Listen to some democratic implemental songs from the 1960s and ’70s. hypertext transfer protocol : //commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File : AM_Records.jpg
Enjoy Instrumental Hits From Yesterday
The ’60s and ’70s provided some pivotal points in music history. By the end of this time period, rock candy, kindling, funk, and disco had gained a lot of flat coat. however, we sometimes forget the popular and significant implemental hits that besides received a lot of airtime and played a significant character in changing music, angstrom well. Some of these instrumentals were master creations, while others were adaptations of previous classics. Some introduce ( or at least featured ) new instruments like the Moog synthesizer and the electronic keyboard. Below, I will review some of the most popular of the instrumental hits from the ’60s and ’70s and let you listen in to get an earful of the music that aid shaped today ‘s music .
List of Famous Instrumental Songs From the 1960s and 1970s
- “Classical Gas”
- “Music Box Dancer”
- “The Entertainer”
- “Popcorn”
- “Hymne”
- Theme to A Summer Place
- Hawaii Five-O Theme
- Rockford Files Theme
- “Last Date”
- “Baby Elephant Walk”
- “Walk, Don’t Run”
- “Wipe Out”
- “Telstar”
- Theme From The Exorcist
- Theme From Love Story
- “Feels So Good”
- “Joy”
- “Rock and Roll: Part 1 and 2”
- “Outa-Space”
- “A Fifth of Beethoven”
- “Green Onions”
- “Music to Watch Girls By”
- “A Taste of Honey”
- “Love Is Blue”
- “Frankenstein”
- “No Matter What Shape Your Stomach’s In”
- “Stranger on the Shore”
- “Calcutta”
- “Rise”
- “Breezin'”
- “Spanish Flea”
- “Lara’s Theme”
- “TSOP”
- Love Theme From The Godfather
- “Cotton’s Dream” or “Nadia’s Theme”
- “Love’s Theme”
1. “Classical Gas”
In 1968, Mason Williams released “ Classical Gas, ” a man he composed and performed on authoritative guitar. Although it ‘s been covered by a total of artists since this time, this is the original translation. This is one of the instrumental hits I recall listening to on a car travel with my parents when I was in grade school. Part of its popularity was due to the fact that both young people and old could appreciate it evenly. You can hear Williams perform it below .
2. “Music Box Dancer”
Released as a single in 1978, “ Music Box Dancer ” was a chart-topper. This piano piece was composed by Frank Mills and has been performed by many artists over the years. This song hit the charts later in my teens, and although more of my heed clock time was spent with rock and disco types of tunes, this piano piece had a dateless invoke for all senesce groups, arsenic well.
Below, you can hear the master version .
3. “The Entertainer”
besides among the instrumental hits from the ’70s was a song that was actually first written decades earlier by Scott Joplin. The ragtime piece “ The Entertainer ” was adapted by Marvin Hamlisch and served as the composition for the movie The Sting. I can recall hearing it on the radio and seeing the movie a few years belated on broadcast television receiver, but I best remember it from a live performance by the local high school band. That ‘s popularity : When everyone else picks it up ! You can hear it as it was recorded as the root for the movie below .
4. “Popcorn”
In the late ’60s, Gershon Kingsley wrote and recorded “ Popcorn ” but it was n’t until 1972 — when a band called Hot Butter played it on the Moog synthesizer — that it became successful on the charts, in the US and abroad. I can remember new sounds emerging when I entered middle school, and the Moog synthesist was something we began hearing. surely, electronic music had n’t evolved to the level where it is today ( in European disco and such ) but it decidedly seems to have had its startle here. Below, you can hear Gershon Kingsley ‘s original adaptation of this democratic instrumental .
5. “Hymne”
This instrumental came off of the album Opera Sauvage released in 1979. greek musician Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou wrote and performed many instrumental pieces throughout the 1970s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond, including the soundtracks of a issue of movies. however, this is the first one that I personally recall hearing.
Obviously, he was interest in electronic music. You can hear Vangelis ‘s version below .
