Georgy Porgy (song)

"Georgy Porgy"
Single by Toto
from the album Toto
B-side"Child's Anthem"
ReleasedApril 1979
Recorded1978
Genre
Length4:09
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)David Paich[3]
Producer(s)Toto
Toto singles chronology
"I'll Supply the Love"
(1978) 		"Georgy Porgy"
(1979) 		"Rockmaker"
(1979)

"Georgy Porgy" (/ˈpɔːrdʒi/) is a song by American rock band Toto. It was written by band member David Paich and included on their self-titled debut album in 1978. Released as the album's third single in 1979, the song reached number 11 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[4] It also peaked at number 18 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[5]

Background

The lead vocals are performed by guitarist Steve Lukather. Cheryl Lynn provided the female backing vocal, singing an adaptation from the nursery rhyme "Georgie Porgie."[6] In a 1988 interview with Modern Drummer, Jeff Porcaro discussed developing the groove for "Georgy Porgy," saying: "It's imitating Paul Humphrey heavily; it's imitating Earl Palmer very heavily. When it comes to that groove, my biggest influences were Paul Humphrey, Ed Greene, Earl Palmer, and the godfather of that 16th-note groove, James Gadson. That "Georgy Porgy" groove I owe to them."[7]

Critical reception

Cash Box said the song begins "with stout drumming and melodic piano playing, conga backing and excellent overlapping flute, guitar and vocal lines."[8] Billboard called it "an easy flowing, catchy pop disk which contains some jazz and soul elements" and praised the piano and bass playing as well as the vocal line.[9] Record World said that it "has a light jazzy feeling and clear punchy vocals" as well as powerful instrumentation.[10] Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian rated it as Toto's 7th greatest song, saying that "The song’s incredible swing feel that was so captivating the first time we heard it, still remains an additive pleasure to listen to almost forty years later."[11]

Personnel

Toto

Release history

Region Date Ref.
United States April 1979 [12]
United Kingdom 1 June 1979 [13]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Georgy Porgy"
Chart (1979) Peak
position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] 11
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 48
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] 18

Eric Benét version

"Georgy Porgy"
Single by Eric Benét featuring Faith Evans
from the album A Day in the Life
ReleasedFebruary 8, 1999 (1999-02-08)
Length4:40
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)David F. Paich
Producer(s)Somethin' for the People
Eric Benét singles chronology
"True to Myself"
(1997) 		"Georgy Porgy"
(1999) 		"Spend My Life with You"
(1999)
Faith Evans singles chronology
"Heartbreak Hotel"
(1998) 		"Georgy Porgy"
(1999) 		"All Night Long"
(1999)
Audio
"Georgy Porgy" on YouTube

American R&B singer-songwriter Eric Benét recorded a cover of "Georgy Porgy" for his second studio album, A Day in the Life (1999). This version features vocals from fellow American R&B singer Faith Evans and was produced by R&B group Somethin' for the People. Released on February 8, 1999, Benét's version was successful in New Zealand, where it peaked at number two on the RIANZ Singles Chart, and it became a top-40 hit in France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Music video

A music video for "Georgy Porgy" was directed by Canadian music video director Little X.[17]

Track listings

UK CD1[18]

  1. "Georgy Porgy" (radio edit) – 4:19
  2. "Georgy Porgy" (So So Def radio remix with rap) – 3:56
  3. "Georgy Porgy" (Somethin' for the People remix) – 4:45
  4. "Georgy Porgy" (So So Def radio remix without rap) – 3:34

UK CD2[19]

  1. "Georgy Porgy" (album version) – 4:40
  2. "Georgy Porgy" (Spreadlove's 2 Step vocal mix) – 6:21
  3. "Georgy Porgy" (Hippie Torales radio remix) – 3:24

UK 12-inch single[20]

A1. "Georgy Porgy" (Hippie Torales remix) – 6:14
B1. "Georgy Porgy" (Spreadlove's 2 Step vocal mix) – 6:21
B2. "Georgy Porgy" (Spreadlove's Demonic dub) – 5:35

European CD single[21]

  1. "Georgy Porgy" (radio edit) – 4:19
  2. "Georgy Porgy" (Hippie Torales remix) – 6:14

