I am from Ithaca area and we loved Buffalongo 1971 and listened to them during our HS art class --- may have been a unauthorized tape - but I will never forget !!
I went to IHS too and saw them play this song at the youth center. Loved it then and still do. I was surprised when I heard the King Harvest version later. Prefer the rocking original.
I was in Jr High School when this song first came out. No matter how bad of a day it was this song made me smile. Was having a really bad yesterday and this song came on and it turned my day around! LOVE this song!!
Sure the King Harvest version is more polished and a better recording, but I love Sherman Kelly’s growly voice here. I recently learned about the harrowing experience he had that led to him writing this song; it’s amazing he took something so traumatic and turned it into a perfect pop song that has endured through decades and is still being covered today.
@𝓥𝓾𝓵𝓬𝓪𝓷𝓲𝔃𝓮𝓭 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵 𝓦𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓻 but boffolango recorded this in 1970, and King harvest’s was in 1972. Besides, boffolango brought this to king harvest. I don’t think 2 yrs are a generation
This group tried to make their fortunes in France. One of the members brought it here (David Kelly) and recorded it with King Harvest. Didn't matter what I was doing at the time, when the unmistakeable first few key board notes were heard at my local roller skating rink, I couldn't get out there fast enough!
@@davidterry9997 I sent this to a friend who was (blindly) convinced KIng Harvest was the only/best version, I quote: "I hate you. Definitely the best version!". oh joy.
@@davidterry9997 yes, my apologies, I didn't mean to imply that other versions shouldn't exist or aren't as good (though I have a personal preference for Boffalongo in it's 'rawness'.) - it's more that my friend is almost as opinionated as I am... :] joytotheworld.
@@therealpils in my opinion, king harvest did it best. This is way to raw for me. Probably because the recording may not be the best and king harvest had their version preserved in progressively better audio quality. I am super pissed off at how many people treat top loader like messiah’s for *remixing* the song, not knowing that they didn’t write it. And that in my opinion toploader did it the worse, so seeing it everywhere as the definitive dancing in the moonlight annoys the hell off of me. Consider my opinion a third strong one. Our battle will be legendary.
I was in college in Ithaca in the late 60’s and they used to play at a great little place called The Haunt. I remember them playing this song and me, somewhat tame in nature, dancing my ass off on a table. These guys were the best bar band ever!
Sherman Kelly, the singer on this original version said the producers of this song thought it was a good idea to give him cocaine and they kept doing takes and he got so coked up he couldn't sing right and he himself says this is a horrible rendition of the song although others love it.
I like this one. More energy than the hit version. There’s an extra chord change at the end of the first chorus that I don’t remember from the hit. (Too lazy to check right now though.) The woo-oo-oos at the end of the second chorus are cool too.
From Wikipedia Dancing in the Moonlight" is a song by French-American rock group King Harvest. The song was written by Sherman Kelly, produced by Jack Robinson, originally recorded in 1970 by Kelly's band Boffalongo, and then released as a single by King Harvest in 1972, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2000 a cover by English band Toploader became a worldwide hit and achieved multi-Platinum status in the United Kingdom.
@@atombomb31458 yes but they were still a French band. The background of all the members don’t members don’t one sidedly change where the band is from. It’s like if a charity group was made in America, I’m sure that for most atleast one person from their either weren’t born in America or had there parents born there, but that doesn’t mean the whole charity suddenly isn’t American.
From Wikipedia: "Dancing in the Moonlight" is a song written by Sherman Kelly, originally recorded in 1970 by Kelly's band Boffalongo, and then a hit single by King Harvest in 1972
Like the rawness but for me High Broom's version released in Island in 1970 is the classic one it got a lot of airplay in England the biggest trouble was you couldn't buy it over the counter, I ordered my copy wonder if that and two versions out stopped it being a hit it should've been.
Unusual to find someone else whe remembers the High Broom version. I used to work with someone who's wife was related to a band member. Took their name from the village they were associated with.
