Nutbush City Limits
Encyclopedia
"Nutbush City Limits" is a semi-autobiographical rock and roll
song written and originally performed by Tina Turner
in which she commemorates her rural hometown of Nutbush, Tennessee
. Released June 1973, shortly before her separation from then-husband and musical partner Ike Turner
, "Nutbush City Limits" was the last hit single the duo would produce together. In the years since, "Nutbush City Limits" has been covered
by a number of other artists and Tina Turner herself has also re-recorded several different versions of the song. As an unincorporated town, Nutbush does not actually have "city limits", but it does have a "Nutbush—Unincorporated" sign on the highway.
in May 1973 and released as a single the following month by the couple under their professional name, Ike & Tina Turner
. The song later appeared on their album of the same title, released November 1973, and proved to be the duo's final significant chart hit, reaching #22 on the Billboard
Hot 100
and #4 on the UK Singles Chart
. Following the couple's split, the song became a staple of Tina's live show, where she re-worked the funky studio version into a hard-driving rock and roll showstopper.
Marc Bolan
of the glam rock
band T. Rex
is believed to have played guitar on "Nutbush City Limits", although he received no credit for his participation. Gloria Jones
, his girlfriend at the time—who herself provided backing vocals for Ike & Tina Turner in the 1960s—stated definitely that this was the case in the 2007 BBC4
documentary Marc Bolan: The Final Word. Considering that Bolan toured the US extensively and resided in the Los Angeles
area during the mid-70s, and that he is also acknowledged to have contributed to Ike & Tina Turner's 1974 singles "Baby—Get It On" and "Sexy Ida", Jones' claim likely has some truth to it, especially as the guitar sound on "Nutbush City Limits" closely resembles Bolan's style.
, was released as the lead single to promote the double album Tina Live in Europe
in 1988, but was in fact a different recording than the one that appeared on the actual album. While this version didn't manage to make much of an impact on any charts, the single is notable for being one of the very first by Turner to be released on Compact Disc, at that time a relatively new format, in addition to 7" and 3-track 12" vinyl editions.
Both the CD and 12" singles featured a 10-minute, 57-second live rendition of ZZ Top
's song "Legs
" from their 1983 album Eliminator, which was not included on the Tina Live in Europe album. A shorter version of "Legs", recorded on Turner's 1993 What's Love? Tour
, would later appear on her 1994 CD box set The Collected Recordings - Sixties to Nineties
.
ed by producers Chris "C. J." Mackintosh and Dave Dorrell to become "The 90s Version". The 12" single also featured an extended six-minute version of the dance remix, and a limited-release promotional DJ
edition from the UK included still another take, "A Little Bit o' Bush". The corresponding music video
for "The 90s Version" shows Turner recording the song in studio, intercut with footage from Nutbush, TN of the various landmarks mentioned.
Nutbush
, an unincorporated town in Haywood County, TN
located 75 miles (120.7 km) northeast of Memphis, is the childhood home of singer Tina Turner described in her 1973 song, "Nutbush City Limits". The town does not have "city limits" per se; however, "Nutbush—Unincorporated
" signs are posted on the adjoining roads.
Nutbush is located near the junction of Tennessee State Routes 180
and 19
, the latter of which is mentioned in the song as "Highway number nineteen" (mistakenly noted as US-19 in Seger's version), with a noted speed limit
of 25 mph (40 km/h) ("twenty-five was the speed limit").
In 2002, a nine-mile (14.5 km) segment of State Route 19 between Nutbush and Brownsville
was officially designated "Tina Turner Highway" to honor the singer.
performed to the song "Nutbush City Limits" that became popular in Australia
during the disco
era.
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
song written and originally performed by Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
in which she commemorates her rural hometown of Nutbush, Tennessee
Nutbush, Tennessee
Nutbush is an unincorporated rural community in Haywood County, Tennessee, United States, in the western part of the state.Established in the early 19th century, Nutbush is home to two early American churches founded by white settlers, Woodlawn Baptist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church...
. Released June 1973, shortly before her separation from then-husband and musical partner Ike Turner
Ike Turner
Isaac Wister Turner was an American musician, bandleader, songwriter, arranger, talent scout, and record producer. In a career that lasted more than half a century, his repertoire included blues, soul, rock, and funk...
, "Nutbush City Limits" was the last hit single the duo would produce together. In the years since, "Nutbush City Limits" has been covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by a number of other artists and Tina Turner herself has also re-recorded several different versions of the song. As an unincorporated town, Nutbush does not actually have "city limits", but it does have a "Nutbush—Unincorporated" sign on the highway.
