+ scroll down for versions by Harry Nilsson, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Sammy Davis Jr and David Bromberg
Single:
Mr Bojangles by Jerry Jeff Walker entered the Australian singles chart* on 10 August 1968 and peaked at #22.
Songwriter:
Jerry Jeff Walker
Producers:
Dan Elliot, Tom Dowd
Record label of Australian release:
MCA
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
BONUS CLIPS BELOW – versions by Harry Nilsson, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Sammy Davis Jr and David Bromberg
Wikipedia:
Mr. Bojangles was written and originally recorded by American singer-songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker for his 1968 album of the same title.
Walker said he was inspired to write the song after an encounter with a street performer in a New Orleans jail. While in jail for public intoxication in 1965, he met a homeless man who called himself “Mr. Bojangles” to conceal his true identity from the police. Mr. Bojangles had been arrested as part of a police sweep of indigent people that was carried out following a high-profile murder. The two men and others in the cell chatted about all manner of things, but when Mr. Bojangles told a story about his dog, the mood in the room turned heavy. Someone else in the cell asked for something to lighten the mood, and Mr. Bojangles obliged with a tap dance. The homeless “Mr. Bojangles”, who was white, had taken his pseudonym from Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (1878–1949), the best-paid Black entertainer of his era.
Read more: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr.Bojangles_(song)
Lyrics:
I knew a man, Bojangles and he dance for you
In worn out shoes
Silver hair and ragged shirt and baggy pants
The Old Soft Shoe
He jumped so high, he jumped so high
And then he lightly touched down
Click for full lyrics
This song is also on our Spotify playlist Bang a Gong – the 60s
Find more songs to enjoy: Bang a Gong song finder
OTHER VERSIONS – Harry Nilsson, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Sammy Davis Jr and David Bromberg
Some of the many artists to record Mr Bojangles include Bob Dylan, John Denver, Nina Simone, Sammy Davis Jr. , Neil Diamond and Robbie Williams.
Harry Nilsson also released a version on his 1969 album Harry.
Two versions of Mr Bojangles charted in Australia: Jerry Jeff Walker’s original version and one by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
NGDB’s version entered the Australian singles chart* on 15 March 1971 and peaked at #15. It was #92 on the Top 100 on 1971. The song is on NGDB’s album Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy which entered the Australian albums chart* on 26 April 1971 and peaked at #31.
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
Sammy Davis Jr is also well-known for performing a much-loved version of this song:
Another version that is much-loved by many people is by Dave Bromberg:
New to Bang a Gong? Click HERE to learn more about us.