barry Pope!
I owed the 45 RPM of this song in 1964. Major Lance was one of my favorites at that time and certainly without the song writing skills of Curtis Mayfield the Major would not been so successful. This was a terrific song to dance to and my senior year at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe Springs, California was made all the better because the musical talents of these men. Thank you Major Lance & Curtis Mayfield. A great time to be young & alive!
It's the overall vibe of a song that hooks you in. Not so much the lyrics, just the feel. This has it. It's a bit mysterious but very real. This is soul, not blues or rhythm and blues. I can't explain, just know it when I hear it. Like coming home.
I have been trying to remember who sang and find this song since hearing it recently on a "kraft shredded cheese with a touch of philly" commercial. Every search came up with some "crash test dummies" band stupid crap (the band's name saids it all). Anyway, thanks for adding this, it bring brought back long ago, very young childhood memories, when music was fun and not as X-rated...
You are 100% right. Curtis Mayfield also had a unique voice. He did not have a voice that one had to guess who he was. It was known. I have a lot of his music. The songs on his "Curtis" album from 1972, the album that had "If There's a Hell Below ..." on it was a hot album. We were living in northern California then. That was a great year for music.
@blkshepherd oh you're definitely right he was AMAZING, but i haven't been listening to him for very long and i just heard this song on a commercial and i wasn't familiar enough with Sam's voice to know it was not him lol
@blkshepherd thats a great compliment to Major Lance though.. everytime I hear this song it reminds me of the first lyrics..." walking through the park, it wasent quite dark, " LOL when i was a child in the 60s I spent many a day..walking through the park...and it wasent dark.. lol..back in nyc. in the 60s.you didnt want to be walking through Any park! and NOT today either..when I lived in NC for 23yrs..they called this type of Music..Beach Music..never a beach addict but love the concept.
If I had never heard this song in that commercial, I would think that the talking about this song was kidding. But, here it is in all it's awesomeness! Can't help but love this:)
Thank you bankman58. We had these we I was a child back in the 60's 71st Cottage Grove across from Oakwook Cemetary. I did not know it was a cemetary. i asked my mom why we did not go into the park. she explained it to me.
@bluekrypton1 I do not what town you lived in. But I like your intelligent, wise inquisitiveness . Your question is a question a child would ask his mother. I was about 7 years old living in Hampton, Va. My father was stationed at Langley A.F.B. I liked this song then and now. But of course now I understand the meaning of this great song. Curtis Mayfield was a great song writer. I have always liked Major Lance's voice. He has a great unique standout voice. Bronx, N.Y.C.
Ah the good times, when talent actually existed in singers (Don't get me wrong though, there might be some talent in singers now a days. Elton John's still around). Boo, auto tune!
This being the first major lance single i ever bought,following on from being a massive fan of the impressions,way back in the 60s when i had hair and i could still see my feet.from that single which i loved i went on to buy everything the major ever recorded,saw him in london when he was on with gladys knight,such a huge shame like so many other great great artists of that time died so young..missed but not forgotton
@kathydaly1 I was about 7 or 8 years old when I last heard this song.I am now 54.This song is a truly classic.Wished the songs made today was this great.
can some one upload Steve Marriott's version of this song, PLEASE!!! It by far blows the original away. What a soulful voice he has, just works with this song and sounds like the song was his from the beginning. RIP Steve you aere still the best!!!
@BadboybillyC HAVE YOU HEARD STEVE'S VERSION? IT IS BETTER WITHOUT CHANGING THE MUSIC OR LYRICS. HIS VOICE LENDS TO THE CREDIBILITY OF THE LYRICS ALMOST AS IF HE HAS LIVED THEM. CHECK IT OUT IT'S OFF OF HIS ALBUM 30 SECONDS TO MIDNIGHT BY STEVE MARRIOTT, YOU CAN LISTEN TO A SAMPLE ON AMAZON.COM. CRANK IT UP!!
First heard this song at a Huey Lewis concert 2 years ago & when looked it up online, saw this original version. No offense to Huey but Major Lance's version is way better. It doesn't seem like it would be hard to write a song like this but the music nowadays just doesn't get it. Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um is such genius in its simplicity. Another great oldies song that is shunned by the Philadelphia/Allentown Oldies stations. I'd like if I could at least hear it at the supermarket sometime.
