| "Caldonia" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single byLouis Jordan and HisTympany Five | |
| B-side | "Somebody Done Changed the Lock on My Door" |
| Released | 1945 (1945) |
| Recorded | January 19, 1945[1] |
| Genre | Jump blues |
| Length | 2:40 |
| Label | Decca |
| Songwriter | Fleecie Moore (credited) |
| Producer | Milt Gabler |
"Caldonia" is ajump blues song, first recorded in 1945 byLouis Jordan and hisTympany Five. Although credited to Fleecie Moore, his wife at the time, Jordan is the actual songwriter.[2] The song was a hit for Jordan as well as several other musicians.[3]
"It's rooted in jazz," writes music journalist John Morrison, "The energy is very much rock and roll. And you can even hear the future of what would become rap music and hip-hop along with the beat of rock and roll."[4]The lyrics include Jordan's trademark use of comedy:
Walkin' with my baby she's got great big feet
She's long, lean, and lanky and ain't had nothing to eat
She's my baby and I love her just the same
Crazy 'bout that woman 'cause Caldonia is her name
The verses conclude with the refrain:
Caldonia! Caldonia!
What makes your big head so hard?
I love her, I love her just the same
Crazy 'bout that woman 'cause Caldonia is her name
In 1942, Jordan began an unparalleled successful run on theBillboardHarlem Hit Parade (forerunner of theR&B chart).[5] By 1945, Jordan had four number-one hits and eventually became the most successful R&B chart act of the 1940s.[6] "Caldonia" became his fifth number one on "Race Records" chart. It debuted on the chart in May 1945 and reached number one in June, where it stayed for seven weeks; onBillboard's broader chart, the song peaked at number six.[7]
Jordan performed the song in two films:Swing Parade of 1946, probably targeting white viewers, andCaldonia (Astor Pictures, 1945) which appeared to be for a black audience.[8]
At the same time as Jordan's success, the song was also recorded both byErskine Hawkins andWoody Herman. A review inBillboard magazine described Hawkins' version as "right rhythmic rock and roll music", possibly the first use of the term to describe a musical style.[9] Hawkins' version of "Caldonia", featuring piano and vocals byAce Harris, reached number two on theBillboard R&B chart and number 12 on the pop chart.[10] Herman's version, arranged by the youngNeal Hefti,[11] reached number two on the broader chart.[citation needed]
In 1949, a version bySugar Chile Robinson reached number 14 on the R&B chart.[12] Later,James Brown recorded the song, with an arrangement bySammy Lowe, as his first release forSmash Records in 1964. It appeared at number 95 on theBillboard Hot 100 chart (the R&B chart was suspended at the time).[13] In 1974,Van Morrison covered the song with hisCaledonia Soul Express band, releasing it as a single backed with his own song "What's Up Crazy Pup". However it failed to chart and its success remained confidential. In 1976,Muddy Waters performed the song withthe Band at the group's final billed concert with original guitaristRobbie Robertson,the Last Waltz, along withBob Margolin andBobby Charles.
In 1998, Jordan's version (as "Caldonia Boogie") was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[14] In 2013, it was added to the U.S.National Recording Registry's list of songs that "are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States".[2]
The recording is considered to be one of the "excellent and commercially successful" examples of thejump blues genre.[15] As well, the song may have been of some influence on the laterrock and roll genre.Little Richard often spoke of being influenced by Louis Jordan;Caldonia was the first non-gospel song he learned. The shriek on the Jordan record "sounds eerily like the vocal tone Little Richard would adopt" in addition to the "Jordan-style pencil-thin moustache".[2][16]
Added to the National Registry: 2013
