# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/101 "2017-09-23T22:13:26Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > 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. What, you want I should play that “Think” music from _Jeopardy!_ for you? ---
**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:** [September 23, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/102 "2017-09-23T22:32:43Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells should be in the list. Theme from the Exorcist. But the full version does have lyrics. At least live. Only of you count the Master of Ceremonies part (or the cave man part.) And the official live release on Exposed doesn’t have the MC part, though I have some on Deluxe reissues that do. Anyhow, given it was #1 in England for a year it should count - but not in the US. ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/103 "2017-09-23T22:52:25Z")
_Sleepwalk_ makes me weak in the knees. I’m sad it hasn’t been mentioned yet. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/104 "2017-09-23T22:52:45Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Only of you count the Master of Ceremonies part (or the cave man part.) And the official live release on Exposed doesn’t have the MC part, though I have some on Deluxe reissues that do. > > Anyhow, given it was #1 in England for a year it should count - but not in the US. I wonder: does _Pomp And Circumstance_ count? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2017, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/105 "2017-09-23T23:57:56Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > [The Theme from A Summer Place](https://youtu.be/rt7SPm7N6D8) That was my first thought, too. #2 on that blogger’s list as well. With something like this, I always have to ask: most famous _when_, exactly? 1. The 20th century instrumental that’s best known _now?_ 2. The 20th century instrumental that was best known _at the end of the 20th century?_ 3. The 20th century instrumental that was most widely known _at the time of its greatest popularity?_ ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/106 "2017-09-27T07:08:24Z")
Another instantly recognised theme: Entrance of the Gladiators / Thunder and Blazes [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/4OkkU-UJc5o/hqdefault.jpg "Thunder and Blazes March") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OkkU-UJc5o) ---
**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:** [September 27, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/107 "2017-09-27T19:29:51Z")
I was trying to top some of the ones in this thread and couldn’t, but my first thoughts: Soul Bossa Nova Sing, Sing, Sing Love is Blue Love’s Theme ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/108 "2017-09-27T21:07:49Z")
The Jaws theme. ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/109 "2017-09-27T22:11:38Z")
[quote=“Dropo, post:86, topic:796914”] “Harlem Nocturne” [/QUOTE] Maybe not the most famous, but a favorite, for sure. Still gives me goosebumps even after all these years. ---
**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:** [September 27, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/110 "2017-09-27T22:56:29Z")
How about “[The Stripper](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bLX06yR3wY)”? It hit number 1 in 1962. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/111 "2017-09-28T15:00:47Z")
For most of my life I never quite processed that #37 “Soulful Strut” by Young Holt Unlimited and #26 “The Horse” by Cliff Nobles were two different songs. I had “The Horse” stuck in my head several months ago, and when looking it up was dumbfounded there was no Holt in the artist’s name. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/112 "2017-09-28T16:00:35Z")
Of all the instrumentals mentioned in this thread, the only one I listen to on a regular basis is _Green Onions_. I can’t imagine putting _Yakkity Sax_ on a playlist, as much as I love Benny Hill. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/113 "2017-09-28T16:34:43Z")
Lots of stuff by Henry Mancini. [Peter Gunn](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oysMt8iL9UE). [Pink Panther.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OPc7MRm4Y8) [Baby Elephant Walk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1z4JfxFb6c). ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/114 "2017-09-28T16:49:21Z")
I’m surprised that nobody has mentioned the _Twilight Zone_ theme music. Years ago I ran across an interview with the composer, Marius Constant, who mentioned the tiny royalty checks he occasionally got for the TZ theme. He said they were barely enough to buy cigarettes. ---
