Grazing in the Grass by Hugh Masekela \ Video by Chris Burke

Slideshow - Photos by C. Burke

[darrinbaker]

This is the only song in the history of recorded music that DOESN’T need more cowbell.

[chuckcitytx]

I could be told anything, good or bad, while listening to this song and not give two shits. Spring is here in Texas... thanks to all that is good in this world!

[richardfigueroa]

One of my favorites tune of all times. More than 50 years later I still can't believe my ears. Oh God I love this one muchas gracias maestro Hugh.

[peady]

You are so right. I still get the chills listening to those two great masterpieces. Simply timeless classics,

[CeCe]

I can see myself on the dance floor doing the "four corners." We use to party hard to this song. Wow great memories.

[MsMutiti]

Hugh Masekela is really a good Musician and and an expert on Trumpet.
I love the beat in his music.

[kingdomswhoswho]

South African super star made the charts with this infectious tune.

[stubbyguy]

This song and "Soulful Strut" by Young Holt Unlimted were two of the best instrumental songs of the 1960's and maybe of all time

[Panamablue]

Every time I feel a little is sure to pick me

[LorettaGreenWilliams]

Saw Hugh live a few years ago..he still has his chops and it sounds better than ever...we had a great time talking about the good ole days

[LadyPreacher]

This was the " We going fishing song!!".. How I miss my Daddy 😥😥😥But awesome memories !!!❤❤❤❤❤

[bananagirlify]

Amazing Amazing Piece...Rest in Peace Hugh Maskela....

[davescott]

The first time I heard this, I was sure it had to be Herb Alpert.  What a surprise to find there was another great 60's/70's trumpeter. 

[mayanking]

this song always puts a smile on my face, truly a well made REAL song!

[funwithFred]

I love this song....so nice to hear it again. And with such lovely photos...had to chuckle at the desire to comment on cowbell and chuckle more that others beat me to it...

[Harbinger]

They should have had Christopher Walken produce this record, that way he could yell from the sound booth; "more cowbell!" Thanks for sharing.

[capdeelite]

wow..this song took me back to swinging in the yard. oh what a smile is on my face.

[daysturn]

I love this video. No people. Just nature's beauty.

[carlinraton]

"Grazing in the Grass" is an instrumental composed by Philemon Hou and first recorded by the South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela*. Released in the United States as a single in ©May 1968, it hit no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, ranking it as the 18th biggest hit of the year [source: Wiki]

Sure is mellow grazin' in the grass (grazin' in the grass, yes, baby, can you dig it?)

What a trip just watchin' as the world goes past (grazin' in the grass, yes, baby, can you dig it?)

There are too many groovy things to see while grazin' in the grass (grazin' in the grass, yes, baby, can you dig it?)

Flowers with colours for takin', everything outta sight (grazin' in the grass, yes, baby, can you dig it?)



The sun peekin' out between the leaves (grazin' in the grass, yes, baby, can you dig it?)

And the bir-ir-ir-irds dartin' in and out of the trees (grazin' in the grass, yes, baby, can you dig it?)



Everything here is so clear, you can see it

And everything here is so real, you can feel it

And it's real, so real, so real, so real, so real, so real

Can you dig it?



I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it, we can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it

Oh, let's dig it. Can you dig it, baby?

I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it, we can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it

Oh, let's dig it. Can you dig it, baby?




instrumental break



The sun peekin' out between the leaves (grazin' in the grass, yes, baby, can you dig it?)

And the bir-ir-ir-irds dartin' in and out of the trees (grazin' in the grass, yes, baby, can you dig it?)



Everything here is so clear, you can see it

And everything here is so real, you can feel it

And it's real, so real, so real, so real, so real, so real

Can you dig it?



I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it, we can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it

Oh, let's dig it. Can you dig it, baby?

I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it, we can dig it, they can dig it, you can dig it

Oh, let's dig it. Can you dig it, baby?


*Hugh Ramopolo Masekela (born 4 April 1939) is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer. He is the father of American television host Sal Masekela.

Masekela was born in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa. He began singing and playing piano as a child. At the age of 14, after seeing the film Young Man with a Horn (in which Kirk Douglas plays a character modelled on American jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke), Masekela took up playing the trumpet. His first trumpet was given to him by Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, the anti-apartheid chaplain at St. Peter's Secondary School.

Huddleston asked the leader of the then Johannesburg "Native" Municipal Brass Band, Uncle Sauda, to teach Masekela the rudiments of trumpet playing. Masekela quickly mastered the instrument. Soon, some of his schoolmates also became interested in playing instruments, leading to the formation of the Huddleston Jazz Band, South Africa's first youth orchestra. By 1956, after leading other ensembles, Masekela joined Alfred Herbert's African Jazz Revue.

Since 1954, Masekela has played music that closely reflects his life experience. The agony, conflict, and exploitation South Africa faced during the 1950s and 1960s: This inspired, influenced him to make music and also spread political change. He was an artist who in his music vividly portrayed the struggles and sorrows, as well as the joys and passions of his country. His music protested about apartheid, slavery, government; the hardships individuals were living. Masekela reached a large population that also felt oppressed due to the country's situation [Wiki].

[davidfaubion]

Nice, nice jazz symphonic layers of horn with keys, percussion and bass --soothingly sweet