In 1959, the Dave Brubeck Quartet had the idea of recording an album with all kinds of unusual beats. One of the pieces was in a “five-quarter” time. It became the top-selling jazz single of all time. “Take Five” refers to the five beats per measure but also to taking five minutes out of your day to just groove.
“Take Five” became something like a hallmark of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. They used it many times to close their concerts—with each musician, upon completing his solo, leaving the stage until only the drummer remained.