**Author:** ![pnschofield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/43a26b/32.png) [@pnschofield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pnschofield)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/115 "2017-09-28T17:25:44Z")
I wanted to address the question “Is it still an instrumental if someone writes lyrics for it?” I think it helps to distinguish a song - the original composition on paper - from an arrangement or recording made after the fact. If the original composition is an instrumental, it forever remains an instrumental, regardless of how many recordings or arrangements are made featuring lyrics after the fact. Since the OP uses the word “song” and not “recording” or “arrangement,” in my opinion, it is referring to cases where the original composition was an instrumental. It is not asking about famous recordings or arrangements, but rather famous songs, IMHO. Now, to throw a monkey wrench into my argument: what if an instrumental is written, which only ever becomes famous because of a new arrangement with lyrics? I don’t have a good answer for that. Are there any famous cases where this has happened? ---
**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 28, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/116 "2017-09-28T18:54:30Z")
> [@pnschofield](#): > > I wanted to address the question “Is it still an instrumental if someone writes lyrics for it?” Many jazz standards had lyrics written sometime after the original music. Many of Duke Ellington’s works are like this, including Take the A Train, Mood Indigo, Don’t Get Around Much Any More, Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me. Irving Mills was Duke Ellington’s manager and music publisher. Mills would often write lyrics to Ellington’s pieces to give himself songwriting credit and the share of the royalties that came with this. In most cases these lyrics weren’t sung on the original recordings, and in many cases they weren’t ever recorded. Mitchell Parish was a lyricist who seemed to specialize in writing words for instrumental pieces after they’d become popular. He did this with Stardust, Sleigh Ride, Sophisticated Lady and Moonlight Serenade. Love Is Blue was originally written as a song with lyrics, but one of the best-known recordings has no vocal. Given that many instrumental pieces have had lyrics written for them, and that it’s possible to perform any piece of music without a vocal, I’d say that an instrumental is a type of performance, not a type of composition. A famous instrumental is a vocal-free performance that’s known by many people. ---
**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:** [September 28, 2017, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/117 "2017-09-28T20:55:36Z")
> [@pnschofield](#): > > I wanted to address the question “Is it still an instrumental if someone writes lyrics for it?” > > I think it helps to distinguish a song - the original composition on paper - from an arrangement or recording made after the fact. If the original composition is an instrumental, it forever remains an instrumental, regardless of how many recordings or arrangements are made featuring lyrics after the fact. > > Since the OP uses the word “song” and not “recording” or “arrangement,” in my opinion, it is referring to cases where the original composition was an instrumental. It is not asking about famous recordings or arrangements, but rather famous songs, IMHO. > > Now, to throw a monkey wrench into my argument: what if an instrumental is written, which only ever becomes famous because of a new arrangement with lyrics? I don’t have a good answer for that. Are there any famous cases where this has happened? You might want to check your use of the word “song” there, if you’re being pedantic. “Tune” sounds more like what you’re looking for. Note also that the OP considers “In the Mood” a reasonable answer for his topic, which does have lyrics to it, so I don’t think it was the OP’s intent to exclude instrumental versions of songs. ---
**Author:** ![pnschofield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/43a26b/32.png) [@pnschofield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pnschofield)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/118 "2017-09-29T15:49:41Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > You might want to check your use of the word “song” there, if you’re being pedantic. “Tune” sounds more like what you’re looking for. Good point. > [@pulykamell](#): > > Note also that the OP considers “In the Mood” a reasonable answer for his topic, which does have lyrics to it, so I don’t think it was the OP’s intent to exclude instrumental versions of songs. Another good point. So the OP is really after famous instrumental _recordings_. I’m not adding anything useful to the conversation, am I? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dancer\_Flight](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dancer_flight/32/7601_2.png) [@Dancer\_Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dancer_Flight)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/119 "2017-09-30T21:25:08Z")
I was sure “Lily Was Here” was going to be on the list somewhere, but wiki-ing it I see it was of Dutch origin and only hit 11 on the American top 40 charts. And I’m obviously too much a child of the eighties/nineties. -DF ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914/120 "2017-09-30T21:53:38Z")
On the other hand, what if there’s no one definitive recording of a particular song, but it’s been performed by many different artists, and listened to and known by a very large number of people? That wouldn’t be a famous recording, but it would be a famous instrumental. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-famous-instrumental-song-of-the-20th-century/796914.md?page=7)