Hit The Road Jack
"Hit The Road Jack" is a non-album single by The Residents, released on Ralph Records in 1987. It features an up-tempo electronic cover of the Percy Mayfield song of the same name (popularly performed by Ray Charles), backed by an excerpt from their instrumental suite For Elsie, based on "Fur Elise" by Ludwig van Beethoven.
"Hit The Road Jack" was intended to be included on Ray & Ra, a planned (but never completed) album in the group's American Composer Series, which combined the music of Ray Charles with that of Sun Ra. A "Special Almost Dance Mix" of the song was also released as a 12" EP in the same year.
History
"Hit The Road Jack" was recorded by The Residents immediately after the conclusion of the 13th Anniversary Show, Hardy Fox, whilst promoting the release, said it was recorded as a one off, for sentimental and personal reasons.[1]
Wether or not the song was intended for their supposed Ray & Ra, album, is subject to debate and speculation, with conflicting reports
The single also features an excerpt from the group's 1985 instrumental suite "For Elsie", based on "Fur Elise" by Ludwig van Beethoven. This piece was composed as intermission music for the 13th Anniversary Show and was later released in its entirety on the EP of the same name. The same excerpt was later included on the digital compilation Morning Music in 2010.
Release
The first pressing of the single, released by Ralph Records, was limited to 200 copies. This limited edition features plain yellow labels. The second regular pressing featured a checkered label. Following this, a picture disc edition was released in a limited edition of 2,000. A "Special Almost Dance Mix" of the song was also released as a 12" EP around the same time.
The single was released in Holland on June 20th 1987 by Torso in both 7" and 12" editions. The 12" featured an extended version of the title track, which is the same as the "Special Almost Dance Mix", just played at a slower speed.
Track listing
7" single
- Hit The Road Jack (Mayfield) (4:00)
- Excerpt From "For Elsie" (Residents/Beethoven) (2:04)
12" EP
- Hit The Road Jack (Extended Version) (Mayfield) (5:50)
- Hit The Road Jack (Mayfield) (4:00)
- Excerpt From "For Elsie" (Residents/Beethoven) (2:04)
Credits
- Hit The Road Jack written by: P. Mayfield
- Backing Singers on 'Jack': Laurie Amat, Jeanette Sartain & Olan Joans
- All Under The Worthy Baton of: J. Raoul Brody
- Excerpt From "For Elsie" based on 'Fur Elise' by Beethoven, written by The Residents.
Release history
| Label | Format | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Ralph Records | 7" | US |
| Torso | 7/12" | NL |
See also
- Hit The Road Jack (Special Almost Dance Mix)
- The American Composer Series
- Ray Charles
- For Elsie
- "Daydream In Space"