Apache (song)

Apache was a popular 1961 instrumental song by The Shadows. It was later covered by the Incredible Bongo Band, whose version was sampled by the band Sugarhill Gang for another song by the same name.

Nomenclature

The name is most likely a reference to the Apache dance move, which was a popular dance step in the Lindy Hop.

Musical style

The original Shadows version was considered to be revolutionary at the time for its twangy use of guitar and its innovative tribal rhythms. It has been cited by a generation of guitarists as inspirational and is widely considered one of the most influential 45s of the pre-Beatles era.

Cover versions

• The Ventures covered "Apache" in 1962.
• In 1973, the song was covered by the Incredible Bongo Band, who added the distinctive Bongo drum intro and added more percussion throughout the song. Though not a huge success, the song drove the album Bongo Rock to #58 on the Billboard Black Albums chart.
• The hip-hop group Grandmaster Flash interpolated parts of the IBB song "Apache" in their song "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash".
• In 1982, the rap group Sugarhill Gang sampled the Incredible Bongo Band version of the song heavily in their rap song also called "Apache" off their second album 8th Wonder. In addition to using the distinctive beat and bongo drums, the Sugarhill Gang added rap lyrics on top, with some of their signature references, including:
  • The lyric "What you hear is not a test." references the song Rapper's Delight.
  • The Popcorn song by Hot Butter is referenced via this lyric: "What's that? How Butter Popcorn!".
  • The Monster Mash is mentioned in this song.
• Sugarhill Gang made another song which interpolated parts of the Apache song by the Incredible Bongo Band; this song was called Break Dancin' (electric boogie).
• Sir Mix Alot played off of the lyrics to Sugarhill Gang's "Apache" in his minor hit "Jump On It".
• Fatboy Slim recorded a remix song that mostly interpolated the IBB version of Apache.
• The video for a cover version recorded by The Tommy Seebach Band made the rounds of the Internet in early 2005.

Apache in popular culture

Sugarhill Gang's "Apache" is featured prominently in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story as the theme to White Goodman's courtship of Kate Veach.