# Songs where the instruments come in one at a time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [April 27, 2021, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887 "2021-04-27T22:54:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2021, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/21 "2021-04-28T16:22:45Z")
The Match Game Theme Song. Bass, guitar then trumpets 🙂 [Match Game theme song - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXo9wAWn-hA&ab_channel=80sand70sMemories) ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2021, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/22 "2021-04-28T16:25:13Z")
The Academy Award-winning **Theme from “Shaft”**!!! (hi-hat, guitar, keyboards, etc.) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q429AOpL_ds/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgXShTMA8=&rs=AOn4CLBJqGG9r4G-Xeeyvd2Jp-FX39UH0A "Isaac Hayes - Theme From Shaft (1971)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q429AOpL_ds) ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/23 "2021-04-29T03:50:58Z")
My absolute favorite song like this; the crescendo when all the layers have built up to Eddi Reader’s anguished cry, pure emotion. It’s even more beautiful how the instruments exit one at a time at the end, leaving nothing but her breaths as the final sound [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qiRaDGvzAL8/hqdefault.jpg "Eddi Reader - The Blacksmith") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiRaDGvzAL8) ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/24 "2021-04-29T04:16:19Z")
First thing I thought of when I saw this category was Eminence Front by The Who: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rx6Zgz0TZuA/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGHIgTyg4MA8=&rs=AOn4CLB7J9Rg7tE8NG4yiAgHT-Qk5Nu7uQ "The Who - Eminence Front (Original)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx6Zgz0TZuA) ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/25 "2021-04-29T11:53:37Z")
**TIghten Up** by Archie Bell and the Drells [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/av9JeMNbKkg/maxresdefault.jpg "Tighten Up - Archie Bell & The Drells (1968) (HD Quality)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av9JeMNbKkg) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/26 "2021-04-29T15:11:01Z")
“Stairway to Heaven.” Acoustic guitar, recorder, vocal, electric guitar, bass and drums. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/QkF3oxziUI4/maxresdefault.jpg "Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven (Official Audio)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkF3oxziUI4) ---
**Author:** ![ch51](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ch51/32/3111_2.png) [@ch51](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ch51)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/27 "2021-04-29T15:28:20Z")
Nazareth - Woke up this morning. Not just only one instrument to start - but only one channel! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/28 "2021-04-29T15:49:13Z")
Just Like Heaven? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/1ASpBpT8bRQ/maxresdefault.jpg "The Cure - Just Like Heaven (Official Audio)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ASpBpT8bRQ) It kind of starts with drum and bass together, but technically you have the drums playing on their own to open the song with a fill before the bass comes in for four bars, guitar 1 for four bars, guitar 2 strumming for 4, synth strings for 4, lead guitar with counter melody for 16, voice comes in. Synths fade out, then back in towards end of verse, little piano is added, and then by the second verse, piano is fully present, providing countermelody. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/29 "2021-04-29T15:51:32Z")
First one I thought of as well. Speaking of the voice naming all the instruments, the expanded 2009 version of Tubular Bells features that voice, one Vivian Stanshall, providing a drunken extended tour of the mansion they are recording in, set to the sailor’s hornpipe. It’s an amusing addendum. ---
**Author:** ![Kzbre5m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kzbre5m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kzbre5m)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/30 "2021-04-29T16:10:17Z")
Maurice Ravel, Bolero – good for [flash mob musicians](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qHClLZVc6k). (It starts about 3 minutes in.) I was waiting for the guy with the surfboard chime in, but… ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/31 "2021-04-29T16:21:40Z")
The Hollies “Long Cool Woman”. The intro is classic R&R construction, which is why it’s one of my favorite tunes. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/1l0xpkk0yaQ/maxresdefault.jpg "The Hollies - Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress) [v2] [Lyrics] [1080p] [HD]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l0xpkk0yaQ) ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/32 "2021-04-29T16:28:20Z")
Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, “A Taste of Honey” Bass drum, trombone, snare drums, trumpets, and the rest of the rhythm section. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8kQqWN7NoCE/hqdefault.jpg "Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass - A Taste of Honey (1966) In Color") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kQqWN7NoCE) ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/33 "2021-04-29T20:05:12Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > The first thing I thought of was the part of _Tubular Bells_ where a voice dramatically identifies the instruments as they enter. I remember that being played as a single on AM radio back in the 1970s. Viv Stanshall, the same voice as on the Bonzo’s Intro and Outro mentioned above. Alan Rickman was the MC for Tubular Bells II and John Cleese did it for the remake. I have a single or a bootleg of Viv doing the TB 2 version also, but it wasn’t used. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/34 "2021-04-29T20:31:43Z")
If you’ll allow a liberal interpretation of “instrument” to include “a chunk of an orchestra”, then I reckon The Propellerheads do that 4 times in OHMSS: 0.15, 4.50, 6.50, 8.15. (all -ish). [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YZsDRhCgBR0/hqdefault.jpg "On Her Majesty's Secret Service featuring Propellerheads") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZsDRhCgBR0) (People who understand music - please feel free to explain to me why I’m wrong). j ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/35 "2021-04-30T11:20:23Z")
Anything by the Village Stompers. 1960’s fans will remember “Washington Square” - here’s another one done in the same style: [Village Stompers - From Russia With Love - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqROZmfbojc&list=PLBcHGIe6Gjh-uSBbzd7wTgsJcLEQZqbEF&index=5) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/36 "2021-04-30T13:22:42Z")
“Memphis Soul Stew” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0Loy55z4GpA/hqdefault.jpg ""Memphis Soul Stew" (live) King Curtis & The Kingpins") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Loy55z4GpA) Marge Simpson’s version: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/1R6BIoscOX0/hqdefault.jpg "The Simpsons Sing the Blues: Springfield Soul Stew by Marge Simpson") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R6BIoscOX0) ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/37 "2021-04-30T20:48:08Z")
_Hell’s Bells_ by AC/DC starts with [A 2000 pound bronze bell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hells_Bells_(song)#Composition) Lead Guitar Cymbal Rhythm Guitar Drums Bass Vocals [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/etAIpkdhU9Q/maxresdefault.jpg "AC/DC - Hells Bells (Official Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etAIpkdhU9Q) ---
**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 30, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887/38 "2021-04-30T22:29:10Z")
Essentially the first half(?) of Stop Making Sense, the Talking Heads concert movie, is like that. They even show rolling on the drum kit etc. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-1PXYM135I) Granted it seems to be introducing new instruments with each new song. Still a lot of fun. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-instruments-come-in-one-at-a-time/940887.md?page=1)