Tumbling Tumbleweeds
| "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Sons of the Pioneers | |
| B-side | "Moonlight on the Prairie" |
| Written | 1929-1934[1] |
| Published | July 12, 1934 by Sam Fox Publishing Co., Cleveland, Ohio,[2] Williamson Music, Inc.[3] |
| Released | November 10, 1934[4] |
| Recorded | August 8, 1934[5] |
| Studio | Decca Studios, Los Angeles[5] |
| Genre | Western Music |
| Length | 2:48 |
| Label | Decca 5047[5] |
| Songwriter(s) | Bob Nolan |
"Tumbling Tumbleweeds" is a
film of the same name starring Gene Autry. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.[7]
Cover versions
- The Sons of the Pioneers first recorded the song for Decca on August 8, 1934,[8] and it enjoyed chart success that year.[9] Their 1934 recording was selected by the Library of Congress as a 2010 addition to the National Recording Registry, which selects recordings annually that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[10] Their 1946 version of the song was featured in the 1998 film The Big Lebowski, though it did not appear on the soundtrack release.
- Gene Autry recorded his version on January 11, 1935,[11] at ARC Studios, New York City.
- Bing Crosby recorded the song with John Scott Trotter's Orchestra in Los Angeles 9 February 1940.[12][13] This version reached the No. 12 position in the charts of the day during a 7-week stay.[14] Crosby recorded the song again in 1954 for his album Bing: A Musical Autobiography.
- Kate Smith recorded the song on June 1, 1945 for Columbia (36871)[15] and it is available on her CD 16 Most Requested Songs.[16]
- Jazz trombonist J. J. Johnson recorded a version of "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" in the 1956 album J Is for Jazz.
- Slim Whitman had a top twenty hit in the UK with "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" in 1956.
- Roger Williams (pianist) recorded his version of "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" that reached #60 in US in 1956.
- Shirley Booneon their 1959 album "Side by Side".
- Johnnie Ray recorded his version for the 1959 album On the Trail.[17]
- Jazz guitarist Grant Green recorded a version in 1962, which was released on the 1969 album Goin' West, and features Herbie Hancock on piano.
- Film actor Clint Eastwood recorded a version on his 1962 album Cowboy Favorites.[18]
- Frankie Laine recorded a version on his 1962 album Call of the Wild.[19]
- Lorne Greene recorded the song for his 1965 album American West.
- The Supremes Sing Country, Western & Pop, although it was recorded two years earlier. Diana Rosssings lead.
- Harry James recorded a version on his 1966 album Harry James & His Western Friends (Dot DLP 3735 and DLP 25735).[20]
- In the song "Turn on, Tune in, Drop Out" by The Fugs on their 1968 album Tenderness Junction, the chorus of "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" is sung over part of the instrumental section.
- Don Everly recorded a version in 1970. It is the opening track on the album Don Everly.[21]
- Michael Nesmith covered the song with his band The First National Band on their album Nevada Fighter, released in 1971.
- Marty Robbins recorded a version on his 1979 album All Around Cowboy.[22]
- Leo Kottke recorded a version on his 1981 album Guitar Music.
- Meat Puppets recorded a cover on their 1982 self-titled debut album.
- Michael Martin Murphey recorded a version on his 1990 album Cowboy Songs.
- Element of Crime released a version of on their 1996 album Die schönen Rosen.
Film appearances
- 1935 – Tumbling Tumbleweeds
- 1943 – Silver Spurs – Performed by Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers
- 1944 – Hollywood Canteen – Sung by Sons of the Pioneers
- 1945 – Don't Fence Me In – Sung by Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and the Sons of the Pioneers
- 1978 – Happy Days – Sung by Anson Williams at the end of part three of "Westward Ho"
- 1982 – M*A*S*H "Pressure Points"
- 1991 – City Slickers
- 1998 – The Big Lebowski
- 2000 – Two of Us
- 2020 – Nomadland
- 2021 - Cry Macho
References
- ^ Berry, Nolan (2010). ""Tumbling Tumbleweeds" by The Sons of the Pioneers (1934)" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ "Tumbling tumbleweeds". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2021-08-07.
- ^ "Williamson Music - Buy sheet music, scores & songbooks". Presto Music. Retrieved 2021-08-07.
- ^ "Cover versions of Tumbling Tumbleweeds by Sons of the Pioneers | SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 2021-08-07.
- ^ a b c "Decca matrix DLA 11. Tumbling tumbleweeds / Sons of the Pioneers - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
- ^ "Tumbling Leaves".
- ^ Western Writers of America (2010). "The Top 100 Western Songs". American Cowboy. Archived from the original on 19 October 2010.
- ^ "The online discographical project". 78discography.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ "National Recording Preservation Board 2010". Library of Congress. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
- ^ "Recording "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" by Gene Autry - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
- ^ "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ^ I'm an Old Cowhand, Bing Crosby, ASV Mono Living Era,1995
- ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ "THE ONLINE DISCOGRAPHICAL PROJECT". 78discography.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ^ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. 1962. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. 1962. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. August 1966. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. 1971. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ^ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. 1979. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
External links
- Tumbling Tumbleweeds – The Luck and the Loss Video produced by the PBS Series History Detectives