6. Theme to A Summer Place
Max Steiner wrote the music for the theme to the movie A Summer Place, and in 1960, this tune hit the charts as recorded by Percy Faith. I do n’t actually recall this movie or hearing the tune as a child, but I can say that it ‘s one from that prison term menstruation which I ‘ve heard hundreds of times since without knowing its origins. That ‘s another sign of popularity : It crosses generations without our even being aware that we know the tune.
You can hear this hit instrumental below .
7. Hawaii Five-O Theme
Hawaii Five-O was a democratic television receiver series in the US during 1968 and for several years running. It was a detective/cop show starring Jack Lord. The theme to the prove was created by Morton Stevens and is recognized easily by millions of people even immediately, more than 40 years late. The theme birdcall is surely better-known than the testify itself, and probably helped the tourism industry in Hawaii at the clock. You can hear the composition from the show below .
8. Rockford Files Theme
The Rockford Files was a television receiver series about a detective played by actor James Garner. It ran from 1974 through 1980. The theme song, written by Mike Post, became democratic and was often heard on the radio.
While James Garner was quite popular as a commodity guy and intelligibly had a lovable and humorous title quality in this show, the theme song is probably what most people today would likely remember from the series. Listen to this theme sung below. Pianist Floyd Cramer wrote and played another one of the hit instrumentals from the 1960s known as “ stopping point Date. ” I am familiar with this sung primarily from an old album that my parents had. Basically, I grew up hearing it and have constantly thought it had a very sad spirit to it. You can check it out below .
10. “Baby Elephant Walk”
“ Baby Elephant Walk, ” written by Henry Mancini, became popular in 1962 when it was featured in the movie Hatari. This hit implemental is one that I believe I recall from other sources, since I never saw Hatari. I have to believe that ‘s it ‘s been used elsewhere as background for the actions of curious little animals and youngsters. You can hear it below .
11. “Walk, Don’t Run”
The song “ Walk, Do n’t Run ” was released by the Ventures in 1960 and gained far-flung popularity. however, my research shows that the song was actually written several years early by Johnny Smith. A number of musicians have performed the song before and since. again, this hit instrumental obviously saw a set of airtime well after the time it was released in 1960, or I would never be mindful of it. Surfing music in general was democratic on oldie stations for many years. You can hear “ Walk, Do n’t Run ” below .
12. “Wipe Out”
In 1962, the Sufaris wrote and recorded “ Wipe Out ” and in 1963, it was near the top of the charts. This implemental features entirely two words, the two in the title of the song, which can be heard at the begin of the recording. It ‘s probably one of the most recognize browse songs always recorded .
13. “Telstar”
This one, titled “ Telestar, ” was recorded and released in 1962 by the Tornadoes. The song — named after a communications satellite that had been launched that year— was recorded to emulate some of the sounds associated with that device. My only memories of this finical song are of hearing it many years late late at night when a local radio post signed off. The crackling sounds at the begin and end of the record were peculiarly eerie when listen at midnight. Listen to it below .
14. Theme From The Exorcist
The theme music for the 1973 movie The Exorcist is a constitution by Mike Oldfield entitled “ tubular Bells. ” This song makes up an entire album of two versions that run over 20 minutes each. The movie, adapted from a novel by William Peter Blatty, is one of the most celebrated repugnance films of all time. You can hear a part of “ tubular Bells ” below .
15. Theme From Love Story
The movie Love Story, released in 1970, starred Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw as young lovers who are torn apart by a terminal illness. The theme song was one of the major implemental hits of the ten. It was entitled “ Where Do I Begin ” and written by Francis Lai. The birdcall was subsequently recorded by a assortment of artists, both with and without lyrics/vocals. You can hear this sad and beautiful song below .
16. “Feels So Good”
“ Feels then good ” was first written and performed by Chuck Mangione in 1977 and released on his album of the same name that year. In 1978, he released a shorten adaptation as a one and it hit the charts. The flugelhorn is featured in this song. You can hear “ Feels so good ” performed live below .
17. “Joy”
british group Apollo 100 recorded a classical tune and made it a major murder in the U.S. in 1972. The sung, entitled “ Joy, ” was a version of Johann Sebastian Bach ‘s “ Jesu, Joy of Man ‘s Desiring, ” and arranged by Tom Parker.
I recall having a single of this implemental which I loved playing just for its ability to lift up the spirits. Hear it on the video provided below .
