New Spanish Two Step Explained

New Spanish Two Step
Type:single
Artist:Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
B-Side:Roly Poly
Released:April 1946
Recorded:April 25, 1945
Studio:CBS Studio at Radio Station KNX, Hollywood, California
Genre:Western swing
Label:Columbia 36966
Prev Title:White Cross on Okinawa
Prev Year:1945
Next Title:Stay A Little Longer
Next Year:1946

"New Spanish Two Step" is a Western swing standard based on a traditional fiddle tune, "Spanish Two Step".[1] Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys recorded the latter on September 23, 1935, and released it on Vocalion 03230 in 1936. Ten years later, Wills and Tommy Duncan added lyrics and recorded it again on April 25, 1945, releasing it on Columbia 36966 in April 1946 as "New Spanish Two Step". It stayed on the charts for 23 weeks, reaching number one on the Folk-Jukebox chart for 16 weeks.[2] Both versions were one of the band's signature songs.

Wills and his vocalist, Tommy Duncan, added lyrics to reflect the title: The "b" side, "Roly Poly", was also a big hit, reaching number three.

See also

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. McWhorter, Cowboy Fiddler, p. 59-60: "Bob said, 'He played 'The Spanish Two-Step' and I locked the door where he couldn't get out and nobody else could get in, and I made him stay there until he taught me that and 'Maiden's Prayer.' Finally he nodded. I didn't know whether he needed to go to the bathroom or if I was doing it right, bit I let him out.' That Mexican taught him those two tunes."
  2. Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits, p. 392.