1973 original version
The initial recording of "Nutbush City Limits" was produced by Ike TurnerIke Turner
Isaac Wister Turner was an American musician, bandleader, songwriter, arranger, talent scout, and record producer. In a career that lasted more than half a century, his repertoire included blues, soul, rock, and funk...
in May 1973 and released as a single the following month by the couple under their professional name, Ike & Tina Turner
Ike & Tina Turner
Ike & Tina Turner were an American rock & roll and soul duo, made of the husband-and-wife team of Ike Turner and Tina Turner in the 1960s and 1970s. Spanning sixteen years together as a recording group, the duo's repertoire included rock & roll, soul, blues and funk...
. The song later appeared on their album of the same title, released November 1973, and proved to be the duo's final significant chart hit, reaching #22 on the 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...
Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and #4 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. Following the couple's split, the song became a staple of Tina's live show, where she re-worked the funky studio version into a hard-driving rock and roll showstopper.
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
of the glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
band T. Rex
T. Rex (band)
T. Rex were a British rock band, formed in 1967 by singer/songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band formed as Tyrannosaurus Rex, releasing four folk albums under the name...
is believed to have played guitar on "Nutbush City Limits", although he received no credit for his participation. Gloria Jones
Gloria Jones
Gloria Richetta Jones is an American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She recorded the 1964 northern soul song, "Tainted Love", later a hit for the British synth-pop duo, Soft Cell. She was the girlfriend of glam rock artist Marc Bolan of the band T...
, his girlfriend at the time—who herself provided backing vocals for Ike & Tina Turner in the 1960s—stated definitely that this was the case in the 2007 BBC4
BBC Four
BBC Four is a British television network operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation and available to digital television viewers on Freeview, IPTV, satellite and cable....
documentary Marc Bolan: The Final Word. Considering that Bolan toured the US extensively and resided in the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
area during the mid-70s, and that he is also acknowledged to have contributed to Ike & Tina Turner's 1974 singles "Baby—Get It On" and "Sexy Ida", Jones' claim likely has some truth to it, especially as the guitar sound on "Nutbush City Limits" closely resembles Bolan's style.
1988 live version
A live recording of the track, most likely from Turner's record-breaking 1986–1987 Break Every Rule TourBreak Every Rule Tour
The Break Every Rule Tour is the fourth worldwide concert tour by American singer Tina Turner. The tour supported her second album Break Every Rule. It was sponsored by Pepsi-Cola and broke box office records in 13 different countries...
, was released as the lead single to promote the double album Tina Live in Europe
Tina Live in Europe
Tina Live in Europe is the first live album by Tina Turner and was released in 1988.-Overview:This album is compiled of live performances made between the years 1985 and 1987, the majority of which are from Turner's Break Every Rule Tour but also from the 1985 Private Dancer Tour, as well as the...
in 1988, but was in fact a different recording than the one that appeared on the actual album. While this version didn't manage to make much of an impact on any charts, the single is notable for being one of the very first by Turner to be released on Compact Disc, at that time a relatively new format, in addition to 7" and 3-track 12" vinyl editions.
Both the CD and 12" singles featured a 10-minute, 57-second live rendition of ZZ Top
ZZ Top
ZZ Top is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "That Little Ol' Band from Texas". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based boogie rock, has come to incorporate elements of arena, southern, and boogie rock. The band, from Houston Texas, formed in 1969...
's song "Legs
Legs (song)
"Legs" is a song performed by the band ZZ Top from their 1983 album Eliminator. The song was released as a single in 1984 and reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States...
" from their 1983 album Eliminator, which was not included on the Tina Live in Europe album. A shorter version of "Legs", recorded on Turner's 1993 What's Love? Tour
What's Love? Tour
The What's Love? Tour is the sixth concert tour by American singer, Tina Turner. The tour supported the soundtrack to Turner's semi-autobiographical film entitled, What's Love Got to Do with It. The tour primarily visited North America along with a few shows in Europe.-Background:In 1990, Turner...
, would later appear on her 1994 CD box set The Collected Recordings - Sixties to Nineties
The Collected Recordings - Sixties to Nineties
The Collected Recordings – Sixties to Nineties is a 16 bit digitally remastered three disc compilation album by American rock singer Tina Turner...
.