18. “Rock and Roll: Part 1 and 2”
Another implemental reach from the ’70s that has been wide heard in the years since is Gary Glitter ‘s “ Rock and Roll, Part 2. ” character 1 has lyrics but Part 2 is chiefly an instrumental with the son “ Hey ” repeated at assorted points. It hit the US charts in 1972 and later became very democratic at sporting events, which is where I vividly remember hearing this tune .
19. “Outa-Space”
Billy Preston released the individual “ I Wrote a dim-witted birdcall ” in 1971, but the master B-side of the record was the tune that very took off. “ Outa-Space ” was the upbeat Funk/R & B instrumental collision that class .
20. “A Fifth of Beethoven”
Yes, even disco offered implemental pieces. In 1976, Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band recorded and released “ A Fifth of Beethoven. ” Of course it was adapted from the classical objet d’art, Beethoven ‘s Fifth Symphony. While it ‘s been used in a kind of films and shows, its use in the disco hit “ Saturday Night Fever ” is credibly its most memorable.
You can hear “ A Fifth of Beethoven ” in the television provided here .
21. “Green Onions”
Blues and Soul besides offered some implemental hits in the ’60s and ’70s : “ green Onions ” by Booker T & the M.G.s was very successful. It was recorded in 1962 and featured an organ. The video recording posted below shows a live operation of this tune .
22. “Music to Watch Girls By”
beginning written as a commercial jingle for Diet Pepsi, “ music to Watch Girls By ” was recorded by Bob Crewe in 1967. It was a chart success and went on to be recorded by other artists as well, both with and without lyrics .
23. “A Taste of Honey”
“ A taste of Honey ” is an implemental authoritative written by Bobby Scott and Ric Marlow. It was released with the film of the same name and won a Grammy award in 1962. Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass besides recorded a version in 1965 and took it back to the charts for a 1966 Grammy award. I remember this stumble implemental song from the Herb Alpert Album, Whipped Cream & other Delights, that my parents used to play when I was a kid .
24. “Love Is Blue”
The music for “ Love Is Blue ” ( in French, “ L ‘ Amour est Bleu ” ) was written by André Popp. It was recorded both with and without lyrics. In the US, the most popular interpretation was released in 1967 and was an instrumental collision, making it onto the charts in 1968 as recorded by Paul Mauriat. You can hear this version of the song in the television provided under .
25. “Frankenstein”
Rock provided another interest instrumental part during the 1970s : “ Frankenstein ” was created by Edgar Winter and released by his group, the Edgar Winter Group, on the album They merely Come Out at Night. It made heavy use of the synthesist which was new at the time. It hit the charts in 1973. You can watch it performed alive on the video recording provided here .
26. “No Matter What Shape Your Stomach’s In”
Another very democratic implemental, “ No Matter What Shape Your Stomach ‘s In, ” was recorded by the T-Bones and hit the lead of the charts in December, 1966. Three members of the band subsequently recorded under the name Hamilton, Joe Frank, & Reynolds. The sung was besides used in Alka Seltzer commercials .
27. “Stranger on the Shore”
“ stranger on the Shore ” was written by Acker Bilk and beginning released in 1961. He performed it on clarinet with a chorale back. It ‘s been recorded since by many artists and used in a issue of films. The operation you see below was video recorded in the 1980s .
28. “Calcutta”
“ kolkata ” was another chart-topping instrumental in the 1960s. It was recorded by bandleader Lawrence Welk and hit # 1 on the charts in 1961. It sold over a million copies and pushed the album by the lapp name to # 1, vitamin a well .
29. “Rise”
The 1979 instrumental “ Rise, ” recorded by Herb Alpert, was a darling that sold millions. This original recording featured Alpert ‘s trumpet and hit the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 graph. It late received a Grammy award .
30. “Breezin'”
In the mid-1970s, George Benson released the strike “ Breezin ‘, ” the title of the single and the album. The wind guitarist became celebrated as a child and has continued his career through current day. Below is a video that features a studio version of “ Breezin ‘. ”
31. “Spanish Flea”
As you can see in this article, Herb Alpert was very popular in the ’60s and ’70s. Another one of his hits was “ spanish flea, ” a song that millions of people recognize but credibly do n’t know the name of. It was released in 1965. previous versions of the birdcall were done by other artists and admit vocals .
