Bob & Earl - Harlem Shuffle

Something a bit different that I'm throwing into the mix.
"Harlem Shuffle" is an R&B song originally written and recorded by the duo Bob & Earl (Bobby Relf and Earl Nelson) in 1963 and it retains a cult following to this day.
The duo recorded several singles for different labels, before recording this. The song was written by Relf and Nelson, arranged by Barry White, and produced by Fred Smith. It was based on a number called "Slauson Shuffletime" by another Los Angeles singer, Round Robin. When released on the Marc label, "Harlem Shuffle" became a modest hit on the R&B chart. Its vocal interplay directly influenced later duos such as Sam and Dave. However, its main success came as late as 1969, when it was re-released in the UK and became a Top Ten hit there. Reportedly, George Harrison (The Beatles) called it his favourite record of all time, high praise indeed!
Recognise the intro? ---House of Pain later sampled the song's opening horn line in their breakthrough single "Jump Around".
Also, in 2003, the Bob & Earl original version of the song was ranked #23 by the music critics of The Daily Telegraph on their list of the "50 Best Duets Ever".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• bob
• and
• earl
• harlem
• shuffle
• house
• of
• pain
• jump
• around
• 1963
• r&b

[1plaistow]

Forget the Stones, the original is the best!!

[123blue93]

JUMP AROUND!

[bobfairmead]

I danced to this in church halls in northern England when it was first released. That intro sent shivers, and sex became meaningless - until it ended.

[tookurjaerbs]

Jesse Hughes sent me here.

[KurtRileyOfficial]

@fumetti The last time was in 1989, with "Mixed Emotions".

[skinduppy]

Big up "The 60's mix 2" for slamming this one down in 1988 or I would have never have even known of this gem! I had never heard the intro before unless you count House Of pain with Jump Around so nice to hear the whole piece as intended

[k3nnytm]

los pericos did the best version of this song, everybody should hear their version

[lornacd]

Was this a flip side of another record? I remember playing this as a kid.

[foncleaa]

I also like the version of "vigon"

[Jan9902]

@mybosco30 wow. I am in England and this song was very rarely played on the radio /here. Yes the Stones covered it a few years later. Bless them (bob and earl) it was one of those songs .

[Jan9902]

@utveg522 absolutely not. They just copied.

[pwwatson8888]

I listened to this under the covers on an AM radio way on back in Chicago - it was and remains excellent.