- "Nutbush City Limits" (live) –
- Tina Live in Europe album track –
1991 remixes
Turner re-recorded "Nutbush City Limits" in a modern dance style—subtitled "The 90s Version"—for inclusion on her 1991 compilation album Simply the Best. Upon its release as a single, the song peaked at #23 on the UK Singles Chart and was a Top 20 hit in several other European countries. A different rendition, entitled "Nutbush City Limits ('91)", appeared alongside "The 90s Version". This funkier yet more laid-back arrangement is actually the one for which Turner recorded new vocals that were later remixRemix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed by producers Chris "C. J." Mackintosh and Dave Dorrell to become "The 90s Version". The 12" single also featured an extended six-minute version of the dance remix, and a limited-release promotional DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
edition from the UK included still another take, "A Little Bit o' Bush". The corresponding music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "The 90s Version" shows Turner recording the song in studio, intercut with footage from Nutbush, TN of the various landmarks mentioned.
- "Nutbush City Limits (The 90s Version)" –
- "Nutbush City Limits ('91)" –
- "Nutbush City Limits (Nutbush City '91)" –
- "A Little Bit o' Bush" –
1993 re-recording
In 1993, Turner re-recorded the track as a re-working of the original studio arrangement for the What's Love Got to Do with It soundtrack album.Other artists
- Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet BandBob SegerRobert Clark "Bob" Seger is an American rock and roll singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist.As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s...
recorded "Nutbush City Limits" for their 1975 album Beautiful LoserBeautiful LoserBeautiful Loser is the eighth album by American rock singer/songwriter Bob Seger, released in 1975 .The album relied mostly on session musicians from the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, but the Silver Bullet Band members were used separately on some songs and together on "Nutbush City Limits," a...
. It was a mainstay of their concert performances as documented on the Live BulletLive Bullet‘Live’ Bullet is a live album by American rock band Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, released in April 1976. It was recorded at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan, during the heyday of that arena's time as an important rock concert venue.-History:...
album where they used it for the opening number. The Live Bullet version was released as a promotional single and became a Detroit-area hit. - In 1980, Brian JohnsonBrian JohnsonBrian Johnson is an English singer and lyricist who has been the lead singer for the rock band AC/DC since 1980. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 along with the other members of the band....
sang "Nutbush City Limits" and "Whole Lotta RosieWhole Lotta Rosie"Whole Lotta Rosie" is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It is the eighth and final track on the band's fourth Australian album, Let There Be Rock, released in Australia in March 1977, and was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott...
" as part of his first audition for the band AC/DCAC/DCAC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
. - Alvin LeeAlvin LeeAlvin Lee is an English rock guitarist and singer. He began playing guitar at the age of 13, and with Leo Lyons formed the core of the band Ten Years After in 1960...
and Steve Gould included a version of "Nutbush City Limits" on their 1981 collaboration, RX5. - Precious WilsonPrecious WilsonPrecious Wilson is a soul singer.-Background:Wilson started out as a backing singer for the all-male group Eruption. The group enjoyed a minor hit when they won a talent competition in 1975 with the song "Let Me Take You Back in Time"...
and La MamaLa Mama (band)La Mama is a German pop and disco trio who worked in Frank Farian's studios in the first half of the 1980s. Adapting their name from New York theatre La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, they released three singles and two albums and worked as backing singers on a number of recordings for other...
covered the song on their 1983 album Funky Fingers. - A rendition by Bloodloss appeared both on their 1988 album Human Skin Suit and as a B-side on the 1989 single release of "School's OutSchool's Out (song)Female pop duo Daphne & Celeste, released a cover of the song in 2000. The chorus is based on Alice Cooper's hit of the same name, and some other elements of that song have been retained, although much of the song is "original", in a pop-rap style...
" by King Snake RoostKing Snake RoostKing Snake Roost were one of a number of Australian and International guitar-based bands who emerged from within the punk rock and post-punk scene of the mid 1980s that came to be defined as noise rock. King Snake Roost formed in 1985 in Adelaide and in 1987 the band moved to Sydney. The band...
. - The German electronicaElectronicaElectronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
group Boom Operators, fronted by Harald Blüchel, featured "Nutbush City Limits" on their 1991 album Hu-Man. - Martin BarreMartin BarreMartin Lancelot Barre is an English rock musician.Barre has been the guitarist for rock band Jethro Tull since 1969. He has appeared on every Jethro Tull album except their debut This Was...
