Few songs can claim to have reshaped the trajectory of a record label and defined a genre, but in 1962, “Green Onions” did just that. The gritty instrumental by Booker T. & the M.G.’s quickly climbed to the top of the U.S. R&B chart, staying there for four weeks. Marked by a hypnotic organ riff and driving rhythm, the song established Stax Records as a powerhouse in soul music and introduced the world to the proverbial “Memphis sound,” as the terminology was applied to the then-budding genre. What began as an impromptu jam session evolved into an enduring cultural anthem. “Green Onions” remains a cornerstone of Stax Records’ legacy and one of the most iconic instrumentals in popular music history.

The rise of “Green Onions” to number-one status began as happenstance. 17-year-old Booker T. Jones was steadily becoming a key figure at Stax, transitioning from baritone saxophone to keyboards. A multi-instrumentalist raised in Memphis, Jones drew on influences from church and late-night gigs in local clubs, bringing a soulful sensibility to the organ. Steve Cropper, a 19-year-old guitarist, had recently returned from touring with the Mar-Keys and stepped into a studio management role at Stax after the departure of former engineer Chips Moman. Alongside drummer Al Jackson Jr. and bassist Lewie Steinberg, they formed the quartet that would later become Booker T. & the M.G.’s.

The pivotal moment came during a summer recording session for rockabilly singer Billy Lee Riley. When Riley abruptly left—accounts differ as to why—Jones, Cropper, Jackson, and Steinberg decided to use the remaining studio time. Jones began playing a slow, blues-infused riff he had honed at dances, and the group instinctively joined in. Stax co-founder Jim Stewart, seated at the console, captured the session on tape. That track became “Behave Yourself,” but Stewart saw the potential for more and encouraged the group to record a B-side.

Cropper reminded Jones of a riff the keyboardist had been tinkering with in a jam weeks earlier, and the group quickly arranged it. Jackson’s precise drumming brought structure, while Steinberg’s rolling bassline added depth. Cropper’s sharp guitar chords, originally placed mid-song, were moved to the intro at Stewart’s suggestion, creating the track’s iconic hook. Recorded in just a few takes, the piece exuded raw energy and innovation.

Originally dubbed “Funky Onions” by Steinberg, the name was softened to “Green Onions” after label co-founder Estelle Axton deemed the original moniker a tad too suggestive for audiences in the conservative-leaning South. Released as the B-side to “Behave Yourself” on the Volt label, the song quickly gained attention. Memphis DJ Reuben “Mad Lad” Washington played it repeatedly, sparking an overwhelming response from listeners who called in for information about the unknown instrumental group. Recognizing the track’s potential, Atlantic Records urged Stax to reissue “Green Onions” as the A-side under the main Stax imprint.

The song rocketed to number one on the U.S. R&B chart and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Stax Records first chart-topping hit. It also solidified the label’s identity as a force in the burgeoning soul music scene.

As Green Onions climbed the charts, Booker T. & the M.G.’s became Stax’s house band, anchoring the label’s sound during its seminal years. However, touring to promote the single highlighted the band’s social challenges. As a racially integrated group performing in the segregated South, the M.G.’s often encountered discrimination, including being denied service at restaurants and hotels. The issue became exacerbated following Lewie Steinberg’s early departure from the group. He was replaced with bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn, rounding out the group’s iconic lineup and evening its ranks to two white musicians and two Black musicians.

Beyond its cultural impact, “Green Onions” set a musical standard for transcending genres. Its haunting organ riff and infectious rhythm became film and television soundtrack staples, appearing in classics like American Graffiti and Quadrophenia. The song’s enduring appeal prompted Rolling Stone to include it as the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” In 1999, it was inducted into the Grammy® Hall of Fame, and in 2011, the Library of Congress added it to the National Recording Registry. “Green Onions was the beginning of that Memphis funk sound,” Booker T. Jones reflected in Rolling Stone.

Today, Green Onions remains a defining piece of the Stax legacy, and its deceptively simple structure encapsulates its underlying depth and timeless appeal.

by Jared Boyd