Apache (instrumental)

"Apache"
Single by The Shadows
B-side "Quatermasster's Stores" (Trad: arr Bill Shepherd)
Released July 1960 (1960-07) (UK)
Recorded 17 June 1960 (1960-06-17), EMI Studios, London
Genre Instrumental rock
Label Columbia DB4484[1]
Songwriter(s) Jerry Lordan[1]
Producer(s) Norrie Paramor[1]
The Shadows singles chronology
"Saturday Dance"
(1959)		 "Apache"
(1960)		 "Man of Mystery"
(1960)

"Apache" is an instrumental written by English composer Jerry Lordan.[1] The original version was by Bert Weedon, but Lordan did not like the version. The British rock group The Shadows recorded "Apache" in June 1960 and released it the next month. It topped the UK Singles Chart for five weeks.[2][3]

In 1961, Danish jazz guitarist Jørgen Ingmann's cover of "Apache" (which he recorded in the fall of 1960) went to #2 in the US and #2 in Canada.[1] A 1973 version by the Incredible Bongo Band has been called "hip-hop’s national anthem".[4] Although this version was not a hit on release, its long percussion break has been sampled countless times on hip hop and dance tracks since the 1980s.

In March 2005, Q magazine placed "Apache" by The Shadows at No. 96 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.[5]

Composition and original recording

English songwriter and composer Jerry Lordan came up with the tune. The title "Apache" reflects the source of Lordan's inspiration: the 1954 American western film Apache.

The original recording was by British guitarist Bert Weedon in early 1960.[1] It remained unreleased for several months.[6] In mid-1960 the Shadows were on tour with Lordan as a supporting act. The band discovered "Apache" when Lordan played it on a ukulele.[1] Lordan figured the tune would fit the Shadows; the band agreed.

Shadows version

The recording was done at the EMI Abbey Road Studio in London. Singer-guitarist Joe Brown had bought an Italian-built guitar echo chamber that he did not like and gave it to Hank Marvin, who developed a distinctive sound using it and the tremolo arm of his Fender Stratocaster. Bruce Welch borrowed an acoustic Gibson J200 guitar from Cliff Richard, the heavy melodic bass was by Jet Harris, percussion was by Tony Meehan and Cliff Richard, who played a Chinese drum at the beginning and end to provide an atmosphere of stereotypically Native American music.

Record producer Norrie Paramor preferred the flip side, an instrumental of the army song "The Quartermaster's Stores," now called "The Quatermasster's Stores" after the TV series Quatermass. Paramor changed his mind after his daughter preferred "Apache." It has been cited by a generation of guitarists as inspirational and is considered one of the most influential British rock 45s of the pre-Beatles era. The Shadows said –

What's the most distinctive sound of our group? We often wondered what it is ourselves. Really, it is the sound we had when we recorded "Apache" – that kind of Hawaiian sounding lead guitar ... plus the beat.

— NME, September 1963[7]

Charts (Shadows Version)

Chart
(1962)		Position
UK Singles Chart1
Australia4
Austria4
Belgium (F)3
Belgium (W)4
France4
Germany6
Irish Singles Chart1
Italy2
Netherlands11
New Zealand1
South Africa1

Jørgen Ingmann version

After the Shadows version began its rise up the UK charts, Weedon's original climbed to No. 24 in the UK.[8] However, neither the Shadows nor Weedon had any impact on North America. Then, in late 1960, Jørgen Ingmann produced his own 'twangy' multi-tracked cover version that was released in the United States in November 1960.[1] In 1961, this cover version, credited to "Jørgen Ingmann and His Guitar", made No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 on the US R&B chart.[9] The track reached No. 1 on Canada's CHUM Chart.

Edgar Broughton Band's "Apache Drop Out"

In 1970, English progressive rock group The Edgar Broughton Band released a single "Apache Drop Out," which combined "Apache" with a version of Captain Beefheart's "Drop Out Boogie." The highly unorthodox single reached No. 33 on the UK Singles Chart.[10]

Incredible Bongo Band version

"Apache"
Song by Incredible Bongo Band
from the album Bongo Rock
Released 1973 (1973)
Studio Can-Base Studios, Vancouver, B.C.
Genre Funk
Length 4:54
Label Pride (MGM)
Producer(s)

A 1973 version by Michael Viner and a funk group called "The Incredible Bongo Band" added a bongo drum introduction and included more percussion. The drum break was played by legendary drummer Jim Gordon. Although this version was not a hit on its initial release, it became heavily sampled in early hip hop music, including by Afrika Bambaataa, who cited its influence. It has been sampled by hip hop performers such as The Sugarhill Gang, L.L. Cool J, The Roots and Nas, techno performers The Future Sound of London and Moby, and drum and bass acts J Majik and Goldie.[4]

The 2013 documentary Sample This, directed by Dan Forrer and narrated by Gene Simmons, recounts the story of The Incredible Bongo Band and its recording of "Apache."[11][12]

