Scorpio - Dennis Coffey (1972) 11/11/21

You NEVER hear today's "Great Song of 1972" on the radio anymore, and yet it was a HUGE national hit in the US (as well as Canada).

"Scorpio" by Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band is an instrumental that you may or may not remember, but to be honest, it's entirely possible that I remember it better than most, because growing up just a few dozen miles south of Detroit, my high school classmates and I were more likely to hear it on the radio--for obvious geographical reasons.

But still, the song was a Top 10 hit on TWO Billboard charts: #6 on the Hot 100, and #9 on the Soul Chart (as well as #13 in Canada).. "Scorpio" has been described as "a distinctive mix of Afro-Latin rhythm and Motor City psyche." The unique guitar sound was made by overdubbing NINE guitar parts, and the bass, drum and bongo solos are tight and impeccable. The song has been sampled by numerous Hip-Hop and Rap artists, including LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, Mark Ronson, and Public Enemy--just to name a few. It's also been used on TV's "Better Call Saul." If you've never heard the song--or forgotten it--click the link and (re)discover "Scorpio" by Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band--and why I think it's a "Great Song of 1972!