"Georgy Porgy" is a song by American rock band Toto. It was written by band member David Paich and included on their self-titled debut album in 1978. Released as the album's third single in 1979, the song reached number 11 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked at number 18 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Background

The lead vocals are performed by guitarist Steve Lukather. Cheryl Lynn provided the female backing vocal, singing an adaptation from the nursery rhyme "Georgie Porgie." In a 1988 interview with Modern Drummer, Jeff Porcaro discussed developing the groove for "Georgy Porgy," saying: "It's imitating Paul Humphrey heavily; it's imitating Earl Palmer very heavily. When it comes to that groove, my biggest influences were Paul Humphrey, Ed Greene, Earl Palmer, and the godfather of that 16th-note groove, James Gadson. That "Georgy Porgy" groove I owe to them."

Critical reception

Cash Box said the song begins "with stout drumming and melodic piano playing, conga backing and excellent overlapping flute, guitar and vocal lines." Billboard called it "an easy flowing, catchy pop disk which contains some jazz and soul elements" and praised the piano and bass playing as well as the vocal line. Record World said that it "has a light jazzy feeling and clear punchy vocals" as well as powerful instrumentation. Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian rated it as Toto's 7th greatest song, saying that "The song’s incredible swing feel that was so captivating the first time we heard it, still remains an additive pleasure to listen to almost forty years later."

Personnel

Toto

Release history

Charts

Eric Benét version

American R&B singer-songwriter Eric Benét recorded a cover of "Georgy Porgy" for his second studio album, A Day in the Life (1999). This version features vocals from fellow American R&B singer Faith Evans and was produced by R&B group Somethin' for the People. Released on February 8, 1999, Benét's version was successful in New Zealand, where it peaked at number two on the RIANZ Singles Chart, and it became a top-40 hit in France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Music video

A music video for "Georgy Porgy" was directed by Canadian music video director Little X.

Track listings

UK CD1 UK CD2 UK 12-inch single European CD single Australian CD single Japanese CD single

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Release history