Rufus Thomas

Rufus Thomas

6109 fans

Rufus Thomas was an American R&B singer who became famous for his irrepressible dance recordings at Sun Records in Memphis and on Stax Records and for his talent shows and radio shows. Noted for his infectious personality and fun-filled performances, he did much to further harmony between black and white musicians in the 1950s. He is remembered best for his hit singles 'Walking the Dog', which went to number ten on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1963 and 'Do the Funky Chicken', which peaked at number 28 in 1970.

Born in Mississippi, he gravitated to nearby Memphis as a child, joined the Rabbit's Foot Minstrels and appeared at the Palace Theatre and in vaudeville. He became a manager of artists such as Junior Parker, Bobby 'Blue' Bland and B.B. King and started to make his own recordings in the 1950s. At Sun Records, he recorded a song called 'Bear Cat', which drew complaints from Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller due to its similarity to their song 'Hound Dog', soon to be a major hit for Elvis Presley. It was a hit but as Sun Records began to attract more white artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Charlie Rich, Thomas moved on to what became Stax Records, where he had a 1961 hit with his daughter Carla titled 'Cause I Love You'.

He continued to record through the 1990s with singles along the way such as 'The Breakdown', which went to number 41 on the Hot 100 in 1971; '(Do the Push and Pull' (1971), which reached number 25; and 'Do the Funky Penguin' (1972), which peaked at number 44. Albums included 'Do the Funky Chicken' (1970), which hit number 32 on Billboard's R&B Chart, ''Rufus Thomas Live/Doing the Push & Pull at PJ's' (1971), which went to number 19, and 'Crown Prince of Dance' (1973), which peaked at number 42. Thomas carried on as a crowd-pleasing showman for the rest of his life. He died of heart failure at the age of 84.