The Sugarhill Gang version

"Apache"
Single by The Sugarhill Gang
from the album 8th Wonder
B-side "Rapper's Delight"
Released 1982 (1982)
Format 7-inch single
Recorded 1981 (1981)
Genre
Length
  • 3:57 (single)
  • 6:09 (album)
Label Sugar Hill
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Sylvia Robinson
Audio sample
  • file
  • help

In 1981, the rap group known as The Sugarhill Gang covered the Incredible Bongo Band's version of the song on its second album 8th Wonder. In 1982, this version peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 51 on the US Dance chart, and No. 13 on the US R&B chart.[13] In 1995, this version gained additional popularity after being featured in "Viva Lost Wages," a sixth-season episode of the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,[14] as well as in "Whoops, There It Is," a subsequent clip show from the series.[15] Using the distinctive beat and bongo drums as well as Indian war cries, the Sugarhill Gang added rap lyrics with references, including:

  • The Lone Ranger (a.k.a. "kemosabe") is mentioned extensively as well as his sidekick ("Tonto, jump on it! Jump on it! Jump on it!") and his horse ("'Hi-yo, Silver!' is what I say").
  • The lyric "Now what you hear is not a test" recalls the Sugarhill Gang's earlier hit "Rapper's Delight."
  • The song "Popcorn" by Hot Butter (who had released a version of "Apache" as a follow-up to "Popcorn") is referenced via the lyric "(What's that?) Hot buttered popcorn!"
  • The recording engineer for Sugar Hill Records Steve Jerome was also a member and engineer for "Popcorn" by Hot Butter.
  • The popcorn and its butter are referenced in lyrics right beforehand, recalling a 1976 Mazola margarine commercial "We Call It Maize" featuring a Native American woman.
  • The "Monster Mash" is mentioned in this song, as well as the Jerk.

A reworked version of this song for children titled "Jump on It!" is featured as the title track on The Sugarhill Gang's album Jump on It!. This song differs from the original version with the signature "Jump on it" line being replaced by "Jump up", lyrics encouraging children to learn science, mathematics, and English, and a stronger funk influence.

Sir Mix-A-Lot: "Jump on It" (1996)

In 1996, Sir Mix-A-Lot played off the lyrics to The Sugarhill Gang's version of "Apache" in his hit version of "Jump on It," released on the album Return of the Bumpasaurus. The lyrics contained the names of cities of the United States.[16]

Fatboy Slim: "Apache" (1998)

The movie Snatch soundtrack has an extract of a DJ mix CD (On the Floor at the Boutique) by Fatboy Slim, which contained the Incredible Bongo Band version of "Apache".

Switch: "A Bit Patchy" (2005/2006)

In 2005, Switch extensively sampled the covered version by Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band for his track A Bit Patchy (wordplay on "Apache"). The track has since been used to advertise William Hill Online on TV, and has been remixed by artists such as Eric Prydz and Sinden.

Other songs that sample The Incredible Bongo Band's "Apache"

Other cover versions

From this point, the song became a staple of instrumental combos on both sides of the Atlantic. Among many recordings, Spanish rock band Los Pekenikes covered "Apache" in 1961, The Ventures in 1962 (on the album The Ventures Play Telstar and the Lonely Bull) and Davie Allan and The Arrows in 1965. Sonny James recorded a vocal music version in 1961.[4][17] It was produced in Nashville by Chet Atkins and was review-rated as a Spotlight Winner.[18] George Harrison said The Beatles used to play "Apache" as well as other Shadows' hits ("FBI", "The Frightened City") during their shows in Hamburg.

  • In the 1961, Si Zentner released a version on his Big Band Plays the Big Hits album, along with "Up a Lazy River."
  • In 1969, Eyes of Blue released a version titled "Apache '69" under the name the Imposters. The B-side of this Mercury label release (MF1080) was the song "QIII."
  • In 1972, the Moog-based band of session musicians called Hot Butter released a cover version of "Apache" as follow-up to their hit "Popcorn."
  • In 1976, the electro-rock French band Rockets, in their first eponymous album, released a version featuring synthesizers, disco-rock drumming, and heavily treated guitars.
  • In the 1970s the Tennessee Farm Band did a version.
  • In 1977, The Tommy Seebach Band recorded a disco-styled version and filmed an accompanying music video of "Apache." Set on a rocky hillside, it featured scantily clad dancers around a grinning Tommy Seebach while he plays keyboards. This version was successful in Europe.
  • Black Sabbath with Tony Martin on vocals played a live cover of the song at their 1989 concert in Moscow.
  • Ska-Dows recorded a ska version of "Apache," including some lyrics, mostly the word "Apache!" shouted repeatedly.
  • The 1992 compilation album Ruby Trax features a version of "Apache" by Senseless Things.
  • In 1992, Norwegian a cappella group Bjelleklang recorded their version of "Apache" on the album Holiholihoo.
  • In 1993, General Base, one of the projects of Thomas Kukula, released "Apache" as single and it also appears on the First album.
  • The California Guitar Trio covered "Apache" for their 1995 album, Invitation.
  • The song was covered by Ritchie Blackmore in the 1996 collection Twang!: A Tribute to Hank Marvin & the Shadows.
  • In 2002, Portishead's Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley recorded a cover version which was released on limited white, green, pink and black vinyl 7-inch single under the name The Jimi Entley Sound.
  • in 2003, Jimmy Thackery covered "Apache" for his album Guitar.
  • In 2005, the German band Scooter covered this song as an instrumental for the album Who's Got The Last Laugh Now? in a techno version. Later that year, a single was released which combined elements of "Apache" and "Rock Bottom" from the same album, known as "Apache Rocks The Bottom." This later appeared on the second Disc of the UK edition of its 2008 album Jumping All Over The World.
  • On the 2006 album Hier is Normaal, the Dutch band Normaal made a compilation of instrumental songs of their own and other artists. "Apache" is also in it. The song, "Varkens Pesten," means literally "bullying pigs."
  • French guitarist Jean-Pierre Danel recorded a version of "Apache" on his No. 1 hit album Guitar Connection (Sony Music) in 2006. The album went platinum and included a DVD on which Danel shows how to play the songs, including "Apache".
  • In 2010, Cisco Herzhaft performs a solo version in finger picking on his album "The Cisco's System"
  • "Apache" was covered by the folk band 17 Hippies on their 2007 album Heimlich.

