"Mashed Potatoes U.S.A." is a rhythm and blues song by James Brown and his Famous Flames. Released in 1962 as a single by King Records, it reached #82 on the Pop chart and #21 on the R&B chart.[1] The title refers to the Mashed Potato dance popular at the time.
| "Mashed Potatoes U.S.A." | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by James Brown and his Famous Flames | ||||
| from the album Tour The U.S.A. | ||||
| B-side | "You Don't Have to Go" | |||
| Released | 1962 (1962) | |||
| Genre | Rhythm and blues | |||
| Length | 2:49 | |||
| Label | King 5672 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | James Brown | |||
| James Brown and his Famous Flames singles chronology | ||||
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The song is a travelogue set over a strummed guitar/organ riff with a muted trumpet providing a jazz counterpoint to the vocal delivery. The bridge consists of the entire band repeating a two-chord riff.
In the song, Brown asserts "Here I am and I'm back again," then states his plan to bring the mashed potatoes to the cities he will tour. He then name checks his itinerary, starting with New York City and ending with his home town, Augusta, Georgia.