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Benny Goodman — Sing, Sing, Sing
Album: Ken Burns Jazz
Avg rating:
8.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 675









Released: 1935
Length: 8:40
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(instrumental)
Comments (100)add comment
I just LOVE floor toms! My favorite drum!  Thanx RP!  
This was composed by Louis Prima with lyrics. Benny Goodman made it famous. It was in the fight/ dance scene in the movie 1941 w/ John Belushi. It was also in the movie Swing Kids. There are great versions of both Prima & Goodman with their big bands on You Tube.  ...Worth checking out!!  PS: Los Straitjackets also has a great version!
 mikeyancey wrote:

The 1938 Carnegie Hall version is about 12 minutes. 
Very nice.

 
Worth every second of that 12 minutes. Gairowntee.
 kcar wrote:

Ansugon is right: The 1938 Carnegie Hall version has a livelier, less muffled sound and more powerful performances. Krupa especially Gets Down. 

This link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUbgwADLFPM 

has the performance (I'm guessing from an LP) and video clips of New York city from the era.  
 
The 1938 Carnegie Hall version is about 12 minutes. 
Very nice.

LOVE this!
If your parents could swing to this, you have A1 boss parents.  Listen to how hard that beat is to keep up for .. more than 20 secs.
Jonny Quest theme!
 keller1 wrote:


Almost any version of this tune is good and this one of course features Gene Krupa.  That said, this one starts to drag at around five minutes.  The Los Straitjackets version is shorter and has more dynamics.

   

ansugon wrote:

You should try the live version from 1938.  Probably one of the greatest concerts ever of any genre.

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Benny-Goodman-Carnegie-Concert/dp/B000HWXGDO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260283713&sr=1-4
 
Ansugon is right: The 1938 Carnegie Hall version has a livelier, less muffled sound and more powerful performances. Krupa especially Gets Down. 

This link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUbgwADLFPM 

has the performance (I'm guessing from an LP) and video clips of New York city from the era.  
Back when everyone in the band got a chance to show his/her stuff- amazing!
It's long so everyone could do a solo.  Lot of talent here.
I discovered about a week ago that climbing hills on my bicycle is much quicker and easier if I'm listening to swing. In this case it was Benny Goodman Sing,Sing,Sing (on CBC radio 2). Hmmm, I wonder if disco would work? Never mind, I'm not willing to find out.
wow this is LONG
Yikes. Still going? Oh hell, and Elvis next.

i love the way this song reminds me of my late parents...who were of the generation that called this genre their dance music....wow.
AAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa! Scuffle, bump... SLAM!
That's the way to help me survive 2 more hours of work!

{#Dancingbanana}
 Sjaaks wrote:

The first minute is fun, the remaing day and a half annoys me.... Don't care if it's a classic, it makes me wanna hit the mute button... 2 

Just did.

The first minute is fun, the remaing day and a half annoys me.... Don't care if it's a classic, it makes me wanna hit the mute button...

2


 Moonflower31 wrote:
I can see why my dad was so wild, listening to this stuff, it's hot!!
 

I agree. I give this a 10. Brilliant ground-breaking, sexy music, and impossible not to move around to! 
Awesome tune. Very powerful.
The GRP All-Star Big Band does a KILLER cover of this tune on their Live album
Click here: GRP All-Star Big Band : Discography : The GRP All-Star Big Band Live!

If you have a killer sound system, this CD will challenge it to the max.
Lubs it!{#Bananapiano}
 leathepea wrote:
Can't get into it, boring.
 

Have you the BRAINWORMS?!!{#Eek}
That is one sexy piece of music!
 fuh2 wrote:

I see cats
 
I wish I could get my fat, lazy kitty to dance like that!  {#Lol}
I can see why my dad was so wild, listening to this stuff, it's hot!!
Fantastic!  I never tire of this composition.  Far ahead of it's time.  {#Dancingbanana}
 ansugon wrote:

You should try the live version from 1938.  Probably one of the greatest concerts ever of any genre.

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Benny-Goodman-Carnegie-Concert/dp/B000HWXGDO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260283713&sr=1-4

 

never got much into the swing big band stuff. reminds me of zoot suit stuff. no offense but boring.
{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Bananapiano} {#Bananajam}  
 keller1 wrote:


Almost any version of this tune is good and this one of course features Gene Krupa.  That said, this one starts to drag at around five minutes.  The Los Straitjackets version is shorter and has more dynamics.

