Jackie Lee - The Duck

Year Released: 1965
Genre: R&B / Soul / Dance

Description:

Released on Mirwood Records in 1965, “The Duck” became Jackie Lee’s biggest hit and a definitive entry in the ’60s dance-soul canon. Propelled by the driving production of Fred Smith and the trademark Mirwood sound — sharp horns, tight rhythm guitar, and polished vocal layers — the track embodies the joyous, choreographed spirit of mid-’60s club culture.

Lee (born Earl Nelson, also half of the duo Bob & Earl) delivers a performance packed with charisma, encouraging listeners to “do the duck” with unrelenting enthusiasm. The rhythm section’s precision, combined with Mirwood’s crisp, echo-laden mix, made it a DJ favorite on both U.S. R&B radio and later Northern Soul dance floors.

“The Duck” endures as a quintessential dance record of its era — exuberant, hooky, and brimming with the optimism of 1960s soul, a track that bridges the gap between early R&B party anthems and the polished funk to come.