(The Hit Hammer is where I'm reviewing each #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. Starting from when the chart started in 1958 and eventually working my way to the present. To see my inspiration and more information about this blog, please CLICK HERE)
Hugh Masekela - "Grazing in the Grass"
Hit Number 1: July 20, 1968
Stay at Number 1: 2 Weeks
This all seemed to happen on accident. South African trumpeter, Hugh Masekela, once heard a novelty song in Zambia that started with a cowbell. The song was called "Mr. Bull Dog No. 5", and that was the song that inspired "Grazing in the Grass". Well, Masekela just so happened to be recording his debut album, and the running order was short by three minutes. The album wasn't planned on including "Grazing in the Grass", but Masekela's record company suggested that he include the song to satisfy the running order. Philemon Hou, an actor and singer who happened to be present during the recording session, came up with a new melody for the song. This extra throw-in, that was inspired by some strange South-African novelty song, turned out to be Masekela's first, and only, #1 hit. Masekela passed away in 2018, but I'm sure he'd even tell you today that he never saw that coming.
That's not to say that "Grazing in the Grass" isn't worthy of being a #1 hit, though. Generally speaking, it's a fun, upbeat song. It has a cowbell intro, which leads into some rowdy trumpet yelps by Masekela, and a guitar strumming pattern that escalates and deescalates all throughout the song. The song doesn't seem to follow any specific format, and it sounds more like a jam fest than anything else. Maybe it was indeed a jam fest, and it was just Masekela and company having a good time in the studio to fill out an album. Either way you look at it, it worked out well for him. It might have been an accident, but it was a happy accident that gave Masekela a brief moment of stardom.
GRADE: 6/10
JUST MISSED:
Gary Puckett & the Union Gap got stuck at #2 again. This time, behind "Grazing in the Grass" with "Lady Willpower", which is probably their best song. It's an 8.
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