Grazing In the Grass

This is a vocal version of trumpet player Hugh Masekela's #1 instrumental of the same name.

The Friends Of Distinction formed in Los Angeles in 1968 and secured a record deal with RCA thanks to their manager, Jim Brown, a star football player who had recently retired and was advancing his acting career. The male members were Harry Elston and Floyd Butler, who were members of a group called The Vocals, which toured with Ray Charles as part of his revue. After about three years, the group split, and Elston and Butler formed The Friends Of Distinction with Jessica Cleaves and Barbara Love. "Grazing In The Grass" was their first single, and a huge hit. The follow-up, "Going in Circles," made #15 US, and in 1970 they had another hit with "Love or Let Me Be Lonely."

Group member Harry Elston wrote the lyric, which was inspired by his time on Ray Charles' tour when he would look out the window and see cows as they proceeded to the next stop. These cows got it made, he thought.