[3] Trumpeter Morgan recorded the track with tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, pianist Barry Harris, double bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Billy Higgins.
[5]: 139 The Penguin Guide to Jazz described the original recording as "a glorious 24-bar theme as sinuous and stinging as the beast of the title.
[7] Television coverage of the 1965 baseball World Series included an advertisement by Chrysler that featured a version of Morgan's recording.
[8] After Morgan threatened to sue, Chrysler agreed not to show the advertisement again and settled the case.
[8] "The Sidewinder" was soon covered by other musicians, including trombonist Kai Winding on his 1966 album Dirty Dog.