# "The Bilbao Song": bass instrument

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bilbao-song-bass-instrument/626671>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [June 29, 2012, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bilbao-song-bass-instrument/626671 "2012-06-29T07:37:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2012, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bilbao-song-bass-instrument/626671/1 "2012-06-29T07:37:07Z")

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In Andy Williams’ recording of this song, the instrument that carries the rhythm seems to be the contrabassoon. Is it? I’ve never heard of this instrument being used in popular music…

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**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:** [June 29, 2012, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bilbao-song-bass-instrument/626671/2 "2012-06-29T09:01:18Z")

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Sure it’s not just [a bass saxophone](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXeOjyKZRqU)?

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**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:** [June 29, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bilbao-song-bass-instrument/626671/3 "2012-06-29T14:21:31Z")

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Just don’t confuse it with [Bilbo’s song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPh12Q7cpeE).

:d&r:

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**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bilbao-song-bass-instrument/626671/4 "2012-06-30T05:55:30Z")

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> [@GuanoLad](#):
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> Sure it’s not just [a bass saxophone](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXeOjyKZRqU)?

Good God, I was praying that Andy had Andified a different song with the same name.

Campers, if you are Brecht and Weill fans _and value your sanity_ **DO NOT CLICK THAT LINK!**

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**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bilbao-song-bass-instrument/626671/5 "2012-06-30T05:59:44Z")

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When we heard that song as kids, my older brother sang one line as, “That old Bill Bowel movement…” 😃

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**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bilbao-song-bass-instrument/626671/6 "2012-06-30T06:27:58Z")

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> [@GuanoLad](#):
>
> Sure it’s not just [a bass saxophone](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXeOjyKZRqU)?

As a longtime player and devotee of that instrument, it is with great regret that I say yes, it is a bass saxophone. Because that record achieves epic levels of suckitude.