So unbelievably catchy sound and lyrics from the great Curtis Mayfield and great voice delivery by Major. Both had so many songs and sure most people don't know a lot of them and that they are some kind of wonderful.
this is 1964 at its finest. kinda makes you think of swap meets and summer nights. and the good ole days. the cars and the lights and all of it/ if we could bring back any year i truly think it would be 1964 right about when this fine beautiful soul song came out/
I was 17 when I was summoned to go back to meet the Major and I was scared to death! I was there to see the show but had not imagined that he wanted to meet me. He asked me what I was doing after the show? I said going home! I would have never imagined the technology we have now. I thought I was busted for being 17 at the time. I even asked him what his name was and I was watching the show! How naive we are at 17! Thank you for posting this!
I saw a video recently with comments from Johnny Pate who arranged many of the early 60's Impressions and Major Lance hits. Curtis basically wrote out the lyrics and notes, while the heavy brass and unique sounds of this, the Monkey, and Hey little girl are coming from Pate who had a jazz music background. What a combination!
even better than monkey time.........you have to get up and dance.....i think the name "major lance" hampered him. made him seem like he was not to be taken seriously.........but this is one great.great song.........
REAL music, Um, Um ,Um, Um, Um, Um good as hell. Listen to the RHYTHM and the fabulous intrumentation, especially the muted trumpet! It don't get no better!
I first heard this recording in 1964 and after all these years it still remains one of my all-time favorites. I'll bet I've danced to this at least a million-billion times in my life, it was indeed a happy song and they were indeed sweet times.
Huh?
FlipnoteAquaEevee 2 days ago
Curtis Mayfield was a genious. Lyrics make little sense, but it doesn't matter, vibe takes you away.
someofem 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos 2
Logging in from Wellington, New Zealand. This made #1 on the US R& B Charts and #5 on Billboard in 1964. It was a fairly big chart topper in New Zealand as well and went to #5 in March 1964.
rorigiles 1 month ago
Comment removed
xmasterfunk 1 month ago
swayin to the music...johnny rivers, i assume this is where the song originally came from
jojodot 1 month ago in playlist mixed 60's
@jojodot Actually 'Swayin' to the music' was written by Jack Tempchin I worked for Johnny in '77 He did this song also
drno2150 2 weeks ago
Comment removed
Ladybug51844 2 months ago
I played this over and over when I was a teen in the 60's, to me, it still contains so much feeling and heavenly harmonies as to inspire me still.
shahruba 2 months ago
Me gusta el gogo, me encantaaaaa
matrimoniofeliz7 3 months ago
This is the most "real sounding" 45 recording that ive heard so far, and I should know, Ive got over 1200 albums and 200 45s ( which aint sayin much )
strugglebuggietv 3 months ago
Awesome Major Lance tune ...
buffdude127 4 months ago
I just randomely typed um and found this but wow this is actually really good.
Pacmak11 5 months ago 8
@Pacmak11 randomly
Pacmak11 5 months ago
This song is being used on TV commercials. Hope Major or Curtis' family is being compensated.
CyndiBlue1 5 months ago
@CyndiBlue1 You can rest assured that they are getting well paid thru ASCAP or BMI !
rdx506 2 months ago
One of the best dance songs ever!
sunflower4413 6 months ago
What a GREAT song, by Major Lance and Curtis Mayfield! And some GREAT ad executive, saw fit to use it for their commercial! ABSOLUTELY fantastic!
I am a retired Radio Personality, that had forgotten about this song, until I heard it on a National commercial! THEN I had to figure out, the name of the song! That took some time! LOL Much love to you, GREAT Ad Exect! Barry Pope, (former Radio Nationwide Personality)! Google my name, Barry Pope!
barrylpope 7 months ago
I owed the 45 RPM of this song in 1964. Major Lance was one of my favorites at that time and certainly without the song writing skills of Curtis Mayfield the Major would not been so successful. This was a terrific song to dance to and my senior year at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe Springs, California was made all the better because the musical talents of these men. Thank you Major Lance & Curtis Mayfield. A great time to be young & alive!
MrRonnieG 7 months ago
David Lee Roth of Van Halen credits this song for starting his love of music.
