Kansas City (R&B song)
Encyclopedia
"Kansas City" is a rhythm and blues
song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
in 1952. First recorded by Little Willie Littlefield
the same year, the song later became a #1 hit when it was recorded by Wilbert Harrison
in 1959. "Kansas City" became one of Leiber and Stoller's "most recorded tunes, with more than three hundred versions," with several appearing in the R&B and pop record charts.
's #7 R&B chart hit "Hard Times". Neither had been to Kansas City, but were inspired by Big Joe Turner
records.
Through a connection to producer Ralph Bass
, they wrote "Kansas City" specifically for West Coast blues
/R&B artist Little Willie Littlefield. There was an initial disagreement between the two writers over the song's melody: Leiber (who wrote the lyrics) preferred a traditional blues song, while Stoller wanted a more distinctive vocal line; Stoller ultimately prevailed. They taught the song to Littlefield at Maxwell Davis
' house, who arranged and provided the tenor sax for the song. Littlefield recorded the song in Los Angeles in 1952, during his first recording session for Federal Records
, a King Records subsidiary. Federal's Ralph Bass changed the title to "K. C. Lovin'", which he reportedly considered to sound "hipper" than "Kansas City". Littlefield's record had some success in parts of the U.S., but it did not reach the national chart.
entered a New York studio to record it for record producer Bobby Robinson
at Fury Records
. Although the song's arrangement varied little from Littlefield's, it "struck such a solid shuffle groove that it was unforgettable", with inspired rhythm and solo guitar work by Spruill. Harrison's song was issued with Leiber and Stoller's original name, "Kansas City", but changed the refrain to "They got some crazy little women there, and I'm gonna get me one" and dropped one twelve-bar section.
Shortly after the song's release, several other versions appeared. Billboard
magazine's pop song pick of the week for March 30, 1959 listed five different releases of "Kansas City": Harrison's and versions by Hank Ballard
and The Midnighters (King 5195), Rocky Olson (Chess
1723), Rockin' Ronald & the Rebels (End
1043), and a reissue by Littlefield (Federal 12351). A week later, the magazine announced the release of a version by Little Richard
(Specialty
664), which was a medley of "Kansas City" with some new lyrics and an earlier Richard song "Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey
". Although Ballard's and Richard's versions both appeared in the lower reaches of the Billboard charts, Harrison's was a runaway hit, reaching number one in both the R&B and pop charts, where it remained for seven weeks, and became one of the top selling records of 1959.
. Their version, which uses somewhat different lyrics, appears on the albums Beatles for Sale
(UK) and Beatles VI
(US) and as the B-side of the 1965 single "Boys
". A live version, recorded in Hamburg in 1962, was released on Live! at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962
. Other live versions appear on the album Live at the BBC
and in the film Let It Be
. The Beatles were also seen on the American television program "Shindig!" performing the medley live in October 1964.
from the album Bill Haley and His Comets
(1960), Brenda Lee
from All the Way
(1961), Peggy Lee
from Blues Cross Country
(1962) and Miss Peggy Lee Sings the Blues
(1988), Trini Lopez
as a #23 pop chart single (1963), Jay and the Americans
from At the Cafe Wha? (1963), Sammy Davis Jr. from Sammy Davis, Jr. Sings the Big Ones for Young Lovers
(1964), The Everly Brothers
from Rock & Soul
(1965), James Brown
as a R&B #21 and pop #55 single (1967), Albert King
from Born Under a Bad Sign
(1967), and Muddy Waters
from Muddy "Mississippi" Waters – Live (1979). Ten versions of the song are featured on the 1994 album, The Best of Kansas City. In 1995, it was included in Smokey Joe's Cafe
, the musical revue about the songs of Leiber and Stoller.
and it is included on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
's list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll." In 2005, Kansas City
adopted "Kansas City" as its official song, dedicating "Goin' to Kansas City Plaza" in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz district. Due to redevelopment, the "12th Street and Vine" intersection mentioned in the song no longer exists, but a park roughly in the shape of a grand piano and with a path in the shape of a treble clef exists at the former location. After each Kansas City Royals
win at Kauffman Stadium
, The Beatles' version of Kansas City is played over the sound system, while the Wilbert Harrison version is played after each loss.
