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Booker T. & the MG’s — Green Onions
Album: Green Onions
Avg rating:
8.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3254









Released: 1962
Length: 2:47
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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(Instrumental)
Comments (328)add comment
Two great organists in a row: Booker T. and Benmont Tench. 🎹🎹
Posted 3 months ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]
 Propayne wrote:

I've never understood the "overplayed" or "I've heard the song too much" criticism.

That has nothing to do with how good a song is.

And this one is great.

 



There is no universal definition of a 'good song' - it is a matter of personal opinion.  Your opinion changes over time, especially when subjected to hearing a song too frequently.  That's my main reason why I like RP, but dislike Michael Jackson, Journey (other than their first album - their only good album), Beatles. etc.  It's not that they aren't talented - it's that I'm tired of hearing them ad nauseum.  Same reason I despise top 40 radio.
Posted 3 months ago by baddog8it    [ Reply ]
 Rstrickster wrote:

Is there a huge difference between Booker T and the MGs and The Junior Walker and the all stars?  I like thahairhem both just that this song gives me a cool feeling when I hear it and it makes me want to shiuffle my feet in a cool way  :-)


It is 5:15am & my coffee is kicking in.   Char dancing to start start the day out !   Thanx RP!  
Posted 4 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Is there a huge difference between Booker T and the MGs and The Junior Walker and the all stars?  I like them both just that this song gives me a cool feeling when I hear it and it makes me want to shiuffle my feet in a cool way  :-)
Posted 7 months ago by Rstrickster    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Sting dancing like a true cool dude in the movie Quadrophenia..
Check it out!
Posted 7 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
Just godlike 
Posted 7 months ago by linnex-    [ Reply ]
Makes me want to rewatch 'The Blues Brothers'... 
Posted 8 months ago by RazzCat    [ Reply ]
Big Wednesday. can't remember the scene.  This was part of one fine soundtrack
Posted 8 months ago by Fishman    [ Reply ]
Great Song! always loved this and the images it conjured up.  Julianne Moore dancing  to this in A Simple Man is fantastic!
Posted 1 year ago by yroom    [ Reply ]
 Marcel1979 wrote:

No, it doesn't finish off the album Brothers in Arms. It's the last song on Communique.

previous song but both albums are fantastic 

Posted 1 year ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 countryrds wrote:

I just love how the haters are simply smashed here!! 



And, they wonder why they are sitting alone in their mommy's basement!  Eh?  LOL!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 SmackDaddy wrote:

You didn't look before you bought it?



It was mail order and only a few of the songs were listed in the catalog. But one would assume, this would be included, no?
Posted 1 year ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]

I just love how the haters are simply smashed here!! 
Posted 1 year ago by countryrds    [ Reply ]
 jlind wrote:

As much as I despised the pervious song, what a segue Bill!



What does trickling water have to do with anything?  Don't be such a wet blanket!
Posted 2 years ago by ivoryjacket88    [ Reply ]
GODLIKE!!! ICONIC!!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
This is where the Blues are turning into Rock n' Roll. If you don't like this...get out of my kitchen.     Nevek Yendor  
Posted 2 years ago by Rockit999    [ Reply ]
SUPERGREAT!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 Gregorama wrote:

Hey, Bill! How about playing their follow up hit to this--"Mo' Onions"?



Know your onion! 
Posted 2 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
No, it doesn't finish off the album Brothers in Arms. It's the last song on Communique.
Posted 2 years ago by Marcel1979    [ Reply ]
 alain.brault wrote:
Only surpassed by their live version... 
 
