The Popcorn

"The Popcorn" is a 1969 instrumental written and recorded by James Brown. It was the first of several records Brown made inspired by the popular dance of the same name. Released as a single on King Records, it charted #11 R&B and #30 Pop.^[1] It also appeared as the title track of an album released the same year.

"The Popcorn"
Single by James Brown
from the album The Popcorn
B-side	"The Chicken"
Released	1969
Recorded	1968
Genre	Soul, funk
Length	2:55
Label	King 6240
Songwriter(s)	James Brown
Producer(s)	James Brown
James Brown singles chronology
"I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door, I'll Get It Myself)" (1969) "The Popcorn" (1969) "Mother Popcorn (You Got to Have a Mother for Me)" (1969)
Audio video
"The Popcorn" on YouTube

For the album, see The Popcorn (album). For the electronic instrumental, see Popcorn (instrumental).

Background

The recording's bassline shares great similarities with Cold Sweat. In fact, it's a revamp of an earlier single "Bringing Up the Guitar" by Alfred Ellis and The Dapps, featuring the same band on this recording.

Chart performance

Chart (1969)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100[2]	30
US Best Selling Rhythm & Blues Singles (Billboard)	11

"The Chicken"

• The single's B-side, "The Chicken", written by Brown's saxophonist and bandleader Alfred Ellis, was prominently covered by jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius on his live albums Invitation and The Birthday Concert.

External links

• "Popcorn Unlimited", an article by Douglas Wolk about James Brown's "Popcorn" records