The Champs, Tequila | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 147^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on the 1958 no. 1 hit, “Tequila” by The Champs. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 147^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Tequila”, performed by 🎙 The Champs. 

One of the most fun songs I remember playing in pep band during my high school years was 🎵 “Tequila” by 🎙 The Champs. It’s a rarity when an instrumental cut highly impacts popular music. “Tequila,” written by the late rock and roll saxophonist,  🎼 ✍ Chuck Rio (Daniel Flores, 1929 – 2006), marks an exception. Back in the 1950s and 60s, which music chart data was new and in its early stages, instrumental numbers stood a better shot of performing well.  Perform “Tequila” did, peaking at no. 1 on the pop charts in 1958. Furthermore, at the 1^st Annual Grammy Awards, it won the 🏆 Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance.  That was The Champs’ sole nomination, so, they went a perfect one of one in the winning department 💪.

Running just about 2:15, what makes this instrumental rock joint such a big deal? Well, the music cooks, particularly the groove, tight rhythm section, and most of all, the tenor sax.  Man, oh man is Rio’s lead tenor sax mean, delivering bluesy, gritty soloing.  Furthermore, the call and response between the sax section and guitar marks, dare I say, a VIBE in its own right.  Of course, we can’t neglect the sole lyrics of this primarily instrumental cut – “TEQUILA,” of course! 🎵 “Tequila” doesn’t require extensive analysis. It’s a simple but infectious instrumental gem, one that nearly seven decades later still has folks talk-talk-talking!

🎙 The Champs • 💿 Greatest Hits / Tequila • 🏷 Curb • 🗓 1994

The Champs, Tequila: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 147 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Curb; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]