Instrumentals

GENTLE INTRODUCTION:
I would like to state my expertise as a leading authority on the most memorable instrumentals in the history of modern, popular music. Have a browse through the list below and discover some terrific tunes and by all means suggest any omissions. I have deliberately restricted each artist or artists to a maximum of one instrumental tune per decade.
xo, Gary Watton

CLASSIC INSTRUMENTALS SINCE 1950
The 1950s:
Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White – Perez Prado*
Moulin Rouge – Mantovani*
Oh Mein Papa – Eddie Calvert
Poor People Of Paris – Winifred Atwell*
Red River Rock – Johnny and the Hurricanes
Peter Gunn – Duane Eddy
Roulette – Russ Conway* [or Side Saddle – Russ Conway*]
The 1960s:
Theme From A Summer Place – Percy Faith
“ Only a heart of stone could disdain this offering.”
Kon Tiki – the Shadows* [ or Dance On – the Shadows*]
“We should all be grateful for the authors of …’Kon-Tiki’, ‘Dance On’…”
Nut Rocker – B Bumble and the Stingers*
On The Rebound – Floyd Cramer*
Floyd Cramer had played piano on Elvis Presley’s ‘Heartbreak Hotel several years earlier.Stranger On The Shore – Acker Bilk
“…one ought not to overlook the fine strings that accompany him.”
Green Onions – Booker T and the MGs
“Rarely has an organ, drums, and rhythm guitar functioned in such perfect harmony.”
Misirlou - Dick Dale
This was the opening tune from the ‘Pulp Fiction’ movie.
Telstar – the Tornados
“…stunning instrumental…formidable museum artefact of the 1960s.”
Diamonds – Jet Harris and Tony Meehan*
“Almost exclusively a duel between the drums and Harris’s bass guitar…”
Surf Rider - The Lively Ones
This tune was played as the credits rolled on the seminal film, ‘Pulp Fiction’.Spanish Flea – Herb Alpert

“…this musical item is just so pleasing to the ears.”
Captain Soul – the Byrds
“…the guitar interplay and harmonica contrive to produce an outstanding tune.”
Let’s Go Away For A While – the Beach Boys [or Trombone Dixie - the Beach Boys]
Brian Wilson composed this masterpiece for the Pet Sounds project. Mozart would have approved. 
Beck’s Bolero – the Jeff Beck Group
“This three-minute wonder boasted five of the top performers in the trade…”
Flying – the Beatles
This rare Beatles’ instrumental was one of six tracks recorded for the Magical Mystery Tour extended player.
Pow R Toc H – Pink Floyd
Featuring Rick Wright on piano, this item hailed from their 'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn' debut LP.
Classical Gas – Mason Williams
“The listener is treated to some fine picking by Mr Williams on his acoustic guitar…”
Jill’s America – Ennio Morricone
“Alas this piece was never issued as a single…”
Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake – the Small Faces
This was the fabulous album-opener to the excellent LP of the same name.Albatross – Fleetwood Mac*
“…Peter Green…responsible for the guitar treat that was ‘Albatross’…”
Black Mountain Side – Led Zeppelin [or Moby Dick – Led Zeppelin]
“…Jimmy Page…made a massive contribution to… ‘Moby Dick’ recording.”
Dollar In The Teeth – the Upsetters [or Return Of Django – the Upsetters]
“…the house band of renowned Jamaican producer, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry…”
Liquidator – Harry J. All Stars
We Have All The Time In The World - John Barry
This sumptuous tune forms part of the soundtrack to the 1969 movie ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’.
The 1970s:
Elizabethan Reggae – Boris Gardner
Reggae was dismissed as novelty music at this time. This is hailed as a ‘skinhead reggae’ classic anthem.Samba Pa Ti – Santana
This guitar-dominated wonder was included on the 1970 ‘Abraxas’ album.Whole Lotta Love – CCS
This cover of Led Zeppelin’s classic track became the theme to the BBC’s ‘Top Of The Pops’ programme.