Yeah, that really has some grit to it!
Posted 3 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
acxessible bubblegum top 40 schlock
 
Try not to speak, dear.
Posted 3 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 Tomasni wrote:
My rating down to 5
 

YOU ARE THE REASON WHY WE DON'T HAVE NICE THINGS!
Posted 3 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
Elwood Blues: You may go if you wish. But remember this:
walk away now and you walk away from your crafts, your skills, your
vocations; leaving the next generation with nothing but recycled,
digitally-sampled techno-grooves, quasi-synth rhythms, pseudo-songs of
violence-laden gangsta-rap, acid pop, and simpering, saccharine,
soulless slush. Depart now and you forever separate yourselves from the
vital American legacies of Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Jimmy Reed, Memphis Slim, Blind Boy Fuller, Louis Jordan, Little Walter, Big Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson I and II, Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, Elvis Presley, Leiber and Stoller, and Robert K. Weiss.
Donald "Duck" Dunn: Who is Robert K. Weiss?
Elwood Blues: Turn your backs now and you snuff out the
fragile candles of blues, R&B and soul, and when those flames
flicker and expire, the light of the world is extinguished because the
music which has moved mankind through seven decades leading to the
millennium will wither and die on the vine of abandonment and neglect.
Posted 3 years ago by ce    [ Reply ]
Only surpassed by their live version... 
Posted 4 years ago by alain.brault    [ Reply ]
My rating down to 5
Posted 5 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]
The Sandlot!
Posted 5 years ago by buddy213    [ Reply ]
always reminds me of big lebowski :D
Posted 6 years ago by Elvis78    [ Reply ]
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Time to swap it out with Time is Tight.
 
 
 
Yesss!
Posted 6 years ago by Milano    [ Reply ]
 Propayne wrote:
I've never understood the "overplayed" or "I've heard the song too much" criticism.

That has nothing to do with how good a song is.

And this one is great.

 

 
{#Yes}  {#Notworthy}
Posted 6 years ago by Pedro1874    [ Reply ]
 jlind wrote:
As much as I despised the pervious song, what a segue Bill!

 
This is why all of your true listeners would never skip a song on your station, and why you shouldn't let them because your new users don't know any better.
Posted 6 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
As much as I despised the pervious song, what a segue Bill!
Posted 6 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
With the start of the cricket season upon us, not sure this is the right Booker T. track to be playing - #SoulLimbo
Posted 7 years ago by GuiltyFeat    [ Reply ]
Now, let's step up the game. Give us some Jimmy Smith!
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
This a such a cool and iconic tune of theirs.  I love it.
How disappointed was I when I got the 'Best of" CD and this wasn't on it.
I was confounded as well.

 
You didn't look before you bought it?
Posted 7 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Time to swap it out with Time is Tight.
 
 
 
or have both
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
This a such a cool and iconic tune of theirs.  I love it.
How disappointed was I when I got the 'Best of" CD and this wasn't on it.
I was confounded as well.
Posted 7 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 silkaardvark wrote:
I heard Booker T and his son rock this last month in Honolulu. Mr. Jones on the Hammond and his son has serious chops on the guitar. There were only about fifty of us in a small recording studio at the local NPR. Epic and great stories between songs.A real raconteur!

 
Nice!   
Posted 7 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Time to swap it out with Time is Tight.
 
 
Posted 7 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano}
Posted 8 years ago by kanga311    [ Reply ]
Great song!

PSD? 
Posted 8 years ago by kgage    [ Reply ]
seems like i have heard this all my life
surprised to just now learn it's 1962
i would have guessed late sixties 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 aaronm wrote:
Me: "Huh, what do you think the album cover looks like?"

Me: "Well, I don't know what I expected." 


I guess that sometimes, life just imitates... life!
Posted 8 years ago by crogers    [ Reply ]
I heard Booker T and his son rock this last month in Honolulu. Mr. Jones on the Hammond and his son has serious chops on the guitar. There were only about fifty of us in a small recording studio at the local NPR. Epic and great stories between songs.A real raconteur!
Posted 8 years ago by silkaardvark    [ Reply ]
 PopKombo wrote:
classic

 



Ditto
Posted 8 years ago by pcc    [ Reply ]
classic
Posted 8 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
 bentonian wrote:
The first thousand times I heard this it rated an 8. The second thousand times it was down to a 7. Maybe I'm just old, but it's down to a 5.