Top tracks

03
Funkiest Man Alive
Rufus Thomas
Crown Prince Of Dance
07:43
Composers: Rufus Thomas - Donald E. Dortch
04
The Breakdown (Pt. 1)
Rufus Thomas
Did You Heard Me?
03:21
Writer: Rufus Thomas - Tom Nixon - Mack Rice - Josephine Bridges / Composers: Rufus Thomas - Tom Nixon - Mack Rice - Josephine Bridges
07
Walking the Dog
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
02:37
Writer: Rufus Thomas
10
The Funky Bird
Rufus Thomas
Crown Prince Of Dance
03:27
Composers: Jo Bridges - Tom Nixon
01
Do The Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
Do the Funky Chicken [Stax Remasters]
03:18
Composers: Rufus Thomas
07
(Do The) Push And Pull (Pt. 1 / Live At P.J.'s / 1970)
Rufus Thomas
Doing The Push And Pull At PJ's (Live At P.J.'s / 1970)
05:14
Composers: Rufus Thomas
10
Can Your Monkey Do the Dog
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
01:59
Writer: Rufus Thomas - Steve Cropper / Composers: Rufus Thomas - Steve Cropper
07
Do The Funky Penguin (Part 1)
Rufus Thomas
Did You Heard Me?
03:09
Writer: Rufus Thomas - Mack Rice - Jo Bridges - Tom Nixon / Composers: Rufus Thomas - Mack Rice - Jo Bridges - Tom Nixon
11
(Do The) Push And Pull (Pt. 1)
Rufus Thomas
Funkiest Man Alive: The Stax Funk Sessions 1967-1975
03:18
Composers: Rufus Thomas
08
Walking the Dog (Rerecorded)
Rufus Thomas
The Very Best of Sixties Soul
02:21
Writer: Rufus Thomas
16
Itch And Scratch (Part 1)
Rufus Thomas
Do the Funky Chicken [Stax Remasters]
03:14
Composers: Roland Hayes - Toby King
08
The Memphis Train (Single)
Rufus Thomas
The Platinum Collection
02:34
Writer: Bonny Rice - Rufus Thomas - Willie Sparks / Composers: Mack Rice - Rufus Thomas - Willie Sparks
01
Do the Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
Do the Funky Chicken - EP
03:27
02
Mashed Potatoes
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
02:23
Writer: Rozier / Composers: Rozier
03
Sixty Minute Man
Rufus Thomas
Do the Funky Chicken [Stax Remasters]
07:18
Composers: William Ward
01
(Do The) Push And Pull (Pts 1 & 2)
Rufus Thomas
Did You Heard Me?
04:46
Writer: Rufus Thomas, Jr. / Composers: Rufus Thomas, Jr.
02
The World Is Round
Rufus Thomas
Did You Heard Me?
04:01
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
01
Walking The Dog
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas Live In Porretta
08:00
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
12
Funky Mississippi
Rufus Thomas
Do the Funky Chicken [Stax Remasters]
02:58
Composers: Eddie Floyd
05
Barefootin'
Rufus Thomas
Walkin' The Dog
02:19
Composers: Robert Parker
02
If There Were No Music
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas Live In Porretta
09:08
Writer: R.Thomas - G.jackson / Composers: R.Thomas - G.jackson
05
Breakdown
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
03:23
05
The Breakdown (Pt. 2)
Rufus Thomas
Did You Heard Me?
03:17
Writer: Rufus Thomas - Tom Nixon - Mack Rice - Josephine Bridges / Composers: Rufus Thomas - Tom Nixon - Mack Rice - Josephine Bridges
07
(Do the) Push and Pull (Part 1) (Pt. 1)
Rufus Thomas
Stax Number Ones
03:18
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
03
Do The Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas Live In Porretta
12:45
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
01
The Dog (Mono)
Rufus Thomas
Walking the Dog (Mono)
02:37
Writer: Rufus Thomas
10
6-3-8 (That's The Number To Play)
Rufus Thomas
Did You Heard Me?
03:16
Writer: Rufus Thomas - Randall Stewart / Composers: Rufus Thomas - Randall Stewart
08
Do The Funky Penguin (Pt. 2)
Rufus Thomas
Did You Heard Me?
03:19
Writer: Josephine Bridges - Mack Rice - Rufus Thomas, Jr. - Tom Nixon / Composers: Josephine Bridges - Mack Rice - Rufus Thomas, Jr. - Tom Nixon
06
Love Trap
Rufus Thomas
Did You Heard Me?
02:56
Writer: Randall Stewart / Composers: Randall Stewart
06
Push and Pull
Rufus Thomas
Do the Funky Chicken
05:21
02
Give Me The Green Light
Rufus Thomas
Funkiest Man Alive: The Stax Funk Sessions 1967-1975
06:31
Composers: Rufus Thomas
09
Ditch Digging
Rufus Thomas
Did You Heard Me?
03:27
Writer: Eddie Floyd - Mack Rice / Composers: Eddie Floyd - Mack Rice
03
Can Your Monkey Do the Dog
Rufus Thomas
The Platinum Collection
02:28
Writer: Rufus Thomas - Steve Cropper / Composers: Rufus Thomas - Steve Cropper
06
The Memphis Train
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas Live In Porretta
04:12
Writer: R.Thomas - M.Rice - W.Sparks / Composers: R.Thomas - M.Rice - W.Sparks
33
I'll Be Your Santa Baby
Rufus Thomas
Åšwiateczne Piosenki 2025
03:34
Composers: Rufus Thomas
07
I Think I Made a Boo Boo
Rufus Thomas
The Platinum Collection
02:18
Writer: Harold Beane - William Bell
08
Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown
Rufus Thomas
Do the Funky Chicken [Stax Remasters]
02:42
Composers: Rufus Thomas
04
You Said (Mono)
Rufus Thomas
Walking the Dog (Mono)
02:32
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
13
Bear Cat
Rufus 'Hound Dog' Thomas Jr.
The Sun Records Collection
02:49
08
Big Fine Hunk Of Woman
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas Live In Porretta
05:37
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
14
Funky Way
Rufus Thomas
Do the Funky Chicken [Stax Remasters]
02:58
Composers: Calvin Arnold
01
Walkin' The Dog
Rufus Thomas
Walkin' The Dog
02:35
Composers: Rufus Thomas
04
Jump Back
Rufus Thomas
The Platinum Collection
02:21
Writer: Rufus Thomas - Thomas / Composers: Thomas
09
Funky Robot
Rufus Thomas
Stax Profiles: Rufus Thomas
04:25
Writer: Donald E. Dortch - Rufus Thomas / Composers: Donald E. Dortch - Rufus Thomas
08
Funky Mississippi
Rufus Thomas
Funkiest Man Alive: The Stax Funk Sessions 1967-1975
03:00
Composers: Eddie Floyd
09
Land of 1,000 Dances
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
02:41
Writer: Antoine Domino - Chris Kenner
08
Ya Ya
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
02:18
Writer: Dorsey - Robinson / Composers: Dorsey - Robinson
20
Sister's Got a Boyfriend
Rufus Thomas
Best Of
02:44
Writer: Dave Porter - Isaac Hayes - Steve Jones
05
Funky Hot Grits
Rufus Thomas
Funkiest Man Alive: The Stax Funk Sessions 1967-1975
05:28
Composers: Rufus Thomas
11
The Preacher And The Bear
Rufus Thomas
Do the Funky Chicken [Stax Remasters]
03:56
Composers: Arthur Collins

