# What is the most famous instrumental song of the 20th century? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 21, 2017, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914 "2017-09-21T21:46:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![glowacks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/glowacks/32/5548_2.png) [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/81 "2017-09-23T07:54:50Z")
John Cage - 4’33" ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/82 "2017-09-23T09:55:01Z")
“Green Onions” is nothing to me. And this definition of “pop” seems to mean post-1439. But I was interested to see that Japan has a tradition of playing “closing time” instrumentals too. Two that I heard were “Londonderry Air” and Largo From the New World. Most of the tourists in Japan are Japanese, but maybe the choose closing melodies for the benefit of Americans? Who knows. I’m a child of the 70’s. In /my/ cohort, Tubular Bells (the melody that underpinned (Virgin Atlantic) would have to be a contender ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/83 "2017-09-23T10:09:12Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > The Entertainer by Scott Joplin is not only one of the best known, but also one of the earliest having been written in 1902! > > And I challenge anyone not to get an instrumental earworm after hearing it just mentioned. It really gives folks The Sting! I came to say this. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/84 "2017-09-23T13:25:15Z")
What about the theme from TV’s Law & Order? Or Star Trek? Or Hogan’s Heroes? ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/85 "2017-09-23T13:50:32Z")
On the popular instrumentals nobody knows the name of theme, thanks to Carl Stalling and Warner Bros. animation, Raymond Scott’s work is known probably world-wide – certainly in the US – with hardly anyone knowing their or his names. Example: [Powerhouse B](https://youtu.be/qaC0vNLdLvY?t=73) (It is bookended by the almost as famous “A”) Second example: [Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVBYDZrQqyM). And finally, [Ali Baba Goes to Town](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVBYDZrQqyM) (if you can get past the distractions). ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/86 "2017-09-23T14:57:19Z")
“Harlem Nocturne” [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KfAv8yAaHps/hqdefault.jpg "The Viscounts / Harlem Nocturne") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfAv8yAaHps) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/87 "2017-09-23T16:25:07Z")
Theme from The Pink Panther? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/88 "2017-09-23T16:26:35Z")
\*\*POP \*\*song? How about Hot Butters version of [**POP** corn](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBYjZTdrJlA)? It was in the top 10 in 1972. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/89 "2017-09-23T16:37:01Z")
What about [Spring Rain](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMb2vm80R1s) by Bebu Silvetti? They played that on the radio ad nauseam in the 70’s. As did they [Breezin](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgxL-khJ--Q) and the [Entertainer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FefhMk2HDNg). And [chariots](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSav51fVlKU) in the 80’s. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/90 "2017-09-23T16:51:15Z")
If “In the Mood” is on the list, we should also include [Take the A Train](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuNgF-kup1M). ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/91 "2017-09-23T17:44:19Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > What about the theme from … Hogan’s Heroes? it, umm, [had lyr-icks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnqJHorpOkk) :smack: :dubious: :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![pmwgreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@pmwgreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pmwgreen)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/92 "2017-09-23T18:25:55Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > The Colonel Bogey March? That’s what I thought of. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/93 "2017-09-23T18:36:27Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Theme from The Pink Panther? That one is actually on the list linked in the OP, at #90 – a rung above Brubeck’s _Take Five_. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/94 "2017-09-23T19:04:22Z")
The answer should be YYZ but it isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Scougs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scougs/32/3158_2.png) [@Scougs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scougs)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/95 "2017-09-23T19:28:50Z")
The first one that came to mind was Fleetwood Mac’s Albatross. Followed by Telstar. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/96 "2017-09-23T19:29:27Z")
(Just saw this thread.) In the OP’s link, “Yakety Sax” seems way too low at #99, as does the Pink Panther theme at #90. Where’s Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy”? Seems like there ought to be more TV and movie themes. I know The Simpsons, Hawaii Five-O, and Star Wars have already been mentioned in this thread. But I haven’t seen the theme songs (instrumental as played) from M_A_S\*H, Star Trek, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson… and I’m sure I’ll think of more. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/97 "2017-09-23T19:36:28Z")
[The Theme from A Summer Place](https://youtu.be/rt7SPm7N6D8) ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/98 "2017-09-23T19:50:20Z")
[Sleepwalk](https://youtu.be/2rwfqsjimRM?t=40s) ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/99 "2017-09-23T21:25:11Z")
> **[Sabre Dance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabre_Dance)** > > "Sabre Dance"\[a\] is a movement in the final act of Aram Khachaturian's ballet Gayane (1942), where the dancers display their skill with sabres. It is Khachaturian's best known and most recognizable work worldwide. > It is notable for its employment of percussion instruments, especially the xylophone. Its middle section is based on an unnamed Armenian folk song. According to Tigran Mansurian, it is a synthesis of an Armenian wedding dance tune from Gyumri tied in a saxophone counterpoint "that seem... “Sabre Dance” has entered the realm of popular music as one of the 20th century’s signature pieces."[7] It was further made popular by covers by pop artists,[8] first in the US and later in other countries, such as the UK and Germany. Its use in a wide range of films and TV series over the decades have significantly contributed to its renown.[9] Sabre Dance has also been used by a number of figure skaters from at least five countries in their performances. Tom Huizenga of NPR describes it as “one of the catchiest, most familiar—perhaps most maddening—tunes to come out of the 20th century.”[10] Billboard magazine calls it “a piece that’s known to every pops orchestra in existence.” This is a somewhat unconventional version.... > **[Flight of the Bumblebee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_of_the_Bumblebee)** > > "Flight of the Bumblebee" (Russian: Полёт шмеля) is an orchestral interlude written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844–1908) for his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, composed in 1899–1900. Its composition is intended to musically evoke the seemingly chaotic and rapidly changing flying pattern of a bumblebee. Despite the piece's being a rather incidental part of the opera, it is today one of the more familiar classical works because of its frequent use in popular culture. > The piece closes Act III, ... “Flight of the Bumblebee” is an orchestral interlude written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov for his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, composed in 1899–1900. Its composition is intended to musically evoke the seemingly chaotic and rapidly changing flying pattern of a bumblebee. Despite the piece’s being a rather incidental part of the opera, it is today one of the more familiar classical works because of its frequent use in popular culture." [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-yZPrrboTkY/hqdefault.jpg "Yuja Wang plays the Flight of the Bumble-Bee from Rimsky-Kor.mp4") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yZPrrboTkY) ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/100 "2017-09-23T22:03:15Z")
Satin Doll by…I dunno, Duke Ellington? … Harlem Nocturne, Take 5, and Take the A-Train, everyone has heard them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914.md?page=6)