Hot Butter – Popcorn
Here was one of the first truly electronic pieces of music. It was ahead of its time.007 And Counting - John Barry
This mouthwatering item hails from the 1971 ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ movie.
Amazing Grace – the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards*
Eye Level – the Simon Park Orchestra*
Released in 1972, this slow burner found fame a year later. It was the theme to the ‘Van Der Valk’  TV series.Mouldy Old Dough – Lieutenant Pigeon*
This quirky recording is perhaps the ultimate novelty record.Obscured By Clouds – Pink Floyd [or When You're In - Pink Floyd or Mudmen – Pink Floyd]
The ‘Obscured By Clouds’ project featured three excellent instrumentals, including the title track.Also Sprach Zarathustra – Deodato
This dramatic jazz-pop-rock fusion made a welcome foray into the UK Top Ten in 1973.
Dance With The Devil – Cozy Powell
The ace drummer enjoyed a huge number 3 UK hit with this piece that sampled a previous Jimi Hendrix track.The Entertainer – Marvin Hamlisch
This cover was included on the soundtrack to the movie ‘The Sting’.Chase Side Shoot Up – Brian Bennett
The former Shadows musician composed a record which became the BBC’s excellent golf theme tune.
Bron-Yr-Aur – Led Zeppelin
This tune eventually surfaced on the ‘Physical Graffiti’ double album, fetauring Jimmy Page on acoustic guitar.Pick Up The Pieces – the Average White Band
The Shuffle – Van McCoy [or The Hustle – Van McCoy]
Van McCoy composed two of the most iconic tunes of the 1970s but he died before the decade even ended.Oxygene, Part IV – Jean-Michel Jarre
“…Oxygene (Part IV) is overflowing with stunning synthesizer sounds.”
AP Special – Augustus Pablo
This reggae wonder was played as the credits rolled on the ‘D.O.A’ film about the Sex Pistols’ tour of the USA.Arrival – Abba
Portsmouth – Mike Oldfield
Fanfare For The Common Man – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
This Aaron Copland composition reached number two in the UK charts for ELP.Listen – the Clash
Magic Fly – Space 
Song For Guy – Elton John [or Funeral For A Friend – Elton John]
“mouthwatering…owes its existence to the tragic end…of Guy Burchett.” 
Cavatina (The Theme From Deer Hunter) – the Shadows
Swan Lake – Madness [or Tarzan's Nuts - Madness]
Mike Barson excels on piano to this re-working of Tchaikovsy's original. It appeared on the 'One Step Beyond' LP.The Selecter – The Selecter
This was the first-ever Two Tone recording, featuring Neol Davies on guitar and John Bradbury on drums.
Rockestra Theme – Rockestra
The brilliant live version at the Hammersmith Odeon took place at the end of December 1979.
The 1980s:
Space Invaders – the Pretenders
This composition was inserted into the band’s first album and also appeared in an episode of ‘The Sopranos’.Adella – UB40 [or Signing Off – UB40 or Neon Haze – UB40 or Twelve Bar - UB40]
UB40's debut album, 'Signing Off' featured several fine instrumentals, including 'Twelve Bar' and 'Adella'.Another Journey By Train – the Cure [or Descent – the Cure]
Mantovani – the Swinging Cats
Regrettably this Two Tone single did not chart. It deserved a lot better.
The Teams That Meet In Caffs – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
This was included on the ‘Searching For The Young Soul Rebels’ LP, featuring a great outro from the saxophone.Time Is Tight – the Clash
Europa – Blondie
This pretentious art piece was the album opener for the ‘Auto American’ project.Holiday Fortnight – the Specials
Composed by guitarist Roddy Radiation, this was included on side two of the ‘More Specials’ album.
Chi Mai – Ennio Morricone
This diamond was the soundtrack for ‘Le Professionel’ and for 'The Life And Times Of David Lloyd George.’Droned – Phil Collins
This little-known gem was recorded for the massively successful ‘Face Value’ album.Go For It – Stiff Little Fingers
The Opium Eaters – Madness  [or The Return Of The Los Palmas Seven - Madness]
This tune was the penultimate offering from the vastly-underrated 'Seven' album.