Playlists

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  • Discography
Albums
Sun Records Originals: Bear Cat
â„— 2023 This Compilation Sun Label Group, LLC
04-08-2023
Sun Records Originals: Bear Cat
01
Bear Cat (Remastered 2022)
Rufus Thomas
Sun Records Originals: Bear Cat
02:50
Writer: Jerry Leiber - Mike Stoller / Composers: Jerry Leiber - Mike Stoller
02
Save That Money
Rufus Thomas
Sun Records Originals: Bear Cat
02:43
Writer: Rufus Thomas, Jr. / Composers: Rufus Thomas, Jr.
03
Tiger Man (King of the Jungle)
Rufus Thomas
Sun Records Originals: Bear Cat
02:48
Writer: Joe Hill Louis - Sonny Burns / Composers: Joe Hill Louis - Sonny Burns
04
I'm Off That Stuff
Rufus Thomas
Sun Records Originals: Bear Cat
02:56
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
05
Decorate The Counter
Rufus Thomas
Sun Records Originals: Bear Cat
02:24
Writer: Richard Henry - Tommy Courtney / Composers: Richard Henry - Tommy Courtney
06
Juanita
Rufus Thomas
Sun Records Originals: Bear Cat
03:31
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
07
Walkin' in the Rain
Rufus Thomas
Sun Records Originals: Bear Cat
02:23
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
Best Of
2017 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group
01-04-2017
Best Of
01
The Dog
Rufus Thomas
Best Of
02:39
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
02
Mashed Potatoes
Rufus Thomas
Best Of
02:23
Writer: Rozier / Composers: Rozier
03
Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo
Rufus Thomas
Best Of
02:38
Writer: Jesse Hill / Composers: Jesse Hill
04
You Said
Rufus Thomas
Best Of
02:34
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
05
Boom Boom
Rufus Thomas
Best Of
02:47
Writer: John Lee Hooker / Composers: John Lee Hooker
06
It's Aw'rite
Rufus Thomas
Best Of
03:09
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
07
Walking the Dog
Rufus Thomas
Best Of
02:37
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
Access the complete album info (25 songs)
Live: 1989 Memphis Music & Heritage Festival
(P) 2014 Center for Southern Folklore
09-12-2014
Live: 1989 Memphis Music & Heritage Festival
01
Walking The Dog (Live)
Rufus Thomas
Live: 1989 Memphis Music & Heritage Festival
05:48
02
Big Fine Hunk Of Woman (Live)
Rufus Thomas
Live: 1989 Memphis Music & Heritage Festival
07:30
03
Ooh-Poo-Pa-Doo (Live)
Rufus Thomas
Live: 1989 Memphis Music & Heritage Festival
06:42
04
You Gotta Go (Live)
Rufus Thomas
Live: 1989 Memphis Music & Heritage Festival
13:16
05
Funky Chicken (Live)
Rufus Thomas
Live: 1989 Memphis Music & Heritage Festival
12:34
The Dog
â„— 2014 Cugate ltd.
31-07-2014
The Dog
01
The Dog
Rufus Thomas
The Dog
02:45
Composers: Rufus Thomas
02
The Funky Penguin
Rufus Thomas
The Dog
03:23
Composers: Mack Rice
03
Walking the Dog, Pt. 1
Rufus Thomas
The Dog
02:30
Composers: Rufus Thomas
04
Walking the Dog, Pt. 2
Rufus Thomas
The Dog
02:03
Composers: Rufus Thomas
05
Break Down
Rufus Thomas
The Dog
03:07
Composers: Rufus Thomas
06
Do the Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
The Dog
03:28
Composers: Rufus Thomas
07
Do the Push and Pull
Rufus Thomas
The Dog
03:18
Composers: Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas - Masters Of The Last Century: Best of Rufus Thomas (MP3 EP)
01-01-2014
Rufus Thomas - Masters Of The Last Century: Best of Rufus Thomas (MP3 EP)
01
Do The Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas - Masters Of The Last Century: Best of Rufus Thomas (MP3 EP)
03:28
02
Do The Push And Pull
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas - Masters Of The Last Century: Best of Rufus Thomas (MP3 EP)
03:18
03
The Dog
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas - Masters Of The Last Century: Best of Rufus Thomas (MP3 EP)
02:45
04
The Funky Penguin
