Quinn the Eskimo (Mighty Quinn)

Mighty Quinn is the title of a program written in 1967 by Bob Dylan song, which was published in 1968 by the group Manfred Mann and the first million-seller.

Genesis

Dylan took the song as part of the so-called Basement Tapes from June to August 1967 during those sessions that later became the album The Basement Tapes was compiled. It originated with two variant titles (on Self Portrait it is called "The Mighty Quinn ( Quinn the Eskimo ) " on bobdylan.com it is called " Quinn the Eskimo "). Dylan but not released the song as the first interpreter, but it was recorded in 1968 and published by some groups and singers. Dylan brought the song only on June 8, 1970 out on his album Self Portrait.

Original

The first band that took up the song was the pop group Manfred Mann, who had already packed some of Bob Dylan compositions in commercial sounds. Mighty Quinn was taken by the group on November 2, 1967, and published on 12 January 1968. This version was a number -one hit in many countries, including the United Kingdom and Germany. The B-side of the song is the piece of By Request - Edwin Garvey. This commercial version has sold over two million copies worldwide. The song also appeared on the LP Mighty Garvey! Who came, 28 June 1968 on the market. Manfred Mann played a new ( live ) version with Manfred Mann's Earth Band, released in February 1978 on the album Watch.

Content

In view of the partially confusing text the song is open to interpretation. Superficially, it is about the arrival of Mighty Quinn, an Eskimo. His arrival makes with his friends for riot, and everything degenerates into a mess out. Rumour has it that the song refers to the actor Anthony Quinn. This appeared in the May 1960 with the presentation at the film festival in Cannes movie The Savage Innocents by Nicholas Ray an Eskimo named Inuk. Bob Dylan makes the text meaning and are open as inspiration for his composition of a kind children's song.

Cover versions

Mighty Quinn has been covered numerous, among others, Ian and Sylvia (1968), Gary Puckett & The Union Gap ( 1968), 1910 Fruitgum Company (1968), The Ventures (1968), The Hollies (1969 ), Lulu (1970) Grateful Dead (2005), Dylan fan Wolfgang Niedecken (as Quinn, Danish Eskimo, 1995), Gotthard (1996 ), Johnny Logan (2004) and The Lollies ( 2004). The title was used for the soundtrack of the eponymous film starring Denzel Washington, which was released in theaters on 16 February 1989.