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Jerome "Jerry" Leiber and Mike Stoller were American songwriting and record producing partners. Stoller was the composer and Leiber the lyricist. Their most famous songs include "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock", "Kansas City", "Stand By Me" Jerome "Jerry" Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011)...
in 1952. First recorded by Little Willie Littlefield
Little Willie Littlefield
Little Willie Littlefield is an American R&B pianist and singer.-Career:By 1947, at the age of sixteen, Littlefield was already a local attraction on many of Houston's Dowling Street Clubs and was recording for local record shop proprietor Eddie Henry who ran his own label "Eddies".Influenced by...
the same year, the song later became a #1 hit when it was recorded by Wilbert Harrison
Wilbert Harrison
Wilbert Harrison was an American rhythm and blues singer, pianist, guitarist and harmonica player.Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, Harrison had a Billboard #1 record in 1959 with the song "Kansas City". The song was written in 1952 and was one of the first credited collaborations...
in 1959. "Kansas City" became one of Leiber and Stoller's "most recorded tunes, with more than three hundred versions," with several appearing in the R&B and pop record charts.
Original song
"Kansas City" was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, two nineteen year-old rhythm and blues fans from Los Angeles, who had their first success writing Charles BrownCharles Brown (musician)
Charles Brown , born in Texas City, Texas was an American blues singer and pianist whose soft-toned, slow-paced blues-club style influenced the development of blues performance during the 1940s and 1950s...
's #7 R&B chart hit "Hard Times". Neither had been to Kansas City, but were inspired by Big Joe Turner
Big Joe Turner
Big Joe Turner was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri. According to the songwriter Doc Pomus, "Rock and roll would have never happened without him." Although he came to his greatest fame in the 1950s with his pioneering rock and roll recordings, particularly "Shake, Rattle and...
records.
- I'm goin' to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come (2x)
- They got a crazy way of lovin' there, and I'm gonna get me some
- I'm gonna be standing on the corner, of Twelveth Street and Vine (2x)
- With my Kansas City baby, and a bottle of Kansas City wine...
Through a connection to producer Ralph Bass
Ralph Bass
Ralph Bass , born in The Bronx, New York of an Italian-American-Catholic father, and a German-American-Jewish mother, was an influential rhythm and blues record producer and talent scout for several independent labels and was responsible for many hit records. He was a pioneer in bringing black...
, they wrote "Kansas City" specifically for West Coast blues
West Coast blues
The West Coast blues is a type of blues music characterized by jazz and jump blues influences, strong piano-dominated sounds and jazzy guitar solos, which originated from Texas blues players relocated to California in the 1940s...
/R&B artist Little Willie Littlefield. There was an initial disagreement between the two writers over the song's melody: Leiber (who wrote the lyrics) preferred a traditional blues song, while Stoller wanted a more distinctive vocal line; Stoller ultimately prevailed. They taught the song to Littlefield at Maxwell Davis
Maxwell Davis
Maxwell Davis was an American R&B saxophonist, arranger and record producer.-Biography:Davis was born in Independence, Kansas. In 1937 he moved to Los Angeles, California, playing saxophone in the Fletcher Henderson orchestra...
' house, who arranged and provided the tenor sax for the song. Littlefield recorded the song in Los Angeles in 1952, during his first recording session for Federal Records
Federal Records
Federal Records was an American record label founded in 1950 as a subsidiary of Syd Nathan's King Records and based in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was run by famed record producer Ralph Bass and was mainly devoted to Rhythm & Blues releases. But also hillbilly and rockabilly recordings were released,...
, a King Records subsidiary. Federal's Ralph Bass changed the title to "K. C. Lovin'", which he reportedly considered to sound "hipper" than "Kansas City". Littlefield's record had some success in parts of the U.S., but it did not reach the national chart.
Wilbert Harrison version
In 1959, after several years of performing Littlefield's "K. C. Lovin'", Wilbert Harrison decided to record the song. In March 1959, Harrison and a trio with Wild Jimmy SpruillWild Jimmy Spruill
Jimmy Spruill also known as Wild Jimmy Spruill, was an American New York based session guitarist.-Early life and success:...
entered a New York studio to record it for record producer Bobby Robinson
Bobby Robinson (record producer)
Bobby Robinson was an African-American independent record producer and songwriter in New York, most active from the 1950s through the mid 1980s. He produced hits by Wilbert Harrison, The Shirelles, Dave "Baby" Cortez, Elmore James, Lee Dorsey, Gladys Knight & The Pips, King Curtis, Spoonie Gee,...
at Fury Records
Fury Records
Fury Records was set up by Bobby Robinson in 1957. In 1959 it had a Billboard No.1 hit with Kansas City, sung by Wilbert Harrison. In the early seventies the label launched early rap groups like Grandmaster Flash....
