Sea Cruise

"'''Sea Cruise'''" is a song written and originally recorded by Huey "Piano" Smith and His Clowns in 1958, but this version was not released until 1971.

The best known version was recorded by Frankie Ford and released in December 1958, with Ford’s voice dubbed over Smith's original backing track (which featured ship's bell and horn sound-effects, boogie woogie piano, and a driving horn section and a shuffle beat that later influenced ska music).

It peaked at number 14 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc.

==Original release== {{Infobox song | name = Sea Cruise | cover = | alt = | type = single | artist = Frankie Ford with Huey "Piano" Smith and Orchestra | album = | B-side = Roberta | released = December 1958 | recorded = 1958 | studio = Cosimo (New Orleans, Louisiana)<ref name="AceCM">{{cite web|last=Broven|first=John|title=Cosimo Matassa|url=https://acerecords.co.uk/news/2014/cosimo-matassa|website=Ace Records|date=September 12, 2014|access-date=August 19, 2024|archive-date=August 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821012334/https://acerecords.co.uk/news/2014/cosimo-matassa|url-status=live}}</ref> | venue = | genre = * Rhythm and blues<ref name= "Marsh 1989">{{cite book|first=Dave|last=Marsh|title=The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5t5DYDniSHEC|date=1989|publisher=Plume|isbn=0-452-26305-0|page=600}}</ref> * rock and roll<ref name="AllMusic Sendra">{{AllMusic |class=album|id=mw0000587603|title=Various Artists - ''Rock & Roll Show'' (1987) Review|last=Sendra|first=Tim|access-date=February 25, 2026}}</ref> * pop<ref name="AllMusic Sendra"/> | length = 2:46 (A-side) 2:00 (B-side) | label = Ace | writer = Huey "Piano" Smith (A & B-sides) | producer = | prev_title = Cheatin' Woman | prev_year = 1958 | next_title = Alimony | next_year = 1959 | misc = {{External music video|header=Official audio|{{YouTube|b__fI0xeTyI|"Sea Cruise"}}}} }} The song was first released by Frankie Ford in December 1958, sung over Smith's original backing track.<ref name=nytimes>{{cite news |title=Frankie Ford, Singer of 'Sea Cruise,' Dies at 76 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/01/arts/music/frankie-ford-singer-of-sea-cruise-dies-at-76.html |access-date=August 20, 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=September 30, 2015 |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821012334/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/01/arts/music/frankie-ford-singer-of-sea-cruise-dies-at-76.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On the ''Billboard'' charts, it reached number 14 in the Hot 100 and number 11 on the Hot R&B Sides.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Frankie Ford Chart History |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/frankie-ford |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 20, 2019 |archive-date=March 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316110912/https://www.billboard.com/music/frankie-ford |url-status=live }}</ref> Released on Ace Records, it sold over one million copies, gaining gold disc status.<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book|first=Joseph|last=Murrells|year=1978|title=The Book of Golden Discs|edition=2nd|publisher=Barrie and Jenkins |location=London|page= 114|isbn=0-214-20512-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/114}}</ref> The single included ship's bell and horn sound-effects, as well as boogie piano, a driving horn section and a shuffle beat that later influenced ska music.

==Smith version== {{Infobox song | name = Sea Cruise | cover =  | alt = | type = | artist = Huey "Piano" Smith and His Clowns | album = | B-side = | released = 1971 | recorded = 1958 | studio = | genre =  | length = 2:38 | label = Ace | writer = Huey "Piano" Smith and His Clowns | producer = | prev_title =  | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = | misc = {{External music video|header=Official audio|type=song|{{YouTube|otgwg9EgCzM|"Sea Cruise"}}}} }}