32. “Lara’s Theme”
In 1965, the movie Dr. Zhivago was released. The epic film was a success and so was its music. “ Lara ‘s root ” was identical popular at the time as an instrumental and was subsequently released as “ Somewhere My Love ” with vocals added .
33. “TSOP”
“ The sound of Philadelphia ” ( TSOP ) was a hit in 1974. It was popularized on the show Soul Train and was done by MFSB ( Mother, Father, Sister, Brother ) .
34. Love Theme From The Godfather
The original Godfather movie ( the first in a trilogy ) was a top-grossing film in 1972 and produced a couple of instrumental hits. One of the most popular was the love theme which besides had a vocal version called “ Speak Softly Love. ” Of course, the Godfather subject was another popular tune itself .
35. “Cotton’s Dream” or “Nadia’s Theme”
In 1971 composers Barry De Vorzon and Perry Botkin Jr. wrote Cotton ‘s Dream ( subsequently known as Nadia ‘s Theme ). It was beginning used in Bless the Beasts and the Children, later as a root for the day time soap opera, The Young and the Restless. In 1976, it became a theme in the US for the highly successful romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci during the Olympics .
36. “Love’s Theme”
Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, and composer Barry White is responsible for the 1973/74 implemental hit Love ‘s Theme. He was known for his deep voice and amatory songs but on this objet d’art, he left it to his 40 piece orchestra to work its magic.
Following the free of the successful instrumental, a vocal music translation was released. You can hear the orchestra ‘s performance below. © 2010 Christine Mulberry MikeZ3000 on September 02, 2020 : Hoedown by Aaron Copeland, revived by ELP in the mid 70s. Marcelo Salazar on July 09, 2020 : Lindos recuerdos Nini on December 01, 2019 : amazing ! I spent 2 hour looking for ‘Love ‘s Theme ‘ – Barry White ! My dad use to play these when we were riding around in his cadillac. I do n’t have many memories with him but this one sticks. Oh world … the musical composition ‘Feels therefore good by Chuck Mangione and ‘Rise ‘ by Herb Alpert. Sent chills up my spine. Kay Fender on June 08, 2019 : I ‘m trying to find an implemental piece that was a single in 70 ‘s ( I think ) It was amerind sitar music. Simone on March 23, 2019 : TNX for sharing these beauties. It ‘s very difficult if you know a song, but you do n’t know what ‘s it ‘s called or who plays it. If there are words, you can google, but that ‘s not done with a tune. What I miss is Lieutenant Pigeon, Mouldy Old Dough, 1972. It would fit to these instrumentals I think. JIM BARRINGTON on March 22, 2019 : united kingdom late69 /early 1970 ‘s, there was a musical subject used for Rollo chocolates and the I think a character called beelzibob was in the commercial. Can anyone recall the root ? Help with a song… on October 18, 2018 : Hi Christine ( or anyone else ) … Can you help me identify this instrumental : hypertext transfer protocol : //youtu.be/Z7enVbPYh5Q ? t=87 Any aid appreciated ! Rafael Trefil on August 05, 2018 : WHere is Oingo Bongo ? MoNo on July 20, 2018 : Aehm … how about adding this stuff ? Grooving with Mr. Bloe hypertext transfer protocol : //www.youtube.com/watch ? v=aaQWOne1sfo Christine Mulberry (author) on July 05, 2018 : I considered adding Hocus Pocus, but because it has vocalizations ( not very words ) I included it rather in an article I did on “ bangle songs ” from the 70 ‘s. Bruce Chook Fowler on July 05, 2018 : What about Hocus Pocus by Focus ? Gus W on May 30, 2018 : Sharon wild, is it illinois Silenzio ? hypertext transfer protocol : //www.youtube.com/watch ? v=Pxvy6kZV7NU Sharon wild on April 24, 2018 : Looking for a 70s song that starts off with the last post Per on March 25, 2018 : Looking for an old shuffle/swing tune, from the early or mid 60 ‘s. The A composition is with flute, senior high school tones, probably piccholo, and brass section along under – melody goes upwards and very much with the rythm. The B subject is with a womanhood ‘s voice opera style. A bit Herb Alpert style and very attention-getting. Anyone ? Tony on February 11, 2018 : I was born in ’48. I listened to all and danced to many of these tunes when they were first heard on the radio and