Honky Tonk (instrumental)

"Honky Tonk (Part 1)"
Single by Bill Doggett
from the album Honky Tonk
B-side	"Honky Tonk (Part 2)"
Released	1956
Format	7"
Genre	Rhythm and blues
Length	3:05 (Part 1) 2:32 (Part 2)
Label	King 5573
Writer(s)	Bill Doggett Shep Shepherd Clifford Scott Billy Butler

"Honky Tonk - Part 1"
Single by The James Brown Soul Train
from the album Soul Classics Vol. II
B-side	"Honky Tonk - Part 2"
Released	1972
Format	7"
Recorded	April 17, 1972, Cavern Studios, Independence, MO
Genre	Rhythm and blues
Length	3:05 (Part 1) 3:29 (Part 2)
Label	Polydor 14129
Writer(s)	Bill Doggett Shep Shepherd Clifford Scott Henry Glover Billy Butler
Producer(s)	James Brown
James Brown charting singles chronology
"There It Is Part 1" (1972) "Honky Tonk - Part 1" (1972) "Get on the Good Foot - Part 1" (1972)

"Honky Tonk" is a rhythm and blues instrumental written by Billy Butler, Bill Doggett, Clifford Scott and Shep Shepherd. Doggett recorded it as a two-part single in 1956.^[1] It peaked at number two for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100,^[2] and was the biggest R&B hit of the year, spending thirteen non-consecutive weeks at the top of the charts.^[3][4] "Honky Tonk" became Doggett's signature piece and an R&B standard recorded by many other performers.

James Brown version

In 1972, James Brown recorded "Honky Tonk" with his band The J.B.'s, who were credited as "The James Brown Soul Train". The song was released as a two-part single which reached number seven on the R&B charts and number 44 on the pop charts.^[5][6]

Other recordings

• The Beach Boys on their album Surfin' U.S.A. (1963)
• Billy Butler on his album Soul Guitar! (Prestige, 1969)
• Dave Lewis on A&M 735 (1964)
• Ace Cannon
• Bill Black's Combo 1960
• Bill Haley And His Comets 1961
• Buddy Holly 1964
• Dennis Coffey 1976
• Earl Grant 1958
• Ernie Fields And His Orchestra 1960
• George Chisholm (musician) And The Bluenotes 1957
• Harvey Mandel 1969
• The Ventures 1960
• The Vikings (band) 1998
• Vincent Lopez And His Orch. 1956
• Willie Mitchell (musician) 1977
• Joey Dee and the Starliters 1962
• Bobby Keys 1975
• Ray Anthony and his orchestra 1968
• Scat Man Crothers
• Jerry McCain 1966
• Bobby Wayne 1965
• Gene Martin (musician) And The Renegades (band)
• The Dave Bevan Quartet 1963
• Ernie Englund And His Orchestra 1958
• Fats and His Cats 1964
• Het Cocktail Trio 1960
• J.A.L.N. Band 1977
• Lawson-Haggart Rockin' Band 1959
• Les Welch 1958
• Lew Raymond Orchestra 1956
• Paul Würges 1961
• The Prom Orchestra
• Sam and The Quin Tikis 1965
• Studio B Seven 1956

References

1. All Music Guide to the Blues. Backbeat Books. 2003. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-87930-736-3. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 166.
3. Blues Hall of Fame
4. Hot R&B singles of 1956, Billboard.com
5. White, Cliff (1991). "Discography". In Star Time (pp. 54–59) [CD booklet]. New York: PolyGram Records.
6. Leeds, Alan (1995). Discography. In Funky Good Time: The Anthology [CD booklet]. New York: PolyGram Records.