Topsy (instrumental)

"Topsy" is an instrumental by Count Basie and His Orchestra, released on August 9, 1937, written by Edgar Battle and Eddie Durham. It became a #14 pop hit for bandleader Benny Goodman in 1938.

In 1958, drummer Cozy Cole recorded the song and issued it in two parts as a single. The A-side ("Topsy I") made it to #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while the B-side ("Topsy II") 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

 * Count Basie Orchestra
 * Charlie Christian (credited as "Swing to Bop")
 * Jimmy Giuffre, on his album Western Suite
 * The Chico Hamilton Quintet, on their album Chico Hamilton Quintet in Hi Fi
 * Meco (1977)