Shadrack (Robert MacGimsey song) explained

"Shadrack" (aka "Shadrach" or "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego") is a popular song written by Robert MacGimsey^[1] in the 1930s and performed by Louis Armstrong and others.

Background

The lyrics refer to the biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace.

Brook Benton version

Shadrack
Type:	single
Artist:	Brook Benton
Album:	Golden Hits, Volume 2
B-Side:	The Lost Penny
Released:	January 1962
Recorded:	1961
Genre:	R&B
Length:	2:20
Label:	Mercury Records
Prev Title:	Revenge
Prev Year:	1961
Next Title:	The Lost Penny
Next Year:	1962

In 1962 the song was a hit single for Brook Benton, peaking at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week of February 17, 1962.^[2]

Charts

Chart (1962)	Peak position
Canada CHUM Chart ^[3]	4
US Billboard Hot 100	19

Other cover versions

The song is featured on pop, soul, gospel and jazz recordings by others, among them:^{[4] [5]}

• Toshiko Akiyoshi
• The Ames Brothers
• The Golden Gate Quartet
• The Fairfield Four
• The Larks
  • Benny Goodman Grant Green
• Bill Holman
• Sonny Rollins
• Bobby Scott
• Phil Harris
• Kay Starr
• Louis Prima
• Sister Rosetta Tharpe^[6]

Popular culture

• In the 1951 film The Strip, the song is performed by a band featuring Louis Armstrong and Jack Teagarden, among others.

Notes and References

1. Music Items . 25 December 2018 . Billboard . April 29, 1939 . 14.
2. http://www.billboard.com/charts/1962-02-17/hot-100 Billboard Hot 100 dated February 17, 1962
3. Web site: CHUM Hit Parade - February 5, 1962.
4. http://www.allmusic.com/search/all/shadrack "Shadrack" at allmusic.com
5. http://www.allmusic.com/search/all/Shadrach "Shadrach" at allmusic.com
6. Web site: www.discogs.com. discogs.com. January 14, 2023.