# Song ID: Instrumental hit, lots of horns, went Top 40 in U.S. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 18, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203 "2012-04-18T20:23:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/21 "2012-04-19T16:27:17Z")
If you call the radio station that plays it, they may point you in the right direction. They may also put their playlist online. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/22 "2012-04-19T16:29:06Z")
It might be somewhere on [this list](http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2009/10/top-40-instrumentals-1955-1979.html). The notes at the top mention that 560 instrumentals made the Hot 100 in the period 1955-1979. I wouldn’t be surprised if the song came out earlier than you expected. When you say “pretty much nothing but horns” does it have any sort of beat backing it? If I had to choose from that list, I’d guess the theme from Exodus. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/23 "2012-04-19T18:23:37Z")
> [@LaurenIpsum](#): > > [“One Mint Julep” by Xavier Cugat?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jlm_bkDWD4) Not it, but in the ballpark stylistically. A little too fast-paced, though. On “One Mint Julep”, the percussion (and organ!) is way more prominent than in the mystery track (which I think is brass only). ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/24 "2012-04-19T18:33:14Z")
> [@panamajack](#): > > I wouldn’t be surprised if the song came out earlier than you expected. Could well be. The production sounds modern to my ears. I know it not someone like the Tower of Power of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones or anything like that. The “flavor” of the track is all Vegas or Atlantic City, circa the early 1960s. Glittery dresses and tuxedos. ---
**Author:** ![Ian\_D.Bergkamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Ian\_D.Bergkamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ian_D.Bergkamp)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/25 "2012-04-19T18:41:15Z")
How about “[Harlem Nocturne](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Isj51Px6o&feature=related)”? It’s an older tune, but gets recycled periodically. This particular version has some percussion, but there are some saxophone-only versions out there. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/26 "2012-04-19T18:45:17Z")
> [@I'm Not Dennis Bergkamp](#): > > How about “[Harlem Nocturne](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Isj51Px6o&feature=related)”? Much more up-tempo. It’s not merengue-fast, but it’s brisk (though many high notes are drawn out). ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/27 "2012-04-19T18:47:55Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > N > I can say that I don’t believe the main horn sound of the tune is a trumpet. Trumpets are too “warm” sounding. And the main horn is also not a saxophone … nowhere near that souldful. > > The song I’m thinking of is fairly “cold” if that makes any sense. It’s just a pure blast of horn, and something fairly high-pitched – well higher than, say, a tuba. Maybe a trombone? ‘Cold’ brass makes me think of Lalo Schifrin or Elmer Bernstein - \*Magnificent Seven \*music, perhaps? Could it have been from a movie soundtrack? Or [Music from Marlboro Country](http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/elmer_bernstein/the_music_from_marlboro_country/)? ---
**Author:** ![LaurenIpsum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@LaurenIpsum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LaurenIpsum)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/28 "2012-04-19T18:57:15Z")
[Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiIorPa_cNI), which was also used as the Austin Powers theme? ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/29 "2012-04-19T19:03:01Z")
> [@LaurenIpsum](#): > > [Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiIorPa_cNI), which was also used as the Austin Powers theme? That may not be it but it sure fits all the descriptors, lol. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/30 "2012-04-19T19:30:09Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Could it have been from a movie soundtrack? Could well be. Would have fit well with a film like the original _Ocean’s Eleven_. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/31 "2012-04-19T19:30:24Z")
[Watermelon Man?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSOOOAaS8eY&feature=related) There are a bunch of different versions of that song, most famous, I think, by [Herbie Hancock,](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjJaH40rArU) but there are few voices in that one. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/32 "2012-04-19T19:38:10Z")
> [@bup](#): > > ‘Cold’ brass makes me think of Lalo Schifrin or Elmer Bernstein - \*Magnificent Seven \*music, perhaps? Listening to a several Bernstein tracks on youtube now – his style is almost right on. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/33 "2012-04-19T20:15:08Z")
Try looking on this list: [http://ntl.matrix.com.br/pfilho/html/top40/](http://ntl.matrix.com.br/pfilho/html/top40/) All the Top 40 songs by year. Instrumentals are helpfully marked. A few more guesses: [Walk on the Wild Side](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1z2BdvHVCk)[_edit: just listen, don’t watch unless you want a headache_] by Jimmy Smith (give it about 10 or 20 seconds to get going). It’s got the bombastic horns, but is probably too jazzy in the middle section. [The Happening](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9MInMlhAg0) by Herb Alpert. You’ve already said it’s not Herb Alpert, though this one is very slightly out of his style. [K-Jee](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChuCYxfF8E4) by the Nite Liters. Right timeframe. Almost anything early 1970s is going to have some soul/funk if it made the Top 40. Your hints seem to indicate it’s not the style, which is why I thought it might be an earlier song. Could the brass sound you’re talking about be a muted trumpet/trombone? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/34 "2012-04-19T20:48:44Z")
Is there anything about [Hugh Masekela-Grazing In The Grass](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKcGCObEb28) that compares with what you’re looking for? Or maybe even [Bob Crewe Generation - Music To Watch Girls By - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O8lqpi4pX0) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/35 "2012-04-19T21:26:49Z")
[Sing Sing Sing](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2S1I_ien6A)? ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/36 "2012-04-19T22:00:18Z")
Not yet. Thanks for all the help … this one is really bad. The closest yet has been the Elmer Berstein tip. Also, the [ESPN Baseball Theme](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbTd4GlLap4) has a lot of stylistic similarities. There’s nothing but understated strings and horns in the baseball theme. All the sonic space is pretty much filled by horns. Anything that’s got prominent drums, organs, or piano will not be it. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/37 "2012-04-19T23:41:55Z")
It’s not [The Horse](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsbO5NnuBlQ), is it? Is it something that repeats a lick (more like the Horse, or a pop song) or does it expand on it (like a movie theme)? ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/38 "2012-04-19T23:49:45Z")
“Soul Man”, by Sam & Dave? Q ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/39 "2012-04-20T00:01:07Z")
The [Olympic Fanfare](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWdOFgDQIn0)? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203/40 "2012-04-20T01:28:35Z")
My first thought was “[Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDjAN8sKb1A)” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-id-instrumental-hit-lots-of-horns-went-top-40-in-u-s/619203.md?page=3)