Jgeneraledger23 8 months ago 2
It's the overall vibe of a song that hooks you in. Not so much the lyrics, just the feel. This has it. It's a bit mysterious but very real. This is soul, not blues or rhythm and blues. I can't explain, just know it when I hear it. Like coming home.
someofem 8 months ago
what a great tune
julyarchives 8 months ago
far better than mindbenders
john111257 8 months ago
what a voice!!!
maria
Maria1953able 9 months ago
what a voice!!!
Maria1953able 9 months ago
Here i go again pointing out a food commercial jingle for my granson. This is what is played for the kraft macaroni commercial.
tonkinshipwreck69 9 months ago
Thank you Kraft with Philly cream cheese for turning me on to this song.
choirfreak26 10 months ago
@choirfreak26 I notice this is in a Kraft commercial recently?
heine71 9 months ago
@heine71 Yes, it's on the new commercial for Kraft shredded cheese with Philly cream cheese.
choirfreak26 9 months ago
REAL MUSIC YALL! That's really sad I'm only 25 saying that, and this song is way before my time. Sad! :(
NNMC04 10 months ago
I love to hear those guitar riffs ....so cool
ftjax 10 months ago
I have been trying to remember who sang and find this song since hearing it recently on a "kraft shredded cheese with a touch of philly" commercial. Every search came up with some "crash test dummies" band stupid crap (the band's name saids it all). Anyway, thanks for adding this, it bring brought back long ago, very young childhood memories, when music was fun and not as X-rated...
mister1763 10 months ago
WOW!! You really know mky favorite songs!!!
Taharah007 10 months ago
You are 100% right. Curtis Mayfield also had a unique voice. He did not have a voice that one had to guess who he was. It was known. I have a lot of his music. The songs on his "Curtis" album from 1972, the album that had "If There's a Hell Below ..." on it was a hot album. We were living in northern California then. That was a great year for music.
Take care of yourself.
FPJYT 10 months ago
this is big in the uk on the northern soul scene
DSilius 11 months ago
Yep, it makes no sense at all, yet it is absolutely beautiful. It's magic, comes from the heart, and that's all that can be said.
someofem 11 months ago
when i heard this on the commercial i thought it was Sam Cooke
smashinatesweetinate 11 months ago
@smashinatesweetinate your kidding right? Sam Cooke would blow this dude out of the water. NO one sounds like Sam. not then. not today
blkshepherd 10 months ago
@blkshepherd oh you're definitely right he was AMAZING, but i haven't been listening to him for very long and i just heard this song on a commercial and i wasn't familiar enough with Sam's voice to know it was not him lol
smashinatesweetinate 10 months ago
@blkshepherd thats a great compliment to Major Lance though.. everytime I hear this song it reminds me of the first lyrics..." walking through the park, it wasent quite dark, " LOL when i was a child in the 60s I spent many a day..walking through the park...and it wasent dark.. lol..back in nyc. in the 60s.you didnt want to be walking through Any park! and NOT today either..when I lived in NC for 23yrs..they called this type of Music..Beach Music..never a beach addict but love the concept.
blkshepherd 10 months ago
If I had never heard this song in that commercial, I would think that the talking about this song was kidding. But, here it is in all it's awesomeness! Can't help but love this:)
jarbon5 11 months ago
I have been looking for this FOREVER!!! My sister just told me how to spell it.I have always loved it.Thank you.
serpentinecreature 11 months ago
WOW to the 6th power!!!! How bout that.
my60smusic 11 months ago
WOW to the 6th power!!!!
my60smusic 11 months ago
This one was used in a Kraft commercial around Super Bowl time....
nighttrane1 11 months ago
Thank you bankman58. We had these we I was a child back in the 60's 71st Cottage Grove across from Oakwook Cemetary. I did not know it was a cemetary. i asked my mom why we did not go into the park. she explained it to me.
bluekrypton1 1 year ago
@bluekrypton1 I do not what town you lived in. But I like your intelligent, wise inquisitiveness . Your question is a question a child would ask his mother. I was about 7 years old living in Hampton, Va. My father was stationed at Langley A.F.B. I liked this song then and now. But of course now I understand the meaning of this great song. Curtis Mayfield was a great song writer. I have always liked Major Lance's voice. He has a great unique standout voice. Bronx, N.Y.C.