. Although the song's arrangement varied little from Littlefield's, it "struck such a solid shuffle groove that it was unforgettable", with inspired rhythm and solo guitar work by Spruill. Harrison's song was issued with Leiber and Stoller's original name, "Kansas City", but changed the refrain to "They got some crazy little women there, and I'm gonna get me one" and dropped one twelve-bar section.
Shortly after the song's release, several other versions appeared. Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine's pop song pick of the week for March 30, 1959 listed five different releases of "Kansas City": Harrison's and versions by Hank Ballard
Hank Ballard
Hank Ballard , born John Henry Kendricks, was a rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, the lead vocalist of Hank Ballard and The Midnighters and one of the first proto-rock 'n' roll artists to emerge in the early 1950s...
and The Midnighters (King 5195), Rocky Olson (Chess
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
1723), Rockin' Ronald & the Rebels (End
End Records
End Records was a record label founded in 1957 by George Goldner. In 1962 the label was acquired by Morris Levy and incorporated into Roulette Records. Among its more successful recording acts were The Flamingos, The Chantels, and Little Anthony and the Imperials...
1043), and a reissue by Littlefield (Federal 12351). A week later, the magazine announced the release of a version by Little Richard
Little Richard
Richard Wayne Penniman , known by the stage name Little Richard, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He was also the first artist to put the funk in the rock and roll beat and...
(Specialty
Specialty Records
Specialty Records was an American record label based in Los Angeles. It was originally launched as Juke Box Records in 1946, but later renamed by its owner Art Rupe when he parted company with a couple of his original partners...
664), which was a medley of "Kansas City" with some new lyrics and an earlier Richard song "Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey
Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey
"Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!" is a song written by Little Richard which he usually performed as part of a medley with the Leiber and Stoller song "Kansas City". It was first released in 1958 as the B-side to his recording of "Good Golly Miss Molly"....
". Although Ballard's and Richard's versions both appeared in the lower reaches of the Billboard charts, Harrison's was a runaway hit, reaching number one in both the R&B and pop charts, where it remained for seven weeks, and became one of the top selling records of 1959.
The Beatles version
In 1964, The Beatles' recorded Little Richard's medley of "Kansas City" and "Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey", a song they began performing in their early Hamburg daysThe Beatles in Hamburg
The Beatles members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best regularly performed at different clubs in Hamburg, Germany, during the period from August 1960 to December 1962; a chapter in the group's history which honed their performance skills, widened their...
. Their version, which uses somewhat different lyrics, appears on the albums Beatles for Sale
Beatles for Sale
Beatles for Sale is the fourth studio album by the English rock band The Beatles, released in late 1964 and produced by George Martin for Parlophone. The album marked a minor turning point in the evolution of Lennon and McCartney as lyricists, John Lennon particularly now showing interest in...
(UK) and Beatles VI
Beatles VI
Beatles VI is The Beatles' seventh Capitol Records release in the United States . It was the ninth album released into that market in less than one and a half years...
(US) and as the B-side of the 1965 single "Boys
Boys (The Shirelles song)
"Boys" is a song by Luther Dixon and Wes Farrell, originally performed by The Shirelles and released as the B-side of their "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" single in November 1960.-The Beatles' version:...
". A live version, recorded in Hamburg in 1962, was released on Live! at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962
Live! at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962
Live! at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962 is a double album featuring live performances by The Beatles, recorded in late December 1962 at the Star-Club during their final Hamburg residency...
. Other live versions appear on the album Live at the BBC
Live at the BBC (The Beatles album)
Live at the BBC is a 1994 compilation album featuring performances by The Beatles that were originally broadcast on various BBC Light Programme radio shows from 1963 through 1965. The monaural album, available in multiple formats but most commonly as a two-CD set, consists of 56 songs and 13 tracks...
and in the film Let It Be
Let It Be (film)
Let It Be is a 1970 documentary film about The Beatles rehearsing and recording songs for the album Let It Be in January 1969. The film features an unannounced rooftop concert by the group, their last performance in public...
. The Beatles were also seen on the American television program "Shindig!" performing the medley live in October 1964.