for many, many years after. They were played at dance halls for teenagers and parties, and lived on as “ oldies but goodies. ” Thank you for this special treat. Zappy on January 12, 2018 : We can not forget “ the ” Incedible bongo band and bongo rock …. Nino Tempo with Sister James and Focus with theater of the king, hocus pocus and Sylvia. DK on October 31, 2017 : What a capital collection ! Thank you for taking the worry to parcel these pieces with the rest of the worldly concern ! I am listening to them right now from Seoul, Korea ! These implemental pieces very do take me back to time when I started to wake up to music. Thank you ! ! ! Robert on August 13, 2017 : The version on here of Telstar is not the master that was released in 1962. The version on here sounds more like Telstar 75 recorded subsequently but not by all the master members using synthesizers. The way to tell is the original has a different sound that has never been duplicated, the composer Joe Meek took to his grave how he did the sound after the group recorded it in his studio. The song Telstar is my front-runner record ever and I have played it thousands of times since the 60 ‘s on my organ. Dr. D. on June 25, 2017 : “ Breezin ’ ” by George Benson ! I never knew what it was called. But in the 1970s, ABC Sports used it all the time as segue music for low-key stuff like golf. Looking for a similar tune from that earned run average, a sting more up-tempo and more disco, strings with french horn back, that besides was used for many segues, specially the cascading three string intro … aha, reading the comments, It ‘s “ Love ’ s Theme ” by Barry White ! now I can sleep better : – ) ThomU on May 09, 2017 : Thank you ! Awesome position. Jim on February 08, 2017 : Burt Bacharach ‘s “ Nikki ” is a beautiful implemental that I remember most as being the theme for the ABC Movie of the Week from the 1970s. hypertext transfer protocol : //www.youtube.com/watch ? v=0Es6w3aIlwQ ABC Movie of the week presentation : hypertext transfer protocol : //www.youtube.com/watch ? v=rM-Vkd7On2Q Stan on January 21, 2017 : I ‘m after a Sixties TV Show Symphonic Theme song. I recall one prove where Allied forces are holed-up in a church basement. Their car artilleryman is set-up in the anteroom and the german soundbox are stacked-up one each side of the doorway. indeed army for the liberation of rwanda, I ‘ve listened to the themes of Combat and G.E.True. Any more you can think of ? agadino on November 19, 2016 : yes, like most of them.. a couple more that comes to my thinker “ The bustle ”, Van McCoy hypertext transfer protocol : //www.youtube.com/watch ? v=wj23_nDFSfE and the jethrotullish “ House of the king ” by Focus BRUCE on September 07, 2016 : I remember lots of instrumentals, being a child of the 60s but one eludes me. It has strings playing the repeating theme and a action of tubular bells. I ‘m not sure if it ‘s a Mike sold field sung but this is surely from the late 60s. I ca n’t remember it ‘s name but it was decidedly top 40. Given this sketchy description, can anyone help ? Bruce. JC on August 27, 2016 : Thank You ! ! ! I ‘ve been bothered by an implemental stuck in my question for a few years immediately ( turns out to be “ A smack of Honey ” by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. ultimately decided to say “. .. to hell with it ! ” and figure out which birdcall it was. I ‘ve saved it in my spotify, along with several others that tickled my nostalgia steel from this web page. Daniel Collins on August 07, 2015 : Santana – I love you much excessively a lot ELO – fire On high Missing these on this number precisely shows how little the research worker knows classical rock. Andy on February 06, 2014 : Hi, i wondered if you knew the name of a 70s implemental which had a great guitar solo in it, sounded about italian style. it was played in australia and had a television that showed a Beach and browse. its actually not unlike paul mauriats Love is blue. i have scowered the internet but can not find it. it may have been for a surf movie, the music sounds mastermind but it has great distorted guitar in it. I can hum the tune and pay it on guitar but can not find it. cheers Andy boy_dreamer on January 23, 2012 : does anyone remember