Song Clearance Sheet
5 sources citedTake Five
Jazz1950s174BPM
D♯ minKey
More around 170 BPM → · More in D♯ minor →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
A confirmed composer of record (Paul Desmond) with a specific, confirmed present-day beneficiary — Desmond willed his performance royalties to the American Red Cross, which has received them for decades. No dispute found.
Used by independents?
Yes — reinterpreted as a King Tubby dub (independent Jamaican dub), among its many covers.
Quick Facts
Released1959
AlbumTime Out
GenreJazz
LabelColumbia Records
Recorded atColumbia's 30th Street Studios, New York
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The composer of record — Paul Desmond (his estate)
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
Who receives the royalties — The American Red Cross — Desmond willed his performance royalties to them
New York Festival of Song → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — the first jazz single to sell over a million copies; reached #25 on the Hot 100 after a 1961 reissue; widely covered, including a lyric version sung by Carmen McRae (1961). Grammy Hall of Fame (1996).
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found, but a deep record of legitimate cover licensing across languages and genres.
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Paul Desmond
Who receives the royaltiesThe American Red Cross
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A uniquely charitable royalty legacy
Desmond willed his performance royalties to the American Red Cross; combined royalties have reportedly reached ~$100,000 a year, consistently, for nearly five decades.
New York Festival of Song · read it →
A sleeper hit born from an odd time signature
Recorded across three 1959 sessions for “Time Out” after a difficult first session with the unusual 5/4 rhythm; not an immediate hit, it became a “sleeper” after a 1961 reissue and the first jazz single to sell a million copies.
Wikipedia · read it →
A wide, eclectic cover life — including one with lyrics
Lyrics were co-written by Dave and Iola Brubeck; a 1961 live version was sung by Carmen McRae, alongside versions by Monica Zetterlund (1962), Al Jarreau (1976) and a King Tubby dub (2002).
Culture Fandom · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
Carmen McRae · Monica Zetterlund · Al Jarreau · King Tubby
Covers
1961
First flip
Who to Contact
PD
Paul Desmond (estate) / American Red Cross
Composer of record; the Red Cross receives his performance royalties
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
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References
Every source cited on this page — 5 in total
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Deep Batch 3)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending a separate manual keyfinder pass