“Scorpio” is a song by Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band. It charted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song has been sampled in several hip-hop songs since its release in 1971, most notably Mark Ronson’s debut single “Ooh Wee”, Public Enemy’s “Night of the Living Baseheads”, LL Cool J’s “Jingling Baby”, andYoung MC’s “Bust a Move”.
“Scorpio” was written by Dennis Coffey for his sophomore album Evolution. The guitar line which begins the record actually consists of nine guitar riffs overdubbed on top of one another, spanning three octaves.
It features Coffey on rhythm guitar; Rare Earth’s Ray Monette and Joe Podorsic from the Detroit Guitar Band on guitar; Uriel Jones and Richard “Pistol” Allen on drums; Bob Babbitt on bass; “Bongo” Eddie Brown on congas; Jack Ashford on tambourine; and Earl Van Dyke on piano. Bob Babbitt and Eddie “Bongo” Brown perform solos. It was written by Dennis Coffey, produced by Mike Theodore, and arranged by both. Jim Burzzese directed recording, which took place at GM Recording Studios in East Detroit. Ray Hall was in charge of mixing, which took place in RCA Recording Studios in New York City.
The song charted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 9 on R&B Singles. It was Coffey’s largest hit; his follow-up “Taurus” peaked at number 18 and no further Coffey single peaked higher than number 93.