 
Maybe you need to go to an asylum. It's not related the number of times you've listen this with the quality, repercusion and history of this song.
Posted 8 years ago by CHuLoYo    [ Reply ]
 Rajin wrote:
Go guitar gooooo!
 
band
Posted 8 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I've never understood the "overplayed" or "I've heard the song too much" criticism.

That has nothing to do with how good a song is.

And this one is great.

 
Posted 8 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
The first thousand times I heard this it rated an 8. The second thousand times it was down to a 7. Maybe I'm just old, but it's down to a 5.
Posted 8 years ago by bentonian    [ Reply ]
Wow, and it's about vegetables.  
Posted 8 years ago by lkovathana    [ Reply ]

11 !!!!!

also a very inspirational song :  please check out Robert Cray 2014 album "In My Soul" with the song "Hip Tight Onions"

seen Robert Cray perform that one live in Amsterdam ( Europe....)  also deserves 10....+


Posted 8 years ago by walter_sintenie    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

Huh! I watched a great documentary about Stax/Volt Records years ago and was under the impression that the company's headquarters got demolished after Stax went out of business. Were the studios at a different location or is my memory faulty? 

 
I believe the original studio was torn down in the 1980s, but a replica was built about ten years ago, as a museum, on the same spot.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
This song exemplifies the word "groove".
Posted 9 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
Go guitar gooooo!
Posted 9 years ago by Rajin    [ Reply ]
Me: "Huh, what do you think the album cover looks like?"
<clicks song link on RP>
Me: "Well, I don't know what I expected." 
Posted 9 years ago by aaronm    [ Reply ]
 stalfnzo wrote:
Some songs are simply an 11. 

 
Ditto
Posted 9 years ago by Muddyman3019    [ Reply ]
Some songs are simply an 11. 
Posted 9 years ago by stalfnzo    [ Reply ]
I picture Schroeder playing the Hammond while Snoopy, Pigpen and the rest of the Peanuts crew all dance about…
{#Bananasplit} {#Bananasplit} {#Bananasplit} 
Posted 9 years ago by dirtbagpook    [ Reply ]
What can you say? One of the all-time greats.
Posted 9 years ago by stalfnzo    [ Reply ]
Superb...believe it or not, Tom Petty et al do a great cover of this...it's in my archives somewhere...
Posted 9 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano}

A big fat 10!
Posted 9 years ago by Jota    [ Reply ]
 oldfart48 wrote:
{#Bananapiano}{#Bananajam}{#Sunny}{#Sunny} {#Sunny}

 
{#Bananajam}   {#Guitarist}{#Bananasplit}  {#Bananapiano}{#Sunny}{#Dancingbanana_2} {#Bananajam}{#Sunny}  {#Drummer}  {#Bananapiano}   {#Bananajam}x{#Sunny}
Posted 9 years ago by mkrueck    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano}{#Bananajam}{#Sunny}{#Sunny} {#Sunny}
Posted 9 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
 Propayne wrote:
groove

 
{#Bananajam}   {#Guitarist}{#Bananasplit}  {#Dancingbanana_2}   {#Drummer}  {#Bananapiano}   {#Bananajam}

"I'm in the groove Jackson"
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
groove
Posted 10 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
acxessible bubblegum top 40 schlock
 
Yep, but it is really good "schlock"
Posted 10 years ago by bitbanger    [ Reply ]
acxessible bubblegum top 40 schlock
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
Anybody hear the NPR blurb on these guys two days ago?  It was a plug for a new book: Respect Yourself, by Robert Gordon.  Interesting mix of racial cooperation in the midst of big-time segregated Memphis in the 60s.  

A couple of great friends got married in Memphis a few years ago, and their wedding reception was held at the old Stax studios.  Paid all my respects in 15 minutes and spent the next 2 hours cruising through the place.  Unforgettable.  (Gibson factory in downtown is also a "don't miss" music treasure.)