FPJYT 11 months ago
@FPJYT I saw your response. I live in Norfolk, Va. Curtis Mayfield also had a wonderful voice as well as being a great song writer
catdude57 10 months ago
MAJOR LANCE DIED IN 1994 R.I.P.
OldGoldSoul 1 year ago
Ah the good times, when talent actually existed in singers (Don't get me wrong though, there might be some talent in singers now a days. Elton John's still around). Boo, auto tune!
MrPedoBare 1 year ago
Was 14 in Washington DC at the time and hand-dancing to this song. Luv it. That was music then..
my60smusic 1 year ago
SCENE !!!!!!!
prig69 1 year ago
My Dad always said what goes around comes around. They're using this song on a commercial.
NiceladyAmerica 1 year ago
Phew! At last. Knew I'd find it here. Love, love, love this version:-)
ChristLikeness100 1 year ago
Summer 63 San Francisco vacation....miss all of ya
fernandezvalerie2001 1 year ago
Major Lance was the real goods. And those horns....you gotta love it! Man I miss the 60's.
kingpleasure 1 year ago
I prefer the band Lamb of God to this, but it's pretty neat!
Unrated48 1 year ago
such a great great song written by the greatest song writer ever sung by the man with the sweetest voice crying shame niether are no longer with us
MrBrydive 1 year ago
This being the first major lance single i ever bought,following on from being a massive fan of the impressions,way back in the 60s when i had hair and i could still see my feet.from that single which i loved i went on to buy everything the major ever recorded,saw him in london when he was on with gladys knight,such a huge shame like so many other great great artists of that time died so young..missed but not forgotton
MrBrydive 1 year ago
Had no idea that Curtis penned this tune, man was he great!
parogee 1 year ago
l was young when this came out ,just indulge me !
kathydaly1 1 year ago
@kathydaly1 I was about 7 or 8 years old when I last heard this song.I am now 54.This song is a truly classic.Wished the songs made today was this great.
quarqill 1 year ago 4
@quarqill im 54 , i love it , imissed most of the northern scene, goin to away matches with mufc, and i was abt 2 years too young !
jaybeefrommanchester 2 months ago in playlist YouTube Mix for Major Lance
can some one upload Steve Marriott's version of this song, PLEASE!!! It by far blows the original away. What a soulful voice he has, just works with this song and sounds like the song was his from the beginning. RIP Steve you aere still the best!!!
HUMBLPI3 1 year ago
@HUMBLPI3 Im sorry bro but you cant blow away this no way. This is the jam.
BadboybillyC 1 year ago
@BadboybillyC HAVE YOU HEARD STEVE'S VERSION? IT IS BETTER WITHOUT CHANGING THE MUSIC OR LYRICS. HIS VOICE LENDS TO THE CREDIBILITY OF THE LYRICS ALMOST AS IF HE HAS LIVED THEM. CHECK IT OUT IT'S OFF OF HIS ALBUM 30 SECONDS TO MIDNIGHT BY STEVE MARRIOTT, YOU CAN LISTEN TO A SAMPLE ON AMAZON.COM. CRANK IT UP!!
HUMBLPI3 1 year ago
"With music this good he shoulda been a General."
Skin,
Cal City, IL -1963
BPJT666 1 year ago
First heard this song at a Huey Lewis concert 2 years ago & when looked it up online, saw this original version. No offense to Huey but Major Lance's version is way better. It doesn't seem like it would be hard to write a song like this but the music nowadays just doesn't get it. Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um is such genius in its simplicity. Another great oldies song that is shunned by the Philadelphia/Allentown Oldies stations. I'd like if I could at least hear it at the supermarket sometime.
jake83777 1 year ago
Remembering listening to this tune on my Mom's record player. Another song by the late great Curtis Mayfield.
amross16 1 year ago
Dance music and music that stayed with you ... doesn't ever lose it's appeal!!
blackprix 1 year ago
It doesn't get any better than this type of music. Always did like his 1964 recording of THE MATADOR.
