Bob & Earl - Harlem Shuffle (Original)

Earl Nelson had earlier teamed with Bobby Day as the first "Bob & Earl", but when that coupling didn't prove successful, Earl found another Bob to sing with in Bobby Relf. Together they co-wrote "Harlem Shuffle" and in 1963 with a production assist from Barry White, the song was recorded but failed to make the pop Top 40. However, the recording easily caught the ears of those who shag, and "Harlem Shuffle" has remained a classic ever since.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bob & Earl
• Harlem Shuffle
• Barry White
• Carolina Beach Music
• Shag

[BeachMusicLvr]

Great history, Lanny! I heard once that The Shag is a cross between the Lindy and Jitterbug blanded with the Harlem Shuffle- what'da think?

[Nocaro]

@BeachMusicLvr I don't know how far back the "Harlem Shuffle" goes, but certainly the Lindy and the Jitterbug were influences. However, the shag doesn't involve herky-jerky motions like you see in the Lindy and Jitterbug so some kind of "shuffle" is involved.

[BeachMusicLvr]

@Nocaro Definitely agree with the lack of herky-jerky & shuffle, but I wonder where the 'smooth' came from- probably just 'cause the Carolinas are soooo cool!

[Nocaro]

@BeachMusicLvr The guy that taught me how to shag back in high school did so by making me dance with a doorknob...no kidding. That guy is still around too, and we nicknamed him "Johnny Dollar" after the Garnet Mimms song. Everywhere you went with this guy, he wore Bass Weejuns (with no sox, of course), khaki pants, and white Gant shirt with so much starch that he could take the damn thing off and stand it in a corner...Lanny

[donthompson10166]

bet the 3 who disliked this are either deaf or have no speakers

[damrightigottheblues]

I REMEMBER HEARING AND DANCING TO THIS IN LA DISCOTHEQUE WARDOUR SREET 1965 , UP ALL NIGHT ON PURPLE HEARTS , ALL THE BIRDS LOOKED GREAT , COLA , RATS , TO ALL THE GUYS A GIRLS OF THIS ERA WE PLAYED OUR PART IN MODERN MUSIC AND HISTORY .

[ShineOnLove100]

COOL*********************

[bmjism]

yeah this is the one....................

[jipebizz]

the best version by VIGON  " in vigon le retour"

[mrt57rn]

In Pgh, PA we usually strolled with this great dance tune.

[gstock427wagon]

im 48 years old and i have never heard this version (as far as i can remember!!)

and i love old motown and r&b thanks for uploading this

alan

[botaduck]

great song.. all this time i thought the stones wrote it

so it's safe to assume "bob and earl" were a bit queer?

all makes sense now..

still a great song

[iuhxsevb]

@fumetti oh yeah that version boy did it suck!

[PIANOPHUNGUY]

I remember this song from when I was a kid. I really like r&b from the early 60's.