Bonzo’s Montreux – Led Zeppelin
“…in which John Bonham showed off his drumming skills.”
Chariots Of Fire – Vangelis
Easter Island – Rico Rodriguez [or That Man Is Forward - Rico Rodriguez]
“…the hugely danceable rhythm of ‘That Man Is Forward’.”
Exodus – Bad Manners [or King Ska Fa – Bad Manners]
Somebody Up There Likes You – Simple Minds
This ambient masterpiece was recorded for the epic album, ‘New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84′.
Circus – The Jam
Close To The Edit – the Art Of Noise
This quirky tune features an equally bizarre, eye-catching, and downright disturbing video!4^th of July – U2
This ambient item was included on the seminal 'The Unforgettable Fire' album.Love On A Real Train – Tangerine Dream
This electronic composition would subsequently surface on the soundtrack of the ‘Risky Business’ film. 
Elegia – New Order
“…deserves to be ranked as one of the ten best instrumentals of all time.”
Gone Straight - Musical Youth
This track hails from the debut album of this young English, Afro-Caribbean combo.Oscillate Wildly – the Smiths
This piano-dominated tune borrows its title from Oscar Wilde, a hero of Morrissey’s.
The Wild Cats Of Kilkenny – the Pogues [or Planxty Noel Hill - the Pogues]
Axel F – Harold Faltermeyer
Riot City – Jerry Dammers
The ex-Specials’ keyboardist composed this tune for the ‘Absolute Beginners’ film soundtrack.The Mighty Ship – the Housemartins
The Wizard - Paul Hardcastle [or Rain Forest - Paul Hardcastle]
This tune was used as the theme for Top Of The Pops for several years.
Va Va Voom – Gil Evans
This marvellous up-tempo jazz number was included on the ‘Absolute Beginners’ movie soundtrack.Crockett’s Theme – Jan Hammer
Jimmy Hickey’s Waltz – the Waterboys
The Sun In The Stream – Enya [or The Longships – Enya]
Zaar – Peter Gabriel [or Of These, Hope – Peter Gabriel]
“…jaw-dropping instrumental…Here is music that is intense, with an eastern sound…”
The 1990s:
Endgame – REM [or New Orleans Instrumental No.1 – REM]
‘Out Of Time’ and ‘Automatic For The People’ each included a fine instrumental within their esteemed midst.Inner Flight – Primal Scream
This far-out tune from ‘Screamadelica’ was a throwback to the heady days of psychedelic soundscapes.
Shepherd Moons – Enya [or The Memory Of Trees – Enya]
Surfin USM – Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine
This was the energetic album opener for the outstanding ’30 Something’ album.Bentley’s Gonna Sort You Out – Bentley Rhythm Ace
“I first encountered this top tune on the excellent radio station called Chill.”
Children – Robert Miles
The Look Of Love - Kenny G
Everloving – Moby [or Now I Let It Go – Moby or Porcelain – Moby]
The 21^st century:
A Day Without Rain - Enya
Afternoon Sister - Air
Bohemian Sunset – Jazzanova
Eple – Royksopp
Ghostwriter – RJD2
Give It Away – the Zero 7
I Can Almost See You – Hammock
In All The Wrong Places – Ulrich Schnauss
Monika’s Summer – Future Loop Foundation
Pacific Memories – Fenomenon
Slip Into Something More Comfortable – Kinobe
Sunset Glow – 808Funk
The Facts & The Dreams - Fragile State
Viva! - Bond
This 2001 tune was an updated version of 'winter' from Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' project.
Yachts – Coco Steel & Lovebomb
Any Other Name – Thomas Newman
Carry On...Jon - Blackmore's Night
This was a tribute to Deep Purple’s deceased keyboards wizard, Jon Lord, from ace guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.
*denotes UK Number One hit singles.