"Master Jack" is a song written by

David Marks David Lee Marks (born August 22, 1948) is an American guitarist who is best known for being an early member of the Beach Boys. While growing up in Hawthorne, California, Marks was a neighborhood friend of the original band members and was a freq ...

and performed by

Four Jacks and a Jill Four Jacks and a Jill is a South African folk rock ensemble. Career They originally formed in 1964 without a "Jill" under the name "The Nevadas". Subsequently, they became the first group in South Africa to wear their hair long and they changed ...

. It reached #1 in

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...

and Canada, #3 on the US adult contemporary chart, and #18 on both the ''Billboard'' chart and in Australia in 1968. The song was also released in the United Kingdom as a single, but it did not chart. It also featured on the group's 1968 album, ''Master Jack''. The lyrics assert the right of individuals to their own interpretation of the world as "Master Jack" presents it to them. Upon release the track was widely taken as a criticism of pro-Apartheid propaganda promulgated by the white minority ruling party.About “Master Jack”
Master Jack, Four Jacks and a Jill. In this connection the titular "Master Jack" could be interpreted as a reference to a leading politician,

B.J. Vorster Balthazar Johannes "B. J." Vorster (; also known as John Vorster; 13 December 1915 – 10 September 1983) was a South African apartheid politician who served as the prime minister of South Africa from 1966 to 1978 and the fourth state presiden ...

, who styled himself "John" Vorster and became Prime Minister of the Apartheid regime in 1966. The official origin story, however, is different. As related by their female vocalist,A History of the band 1962-2000
''About Us''. Retrieved 11 January 2020. "In certain mines the foreman is called 'Master Jack', and the song tells the story of a labourer who works diligently for this master for years and years and then decides to go out on his own and exercise his desires and aspirations as an individual to be something other than a labourer." The song was produced by Ray Walter.

Other versions

Trini Lopez Trinidad López III (May 15, 1937 – August 11, 2020) was an American singer, guitarist, and actor. His first album included a cover version of Pete Seeger's " If I Had a Hammer", which earned a Golden Disc for him. His other hits include ...

, as a single in 1968. *

Heidi Brühl Heidi Rosemarie Brühl (; 30 January 1942 – 8 June 1991) was a German singer and actress who came to prominence as a young teenager and had a prolific career in film and television. She was also a successful recording artist, and is known for ...

, in German, as the B-side to her 1968 single, "

La bambola "La bambola" (Italian for "The Doll") is an Italian pop song written by Franco Migliacci, Ruggero Cini and Bruno Zambrini, and performed by Patty Pravo. The song had been previously refused by several artists, including Gianni Morandi, Little Tony ...

". *

Laura Lee Laura Lee can refer to: * Laura Lee (singer-songwriter) (born 1945), American soul and gospel singer-songwriter * Laura Lee (sex worker) (1973–2018), Irish-born sex worker and activist based in the UK * Laura Lee (bassist) (born 1986), Mexican-Ame ...

, as the B-side to her 1968 single, "Love in Every Room". *

Ayshea Ayshea (born Ayshea Hague, 12 November 1948) is a British singer, actor and television presenter. Biography Born in Highgate, London, and educated at Arts Educational School, London, Ayshea was trained in ballet, music, drama and dance. She mad ...

, as a single in 1971.Ayshea, "Master Jack" single release
Retrieved May 12, 2015 *Ann Tholsted, as a single in 1968

References

1967 songs 1967 singles 1968 singles 1971 singles Four Jacks and a Jill songs RCA Victor singles Reprise Records singles {{1960s-single-stub