The Meters, Cissy Strut | Throwback Vibez

In the 189^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Cissy Strut” by the New Orleans funk band The Meters.

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 they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 189^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Cissy Strut” performed by The Meters. 

New Orleans funk band The Meters ate and left no crumbs on the scintillating funk classic, “Cissy Strut”. The original members of The Meters included Art Neville (keys and vocals, 1937 – 2019), Leo Nocentelli (guitar), George Porter Jr. (bass), and Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste (drums). All musical personnel put in some serious work and stank on their respective instruments.  The instrumental “Cissy Strut” serves as the opening track from the band’s 1969 album, simply titled, The Meters.  “Cissy Strut” marked the band’s highest charting song on the pop charts, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. Porter Jr., Nocentelli, Modeliste, and Neville penned “Cissy Strut” while Marshall Sehorn (1934 – 2006) and Allen Toussaint (1938 – 2015) produced it.

First and foremost, “Cissy Strut” is best experienced by listening.  The music speaks volumes by itself, sans analysis or explanation.  But, since I am writing about it, here are a few observations.  The riffs are… wait for it… funky as albeit. Duh! Notably, the organ (Neville) is mixed to the right, providing some exceptional comping. At around the 1:30 mark, the organ turns up, delivering a brief but electrifying solo.  This change of pace is welcome, keeping “Cissy Strut” engaging to the nth degree.  The organ is only one key instrument featured in the song, however.  The guitar, mixed to the left, also amplifies the funk with its edge.  The bass, also mixed to the left, provides a firm foundation, holding it down on those striking low notes! As for the drums, they are mixed in the center, in all their elite glory.  What makes Modeliste’s drumming kick ass and take names? A heaping dose of hi-hat, cymbal, and some flavorful tom rhythms.  Also, the tone of the snare drum is striking within the overall mix.  A funk essential, to reiterate, “Cissy Strut” does not require extensive analysis. It is best experienced as music is meant to be, by simply listening. But Art, Leo, George, and “Zigaboo” made something truly special with this one!