, guitarist for Jethro TullJethro Tull (band)Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, recorded a cover of this song in 1992 for his first solo album, A Summer Band. - In 2005, the tune was also covered by Nashville PussyNashville PussyNashville Pussy is an American hard rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. Their musical style mixes boogie rock, Southern metal and psychobilly. Much of the band's lyrical themes mostly revolve around sex, drugs, drinking, fighting, and rock 'n' roll...
and can be heard on their album Get Some!. - On May 15, 2007, American IdolAmerican IdolAmerican Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
contestant Melinda DoolittleMelinda DoolittleMelinda Marie Doolittle is an American singer who finished as the third place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol...
sang the song in her second Top 3 performances; she received excellent marks from all three judges. - Pearl AdayPearl AdayPearl Aday is an American female singer and adopted daughter of Meat Loaf and his wife Leslie Aday. Pearl, whose biological father was the drummer for Janis Joplin’s band, Full Tilt Boogie, was adopted by Meat Loaf after he married her mother....
performed "Nutbush City Limits" as part of her band's opening set for father Meat LoafMeat LoafMichael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
's Casa De Carne tour in 2008.
Chart performance
| Chart (1973) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria Ö3 Singles Chart Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 is the name of the official Austrian singles chart, as well as the radio show which presents it, aired Fridays on Hitradio Ö3. The show presents the Austrian singles, ringtones and downloads chart. It premiered on 26 November 1968 as Disc Parade and was presented by Ernst Grissemann... |
1 |
| Germany Media Control Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
2 |
| Swiss Music Charts Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
2 |
| UK Singles Chart | 4 |
| Italian Singles Chart Federation of the Italian Music Industry The Federation of the Italian Music Industry is an umbrella organization that keeps track of virtually all aspects of the music recording industry in Italy.... |
5 |
| South Africa Singles Chart | 9 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
18 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 22 |
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Airplay Chart | 9 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 11 |
| Netherlands Top 40 Singles Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
11 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 12 |
| Swiss Music Charts | 12 |
| Australia ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
16 |
| UK Singles Chart | 23 |
| Austria Ö3 Singles Chart | 25 |
| Germany Media Control Singles Chart | 25 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 26 |
Tina Turner Highway
Nutbush, Tennessee
Nutbush is an unincorporated rural community in Haywood County, Tennessee, United States, in the western part of the state.Established in the early 19th century, Nutbush is home to two early American churches founded by white settlers, Woodlawn Baptist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church...
, an unincorporated town in Haywood County, TN
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
located 75 miles (120.7 km) northeast of Memphis, is the childhood home of singer Tina Turner described in her 1973 song, "Nutbush City Limits". The town does not have "city limits" per se; however, "Nutbush—Unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
" signs are posted on the adjoining roads.
Nutbush is located near the junction of Tennessee State Routes 180
Tennessee State Route 180
State Route 180 is a secondary south–north highway in Haywood and Lauderdale Counties, Tennessee, United States.http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/Maps/county/co49.pdf Lauderdale County, TN Highway Maphttp://www.tdot.state.tn.us/Maps/county/co38.pdf Haywood County, TN Highway Map State Route 180 is...
and 19
Tennessee State Route 19
State Route 19 or the Tina Turner Highway is a road in Haywood and Lauderdale Counties, Tennessee, United States.http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/Maps/county/co49.pdf Lauderdale County, TN Highway Maphttp://www.tdot.state.tn.us/Maps/county/co38.pdf Haywood County, TN Highway Map State Route 19 is 42.81...
, the latter of which is mentioned in the song as "Highway number nineteen" (mistakenly noted as US-19 in Seger's version), with a noted speed limit
Speed limit
Road speed limits are used in most countries to regulate the speed of road vehicles. Speed limits may define maximum , minimum or no speed limit and are normally indicated using a traffic sign...
of 25 mph (40 km/h) ("twenty-five was the speed limit").
In 2002, a nine-mile (14.5 km) segment of State Route 19 between Nutbush and Brownsville
Brownsville, Tennessee
Brownsville is a city in Haywood County, Tennessee, United States. It is the county seat of Haywood County. The city is named after Jacob Jennings Brown, an officer who served during The War of 1812.-Geography:...
was officially designated "Tina Turner Highway" to honor the singer.
The Nutbush
The Nutbush is a line danceLine dance
A line dance is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows without regard for the gender of the individuals, all facing the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time. Line dancers are not in physical contact...
performed to the song "Nutbush City Limits" that became popular in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
during the disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
era.
External links
- "Nutbush City Limits" at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
- "Nutbush City Limits" lyrics at Yahoo! MusicYahoo! MusicYahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...
- "Nutbush City Limits (The 90s Version)" music video at Yahoo! Music