Sea Cruise

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"Sea Cruise" is a song written and originally recorded by Huey "Piano" Smith and His Clowns in 1959. However, this track was not released until 1971.

Contents

The best known version was recorded by Frankie Ford and released in 1959, with Ford’s voice dubbed over Smith's original backing track [1] (which featured ship's bell and horn sound-effects, boogie woogie piano, and a driving horn section and a shuffle beat that later influenced ska music).

It peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc. [2]

Original release

"Sea Cruise"
Single by Frankie Ford with Huey "Piano" Smith and Orchestra
B-side "Roberta"
Released1959
Recorded1958
Studio Cosimo (New Orleans, Louisiana) [3]
Genre Rhythm and blues [4]
Length2:46(A-side)
2:00 (B-side)
Label Ace Records
Songwriter(s) Huey "Piano" Smith (A & B-sides)
Frankie Ford with Huey "Piano" Smith and Orchestra singles chronology
"Cheatin' Woman"
(1958)
"Sea Cruise"
(1959)
"Alimony"
(1959)
Official audio
"Sea Cruise" on YouTube

The song was first released by Frankie Ford in 1959, sung over Smith's original backing track. [1] On the Billboard charts, it reached number 14 in the Hot 100 and number 11 on the Hot R&B Sides. [5] Released on Ace Records, it sold over one million copies, gaining gold disc status. [2] The single included ship's bell and horn sound-effects, as well as boogie piano, a driving horn section and a shuffle beat that later influenced ska music.

Smith version

"Sea Cruise"
Song by Huey "Piano" Smith and His Clowns
Released1959
Length2:38
Label Ace Records
Songwriter(s) Huey "Piano" Smith and His Clowns
Official audio
"Sea Cruise" on YouTube

Although it was recorded in 1959 Smith’s recording was not released until the 1971 Ace Records compilation Huey "Piano" Smith's Rock & Roll Revival! [6]

Cover versions

It was later also covered by:

Song in other media

See also

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References

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