I know the "heard first" theory holds a lot of sway (i.e., regardless of chronology, the first version you hear of a song will almost always seem to be the "right" one and others "wrong" somehow) - but I just can't rate this one ahead of King Harvest's for reasons that go far beyond that. The singer on the KH version embodies all the warmth and humanity that this song is meant to convey. The singer on the B version sounds...awful (apparently there's a good reason behind this, and the singer himself thinks so too). The harmonies on the KH version are far superior as well. The "ooo"s at the end add little and go on way too long. King Harvest nailed the essence of this song.
I much prefer King Harvest's version. This version is good but is too simplistic and sorta messy in presentation. It misses the smooth sounds and richness of the KH version.
I am from Ithaca area and we loved Buffalongo 1971 and listened to them during our HS art class --- may have been a unauthorized tape - but I will never forget !!
Not Buffalo.
I went to IHS too and saw them play this song at the youth center. Loved it then and still do. I was surprised when I heard the King Harvest version later. Prefer the rocking original.
I was in Jr High School when this song first came out. No matter how bad of a day it was this song made me smile. Was having a really bad yesterday and this song came on and it turned my day around! LOVE this song!!
IMO the King Harvest recording conveys more the dream state Sherman Kelly said he envisioned when he wrote the song.
This song takes me back to the 90s. Even classic rock was better in the90s.
This was the '70s, and we called it Rock, this crap they're passing off as classic rock today sucks, at least in New England
Sure the King Harvest version is more polished and a better recording, but I love Sherman Kelly’s growly voice here. I recently learned about the harrowing experience he had that led to him writing this song; it’s amazing he took something so traumatic and turned it into a perfect pop song that has endured through decades and is still being covered today.
From Boffalongo to King Harvest to Toploader to Jubel.
Four generations of the song exists!
Yeah
I am discovering this tonight! It is an awesome song.
@𝓥𝓾𝓵𝓬𝓪𝓷𝓲𝔃𝓮𝓭 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵 𝓦𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓻 but boffolango recorded this in 1970, and King harvest’s was in 1972. Besides, boffolango brought this to king harvest. I don’t think 2 yrs are a generation
You forgot Alison Stoner
Boffalongo and king harvest used the same singer who was also the writer of the song Wells Kelly
Kudos for putting this up. Everyone appears to believe other groups are responsible for this great track.
This group tried to make their fortunes in France. One of the members brought it here (David Kelly) and recorded it with King Harvest. Didn't matter what I was doing at the time, when the unmistakeable first few key board notes were heard at my local roller skating rink, I couldn't get out there fast enough!
@@davidterry9997 I sent this to a friend who was (blindly) convinced KIng Harvest was the only/best version, I quote: "I hate you. Definitely the best version!". oh joy.
@@therealpils I like them both equally. Would never replace one for the other.
@@davidterry9997 yes, my apologies, I didn't mean to imply that other versions shouldn't exist or aren't as good (though I have a personal preference for Boffalongo in it's 'rawness'.) - it's more that my friend is almost as opinionated as I am... :]
joytotheworld.
@@therealpils in my opinion, king harvest did it best. This is way to raw for me. Probably because the recording may not be the best and king harvest had their version preserved in progressively better audio quality. I am super pissed off at how many people treat top loader like messiah’s for *remixing* the song, not knowing that they didn’t write it. And that in my opinion toploader did it the worse, so seeing it everywhere as the definitive dancing in the moonlight annoys the hell off of me. Consider my opinion a third strong one. Our battle will be legendary.
King Harvest's version more polished and radio friendly but this has a real visceral, down home feel.
Agree
Agree 100%.
🤷🏾♀️❤️absolutely 🫶🏾
Always preferred this version compared to the 90s cover
I like that chord change before the solo a lot better than the King Harvest virgin
Interesting! Adds a new flavor
Honestly that's a big part of what keeps me coming back to this version, shame it's not on Spotify! I'd love to add it to my classic rock playlist.
virgin.
That aside, I agree!
It's a supernatural delight
Hammond organ was ubiquitous in rock records of 1969-1970.