 
Huh! I watched a great documentary about Stax/Volt Records years ago and was under the impression that the company's headquarters got demolished after Stax went out of business. Were the studios at a different location or is my memory faulty? 

One of my favorite stories from that documentary touched on a '62 recording session at Stax's studios in Memphis. A guy named Johnny Jenkins showed up to record some songs but finished early. The guy who'd driven him to the studio had worked with Jenkins in other bands and asked if he could use the remaining session time to record himself. The engineers agreed and Otis Redding cut two tracks, including one of his biggest hits "These Arms of Mine." 
Posted 10 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Anybody hear the NPR blurb on these guys two days ago?  It was a plug for a new book: Respect Yourself, by Robert Gordon.  Interesting mix of racial cooperation in the midst of big-time segregated Memphis in the 60s.  

A couple of great friends got married in Memphis a few years ago, and their wedding reception was held at the old Stax studios.  Paid all my respects in 15 minutes and spent the next 2 hours cruising through the place.  Unforgettable.  (Gibson factory in downtown is also a "don't miss" music treasure.)
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
A Hammond B3 and a whacka-whacka guitar technique that's rarely (never?) heard these days. 
Glad to report that the B3 is alive and well - in New Orleans, at least. You seem 'em (and their associated Leslie speakers) at pawn shops often, a sure sign that a lot of musicians are working on it. This guy is one of the local masters.
Posted 10 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
Definitely don't get the unabashed love for this song by posters...  It's fun to hear once in awhile, but that's about it.
 
Posted 10 years ago by rocgroup    [ Reply ]
 cShaggy wrote:
..if ever a song cried out for lyrics..(play it some more & i'll try)..
 
maxi priest with shaggy " that kind of girl " cooks it correctly.....
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Sorry, but all I can think of now when I hear this is, " Call your doctor if...". Thank you pharmaceutical conglomerates.

Still one of the beat song ever, ;) 
Posted 10 years ago by lkooz    [ Reply ]
1962 was a very good year indeed! {#Devil_pimp}
Posted 10 years ago by stephw    [ Reply ]
'62....... this Came Out in '62??  Where in the hell was the rest of the music at that time? A M A Z I N G !
Posted 10 years ago by Old_Pat    [ Reply ]
Some Link Wray would go well with the green onions.
Posted 10 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
So '60s. And so '10s.  
Posted 10 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
You just can't help but feel good... 10!
Posted 10 years ago by rich95969    [ Reply ]
Does not get cooler than this.
Posted 10 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
Yeah, a fave of mine. Thank you.


Way cool.


{#Dancingbanana}  
Posted 11 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
A Hammond B3 and a whacka-whacka guitar technique that's rarely (never?) heard these days.  
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
This defines "cool"! 
Posted 11 years ago by dw    [ Reply ]
Anyone ever hear Roy Buchanan's version?
Posted 11 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
RIP Donald "Duck" Dunn
 
Amen. Duck's one of my idols. However, Lewie Steinberg played bass on this recording.
Posted 11 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
This is one of the definitive songs of the last 50 years.  Definition of a 10.
Posted 11 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
..if ever a song cried out for lyrics..(play it some more & i'll try)..
Posted 11 years ago by cShaggy    [ Reply ]
I LOVE this. 
It's a bummer it's not on their greatest hits album. (?!) 
Posted 11 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
RIP Donald "Duck" Dunn
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
I've always wondered why this song is so good.  Simple blues song without any real remarkable playing.  But it's a great song that I always pay attention to.  
Posted 11 years ago by davedog    [ Reply ]
Welcome to Dave's Dinner... Anyone remember that?  Some radio show from my past?
Posted 11 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
HELP SAVE THE PLANET ! ! !  .... BUY ''GREEN ONIONS'' {#Bounce}
Posted 11 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
Yo, daddy-o.
Posted 11 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
Used to love the clack of the 45s falling onto the deck in those (gasp) automatic record players
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Barfly....
Posted 12 years ago by Cowboyslikeus    [ Reply ]
9->10
Posted 12 years ago by ianema    [ Reply ]
One of the Greats. Amazing to think this is nearly 50 years old.
Posted 12 years ago by gazinroze    [ Reply ]
Depends. Sorry.
Posted 12 years ago by RickyBobby    [ Reply ]
Memphis.
Posted 12 years ago by Patrick    [ Reply ]
This always makes me think of the classic Robert Crumb 'Keep on Truckin' cartoon:


Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Love RP and Green Onions...

https://www.npr.org/2011/05/05/135840639/booker-t-jones-tiny-desk-concert


Posted 12 years ago by Ropes    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
I still have the 45 rpm record of this, damn I'm old...
 

Ahhh, I feel better now, there's a hi-tech EP in our house.

Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 wenatchee wrote:
You know that feeling you get when you hit all the lights just right and the sun is rising and you've had a just-right cup of joe?  
 
(I'm smellin you wenatchee)

OR when the sun is going down on a warm summer Friday night, the smell of barbecue just kicked you in the nose and a cold beer just winked at you and is demanding a big kiss on the lips?!

This should be Volume 1, Track 3 of the Chicago soundtrack.

Posted 12 years ago by estprophet22    [ Reply ]
You know that feeling you get when you hit all the lights just right and the sun is rising and you've had a just-right cup of joe?  
Posted 12 years ago by wenatchee    [ Reply ]
 PA1749 wrote:

There are overplayed songs and there are timeless songs. This one falls into the timeless catagory for me...Great Tune!


 
You forgot the third category.

Posted 13 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
 gabrielle7nt wrote:
 
Hmmm... I had salmon and wine, too.
 


Wow, cosmic! (as my friend in high school used to say...)
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:

I'm imagining green onions in the ears. Pretty amusing after a couple glasses of wine and some nice salmon.
  
Hmmm... I had salmon and wine, too.
Posted 13 years ago by gabrielle7nt    [ Reply ]
 gabrielle7nt wrote:
So good for the ears. Tasty and nutritious, too.
 


I'm imagining green onions in the ears. Pretty amusing after a couple glasses of wine and some nice salmon.
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
Classic, Booker T. Jones and the Memphis Group! Rock that Hammond.
Posted 13 years ago by Mojo_LA    [ Reply ]
So good for the ears. Tasty and nutritious, too.
Posted 13 years ago by gabrielle7nt    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:


That girl is screaming because she just got hit in the back with two heat seeking missiles.
 
I'm sorry - I love this song, but I'm laughing so hard I can't see what I'm typing.  Thanks, Hannio - you made my entire month.

Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Too cool for school!  The definitive instrumental.
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
Too bad that these guys get pigeonholed with their three or four mega-tunes.  They were some of the best Stax to come out of Memphis.  Maybe it isn't too bad, because as often as their songs are used in the movies, each probably has a nice life.

By the way, Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn were also 'Blues Brothers.'

Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Ya Ya Ya !
Posted 13 years ago by cixelsyd    [ Reply ]

Excellent toe-tapping music!

It's the only exercise I've gotten all day, sitting in front of my computer at work.  LOL


Posted 13 years ago by sheeelaaa    [ Reply ]
 nalle wrote:
Love that sound of B3, great!
 
I'v been playing that exact B3 ! {#Bananapiano}
Posted 13 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]

There are overplayed songs and there are timeless songs. This one falls into the timeless catagory for me...Great Tune!


Posted 13 years ago by PA1749    [ Reply ]
Love that sound of B3, great!
Posted 13 years ago by nalle    [ Reply ]
I got to see Booker T. play this at Coachella last year. The Drive-By Truckers were his backing band. Too cool.
Posted 13 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
Soooo Good I had to bump it from a 9 to a 10.

Thanks, I needed that!
 
Posted 13 years ago by careyz    [ Reply ]