Other versions
"Kansas City" has been recorded by hundreds of performers, including Bill Haley & His CometsBill Haley
Bill Haley was one of the first American rock and roll musicians. He is credited by many with first popularizing this form of music in the early 1950s with his group Bill Haley & His Comets and their hit song "Rock Around the Clock".-Early life and career:...
from the album Bill Haley and His Comets
Bill Haley and His Comets (1960 album)
Bill Haley and His Comets is the title of the tenth album of rock and roll recordings by Bill Haley & His Comets. Released in April 1960, it was the band's first album release for Warner Bros. Records, following their departure from Decca Records at the end of 1959...
(1960), Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee
Brenda Mae Tarpley , known as Brenda Lee, is an American performer who sang rockabilly, pop and country music, and had 37 US chart hits during the 1960s, a number surpassed only by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Ray Charles and Connie Francis...
from All the Way
All the Way (Brenda Lee album)
All the Way is the fifth studio album by American pop and country artist Brenda Lee. The album was released August 7, 1961 on Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley...
(1961), Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and...
from Blues Cross Country
Blues Cross Country
Blues Cross Country is a 1962 studio album by Peggy Lee, arranged by Quincy Jones.- Reception :The Allmusic review by William Ruhlmann awarded the album three and a half stars and commented that "Though Jones' arrangements are often a touch brassier than the blues standards can handle, Lee...
(1962) and Miss Peggy Lee Sings the Blues
Miss Peggy Lee Sings the Blues
-Track listing:# "See See Rider" – 5:06# "Basin Street Blues" – 3:10# "Squeeze Me" – 2:47# "You Don't Know" – 4:09# "Fine and Mellow" – 5:13...
(1988), Trini Lopez
Trini Lopez
Trini Lopez is an American singer, guitarist and actor.-Career:Lopez was born in Dallas, Texas, on Ashland Street in the Little Mexico neighborhood. He began his entertainment career in Dallas playing at the Vegas Club, a nightclub owned by Jack Ruby...
as a #23 pop chart single (1963), Jay and the Americans
Jay and the Americans
Jay and the Americans was a pop music group popular in the 1960s. Their initial lineup consisted of John "Jay" Traynor, Howard Kane , Kenny Vance and Sandy Deanne , though their greatest success on the charts came after Traynor had been replaced as lead singer by Jay Black.-Early years:They were...
from At the Cafe Wha? (1963), Sammy Davis Jr. from Sammy Davis, Jr. Sings the Big Ones for Young Lovers
Sammy Davis, Jr. Sings the Big Ones for Young Lovers
Sammy Davis, Jr. Sings the Big Ones for Young Lovers' is a 1964 studio album by Sammy Davis, Jr., arranged by Jimmie Haskell and Perry Botkin, Jr..-Track listing:#"Kansas City" – 2:48#"Don't Shut Me Out" – 2:30...
(1964), The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers are country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing...
from Rock & Soul
Rock & Soul
Rock & Soul is the name of an album by The Everly Brothers, originally released in 1965. It was re-released on CD in 2005 on the Collectors' Choice Music label....
(1965), James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
as a R&B #21 and pop #55 single (1967), Albert King
Albert King
Albert King was an American blues guitarist and singer, and a major influence in the world of blues guitar playing.-Career:...
from Born Under a Bad Sign
Born Under a Bad Sign
-Album reissues:In 1998 Sundazed Records reissued the album with two additional bonus tracks, namely the rare mono single sides "Funk-Shun" and "Overall Junction", both written by Albert King...
(1967), and Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
McKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
from Muddy "Mississippi" Waters – Live (1979). Ten versions of the song are featured on the 1994 album, The Best of Kansas City. In 1995, it was included in Smokey Joe's Cafe
Smokey Joe's Cafe
Smokey Joe's Cafe is a musical revue showcasing 39 pop standards, including rock and roll, rhythm and blues songs written by songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller...
, the musical revue about the songs of Leiber and Stoller.
Recognition and influence
In 2001, Harrison's "Kansas City" received a Grammy Hall of Fame AwardGrammy Hall of Fame Award
The Grammy Hall of Fame Award is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old and that have "qualitative or historical significance"...
and it is included on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
's list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll." In 2005, Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
adopted "Kansas City" as its official song, dedicating "Goin' to Kansas City Plaza" in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz district. Due to redevelopment, the "12th Street and Vine" intersection mentioned in the song no longer exists, but a park roughly in the shape of a grand piano and with a path in the shape of a treble clef exists at the former location. After each Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
win at Kauffman Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
, The Beatles' version of Kansas City is played over the sound system, while the Wilbert Harrison version is played after each loss.
See also
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1959 (U.S.)
- List of number-one R&B singles of 1959 (U.S.)