Tampico (song)
Encyclopedia
"Tampico" is a popular song, written in 1945
by Gene Roland
and produced by Stan Kenton
. The song gave June Christy
a top-ten hit in 1945, peaking at #6 on the Billboard charts
. Christy later commented to the Jazz Journal International that she had been disappointed that her first recording with Kenton was Tampico, but was fortunate that it was a hit and established her right away.
The song takes a satirical look at the Mexican
city of its title, suggesting that at the time, Tampico, Tamaulipas, had become more Americanized than the U.S. itself, and that many of the souvenirs which could be bought there had been manufactured in the United States
.
Other recordings of Tampico have been made by Benny Goodman
, Doris Fisher and Edmundo Ros
among others. The song was also performed by Jo Stafford
at The Chesterfield Supper Club
and can be heard on the album At the Supper Club Part III
.
1945 in music
-Events:*The Motion Picture Daily Fame Poll designates Bing Crosby "Top Male Vocalist" for the ninth straight year.*July 26 - Composer Ernest John Moeran marries cellist Peers Coetmore.*August 19 - Dick Powell marries June Allyson....
by Gene Roland
Gene Roland
Gene M. Roland was a jazz composer and musician who played many instruments during his career but was most significant as an arranger/composer and for his association with Stan Kenton...
and produced by Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
. The song gave June Christy
June Christy
June Christy , born Shirley Luster, was an American singer, known for her work in the cool jazz genre and for her silky smooth vocals. Her success as a singer began with The Stan Kenton Orchestra. She pursued a solo career from 1954 and is best known for her debut album Something Cool...
a top-ten hit in 1945, peaking at #6 on the Billboard charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
. Christy later commented to the Jazz Journal International that she had been disappointed that her first recording with Kenton was Tampico, but was fortunate that it was a hit and established her right away.
The song takes a satirical look at the Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
city of its title, suggesting that at the time, Tampico, Tamaulipas, had become more Americanized than the U.S. itself, and that many of the souvenirs which could be bought there had been manufactured in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Other recordings of Tampico have been made by Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
, Doris Fisher and Edmundo Ros
Edmundo Ros
Edmundo William Ros OBE was a Trinidadian musician, vocalist, arranger and bandleader who made his career in Britain. He directed a highly popular Latin American orchestra, had an extensive recording career and owned one of London's leading nightclubs.- Life :Ros was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad...
among others. The song was also performed by Jo Stafford
Jo Stafford
Jo Elizabeth Stafford was an American singer of traditional pop music and jazz standards and occasional actress whose career ran from the late 1930s to the early 1960s...
at The Chesterfield Supper Club
The Chesterfield Supper Club
The Chesterfield Supper Club, an NBC musical variety radio program , was also telecast by NBC from 1948 to 1950.-Radio:The Chesterfield Supper Club began on December 11, 1944, as a 15-minute radio program, airing at 7pm weeknights on the NBC Radio Network. This musical variety show was sponsored by...
and can be heard on the album At the Supper Club Part III
At the Supper Club Part III (Stafford)
At the Supper Club Part III is a 2011 album release of recordings by American singer Jo Stafford. The tracks are taken from her appearances on The Chesterfield Supper Club, the NBC variety program of the 1940s. The recordings on this compilation were made with Lloyd Shafer and His Orchestra, Paul...
.
External links
- List of recordings of Tampico at AllMusic