Watermelon Man

Watermelon Man was written by Herbie Hancock, originally for his 1962 hit record Takin’ Off. Hancock wrote this tune with the intention of marketing his record, and was the first tune he composed for commercial reasons. Watermelon Man became a hit, and he would later record it with his Head Hunters band as well in 1973. This 16 bar blues is played in a straight eight groove, originally a latin-rock style, and later funk. It is most commonly played in the key of F.