I was in college in Ithaca in the late 60’s and they used to play at a great little place called The Haunt. I remember them playing this song and me, somewhat tame in nature, dancing my ass off on a table. These guys were the best bar band ever!
Sherman Kelly, the singer on this original version said the producers of this song thought it was a good idea to give him cocaine and they kept doing takes and he got so coked up he couldn't sing right and he himself says this is a horrible rendition of the song although others love it.
May I ask where you read this… interesting
Yipes! These guys sound horrible. 😁 I definitely prefer King Harvest's version of this song.
this is the best
Good song ...Dark version
If you like this version you'll love the 1972 version by King Harvest.
nope, I do also love the toploader version though!
@@TychoVan It's not too bad.
Awesome
Correction, David Doc Robinson sang lead on the familiar version.
Doc Robinson played bass and sang lower harmony on this one.
good! needs a bit more cowbell
Always more cowbell :P
Its the only prescription.
I like this one. More energy than the hit version. There’s an extra chord change at the end of the first chorus that I don’t remember from the hit. (Too lazy to check right now though.) The woo-oo-oos at the end of the second chorus are cool too.
Love those woo-oos at the end - will have to listen for that chord change…
From Wikipedia
Dancing in the Moonlight" is a song by French-American rock group King Harvest. The song was written by Sherman Kelly, produced by Jack Robinson, originally recorded in 1970 by Kelly's band Boffalongo, and then released as a single by King Harvest in 1972, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2000 a cover by English band Toploader became a worldwide hit and achieved multi-Platinum status in the United Kingdom.
Thanks for the info. Sherman Kelly wrote the song after him and girlfriend were attacked on St. Thomas Island. Genius
they werent at all french
@@atombomb31458 yes but they were still a French band. The background of all the members don’t members don’t one sidedly change where the band is from. It’s like if a charity group was made in America, I’m sure that for most atleast one person from their either weren’t born in America or had there parents born there, but that doesn’t mean the whole charity suddenly isn’t American.
From Wikipedia: "Dancing in the Moonlight" is a song written by Sherman Kelly, originally recorded in 1970 by Kelly's band Boffalongo, and then a hit single by King Harvest in 1972
But this is the ORGINAL
Interesting...yeah that Electric Piano intro really makes the "hit" !!!
Like the rawness but for me High Broom's version released in Island in 1970 is the classic one it got a lot of airplay in England the biggest trouble was you couldn't buy it over the counter, I ordered my copy wonder if that and two versions out stopped it being a hit it should've been.
Unusual to find someone else whe remembers the High Broom version. I used to work with someone who's wife was related to a band member. Took their name from the village they were associated with.
The singer Sherman Kelly wrote the song.
Brill 😎🎶
We starts on C
I kept thinking KH were ENGLISH!
First buffalongo then King Harvest then toploader
Karaoke?
Sherman Kelly said he was coked out of his gourd when he recorded this version.
Yea, one of the ugly parts of the 70's
There really isn't any way to do this song poorly.
I know the "heard first" theory holds a lot of sway (i.e., regardless of chronology, the first version you hear of a song will almost always seem to be the "right" one and others "wrong" somehow) - but I just can't rate this one ahead of King Harvest's for reasons that go far beyond that.
The singer on the KH version embodies all the warmth and humanity that this song is meant to convey. The singer on the B version sounds...awful (apparently there's a good reason behind this, and the singer himself thinks so too). The harmonies on the KH version are far superior as well.
The "ooo"s at the end add little and go on way too long. King Harvest nailed the essence of this song.
it's not bad, but the recording of King Harvest is better
dancing in the moonlight (original recording) - king harvest i like this to
I much prefer King Harvest's version. This version is good but is too simplistic and sorta messy in presentation. It misses the smooth sounds and richness of the KH version.
The crudeness of this version is what I find appealing. It has a garage band vibe.
Well, this is the original recording written by Boffalongo's Sherman Kelly.
@@spankynater4242 same
Not bad, but the King Harvest Recording is much more refined.
Love the song, but that was god awful. King Harvest all the way.