Georgy Porgy (song)

"Georgy Porgy" (/ˈpɔːrdʒi/) is a song written by David Paich, released on Toto's self-titled debut album in 1978. It was released as a single in 1979 and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 (number 48) as well as on both the R&B (number 18)[3] and Dance (number 80) charts.

"Georgy Porgy"
Single by Toto
from the album Toto
B-side	"Child's Anthem"
Released	April 1979
Recorded	1978
Genre	Soft rock[1], R&B
Length	4:09
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	David Paich[2]
Producer(s)	Toto
Toto singles chronology
"I'll Supply the Love" (1978) "Georgy Porgy" (1979) "99" (1979)

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".

The song is still performed on tour. It is adapted with improvisational solos on guitar and keyboards.[4]

In a 1988 interview with Modern Drummer, Jeff Porcaro discussed developing the groove for "Georgy Porgy":

"...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."

Personnel

Toto

• Steve Lukather – guitars, lead vocals
• David Paich – piano
• Steve Porcaro – keyboards
• David Hungate – bass
• Jeff Porcaro – drums

Guest musicians

• Lenny Castro – congas
• Jim Horn – saxophone, wind instruments
• Chuck Findley – horns
• Marty Paich – string arrangements
• Sid Sharp – string arrangements
• Cheryl Lynn – backing vocals

Cover versions and sampling

• A version by U.S. soul band Charme was released in 1979 featuring an uncredited vocal by Luther Vandross. The single was re-released a few years later after the vocalist's rise in popularity and he was then credited as the featured artist.

• Disco/jazz-funk band Side Effect (with Miki Howard on background vocals) released their version in 1980 from their album After the Rain. It peaked to number 77 on the US R&B Songs chart.

• In 1991, the song was sampled by rapper MC Lyte for her song "Poor Georgie" on the album Act Like You Know.[5] The song peaked to number 1 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles on March 6, 1992.

• In 1999, a cover version by Eric Benét (with Faith Evans on background vocals) was released as the first single from Benét's album A Day in the Life. This version reached number 2 in New Zealand.

• It was recorded by Filipino rock musician Ramon Jacinto together with Bobby Kimball of Toto from the 2012 album RJ Duets.

• The song was used by Devin the Dude in his song "Georgy" from the album The Dude, and by Guru in "Kissed the World" from the album Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4.

References

1. "Soft Rock | Significant Albums, Artists and Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
2. "Official TOTO Website - Releases". Toto99.com. Archived from the original on 2010-07-25. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
3. "Album Search for "toto"". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2008-11-13.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. www.whosampled.com