 
You should try the live version from 1938.  Probably one of the greatest concerts ever of any genre.

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Benny-Goodman-Carnegie-Concert/dp/B000HWXGDO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260283713&sr=1-4

 keller1 wrote:


Almost any version of this tune is good and this one of course features Gene Krupa.  That said, this one starts to drag at around five minutes.  The Los Straitjackets version is shorter and has more dynamics.

 

ditto leathpea
 leathepea wrote:
Can't get into it, boring.
 

Almost any version of this tune is good and this one of course features Gene Krupa.  That said, this one starts to drag at around five minutes.  The Los Straitjackets version is shorter and has more dynamics.

Wait - something changed.  This is the entire piece - I'm used to hearing a shortened version - even on RP.  Did Bill change the version?
This reminds of pep band. Sitting up their in the old bleachers with the reek of popcorn and Skyler going nuts on the drums. Us Trumpets screeching. The saxes or clarinets who sat infront of us always giving us dirty looks for playing too loud.

Good times.
I am so all over this song!  I can't sit still!  My colleagues are looking at me like i'm a freak!  WHO CARES! GO BENNY GO!!!!

I see cats
 crockydile wrote:
I see cartoons. This music will always be associated with old cartoons for me.
 
me too

Johnny Quest opening from 1964....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fYTA7bxqP4

Every time I hear this and it ends, I'm am disappointed that I don't hear this incredible applause, wild cheers, laughter and whistling,
then big sighs from everyone dancing... Love it.
It's hard to improve on this! An all time classic. And fun to dance to.
{#Drummer}  Love it. Only on RP.
Thanks, I needed this.
Can't get into it, boring.
First music I remember hearing as a child....{#Bananapiano}
I could stand to hear this more.  It's fun, exciting, and work stopping.  Well deserving of the 10 rating.
That was fun!
Mute button...this is still going?
 flyboy wrote:

I asked Bill about the discrepancy between the ratings on the list and the ratings on each song's page.  He said they use two different formulas.  The formula for each song's page is simply the average rating, while the formula on the list weights the number of people who have rated the song.  This is to avoid the possibility that a new song gets played once and gets rated a 10 by one person, giving it a 10.0 average, and vaulting it to the top of the list.  It dampens the effect of the transient whim of the minority.

Sounds like a good formula for politics as well... as you should well know up there in the snow, eh? 


Wow, I'm not really that big of a jazz fan, but it's impossible to keep myself from toe-tapping during this song.  Nice!
Very talented guy, but no idea why this get top marks from so many. Does little for me

I see cartoons. This music will always be associated with old cartoons for me. Cartoons that aren't very funny and often quite racist.{#Headache}
{#Drummer}
 Otomi wrote:
Wait! Sing, Sing, Sing may be at the top of RP's top ten by listener ratings. The list on the Music/Artists page ("updated daily") has it at fourth place, but if you check the ratings on the page of each song, in every case there's a lower number, and Sing, Sing, Sing has a higher number than the other songs. Here's the list from the Music/Artists page (August 10, 2009, 5:30 pm), with the ratings from the song pages added after each song:

1. The Beatles - A Day In The Life  (9.68) - 9.3
2. Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata  (9.674) - 9.3
3. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here  (9.66) - 9.3
4. Benny Goodman - Sing, Sing, Sing  (9.644) - 9.4
5. Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower  (9.629) - 9.3
6. Mozart - Symphony No. 40 - Molto Allegro  (9.587) - 9.3
7. Beethoven - Symphony No.5 - Allegro Con Brio  (9.586) - 9.3
8. Dave Brubeck Quartet - Take Five  (9.57) - 9.2
9. Pink Floyd - Us & Them -> Eclipse  (9.566) - 9.2
10. Vivaldi - The 4 Seasons: Summer  (9.543) - 9.2

There must be a bug in the code somewhere.
 
I asked Bill about the discrepancy between the ratings on the list and the ratings on each song's page.  He said they use two different formulas.  The formula for each song's page is simply the average rating, while the formula on the list weights the number of people who have rated the song.  This is to avoid the possibility that a new song gets played once and gets rated a 10 by one person, giving it a 10.0 average, and vaulting it to the top of the list.  It dampens the effect of the transient whim of the minority.

