What makes a great song? The beat for sure and definitely the hook right? The other critical component of a hit song is the words. Or is it? In the 60s and 70s there was an abundance of instrumental songs that were very popular, but had no words to speak of.
Here is a list of the most memorable ‘instrumentals’ of our generation’s music…
“The Horse” by Cliff Nobles and Company was created by pianist Cliff Nobles, born in Alabama, moving to Philly in the mid-60s. Cliff started the band while in a commune in Norristown, PA, and the rest they say is history.
“The Good the Bad the Ugly” was a wonderful song by Hugo Montenegro during the Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Western era. Hugo had many hits on the charts, including the scores from ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E, ‘The Partridge Family,’ and the ‘Godfather.’ Sadly, Hugo died in 1981.
“A Taste of Honey” by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass is a song that has a curious backstory. Herb was a talented performer and record executive taking advantage of the ‘horn craze’ in the mid-60s. The song hit number one in 1965, right in the middle of the Beatles, Who and Stones. Herb also wrote and performed “Rise,” an instrumental covered by the late Biggie, the hip hop artist.