It Was 50 Years Ago Today: Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um

One of my favorite soul records of the 1960s was Major Lance’s 1963-1964 hit “Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um.” This week 50 years ago, Lance’s biggest hit of his career peaked at #5. As with a number of other songs recorded by Lance, Curtis Mayfield penned “Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um.”

Released in December 1963, the single appeared on the Columbia affiliate label: OKeh Records with a bright purple label with a golden print. The single was produced by OKeh president Carl Davis who following his tenure with OKeh moved on to produce other soul artists on Brunswick. OKeh began as an independent label in 1916 and was purchased by Columbia in 1926. In 1970, the label was discontinued and would later be reactivated by Sony in 1994. Sony purchased the CBS Records division in 1988.

Lyrics

Walking through the park, it wasn't quite dark
There was a man sitting on a bench
Out of the crowd as his head lowly bowed
He just moaned and he made no sense
He'd just go
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um

I just couldn't help myself
Yes, I was born with a curious mind
I asked this man just what did he mean
When he moaned if he'd be so kind
And he'd just go
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um

Now that I've grown up
And the woman I love she has gone
Now that I'm a man, I think I understand
Sometimes everyone must sing this song
Listen to me sing
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um

Can't you hear me, now
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um

Everybody now
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um

Can't you hear me, now
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
One more time, now