Wait! Sing, Sing, Sing may be at the top of RP's top ten by listener ratings. The list on the Music/Artists page ("updated daily") has it at fourth place, but if you check the ratings on the page of each song, in every case there's a lower number, and Sing, Sing, Sing has a higher number than the other songs. Here's the list from the Music/Artists page (August 10, 2009, 5:30 pm), with the ratings from the song pages added after each song:

1. The Beatles - A Day In The Life  (9.68) - 9.3
2. Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata  (9.674) - 9.3
3. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here  (9.66) - 9.3
4. Benny Goodman - Sing, Sing, Sing  (9.644) - 9.4
5. Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower  (9.629) - 9.3
6. Mozart - Symphony No. 40 - Molto Allegro  (9.587) - 9.3
7. Beethoven - Symphony No.5 - Allegro Con Brio  (9.586) - 9.3
8. Dave Brubeck Quartet - Take Five  (9.57) - 9.2
9. Pink Floyd - Us & Them -> Eclipse  (9.566) - 9.2
10. Vivaldi - The 4 Seasons: Summer  (9.543) - 9.2

There must be a bug in the code somewhere.
Had a chance to see Benny in New Brunswick, NJ.  Was gonna take my mother.  He decided to cancel the show and go fishing.
 ortallcowgirl wrote:
Movies have used this piece for years, and I can never get sick of hearing it.  The beat is so catchy.
 
Didn't Bugs Bunny dance to this in one of his episodes?

I've never heard this full length version - not even on RP - this is FRIGGIN AWESOME. 
I loved hearing the "Swing Kids" rendition of this — a fabulous performance and with modern recording quality. But there's nothing like going back to the roots of the song and the original performance.

Love hearing what sounds like Benny missing a cue and starting into a clarinet solo or a different theme just as Gene Kruppa is getting cranked up on the tomtom. (Of course he can't miss a cue, he's directing the band, but something happened!)

The song really is epic in its variety and changing themes throughout, with star-quality performances from his band, playing their hearts out. I read that his band hated having to play this song every night.  :)

Mojo

 scottflory wrote:
of those top ten - is this the only one done with a live recording?
 
 

I would guess that the classical recordings were as live as this.

And listen to the quality of Goodman's playing. Nice...
Gene Freakin KruppAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
of those top ten - is this the only one done with a live recording?
 
 Otomi wrote:

Amazing. For a while this was at 9.7, briefly displacing "A Day in the Life" in RP's number one spot. It just slipped down to 9.5, to 14th place, just above Bach's "Violin Concerto No. 4." (I gave it a ten.)

 
That was when Sing, Sing, Sing had just been introduced to the playlist, on March 30, 2009, before the song accumulated enough individual ratings to stabilize its position on the chart. On August 4th at 10:42, after Sing, Sing, Sing had been rated 134 times, RP's top ten looked like this:

1. The Beatles - A Day In The Life  (9.679)
2. Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata  (9.674)
3. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here  (9.657)
4. Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower  (9.628)

5. Benny Goodman - Sing, Sing, Sing  (9.606)
6. Mozart - Symphony No. 40 - Molto Allegro  (9.587)
7. Beethoven - Symphony No.5 - Allegro Con Brio  (9.586)
8. Dave Brubeck Quartet - Take Five  (9.57)
9. Pink Floyd - Us & Them -> Eclipse  (9.566)
10. The Beatles - You Never Give Me/The End  (9.543)


Two by The Beatles; two by Beethoven; two by Pink Floyd; one by Hendrix; Benny Goodman's Sing, Sing, Sing; one by Mozart; and one by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. All within a 0.136 point margin on a scale of 1 to 10.
Wooh,yeah!  Mix it up.  Great choice!
the foot tapping is completely involuntary...
 fredriley wrote:
This is proper popular jazz, with zip, life, joie de vivre, and sheer enthusiasm. Accessible to all. In stark contrast to the exclusive sophisto-jazz so beloved of the snooty middle classes. If all jazz had this spirit I'd be a jazz fan rather than a jazzophobe. 8 from the Nottingham jury - you just can't beat the old big band sound.

 
{#High-five} 

Pure genius!  Need a higher number than 10 for this one!

This is proper popular jazz, with zip, life, joie de vivre, and sheer enthusiasm. Accessible to all. In stark contrast to the exclusive sophisto-jazz so beloved of the snooty middle classes. If all jazz had this spirit I'd be a jazz fan rather than a jazzophobe. 8 from the Nottingham jury - you just can't beat the old big band sound.

