Take Five

"Take Five"
"Take Five"
Song

"Take Five" is a classic jazz piece first recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet and released on its 1959 album Time Out. However, it would not become a hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts until 1961. Composed by Paul Desmond, the group's saxophonist, it became famous for its distinctive, catchy saxophone melody and use of quintuple time, from which its name is derived. It is also known for the solo by drummer Joe Morello.

While Take Five was not the first jazz composition to use this meter, it was the first of United States mainstream significance, becoming a hit on the radio at a time when rock music was in fashion. The song has been recorded by scores of artists, from Swedish singer Monica Zetterlund in 1962 to Colorado jamband String Cheese Incident in 2000, to a dub version by King Tubby in 2002.

Some versions have included lyrics, including a 1961 recording with lyrics written by Dave Brubeck and his wife Iola, that was sung by Carmen McRae.

After Paul Desmond passed away in 1977, his future royalties of this song were donated to the American Red Cross.

Although Paul Desmond is generally regarded as the composer of the song, there is some speculation as to whether or not he did in fact compose it, and not Dave Brubeck.

See also