Mongo Santamaría - Watermelon Man Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who originally wrote the song 'Watermelon Man'?

   'Watermelon Man' was originally written by Herbie Hancock for his debut album, Takin' Off (1962).

2. How did Mongo Santamaría's version of 'Watermelon Man' impact the song's popularity?

   Mongo Santamaría's Latin soul-jazz hybrid rendition of 'Watermelon Man' became a significant hit, reaching #10 on the Hot 100 in April 1963. This version brought widespread acclaim to both the song and Herbie Hancock.

3. What inspired Herbie Hancock to write 'Watermelon Man'?

   Herbie Hancock was inspired by his childhood memories of the watermelon vendors in Chicago. The rhythm of the vendors' wagon wheels on cobblestones and the cry of 'Hey, watermelon man!' influenced the song's melody and rhythm.

4. What elements did Hancock incorporate from different music genres in 'Watermelon Man'?

   Hancock's 'Watermelon Man' incorporates elements of R&B, soul jazz, and bebop. The piece is known for its sixteen-bar blues form, gospel-influenced chordal work, and solos built on repeated riffs and trilled figures.

5. How did Herbie Hancock's career benefit from the success of 'Watermelon Man'?

   The royalties from 'Watermelon Man' gave Herbie Hancock financial stability for several years, allowing him the freedom to experiment with different genres, including fusion in the '70s and electronic music in the '80s, resulting in the hit song 'Rockit'.

6. What unique instrumentation did Hancock use in his re-recording of 'Watermelon Man' for the album 'Head Hunters'?

   In the 1973 re-recording for 'Head Hunters', Hancock used synthesizers and a funk beat, adding an eight-bar section. The intro and outro featured Bill Summers blowing into beer bottles, imitating the hindewhu style from Pygmy music of Central Africa.