Topsy (instrumental)


"Topsy" was a 1938 instrumental release for bandleader Benny Goodman, written by Edgar Battle and Eddie Durham, which became a #14 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 made it to #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while the B-side reached #3 on the Hot 100 chart and #1 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart, staying atop the latter for six weeks. The two songs were simultaneous hits; they were closest together on the Hot 100 chart for the week ending November 2, 1958, when Topsy I was at #27 and Topsy II was at #4.

Notable Versions