Apache (instrumental)


"Apache" is an instrumental written by English composer Jerry Lordan. The original version was by guitarist Bert Weedon, but Lordan did not like the version. The Shadows recorded "Apache" in June 1960; when it was released the next month, their version topped the UK Singles Chart for five weeks. Bert Weedon's original recording was released at the same time and reached number 24.
In 1961, Danish jazz guitarist Jørgen Ingmann's cover of "Apache" went to No. 2 in the US and No. 2 in Canada. A 1973 version by the Incredible Bongo Band has been called "hip-hop’s national anthem". Although this version was not a hit on release, its long percussion break has been sampled countless times on hip hop and dance tracks since the 1980s.
In March 2005, Q magazine placed "Apache" by the Shadows at No. 96 on its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.

Composition and original recording

English songwriter and composer Jerry Lordan came up with the tune. The title "Apache" reflects the source of Lordan's inspiration: the 1954 American western film Apache.
The original recording was by British guitarist Bert Weedon in early 1960. It remained unreleased for several months. In mid-1960 the Shadows were on tour with Lordan as a supporting act. The band discovered "Apache" when Lordan played it on a ukulele. Lordan figured the tune would fit the Shadows; the band agreed.

Shadows version

The recording was done at the EMI Abbey Road Studio in London. Singer-guitarist Joe Brown had bought an Italian-built guitar echo chamber that he did not like and gave it to Hank Marvin, who developed a distinctive sound using it and the tremolo arm of his Fender Stratocaster. Bruce Welch borrowed an acoustic Gibson J200 guitar from Cliff Richard, the heavy melodic bass was by Jet Harris, percussion was by Tony Meehan and Cliff Richard, who played a Chinese drum at the beginning and end to provide an atmosphere of stereotypically Native American music.
Record producer Norrie Paramor preferred the flip side, an instrumental of the army song "The Quartermaster's Stores", now called "The Quatermasster's Stores" after the TV series Quatermass. Paramor changed his mind after his daughter preferred "Apache". It has been cited by a generation of guitarists as inspirational and is considered one of the most influential British rock 45s of the pre-Beatles era. In a 1963 NME article, The Shadows said, "What's the most distinctive sound of our group? We often wondered what it is ourselves. Really, it is the sound we had when we recorded 'Apache' – that kind of Hawaiian sounding lead guitar... plus the beat."

Charts (Shadows version)

Chart
Position
UK Singles Chart1
Australia4
Austria4
Belgium 3
Belgium 4
France4
Germany6
Ireland 1
Italy2
Netherlands11
New Zealand1
South Africa1

UK chart history

The Shadows' "Apache" entered the UK top 40 on 21 July 1960 at no. 35, climbing into the top 20 the following week. A fortnight later, the song rose twelve places to no. 3 and, on 25 August, deposed "Please Don't Tease" – on which The Shadows backed Cliff Richard – to begin a five-week run at no. 1.
On 29 September, "Apache" dropped to no.2, replaced by "Tell Laura I Love Her" by Ricky Valance. The Shadows version proved to be an enduring hit, enjoying a 19-week run in the top 40 which concluded on 24 November, reappearing for one more week on 8 December. During this run, the group's follow-up single "Man of Mystery/The Stranger" peaked at no.5, alongside the no.3 success of "Nine Times Out of Ten".

Jørgen Ingmann version

After the Shadows version began its rise up the UK charts, Weedon's original climbed to no.24 in the UK. However, neither the Shadows nor Weedon had any impact on North America. Then, in late 1960, Jørgen Ingmann produced his own 'twangy' multi-tracked cover version that was released in the United States in November 1960. In 1961, this cover version, credited to "Jørgen Ingmann and His Guitar", made No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, behind Blue Moon by The Marcels. On other US charts, "Apache" reached No. 9 on the US R&B chart. The track reached no.1 on Canada's CHUM Chart.

Edgar Broughton Band's "Apache Drop Out"

In 1970, English progressive rock group The Edgar Broughton Band released a single "Apache Drop Out", which combined "Apache" with a version of Captain Beefheart's "Drop Out Boogie". The highly unorthodox single reached No. 33 on the UK Singles Chart.

Incredible Bongo Band version

A 1973 version by Michael Viner and a funk group called The Incredible Bongo Band added a bongo drum introduction and included more percussion. The drum break was played by Jim Gordon. Although this version was not a hit on its initial release, it became heavily sampled in early hip hop music, including by Afrika Bambaataa, who cited its influence. It has been sampled by hip hop performers such as The Sugarhill Gang, L.L. Cool J, The Roots and Nas, techno performers The Future Sound of London and Moby, and drum and bass acts J Majik and Goldie.
The 2013 documentary Sample This, directed by Dan Forrer and narrated by Gene Simmons, recounts the story of The Incredible Bongo Band and its recording of "Apache".

Notable samples

The Sugarhill Gang version

In 1981, the rap group known as the Sugarhill Gang covered the Incredible Bongo Band's version of the song on its second album, 8th Wonder. In 1982, this version peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 51 on the US Dance chart, and No. 13 on the US R&B chart. In 1995, this version gained additional popularity after being featured in "Viva Lost Wages", a sixth-season episode of the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as well as in "Whoops, There It Is", a subsequent clip show from the series. Using the distinctive beat and bongo drums as well as Native American war cries, the Sugarhill Gang added rap lyrics with references to include the following:
A reworked version of this song for children titled simply "Jump on It!" is featured as the title track on the Sugarhill Gang's album Jump on It!. This song differs from the original version with the signature "Jump on it" line being replaced by "Jump up", lyrics encouraging children to learn science, mathematics, and English, and a stronger funk influence.

Sir Mix-A-Lot: "Jump on It" (1996)

In 1996, Sir Mix-A-Lot played off the lyrics to the Sugarhill Gang's version of "Apache" in his hit "Jump on It", released on the album Return of the Bumpasaurus. The lyrics contained the names of cities of the United States.

Fatboy Slim: "Apache" (1998)

The soundtrack of the movie Snatch has an extract of a DJ mix CD by Fatboy Slim, which contained the Incredible Bongo Band version of "Apache".

Switch: "A Bit Patchy" (2005/2006)

In 2005, Switch extensively sampled the covered version by Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band for his track "A Bit Patchy". The track has since been used to advertise William Hill Online on TV and has been remixed by artists such as Eric Prydz and Sinden.

Other songs that sample the Incredible Bongo Band's "Apache"

From this point, the song became a staple of instrumental combos on both sides of the Atlantic. Among many recordings, Spanish rock band Los Pekenikes covered "Apache" in 1961, The Ventures in 1962 and Davie Allan and The Arrows in 1965. Sonny James recorded a vocal music version in 1961. It was produced in Nashville by Chet Atkins and was review-rated as a Spotlight Winner. George Harrison said The Beatles used to play "Apache" as well as other Shadows' hits during their shows in Hamburg.
The Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA adopted "Apache" as the unofficial team anthem in 2007. Following victories, the team would dance to the song at center court. For the first home game of the team's first WNBA Finals appearance, the team brought in the Sugarhill Gang to perform the song at halftime.