# What song is this? (Warning: Worst description ever...and yodeling?) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 1, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364 "2008-06-01T17:23:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/21 "2008-06-03T15:51:10Z")
When my sister and I were about 13 and 11, respectively, our family bought our first stereo. We set it up and turned it on, and the first thing we heard was “Hocus Pocus” by Focus. My father grabbed us both by the arms and hauled us out of the room, certain that the stereo was defective and going to blow up. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/22 "2008-06-03T19:13:18Z")
[QUOTE=lobotomyboy63] Some other instrumentals people may not know the names for: [/QUOTE] Great list. And [Green Onions](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czuKJeH-t84) should be included. ---
**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:** [June 4, 2008, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/23 "2008-06-04T05:56:28Z")
You should also add [Popcorn](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N4ckFN96-k). And [Music Box Dancer](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N_tmH6y7ng). ---
**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:** [June 4, 2008, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/24 "2008-06-04T06:32:41Z")
A couple more: Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass - [Spanish Flea](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmFDPFKTOvk) Percy Faith - [Theme From a Summer Place](http://youtube.com/watch?v=mERbQIvgJXs) ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/25 "2008-06-04T09:36:17Z")
Ventures/Walk don’t run [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sJUf4NMI5w) Ventures/Pipeline [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UnuvRRu00k) The Tornados/Telstar [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FOIIaGoGqHY/hqdefault.jpg "TELSTAR - THE TORNADOS") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOIIaGoGqHY) Joplin (/Hamlisch?) Entertainer [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/7cFkae0j_Ns/hqdefault.jpg "Scott Joplin - The Entertainer") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cFkae0j_Ns) Herb Alpert/Tijuana Taxi [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WITQHsLqSAw) Herb Alpert/Lonely Bull [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/16B5Xm8_IKw/hqdefault.jpg "Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass The Lonely Bull Video 1962") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16B5Xm8_IKw) Chuck Mangione/Feels So Good [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hi22Tp-uBg) MFSB/TSOP [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqOUZjG6IaM) Barry White/Love’s Theme: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lkXm3_p6zc) Benny Goodman: Sing Sing Sing (wasn’t this used in a Chips Ahoy commercial?) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI51i-lK4Pc) Glenn Miller/In the Mood [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZJE-onnw2gM/hqdefault.jpg "Glenn Miller-In The Mood") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJE-onnw2gM) Glenn Miller/Moonlight Serenade [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZmB988vvSI) Song you may know but have you seen a guy play two guitars at once? Stanley Jordan/Autumn Leaves [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeXQz_k20YI) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/26 "2008-06-04T14:03:07Z")
The group that had the big hit with “Pipeline” was The Chantays (The Ventures’ big one was “Walk Don’t Run”). Some other sixties’ classic instrumental rock hits are “Mr. Moto” by the Bel-Airs, “Out Of Limits” by the Marketts (it’s hard to hear the latter without picturing go-go girls doing their stuff), “Apache” by Jorgen Ingmann and Duane Eddy’s “Rebel Rouser”. Focus will always be known for “Hocus Pocus”, but they’ve recorded other great instrumentals like “Sylvia”, “House of the King” and “Harem Scarem”. Some of my favorite instrumental rock comes from latter-day surf rock groups like Laika and the Cosmonauts, the Aqua Velvets and the Mermen. Oh, and one other classic instrumental - “Jessica” by the Allman Brothers. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/27 "2008-06-04T14:44:51Z")
This thread is turning into a real locus for Focus and “Hocus Pocus.” I’d have brought flowers, but they didn’t have crocus. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/28 "2008-06-04T15:08:17Z")
Surely you mean Krokus! 😉 ---
**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:** [June 4, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/29 "2008-06-04T16:18:31Z")
[QUOTE=lobotomyboy63] Benny Goodman: Sing Sing Sing [/QUOTE] Benny Goodman? [Louie Prima: Sing Sing Sing](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-VH9_Nxyk4)! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/30 "2008-06-04T16:44:56Z")
Wow! That was a helluva jam! Just listened to “Sylvia” too. I can’t wait to try to dig this one up at the next record show that blows into my town. Great stuff 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![LateComer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5ac83/32.png) [@LateComer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LateComer)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/31 "2008-06-04T17:43:15Z")