Australian CD single[22]

  1. "Georgy Porgy" (radio edit)
  2. "Georgy Porgy" (Hippie Torales radio remix)
  3. "Georgy Porgy" (Hani's Fresh Air remix)
  4. "Georgy Porgy" (Roy Davis Jr. Heavenly Body remix)
  5. "Georgy Porgy" (Hippie Torrales remix)
  6. "Georgy Porgy" (Roy Davis Jr. Galactic Sould remix)

Japanese CD single[23]

  1. "Georgy Porgy" (radio edit) – 4:19
  2. "Georgy Porgy" (K.D.'s club dub) – 6:49
  3. "Georgy Porgy" (a cappella) – 4:18
  4. "Georgy Porgy" (instrumental) – 4:40
  5. "Georgy Porgy" (album version) – 4:40

Charts

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States February 8, 1999 Urban radio Warner Bros. [43]
March 16, 1999 Rhythmic contemporary radio [44]
Japan March 25, 1999 CD [45]
United Kingdom April 19, 1999
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
 [46]

References

  1. ^ a b Molanphy, Chris (July 31, 2021). "What a Fool Believes Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "Soft Rock | Significant Albums, Artists and Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  3. ^ "Official TOTO Website - Releases". Toto99.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2010. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  4. ^ "Album Search for "toto"". AllMusic. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  5. ^ "Album Search for "toto"". AllMusic. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 1, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ Flans, Robyn (November 1988). "Jeff Porcaro: Feel the Music" (PDF). Modern Drummer. pp. 23, 54. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  8. ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 21, 1979. p. 17. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  9. ^ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. April 21, 1979. p. 62. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  10. ^ "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. April 21, 1979. p. 18. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  11. ^ Kachejian, Brian (September 21, 2018). "Top 10 Toto songs". Classic Rock History. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  12. ^ "Georgy Porgy discography".
  13. ^ "UK promo disc". Discogs.
  14. ^ "Toto – Georgy Porgy". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  15. ^ "Toto Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  16. ^ "Toto Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  17. ^ "Warner Bros. Puts High Priority On Eric Benét's 2nd Set". Billboard. April 3, 1999. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  18. ^ Georgy Porgy (UK CD1 liner notes). Eric Benét. Warner Bros. Records. 1999. W478CD1, 9362 44673 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ Georgy Porgy (UK CD2 liner notes). Eric Benét. Warner Bros. Records. 1999. W478CD2, 9362 44674 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ Georgy Porgy (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Eric Benét. Warner Bros. Records. 1999. W478T, 9362 44676 0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ Georgy Porgy (European CD single liner notes). Eric Benét. Warner Bros. Records. 1999. 5439 16971 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ^ Georgy Porgy (Australian CD single liner notes). Eric Benét. Warner Bros. Records. 1999. 9362446892.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ^ Georgy Porgy (Japanese CD single liner notes). Eric Benét. Warner Bros. Records. 1999. WPCR-10215.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ^ "Eric Benét feat. Faith Evans – Georgy Porgy" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  25. ^ "Eric Benét feat. Faith Evans – Georgy Porgy" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  26. ^ "Eric Benét feat. Faith Evans – Georgy Porgy" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  27. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 27, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  28. ^ "Eric Benét feat. Faith Evans – Georgy Porgy" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  29. ^ "Eric Benét feat. Faith Evans – Georgy Porgy". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
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  31. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  32. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  33. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  34. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  35. ^ "Eric Benet Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  36. ^ "Eric Benet Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  37. ^ "Eric Benet Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  38. ^ "Eric Benet Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  39. ^ "Urban Top 20 Tracks of 1999" (PDF). Music Week. January 22, 2000. p. 32. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  40. ^ "End of Year Charts 1999". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  41. ^ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-57.
  42. ^ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-61.
  43. ^ "AddVance Notice". Radio & Records. No. 1285. February 5, 1999. p. 60.
  44. ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1290. March 12, 1999. p. 95.
  45. ^ "ジョージー・ポージー | エリック・ベネイ" [Georgy Porgy | Eric Benét] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  46. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 19 April, 1999: Singles". Music Week. April 17, 1999. p. 27.