Movies have used this piece for years, and I can never get sick of hearing it.  The beat is so catchy.
{#Dancingbanana}
 Pyro wrote:
Talk about eclectic programming....

How does one view the RP (whole site) rankings of songs?  Where did you ascertain the position of the above songs?  (PM me with the info, please!)
 
Just hit the link on the Music/Artists tab at the top of just about any RP page, then scroll down.
indeed.........welcome to the "good" world, but dont tell everyone...{#Shhh}

and i agree....Bill...!!! Where do we get the listings, I found it once upon a time, but am currently sober so am lost..... ;-)

MUAHHHHHH......!!!!


Pyro wrote:

Talk about eclectic programming....

How does one view the RP (whole site) rankings of songs?  Where did you ascertain the position of the above songs?  (PM me with the info, please!)
 


Dig that caraaaazy beat, man. {#Drummer}      10

Did a big band show for a few years down in Pacific Grove. I NEVER got tired of playing this. One of the GREATEST sets of music ever recorded.
Still the swingingest of them all. Blows me away every time you guys play it.
 Otomi wrote:

Amazing. For a while this was at 9.7, briefly displacing "A Day in the Life" in RP's number one spot. It just slipped down to 9.5, to 14th place, just above Bach's "Violin Concerto No. 4." (I gave it a ten.)


 
Talk about eclectic programming....

How does one view the RP (whole site) rankings of songs?  Where did you ascertain the position of the above songs?  (PM me with the info, please!)


Talk about holding up well for 60+ years!!!  Good music never dies.
simply a "change of pace" might account for quite a bit of that. snitramc wrote:
What I find interesting is, with the exception of a few fringers, this is rated as Godlike by all listeners. I'd like to see how this compares to so much modern music we love on RP. I lurve almost everything Bill plays, but yeah, Benny is Godlike, especially on this one.
 


Good stuff! I'll turn the volume lower now and read aloud from "On The Road", if you all want to follow along. {#Cool}

What I find interesting is, with the exception of a few fringers, this is rated as Godlike by all listeners. I'd like to see how this compares to so much modern music we love on RP. I lurve almost everything Bill plays, but yeah, Benny is Godlike, especially on this one.
 aaronm wrote:
Amazing.
 
totally. 10.

Amazing.
Ooooh, Baby!  My rock/jazz drummer brother-in-law rates Krupa's manic syncopated jungle drumming as "the ultimate drum solo" - smokin'!   {#Good-vibes} {#Dance}

copymonkey wrote:
Funny you say that, I once heard that among jazz buffs that Benny Goodman is one of the only white men to be considered the best ever on his particular instrument. I don't know if that;'s true—but after hearing this, I'd love to hear his better.

For the "only white men" thing: Stephane Grappelli... Really can't compare him with Goodman, but I don't know a better exponent of jazz violin. A fine keyboards player, too.

Dave (not a jazz buff, but loves the music...)

Amazing. For a while this was at 9.7, briefly displacing "A Day in the Life" in RP's number one spot. It just slipped down to 9.5, to 14th place, just above Bach's "Violin Concerto No. 4." (I gave it a ten.)


 jnhashmi wrote:
Wait - this is a white dude?
 

Funny you say that, I once heard that among jazz buffs that Benny Goodman is one of the only white men to be considered the best ever on his particular instrument. I don't know if that;'s true—but after hearing this, I'd love to hear his better.
No doubt about it those swing bands could ROCK!
I've never heard this long mix - this is AWESOME.
It's a shame the recording technology of the day couldn't capture the whole sonic spectrum. It seems a bit tinny, or hollow or something, I don't know. Love this song though.

c.
Perfect music for after lunch slowdown. 
I think this was used in the great dance scene in The Mask with Jim Carrey{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}
{#Cool}
Thanks for keeping the flame alive, RP, and by that I mean the flame of "eclectic playlists." I was partially raised on WBCN in Boston, and although they were never as eclectic as RP is, they were damned close way way back in the day.
Wait - this is a white dude?

10


Krupa on skins.
This song better get 10s across the board, or Benny Goodman will give you "The Ray"!

{#Notworthy}
The great Gene Krupa on drums I believe...
Only Benny Goodman in the RP library.

this isn't the carnegie hall recording but at least it's goodman
A Master at work.. thanks!
I'm going to assume this is the Carnegie Hall concert recording. Don't know why it's here if it hasn't been played, but since I gave the James Horner recording a 9 and promised to give this a 10, here it is.