Larry N. Boyington, aka Larry Neal, former curator of the Wax Museum on the big 1520 KOMA
larrynealwaxmuseum 1 year ago
When it came to music, Curtis Mayfield could walk on water!
lch1129 1 year ago
Bombastic
AnotherUrbanGuy 1 year ago
This song came out during my senior year of high school. Boy, do I miss those days. Prior to Vietnam and pain that era caused
ac7kjiii 1 year ago
What Rhythm man! Genius!
Rishi15 1 year ago
So unbelievably catchy sound and lyrics from the great Curtis Mayfield and great voice delivery by Major. Both had so many songs and sure most people don't know a lot of them and that they are some kind of wonderful.
11xzxzxz 1 year ago
did the same bass player do this song
that did Impressions and others?
oldermusiclover 1 year ago
this is 1964 at its finest. kinda makes you think of swap meets and summer nights. and the good ole days. the cars and the lights and all of it/ if we could bring back any year i truly think it would be 1964 right about when this fine beautiful soul song came out/
gerbilgulper 2 years ago
this guy was very underrated. major was a bad mother. i think that mayfield has written for everyone.
alexalot23 2 years ago
ehm ehm ah ehm hu
jimmatera 2 years ago
I was 17 when I was summoned to go back to meet the Major and I was scared to death! I was there to see the show but had not imagined that he wanted to meet me. He asked me what I was doing after the show? I said going home! I would have never imagined the technology we have now. I thought I was busted for being 17 at the time. I even asked him what his name was and I was watching the show! How naive we are at 17! Thank you for posting this!
ThePlanner10 2 years ago
Curtis + Impressions-on background.
doctordoowop 2 years ago
very catchy and has the voice as well great song
shaka1521 2 years ago
I love this.......
ioxxd90 2 years ago 5
What was great about Curtis Mayfield was that he could take a nonsensical title like this...and make it work!
bankman58 2 years ago 8
I saw a video recently with comments from Johnny Pate who arranged many of the early 60's Impressions and Major Lance hits. Curtis basically wrote out the lyrics and notes, while the heavy brass and unique sounds of this, the Monkey, and Hey little girl are coming from Pate who had a jazz music background. What a combination!
gfhandel 2 years ago
Great !!classic....Thank you
RamonaFromPomona 2 years ago
monster records i like very much are in my collection
ragouzi2007 2 years ago
even better than monkey time.........you have to get up and dance.....i think the name "major lance" hampered him. made him seem like he was not to be taken seriously.........but this is one great.great song.........
babyboi96761 2 years ago
you might like Johnny Rivers version
of this too
oldermusiclover 1 year ago
You can hear Curtis, all over this. STYLE. Not to take anything away from Major Lance...
kingofdaundaworld 2 years ago
One of the greatest oldies ever, writin by Curtis Mayfield, nuff said
Rampage434 2 years ago 5
Thanks!!...happy memories and smiles :-)
cgwolf1 2 years ago
great Shag song, we love this kind down here in North Carolina, beach style.
buddyeagle 2 years ago
REAL music, Um, Um ,Um, Um, Um, Um good as hell. Listen to the RHYTHM and the fabulous intrumentation, especially the muted trumpet! It don't get no better!
LyricLove101
LyricLove101 2 years ago 18
one of my all time fav 60's songs. i love
the musicians on it. You would like the
Johnny Rivers version too. to bad Major's
live ended the way it did.
oldermusiclover 2 years ago
um um um um um--thas good
jimmatera 2 years ago 2
this reminds me of the rockacha club in barnet in 64/65
janicestockdaleuk 2 years ago
they used to play this one at the beach in the 1960's.
ftjax 2 years ago
Oh yes. I live in North Carolina and we use to dance to this at the beach clubs! Great memories!
60scat 2 years ago
great tune I was only 10 years old and I loved it
such a happy song...
hudent 2 years ago
I first heard this recording in 1964 and after all these years it still remains one of my all-time favorites. I'll bet I've danced to this at least a million-billion times in my life, it was indeed a happy song and they were indeed sweet times.
MrRonnieG 2 years ago 2
Happy song...sweet times.....thank you!
tropicalpancake56 2 years ago 2
I have spanish and italian covers of this
song. Simply Awesome! Thanks.
waaziz2004 3 years ago
Another great follow-up. Thanks a lot!
BrooklynMouse2 3 years ago