Topsy (instrumental)

"Topsy" was a 1938 instrumental release for bandleader Benny Goodman, written by Edgar Battle and Eddie Durham, which became a number fourteen pop hit. The tune had previously been recorded by Count Basie and his Orchestra on August 9th 1937.

In 1958, drummer Cozy Cole recorded the song and issued it in two parts as a single. The A-side ("Topsy, Part 1") made it to #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while the B-side ("Topsy, Part 2") reached #3 on the Hot 100 chart and #1 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart, staying atop the latter for six weeks.

Notable Versions

Count Basie Orchestra
Charlie Christian (credited as "Swing to Bop")

References

Preceded by "It's All in the Game" by Tommy Edwards

Billboard Hot R&B Sides number-one single (Cozy Cole version) October 27, 1958 – December 1, 1958

Succeeded by "A Lover's Question" by Clyde McPhatter

Produced by Leo Scalia