Outa-Space

"Outa-Space" is an instrumental recorded by Billy Preston that originally appeared on his 1971 A&M Records-debut album, I Wrote a Simple Song. Preston created the sound of "Outa-Space" by running the sound from a clavinet through a wah wah pedal and then improvising a groove while calling out chord changes to the backing band. He later added organ and hand claps to the track. Preston came up with the title "Outa-Space" due to the instrumental's spacy sound.[1]

For the Mellow Trax song, see Outa Space.
"Outa-Space"
French picture sleeve
Single by Billy Preston
from the album I Wrote a Simple Song
A-side"I Wrote a Simple Song"
ReleasedDecember 20, 1971
GenreFunk, psychedelic soul
Length4:10
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)Billy Preston, Joe Greene
Producer(s)Billy Preston
Billy Preston singles chronology
"My Sweet Lord"
(1970)		 "Outa-Space"
(1971)		 "The Bus"
(1972)

While he thought it would be a hit, A&M was skeptical and issued it as the B-side of "I Wrote a Simple Song" in December 1971.[1] However, radio DJs began flipping the single and, while "I Wrote a Simple Song" only reached #77 on the Billboard Hot 100,[2] "Outa-Space" peaked at #2, showing that Preston's feelings about it were correct.[1]

Chart performance

"Outa-Space" was kept out of the top spot by "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers.[3] The instrumental also topped the R&B Singles chart for a week, succeeding the aforementioned "Lean on Me".[4] The single was certified gold by the RIAA for sales of one million copies.[1] In late 1972, "Outa-Space" peaked at #44 on the UK Singles Chart.[5]

"Outa-Space" won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance of 1972. Billboard ranked it as the #22 song for 1972.[6]

Song in Pop Culture
  • In the 1990s Intel Corporation used the song to promote their MMX-enabled Pentium processors.

References
  1. Hogan, Ed. "Billy Preston 'Outa-Space'". AllMusic. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  2. "Billy Preston: Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  3. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1972-07-08
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 85.
  5. "Billy Preston". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  6. Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1972
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