"Oleo" is a hard bop composition by Sonny Rollins, written in 1954. Since then it has become a jazz standard, and has been played by numerous jazz artists, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans.
Contents
Form
"Oleo" is one of a number of jazz standards to be based on "'Rhythm' changes," which is to say that its melody is written over the same chord progression as that employed by George Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm". Other standards which use "Rhythm" changes include Charlie Parker's "Anthropology", Dizzy Gillespie's "Salt Peanuts", and Thelonious Monk's "Rhythm-a-Ning".
The A section is transcribed, whilst the B section is left empty either for the performer to improvise in, or for the rhythm section to 'comp' over.
Recordings
The first version of the song, featuring Rollins, was recorded by Miles Davis in 1954 on the album Bags' Groove. With John Coltrane instead of Rollins on saxophone, it has been recorded again in 1956 on Relaxin'. A live version from 1958, also with Coltrane, appears on two separate Davis albums: 1958 Miles, which was released in late 1958, and Jazz at the Plaza (1973).
Other artists who have made notable recordings of the piece include Michael Brecker, Eric Dolphy, Lee Konitz, Jeff Sipe, Pat Martino, and Larry Coryell.
Lyrics
Written by Jim Cox
Oleo, Oleo Your hot cakes have never had it better, you know. It’s a spread, that you’re fed, when you feel in your head, Maybe your fat is saturated.
In a tube, in a cube, or squeeze it ‘cause now it even comes in a tube. As a rule, cows are cool, but you know I’m a fool, Just for the margarine school.
You know mazola is the only kind of corn, Ever you’re gonna find in Sonny’s horn. I mean it’s crazy just to think that there are people today, Who still will give an argument that butterfat is the only way.
Don’t accept, second rate, there ain’t been a better lubrication to date. Be profound, hip your town, to the pleasure you’ve found. You’ve got to spread it around.