| "Unsquare Dance" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single byDave Brubeck | |
| B-side | "Camptown Races" |
| Released | 1961 (1961) |
| Recorded | 1961 |
| Genre | Jazz |
| Length | 2:00 |
| Label | CBS |
| Songwriter(s) | Dave Brubeck |
| Producer(s) | Teo Macero |
| Official audio | |
| "Unsquare Dance" onYouTube | |
"Unsquare Dance" is a composition byjazz pianistDave Brubeck that was released as a single in 1961. Included on Brubeck's albumTime Further Out, the piece reached No. 93 on theCash Box chart on December 16, 1961.[1]
Written in7
4 time, the piece is an example of Dave Brubeck's exploration oftime signatures that were uncommon injazz music of the era. According to Brubeck, it was written during a single trip from his home to therecording studio and was recorded the same day. The composition is based on ablues structure but also has a distinctcountry and western feel, as implied in the title (asquare dance being a fixture of western US culture). "Unsquare Dance" is driven by a strong bass figure, withpercussion provided primarily by the rim of the snare drum and hand claps. It combinesduple andtriple meter.[2]
Thepiano enters with descending phrases crossing the7
4 rhythm. The speed of the piece gradually increases from start to finish. The maintheme thendevelops initially without leftaccompaniment and then with a characteristic figure based around the use oftenths. A drum solo using rim clicks follows, then a restatement of the theme and a distinctive conclusion.
Brubeck says in his liner notes:
"Unsquare Dance", in 7/4 time, is a challenge to the foot-tappers, finger-snappers and hand-clappers. Deceitfully simple, it refuses to be squared. And the laugh you hear at the end isJoe Morello's guffaw of surprise and relief that we had managed to get through the difficult last chorus.
"Unsquare Dance" was included on the albumTime Further Out and became ahit single, peaking at No. 74 on the U.S.Billboard Hot 100[3] and No. 14 on the U.K.'sRecord Retailer chart.[4]
