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Grazing in the Grass

"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 1968, it followed United States trumpeter Herb Alpert's vocal performance of "This Guy's in Love with You" to the top spot on the Hot 100 chart,[1] ranking it as the 18th biggest hit of the year.[2] The song also reached No. 15 Adult Contemporary.[3] Masekela included the song in his albums Grazing in the Grass: The Best of Hugh Masekela (2001), Still Grazing (2004), and Live at the Market Theatre (2006).

"Grazing in the Grass"

"Bajabula Bonke (Healing Song)"

May 1968

March 12, 1968

2:55

Uni (55066)

Philemon Hou

Masekela's recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018.[4]


A vocal version by The Friends of Distinction, with lyrics by band member Harry Elston, was a US chart hit in 1969. "Grazing in the Grass" has been recorded by many other musicians.

Hugh Masekela – trumpet

 – guitar

Bruce Langhorne

Al Abreu – alto sax

William Henderson – piano

 – bass

Henry Franklin

Chuck Carter – drums, [8]

cowbell

"Grazing in the Grass"

"I Really Hope You Do"

March 1969

1969

2:52

  • Philemon Hou
  • Harry Elston

John Florez

 – vocals

The Friends of Distinction

Max Bennett – electric bass

Jim Gordon – drums

and Arthur Wright – guitars

Al Casey

 – piccolo flute

Gene Cipriano

John Audino, , Bud Childers, Dalton Smith – trumpets

Anthony Terran

King Errisson – congas

Douglas Davis – cello

 – tenor saxophone

Jim Horn

Garry Nuttycombe – viola

Jimmy Getzoff – violins

Harry Bluestone

Jack Arnold – percussion

 – piano

Larry Knechtel

Lyrics of this song

on YouTube (2016)

International Jazz Day: Hugh Masekela with Stevie Wonder – "Grazing In The Grass"

on YouTube

The Friends of Distinction – Grazing in the Grass