[QUOTE=Sigmagirl] When my sister and I were about 13 and 11, respectively, our family bought our first stereo. We set it up and turned it on, and the first thing we heard was “Hocus Pocus” by Focus. My father grabbed us both by the arms and hauled us out of the room, certain that the stereo was defective and going to blow up. [/QUOTE] Is this story true? A friend gave me a cd called “Hocus Pocus: The best of Focus” for Christmas. Awesome and goofy at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/32 "2008-06-04T20:30:26Z")
[QUOTE=Pochacco] Benny Goodman? [Louie Prima: Sing Sing Sing](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-VH9_Nxyk4)! [/QUOTE] Just going for the instrumentals… ---
**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:** [June 4, 2008, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/33 "2008-06-04T21:36:01Z")
[QUOTE=lobotomyboy63] Just going for the instrumentals… [/QUOTE] Good point. It’s kind of funny that a song called “Sing Sing Sing!” is most famous in its instrumental version … . ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/34 "2008-06-04T23:00:18Z")
[QUOTE=Pochacco] Good point. It’s kind of funny that a song called “Sing Sing Sing!” is most famous in its instrumental version … . [/QUOTE] Yeah, I didn’t realize Louis Prima wrote it or that there were any words. Man, the kid on drums in that video is pretty good! He gives a clinic at about 3 minutes in. “Feels So Good” has also words—I’ve seen the sheet music, but I don’t know if it was ever recorded with singing. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2008, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/35 "2008-06-05T00:07:26Z")
One of my first albums was a collection with Hocus Pocus and you can’t forget the song if you hear it. Smoking In The Boys Room for another song that fits in with the times ---
**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:** [June 5, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/36 "2008-06-05T05:24:38Z")
[QUOTE=lobotomyboy63] Song you may know but have you seen a guy play two guitars at once? Stanley Jordan/Autumn Leaves ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/XeXQz_k20YI/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/XeXQz_k20YI?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque [/QUOTE] Ah, yes: Stanley Jordan. You’ll notice he’s tapping, not strumming or plucking, allowing both hands to sound and fret at the same time. Very much like a Chapman stick player, but according to [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Jordan), he discovered the technique independently. He lives up in Sedona and appears down here all too infrequently. ---
**Author:** ![bat312](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c77e96/32.png) [@bat312](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bat312)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2008, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/37 "2008-06-05T06:22:34Z")
[QUOTE=Sigmagirl] When my sister and I were about 13 and 11, respectively, our family bought our first stereo. We set it up and turned it on, and the first thing we heard was “Hocus Pocus” by Focus. My father grabbed us both by the arms and hauled us out of the room, certain that the stereo was defective and going to blow up. [/QUOTE] He… he hehe, ha hah ha, snicker snicker…girl friend wondering whats so funny. “Its late stop laughing and go to bed.” Thanks, I always need a good laugh before bed. -bat ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2008, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/38 "2008-06-05T07:03:54Z")
[QUOTE=lobotomyboy63] It’s available in different versions [/QUOTE] My favorite version of it is a performance of it and Sylvia from (I believe) The Old Grey Whistle Test TV show. I’m not sure if it’s on YouTube and unfortunately I can’t search right now, as I was officially reprimanded tonight for watching YouTube at work… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2008, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/39 "2008-06-05T07:34:02Z")
[QUOTE=Cuckoorex] Too bad that song isn’t available for _Rock Band_ or on any Karaoke playlists I have seen; that would be the definition of “hilarity ensues.” [/QUOTE] Indeed. Much as “[Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld](http://youtube.com/watch?v=7fnVR6qv-LM)” is. Especially at a party where most people are kinda getting their drink on. ([full song but harder to read the lyrics\* on the screen.](http://youtube.com/watch?v=ciH3zlh3bBs) \*[such as they are](http://www.rockgamer.com/lyrics/timmah/). Example: _Timmy Livin a Lie! Pah Yup Pah Dub Dub Timmy Yeah Duh Doh Timmy!_ ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2008, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364/40 "2008-06-05T13:19:37Z")
[QUOTE=neutron star] My favorite version of it is a performance of it and Sylvia from (I believe) The Old Grey Whistle Test TV show. I’m not sure if it’s on YouTube and unfortunately I can’t search right now, as I was officially reprimanded tonight for watching YouTube at work… ☹ [/QUOTE] Ah, [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v7LzOeTkfM) it is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-is-this-warning-worst-description-ever-and-yodeling/451364.md?page=3)