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MPR News Staff

How 'Grazing in the Grass' was created

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When Masekela was recording an album in 1968, he needed one more song to fill it out. The record company suggested a tune called "Mr. Bull #5" that Masekela had heard on the radio while growing up in Africa.

Philemon Hou, an actor and singer who was visiting the studio that day, came up with a new melody for the song which became the instrumental hit "Grazing in the Grass."

It was No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart 50 years ago Wednesday.