Song of the Day 3/9: Booker T. and the MGs, “Time Is Tight”

Released as a single in 1968, this instrumental jam, credited to all four members of the legendary Stax house band, became the second-biggest hit of their headlining career, peaking at No. 6. It’s easy to hear why –Duck Dunn lays down a chooglin’ bass groove and Booker T. Jones plays his Hammond B-3 like a church organ, all swirling chords building to a glorious release.

The song took a winding path to the public. Originally intended for a James Coburn movie called “Duffy,” Jones pulled it when he learned he would have to relinquish publishing rights. He instead used it when he scored his first film, “Up Tight,” considered the godfather of Blaxploitation movies and the progenitor of the scores for “Shaft” and “Super Fly.” (Jones said he would have named it after the film but for Stevie Wonder’s earlier hit of that name.) Curiously, the version released on the soundtrack LP is entirely different from the single — it’s not only longer, it’s played at a noticeably faster tempo and features a slow introduction and an instrumental breakdown.

The Clash used to play the song as a warm-up in concert, and released a studio version on Super Black Market Clash, with Attractions organist Steve Nieve providing piano flourishes.