A high-energy, infectious blast of 1970s pop-rock revivalism, celebrating an American dance craze from the turn of the 20th century.
There are certain songs that, the moment the needle drops, immediately transport us back to the energy of a very specific time and a very particular kind of wholesome, dazzling showmanship. The Osmonds’ rendition of “Ballin’ the Jack” is one of those timeless earworms, a curious and utterly joyful anomaly in the mid-1970s pop landscape. This was a time when the Utah-born brothers—Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, and the perpetually charming Donny—were transitioning from bubblegum teen idols of “Puppy Love” into a more hard-driving, self-penned rock sound. Yet, nestled within their extensive catalog, this 1974 track stands out as a pure, unadulterated slice of American musical history dusted off for the disco generation.
While many of The Osmonds’ biggest hits—like “One Bad Apple,” “Crazy Horses,” and “Love Me for a Reason”—burned up the charts worldwide, their lively cover of “Ballin’ the Jack” did not enjoy a significant stand-alone single release or a major chart run in the US or UK, and it is not generally listed among their chart hits. It was featured on their 1974 album, Love Me For A Reason, a transitional record that showcased the group’s evolving musical ambition. Its true impact was less about chart domination and more about its incredible vitality as a centerpiece in their spectacular live and television performances, which were essential viewing for millions. For those of us who tuned in weekly to The Donny & Marie Show or caught them on tour, this song was a memorable demonstration of their incredible energy and tight choreography. It served as a vital bridge, connecting the new wave of ’70s pop with the classic song-and-dance lineage of American entertainment that the group had been steeped in since their days on The Andy Williams Show in the 1960s.
The very essence of the song is a direct call to movement, a joyous cultural artifact with a surprising history. “Ballin’ the Jack” was originally written way back in 1913 by Jim Burris (lyrics) and Chris Smith (music) and introduced on the vaudeville stage. The phrase “Ballin’ the Jack” itself is believed to derive from an old railroad term, meaning to “go at full speed,” specifically when a locomotive’s speed regulator—called the “jack”—was pushed all the way open. Over time, it evolved into an early jazz standard, and more famously, a popular, simple dance craze of its era.
In covering this classic, The Osmonds didn’t just sing it; they injected it with their signature 1970s funk-rock gusto. Merrill Osmond’s soulful, powerful lead vocal—backed by the driving rhythm section of Alan, Wayne, and Jay—takes the listener through the dance steps described in the lyrics: “First you put your two knees close up tight / You swing ’em to the left, then you swing ’em to the right…” Their version, with its tight horn arrangements and driving beat, transforms a century-old novelty tune into something instantly contemporary and exhilarating. It’s a magnificent example of how they—like their contemporaries in the pop-rock sphere—could take any genre, from gospel and barbershop to hard rock and a Vaudeville dance instruction, and make it undeniably their own.
For listeners looking back, this song is a potent reminder of the era’s playful eclecticism. It’s a sound that evokes the slick, high-gloss production of a TV variety show, the energy of a teenage dance floor, and the warm glow of family gathered around a console television. It captures a moment when The Osmonds were not just teen idols, but incredibly proficient, versatile entertainers, reminding us all that sometimes the greatest fun in music is simply in the invitation to get up and move, to swing your arms, and to “move around with all your might.”