Although it was recorded in 1958, Smith’s recording was not released until the 1971 Ace Records compilation ''Huey "Piano" Smith's Rock & Roll Revival!''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Huey-Piano-Smith-Huey-Piano-Smiths-Rock-Roll-Revival/master/726835|title=Huey "Piano" Smith – Huey "Piano" Smith's Rock & Roll Revival!|year=1971|website=discogs|access-date=October 24, 2017|archive-date=October 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025075845/https://www.discogs.com/Huey-Piano-Smith-Huey-Piano-Smiths-Rock-Roll-Revival/master/726835|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Cover versions== It was later also covered by: * Charlie Drake released a comedy version in the UK in 1959 * Jackie Edwards recorded a ska version in 1964 * Mickie Most covered it in 1964 Columbia DB 7180 * Herman's Hermits included it on the album ''Introducing Herman's Hermits''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Hermans-Hermits-Introducing-Hermans-Hermits/master/219161 |title=Herman's Hermits – Introducing Herman's Hermits |year=1965 |website=discogs |access-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-date=April 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407012334/http://www.discogs.com/Hermans-Hermits-Introducing-Hermans-Hermits/master/219161 |url-status=live }}</ref> in 1965. * The Hondells covered the song in the 1960s, as seen on a Scopitone film<ref>{{cite web |url=http://scopitones.blogs.com/scopitonescom/2008/02/the-hondells-se.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209235856/http://scopitones.blogs.com/scopitonescom/2008/02/the-hondells-se.html |archive-date=December 9, 2011 |title=The Hondells "Sea Cruise"}}</ref> *Freddy Cannon covered it in a 1968 single released by "We Make Rock'N Roll Records" number 1604<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.colorradio.com/freddy_cannon.htm |title=Freddy Cannon Record Label Shots |website=Colorradio.com |access-date=April 30, 2015}}</ref> * Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets included the track on their album, ''I'm No J.D.'' 1971 which was released again in 1981 as "Shakin' Stevens & The Sunsets" * The Houseshakers in ''Demolition Rock'' (1972) (available on CD ''Contours Of Rock 'n' Roll'' Raucous Records) * Sha Na Na on ''The Night Is Still Young''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Sha-Na-Na-The-Night-Is-Still-Young/master/425605 |title=Sha Na Na* – The Night Is Still Young |year=1972 |website=discogs |access-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430165642/http://www.discogs.com/Sha-Na-Na-The-Night-Is-Still-Young/master/425605 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Golden Age Of Rock 'n' Roll'' (both 1972) * Jerry Lee Lewis in 1973 for his album ''The Session...Recorded in London with Great Artists''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-session-mw0000650415|website=AllMusic|access-date=April 3, 2023|title=The Session -Jerry Lee Lewis|archive-date=April 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415024122/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-session-mw0000650415|url-status=live}}</ref> * Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen covered the song in 1973 * Johnny Rivers recorded a studio version in 1971 and covered it in 1974 on the album ''Last Boogie in Paris''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Johnny-Rivers-And-His-L-A-Boogie-Band-Last-Boogie-In-Paris/master/355149 |title=Johnny Rivers And His L. A. Boogie Band – Last Boogie in Paris |year=1974 |publisher=discogs |access-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-date=January 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114101928/http://www.discogs.com/Johnny-Rivers-And-His-L-A-Boogie-Band-Last-Boogie-In-Paris/master/355149 |url-status=live }}</ref> * The Glitter Band recorded their take for their album, ''Hey!'' (1974)<ref>{{cite web|title=Hey! - The Glitter Band|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/hey%21-mw0000017870|website=AllMusic|access-date=April 3, 2023|archive-date=December 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210094100/https://www.allmusic.com/album/hey%21-mw0000017870|url-status=live}}</ref> * John Fogerty covered it on his self-titled 1975 solo album<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/John-Fogerty-John-Fogerty/master/222482 |title=John Fogerty – John Fogerty |year=1975 |publisher=discogs |access-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-date=April 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404072058/http://www.discogs.com/John-Fogerty-John-Fogerty/master/222482 |url-status=live }}</ref> * Nicky Hopkins in 1975 on the album ''No More Changes''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Nicky-Hopkins-No-More-Changes/release/2428351 |title=Nicky Hopkins – No More Changes (Vinyl, LP) |year=1975 |publisher=discogs |access-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-date=January 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117063750/http://www.discogs.com/Nicky-Hopkins-No-More-Changes/release/2428351 |url-status=live }}</ref> * The Beach Boys, recorded c. 1976 for initial inclusion on ''15 Big Ones'' (released on the 1981 compilation album ''Ten Years of Harmony'' featuring a vocal by Dennis Wilson)<ref>[http://www.beachboyscollections.com/albumsort.htm] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102153517/http://www.beachboyscollections.com/albumsort.htm |date=November 2, 2010 }}</ref> * Robert Gordon and Link Wray worked their rendition on their 1977 album ''Fresh Fish Special''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndlSg8ucHQg|title=Sea Cruise|date=November 26, 2015|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fresh-fish-special-mw0000234913#trackListing|title=Fresh Fish Special - Robert Gordon, Link Wray ... |website=AllMusic}}</ref> * Johnny Hallyday on his ''C'est la vie'' album (1977). * Rory Gallagher performed the song live in 1978–1979. The version from Wiesbaden, Germany, May 6, 1979, was included on his DVD ''At Rockpalast''. Another version from December 1979 was released on ''Notes from San Francisco'' * Showaddywaddy on their 1979 album ''Crepes & Drapes''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Showaddywaddy-Crepes-Drapes/release/4064765 |title=Showaddywaddy – Crepes & Drapes (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs |year=1979 |publisher=discogs |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=January 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117063750/http://www.discogs.com/Showaddywaddy-Crepes-Drapes/release/4064765 |url-status=live }}</ref> * Billy "Crash" Craddock<ref>{{cite web |url=http://music.ca.music.yahoo.com/library/default.asp?m=alyrics&tid=527448 |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718133908/http://music.ca.music.yahoo.com/library/default.asp?m=alyrics&tid=527448 |archive-date=July 18, 2011 }}</ref> in 1980 on the album ''Changes.'' * Rico Rodriguez recorded an instrumental version in 1980 with The Specials. * Don McLean on his 1981 album ''Believers'' * Glenn Frey recorded the song on his first solo album, ''No Fun Aloud'', in 1982, after having performed it with Eagles on the same year of their breakup, 1980 * Anne Murray performed the song in her 1983 TV special ''Anne Murray: Caribbean Cruise''{{cn|date=August 2024}} * The Kidsongs Kids did a version on their 1986 video "What I Want to Be!" * Lindisfarne on their 1987 album, ''C'Mon Everybody''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/cmon-everybody-mw0000845185|title=C'mon Everybody - Lindisfarne | Album |website=AllMusic|access-date=June 26, 2025}}</ref> * Cliff Richard covered it on his 1990 live album ''From a Distance: The Event'' and then again with the Shadows on their 2009 album ''Reunited.'' * Dion recorded it in 1990 on the album ''The Adventures of Ford Fairlane''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Adventures-Of-Ford-Fairlane-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/master/70747 |title=Various – The Adventures Of Ford Fairlane (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |year=1990 |publisher=discogs |access-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-date=January 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117063750/http://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Adventures-Of-Ford-Fairlane-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/master/70747 |url-status=live }}</ref> * American R&B and boogie-woogie pianist and singer Little Willie Littlefield recorded a version for his 1997 album ''The Red One''.<ref>{{YouTube|GLr7WuqDEE0|Sea Cruise}}</ref> *Jimmy Buffett on the 1995 album ''Margaritaville Cafe: Late Night Gumbo''. It also appeared on ''M.O.M. – Music for our mother ocean – Vol 3'' in 1999, and ''Jimmy's Live in Mansfield'', MA CD released in 2004 * Status Quo put it out as a B-Side on their 1999 single, "The Way It Goes."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.statusquo.co.uk:80/records/singles9.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303061524/http://www.statusquo.co.uk/records/singles9.htm|url-status=dead|title=Status Quo Singles 9|archive-date=March 3, 2009|website=Statusquo.co.uk|access-date=June 26, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Status-Quo-The-Way-It-Goes/release/1546567 |title=Status Quo – The Way It Goes (CD) |year=1999 |publisher=discogs |access-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-date=February 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203044357/http://www.discogs.com/Status-Quo-The-Way-It-Goes/release/1546567 |url-status=live }}</ref> *Gemmy Industries used it for their novelty toy Rocky the Singing Lobster in 2000 * Yo La Tengo for their 2006 covers album ''Yo La Tengo Is Murdering the Classics''

==Song in other media== *The song has been included in several soundtracks, including Gallagher's stand-up special ''Overboard'', ''Ski Patrol'' in 1990 and ''Out to Sea'' in 1997.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Leszczak |first1=Bob |title=Who Did It First?: Great Rock and Roll Cover Songs and Their Original Artists |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2014 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4egLBAAAQBAJ&q=%22Sea+Cruise%22+%22American+Graffiti%22&pg=PA187 |isbn=978-1442233218 |page=187 |access-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106043803/https://books.google.com/books?id=4egLBAAAQBAJ&q=%22Sea+Cruise%22+%22American+Graffiti%22&pg=PA187 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:1959 songs Category:Huey "Piano" Smith songs Category:Jimmy Buffett songs Category:Billy "Crash" Craddock songs Category:John Fogerty songs Category:Johnny Rivers songs Category:Little Willie Littlefield songs Category:The Beach Boys songs Category:Ace Records (United States) singles