Notable live covers

  • Junior Brown regularly performs "Apache" in his live shows.
  • In 2010, Jeff Beck performed a version of "Apache" during his tribute concert for Les Paul in New York City; it was released in February 2011 on the CD Jeff Beck's Rock n' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul, and also performed on the DVD/Blu-ray release of the same concert, also released in February 2011.

Interpolations

Soundtrack appearances

  • A 30-second edit of The Shadows version was used in an April 1988 UK TV advertisement for Tango fizzy drink.
  • An 80-second edit of The Shadows version was used in the 1989 feature film Scandal about the Profumo affair.
  • A 60-second portion of a re-mastered version by The Shadows was used in the 2012/13 UK TV advert for Mattessons 'Fridge Raiders' snack. It is known as the 'You must be Hank Marvin' advert reflecting the Rhyming slang term for starving.
  • A version of "Apache" was used as the theme to the long-running television show Wild Chicago, which aired in Chicago on PBS.
  • Another 30 second sampled version by The Incredible Bongo Band is used in a TIAA commercial in 2018

Minnesota Lynx

The Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA adopted "Apache" as the unofficial team anthem in 2007. Following victories, the team would dance to the song at center court.[20] For the first home game of the team's first WNBA Finals appearance, the team brought in the Sugarhill Gang to perform the song at halftime.[21]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 53. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  2. ↑ "Apache (song by The Shadows) • Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. 1960-07-23. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
  3. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 114–5. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. 1 2 3 Michaelangelo Matos, Abstract: All Roads Lead to ‘Apache’", Pop Conference, Experience Music Project 2005. Accessed online 7 July 2011
  5. ↑ "100 Greatest Guitar Tracks Ever". Q Magazine. Retrieved 11 September 2017
  6. ↑ "The Official Bert Weedon Website - Interview". Bertweedon.com. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
  7. ↑ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 124. CN 5585.
  8. ↑ "Apache (song by Bert Weedon) • Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. 1960-07-30. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
  9. ↑ "Apache (song by Jørgen Ingmann) • Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. 1961-01-23. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
  10. ↑ Betts, Graham (2004). Complete UK Hit Singles 1952–2004 (1st ed.). London: Collins. p. 110. ISBN 0-00-717931-6.
  11. ↑ Odie Henderson, Review of Sample This, RogerEbert.com, September 13, 2013.
  12. ↑ Francois Marchand, "Breaking down Apache (with video): New film Sample This examines ‘national anthem of hip-hop’ recorded in Vancouver", Vancouver Sun, November 15, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Apache (song by The Sugarhill Gang) • Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. 1982-02-13. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
  14. ↑ Robert Bruce (writer); Shelley Jensen (director) (November 13, 1995). "Viva Lost Wages". The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Season 6. Episode 8. NBC.
  15. ↑ Mary Beth Pemberton and Tanya Ward (writers); Shelley Jensen (director) (April 15, 1996). "I, Whoops, There It Is". The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Season 6. Episode 19. NBC.
  16. ↑ Spata, Christopher (22 August 2014). "Songwriters have long been in tune with Tampa". Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  17. ↑ "Search Results for Apache". Rcs-discography.com. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
  18. ↑ Billboard Music Week in its edition of March 6, 1961
  19. ↑ McCormick, Neil (25 February 2013). "David Bowie, The Next Day, album review". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  20. ↑ "muneraven: Why I love the Minnesota Lynx". Muneraven.livejournal.com. 2007-06-19. Archived from the original on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
  21. ↑ "Lynx: Sugar Hill Gang to Perform at Game 1". Wnba.com. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
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