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas - Masters Of The Last Century: Best of Rufus Thomas (MP3 EP)
03:23
05
Walking The Dog Part 1
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas - Masters Of The Last Century: Best of Rufus Thomas (MP3 EP)
02:30
06
Walking The Dog Part 2
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas - Masters Of The Last Century: Best of Rufus Thomas (MP3 EP)
02:03
07
Break Down
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas - Masters Of The Last Century: Best of Rufus Thomas (MP3 EP)
03:07
Rufus Thomas
28-11-2011
Rufus Thomas
01
Funky Robot
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas
05:10
02
Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas
04:39
03
If There Were No Music
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas
09:29
04
Walking The Dog
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas
05:58
05
Jump Back Baby
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas
04:17
06
Push And Pull
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas
05:21
07
Breakdown
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas
04:16
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
The Funky Penguin
23-12-2010
The Funky Penguin
01
Break Down
Rufus Thomas
The Funky Penguin
03:06
02
Do The Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
The Funky Penguin
03:28
03
Do The Push And Pull
Rufus Thomas
The Funky Penguin
03:18
04
Do The Dog
Rufus Thomas
The Funky Penguin
02:45
05
The Funky Penguin
Rufus Thomas
The Funky Penguin
03:23
06
Walking The Dog
Rufus Thomas
The Funky Penguin
02:30
07
Walking The Dog (Part 2)
Rufus Thomas
The Funky Penguin
02:04
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
Do The Funky Dance
08-07-2009
Do The Funky Dance
01
Walking The Dog
Rufus Thomas
Do The Funky Dance
02:29
02
Walking The Dog (Part 2)
Rufus Thomas
Do The Funky Dance
02:09
03
Do The Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
Do The Funky Dance
03:21
04
Do The Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
Do The Funky Dance
02:12
05
(Do The) Push And Pull (Part 1)
Rufus Thomas
Do The Funky Dance
03:17
06
(Do The) Push And Pull (Part 2)
Rufus Thomas
Do The Funky Dance
02:18
07
The Breakdown (Part 1)
Rufus Thomas
Do The Funky Dance
03:07
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Walkin' The Dog
2005 Gusto Records Inc
04-07-2009
Walkin' The Dog
01
Walkin' The Dog
Rufus Thomas
Walkin' The Dog
02:35
Composers: Rufus Thomas
02
Do The Push And Pull
Rufus Thomas
Walkin' The Dog
03:22
Composers: Rufus Thomas
03
Do The Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
Walkin' The Dog
03:27
Composers: Rufus Thomas
04
Breakdown
Rufus Thomas
Walkin' The Dog
03:11
Composers: Eddie Floyd - Mark Rice - Rufus Thomas
05
Barefootin'
Rufus Thomas
Walkin' The Dog
02:19
Composers: Robert Parker
06
High Heel Sneakers
Rufus Thomas
Walkin' The Dog
02:43
Composers: Robert Higgenbotham
07
In The Midnight Hour
Rufus Thomas
Walkin' The Dog
02:16
Composers: Steve Cropper - Wilson Pickett
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Walking The Dog
16-06-2009
Walking The Dog
01
Do The Push And Pull
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
03:23
02
Do The Push And Pull (Instrumental)
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
02:27
03
Do The Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
03:33
04
Do The Funky Chicken (Instrumental)
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
02:23
05
Breakdown
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
03:23
06
Breakdown Pt. 2
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
02:41
07
Walking The Dog
Rufus Thomas
Walking The Dog
02:46
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Ugly Like Me
22-06-2008
Ugly Like Me
01
Ugly Like Me
Rufus Thomas
Ugly Like Me
03:30
02
Mama's Ugly Baby
Rufus Thomas
Ugly Like Me
03:56
03
The Things That Follow Me Home
