This was written by Joe South and first recorded by the country singer Billy Joe Royal in 1967. Joe South was a prominent session musician and songwriter; some of his other compositions include "Games People Play" and "Rose Garden." South also wrote "Down in the Boondocks" for Royal, which was a #9 US hit in 1965.
After Royal released his version, "Hush" was quickly recorded by many artists in a variety of styles. The song is about a guy who is so crazy in love that he'll drop everything if he thinks she might be calling his name. Royal's recording has a definite country feel, while Deep Purple used a heavy rock sound. Other artists to record the song include Jimmy Frey, The Rubes, Killdozer, Dan Baird, Gotthard and Thin Lizzy. Kula Shaker had the biggest UK hit with their cover going to #2 in 1997.
Joe South adapted the song from an old African American spiritual, which included the line: "Hush I thought I heard Jesus calling my name."
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