instrumental song called “ 69 ” it started out with a harley davison reving the engin. the wasonly 1 word spoken in the middkle of the song — the style “ 69 ” song was dear to me because i gradulated in 1969. — – Please electronic mail me if you know the artist or have a copy — boy_dreamer @ eml.cc Eileen Montesin on April 30, 2011 : These tunes are simply great..they remind me indeed much of my childhood … when one play these tunes on my radio express my listeners just go crazy..they want to hear them over & over again … German on March 19, 2011 : In 1980 there was an implemental hit which started with a whistle. After a few repetitions of the whistle, synthesizers began to sound over the whistle. I never knew it ‘s name. Do you remember what it was ? Jack on March 08, 2011 : Great compilation, but it can not be credible or complete without “ Love ‘s theme ” by Barry White. This song hit # 1 in 1974 I believe. hypertext transfer protocol : //www.youtube.com/watch ? v=yIpmC2YJocc rvcrose on March 08, 2011 : amazing ! Thanks for sharing. Though I ‘m still looking for a song I ‘ve heard during the 70 ‘s or 80 ‘s quite not indisputable … it ‘s like the Summer of 42 or Benji ‘s Theme … thought the title is “ just For Her ”, but ca n’t find a song with that entitle ! Thanks again ! Christine Mulberry (author) on December 16, 2010 : Dan, Did Howard Shore do 60s/70 ‘s instrumentals ? I know he did some of the Lord of the Rings/more modern instrumentals. Slave2No1 from Oneida, NY on December 06, 2010 : What ever happened to : “ No Matter What Shape Your Stomach ‘s In ” ? cookie8888 from Indianapolis, IN on October 27, 2010 : A draw of amazing songs on here. Great video recording for Mason Williams ‘ “ Classical Gas. ” besides love seeing “ Walk, Do n’t Run ” and “ fleeceable Onions. ” Thanks for a great article ! Ehsan on September 18, 2010 : belly laugh ! beautiful music that brought back a lot of odoriferous memories. Dan on September 06, 2010 : I am surprised there did n’t seem to be anything by Howard Shore. jonathan t from Burlingame, CA on July 18, 2010 : have you heard of australia ‘s dirty three ? they are an amazing instrumental group — you should check them out ! Christine Mulberry (author) on July 12, 2010 : Oops, you ‘re right ! Andy on July 11, 2010 : For whatever it ‘s worth, the Baby Elephant Walk was in the movie “ Hatari ” starring John Wayne. You have it listed as “ hitari … ” Thanks for the great locate ! Tony McGregor from South Africa on July 11, 2010 : Some actually cool music here ! Some of these I recognise but could never have put a name to – like the Booker T one, for case. Know I ‘ve heazrd it much but never knew who it was by ! Thanks for sharing. Love and peace Tony epigramman on June 23, 2010 : best hub of all prison term – that ‘s right – nothing else comes close – and they should put you into a music hall of fame for this – and I should know – I am a overcome musicologist ! Holle Abee from Georgia on June 05, 2010 : Oh, I ‘m gon sodium be her for a while ! right now, I ‘m listening to Classical Gas. Awesome choices ! Hymne is one of my all-time faves ! ! theherbivorehippi from Holly, MI on May 17, 2010 : LOVED The Entertainer ! ! It was one of the first songs I learned on the piano for my ma … .it was one of her faves ! Kay Creates from Ohio on May 17, 2010 : This brought back a lot of memories. I remember playing The Entertainer at a piano recitation. Christine Mulberry (author) on May 16, 2010 : It ‘s amazing all of the tunes you start to remember when you start putting together information like this. There are surely enough of other songs out there to fill another hub, or two. Thanks for stopping by ! BkCreative from Brooklyn, New York City on May 16, 2010 :
Oooh loved Hot Butter and Green Onions – and of course I remember Theme from a Summer Place and a 5th of Beethoven and Mangione and indeed much more. I ‘m glad you gave some background excessively because few people knew that Scott Joplin was the begin of rag time long earlier Marvin Hamlisch. surely, there will be another hub like this, yes ? Thanks so much for spending all the time to do this. I will bookmark it for future reference and then I will rate it up of run and there is something new to click on like ‘awesome. !