Rufus Thomas
Ugly Like Me
04:08
04
Drop Your Laundry
Rufus Thomas
Ugly Like Me
03:17
05
Size Of The Wave
Rufus Thomas
Ugly Like Me
03:28
06
Old Dog, New Tricks
Rufus Thomas
Ugly Like Me
04:25
07
Trouble In Mind
Rufus Thomas
Ugly Like Me
04:08
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
The Platinum Collection
â„— 2007 Rhino Entertainment Comapny, a Warner Music Group Company
19-03-2007
The Platinum Collection
01
Walking the Dog
Rufus Thomas
The Platinum Collection
02:29
Writer: Rufus Thomas
02
Little Sally Walker
Rufus Thomas
The Platinum Collection
02:27
Writer: Rufus Thomas
03
Can Your Monkey Do the Dog
Rufus Thomas
The Platinum Collection
02:28
Writer: Rufus Thomas - Steve Cropper / Composers: Rufus Thomas - Steve Cropper
04
Jump Back
Rufus Thomas
The Platinum Collection
02:21
Writer: Rufus Thomas - Thomas / Composers: Thomas
05
Down Ta My House
Rufus Thomas
The Platinum Collection
02:25
Writer: Jones - Steve Cropper - Thomas
06
Willy Nilly
Rufus Thomas
The Platinum Collection
02:37
Writer: Dave Porter - Isaac Hayes
07
I Think I Made a Boo Boo
Rufus Thomas
The Platinum Collection
02:18
Writer: Harold Beane - William Bell
Access the complete album info (18 songs)
Rufus Thomas' Walking The Dog
25-06-2006
Rufus Thomas' Walking The Dog
01
Walkin' The Dog (Part 2) - Live
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas' Walking The Dog
02:07
02
Walking The Dog - Live
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas' Walking The Dog
02:30
03
The Breakdown - Live
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas' Walking The Dog
03:06
04
The Breakdown (Part 2) - Live
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas' Walking The Dog
02:30
05
The Dog - Live
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas' Walking The Dog
02:43
06
Do The Push And Pull (Part 2) - Live
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas' Walking The Dog
02:16
07
Do The Funky Penguin - Live
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas' Walking The Dog
03:20
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Stax Profiles: Rufus Thomas
This Compilation â„— 2006 Concord Music Group, Inc.
01-01-2006
Stax Profiles: Rufus Thomas
01
Walking The Dog (Alternative Version)
Rufus Thomas
Stax Profiles: Rufus Thomas
02:35
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
02
Ride Your Pony
Rufus Thomas
Stax Profiles: Rufus Thomas
02:57
Writer: Naomi Neville / Composers: Naomi Neville
03
Jump Back (Alternate Version)
Rufus Thomas
Stax Profiles: Rufus Thomas
02:21
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
04
Strolling Beale No. 1
Rufus Thomas
Stax Profiles: Rufus Thomas
02:25
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
05
Do The Funky Chicken
Rufus Thomas
Stax Profiles: Rufus Thomas
03:18
Writer: Josephine Bridges - Mack Rice - Rufus Thomas - Tom Nixon / Composers: Josephine Bridges - Mack Rice - Rufus Thomas - Tom Nixon
06
Funky Hot Grits
Rufus Thomas
Stax Profiles: Rufus Thomas
05:28
Writer: Rufus Thomas / Composers: Rufus Thomas
07
Memphis Train '75
Rufus Thomas
Stax Profiles: Rufus Thomas
04:57
Writer: Rufus Thomas - Mack Rice - Willie Sparks / Composers: Rufus Thomas - Mack Rice - Willie Sparks
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Just Because I'm Leavin'...
26-04-2005
Just Because I'm Leavin'...
01
Old Dog, New Tricks
Rufus Thomas
Just Because I'm Leavin'...
04:48
02
Did You Ever Love A Woman
Rufus Thomas
Just Because I'm Leavin'...
06:07
03
I'll Be A Good Boy
Rufus Thomas
Just Because I'm Leavin'...
06:09
04
Juanita
Rufus Thomas
Just Because I'm Leavin'...
06:19
05
Can't Ever Let You Go
Rufus Thomas
Just Because I'm Leavin'...
05:27
06
Trouble In Mind
Rufus Thomas
Just Because I'm Leavin'...
04:43
07
Miss Jane
Rufus Thomas
Just Because I'm Leavin'...
04:47
Access the complete album info (11 songs)