Classical Gas - Mason Williams | Andy & Alex FIRST TIME REACTION!

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[@rockitflash]

You have to consider this song in the context of the time that it was released. This was the first time many of us realized that you could combine classical music and rock. It was a huge hit, rare that a classical instrumental was being played on mainstream rock radio and it pushed lots of guitarists to start listening to classical music and take lessons. If you could play Classical Gas, you were considered a cut above the rest.

[@DTavona]

This came out in 1968, the same year that Wendy Carlos put out "Switched on Bach," which showed the potential of electronics and led to the development of synthesizers; Carlos worked closely with Robert Moog (Moog Synthesizer fame). However, I would argue that "Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues (1967) kick-started that rock with an orchestral backup idea. Classical Gas is a great song. Mason also did a guitar-only version, and later, did a version with Chip Davis of Mannheim Steamroller, which is also very listenable. Also in 1967, The Beatles released Sergeant Pepper, arguably the first "thematic" album. By 1973, we had Kraftwerk with "Autobahn" and Mike Oldfield with "Tubular Bells."Musically, it was a very exciting time to be alive, with a lot of ideas and sounds converging.

[@MrKittenmitts]

Tommy Emmanuel absolutely slays this on solo acoustic guitar!

[@larrycoon3794]

Tommy is the GOAT, and Lucas Imbirba also does a killer version of this song.

[@drewrice4500]

This! His version of Classical Gas I'd definitive and a musical revelation. Please do this one, but be sure to have a pillow under you to cushion your jaw before it hits the floor.

[@jameschisholm7131]

Oh yeah, everyone should see the Tommy Emmanuel version of this. It's just ridiculous.

[@guymersh3148]

Yep, Tommy Emmanuel's version is killer. It's a shame, but my ears can't help feel cheated with this version lol

[@Zeb-gb2uk]

Facts 👍

[@bobrob2004]

As well as a musician, Mason Williams was also a comedian and a writer, writing for the Smothers Brother's Comedy Hour and Saturday Night Live. Williams hired Steve Martin as a writer for the Smothers Brothers, but they didn't have the budget for another writer, so Williams paid him out of his own pocket, so he's a big contributor in launching Steve Martin's career.

[@soapytiger]

Thank you for saying this. I was going to add the same. RIP Tommy Smothers, as well. What an era!

[@bradsense7431]

Interesting did not know that. However I had learned that Steve Martin and Linda Ronstatd were a couple in early part of their careers. So I would say besides being a wild and crazy guy he was charmed.

[@blueboy4244]

the Smothers Brothers show was where I first heard this song

[@krkhns]

Photographer, too. He took that picture of the Greyhound bus. It held the record for the largest life-sized photograph for most of 1967. So did his idea for the world's largest aerial drawing. He had a skywriter draw a 2 mile x 3 mile sunflower that lasted almost a minute after being completed. Williams also paid the salary of McClean Stevenson (Col. Blake on TV's MASH), who was also a writer for the Smothers Brothers and Glen Cambell's Goodtime Hour. He was actually SNL's lead writer throughout the 80s. I grew up with Martin in Garden Grove, CA. He used to do street magic and juggling in the downtown area. He was one of the cheerleaders our high school.

[@krkhns]

​@@bradsense7431 He also briefly dated Diane Keaton in the early 60s. She was entering Santa Ana College as he was dropping out. He worked at Disneyland's Magic Shop for a awhile in high school.

[@user-vf1oj9lv3v]

I’m 61 and have loved this piece since I was a child.

[@derbyphoter]

Ditto

[@johnathandavis3693]

I'm also 61, and this song, The Seekers' "Georgie Girl", "The Good, the Bad, and Ugly", and any Mamas & Papas song would come on my mom's car radio at that time -'68 - '69. I can't remember what I had for dinner last night, but I can remember stuff that happened in 1965, LOL.

[@bsquared3809]

63 here and same. Great highway song.

[@mark-be9mq]

57, same.

[@maliabrown4390]

Oh for sure!! Watching the Mike Douglass show, the guitarist came out with an accurate m acoustic guitar with gold fish in it 🤣

[@rockyroad7345]

This came out when I was a kid and was a massive hit because it appealed to many genres of music fans. It's definitely stood the test of time. Nice to see an instrumental for a change!

[@johnathandavis3693]

That's a good point. My grandparents, who liked Lawrence Welk, liked this song...

[@alexjbennett1017]

Speaking of instrumentals, they should react to King Crimson's original "Fracture."

[@privatename123]

Wipeout! Green Onions. DNA by FofSGs. Re:Action by Spirea X. A ton of EDM. Lots of instrumentals on my life long play list.

[@TheCaptaininsaino]

This one means a lot to me. Such an important, timeless piece of music that shook me out of childhood ambivalence and indifference. Hearing it for the first time and realizing that I really LIKED this was a turning point for me. Thank you guys in advance for your reaction, and thank you to everyone who voted for this. We're in for a treat!

[@trevortamboline279]

"Treat" is a perfect description. Brings back MASSIVE memories of driving around with my parents and this song being cranked up when it came on.

[@barbaracollins385]

This is awesome. A very close friend of mine in high-school played the hell out of this on piano. I mean righteously belted it put. You couldn't even breathe when she got done. We are both 68 now. How the time flies. Glad this is still around.

[@csbrown3]

Glen Campbell does a killer live version of this with the South Dakota Symphony. So good...

[@suehollar2578]

And the Boston Pops

[@user-zj8fp6dw7x]

As only Glen Campbell can do . 🎸

[@colleensnodgrass7930]

And just watching Glenn play this is a treat!

[@jeffreyrichard2575]

AGREED Perhaps the very best version

[@roberthudson1959]

What Campbell song isn't a killer version?

[@michaelritter8951]

When one of my doctors offices puts me on hold they play this song over and over again. The only time I don't mind being on hold for a long period of time.

[@RadCenter]

Mason Williams played at my church once on Christmas Eve. I was in the choir, so I got to sing along as he accompanied the choir and congregation on an acoustical version of Franz Gruber's "Stille Nacht" ("Silent Night"), which was originally composed for guitar. Sublime!

[@visaman]

Cool!

[@jeffheck5559]

My older brother played this 45 day and night. Miss him so much, see you in Heaven, Joe.

[@fusiliers]

I'm glad you guys dug this! When delving into 60s music, so many people overlook how many huge instrumental hits there were. Herb Alpert's "Whipped Cream & Other Delights" was the best selling album of 1966 (beating out the Stone and the Beatles), Paul Mauriat's "Love is Blue" was the #2 US single for 1968...

[@marktait2371]

just last week a handyman gave me on original copy of whipped cream sleeve no good but vinly numbered gc i also have the cd until i read liner didnt know had beat out beatles 66

[@mandarinlearner]

one when instrumental music was popular

[@benmason6400]

I really liked Love Is Blue as a youngster. Theme From A Summer’s Place was a few years before. As a fairly young kid, I recognized how cool it was. It’s only grown on me as I’ve aged.

[@redcaddiedaddie]

Hugh Masakela- 'Grazing In The Grass', & Booker T & The MGs- 'Green Onions, the 'Hawaii 5-0' theme song!

[@sulathenewfie4277]

I grew up listening to all the Herb Alpert albums!

[@VolcanoGroupie]

As a 12 year old my guitar teacher thought it would be a good idea for me to learn to play this song as the first song I learned to play. Shredded my fingers but I learned it! Great selection guys!

[@Oldschoolnana]

Me too. I practiced & practiced. I got blisters but I could play it.😊😊

[@garyjohnson7133]

Mason Williams,arranged and played every instrument it that recording.Simply amazing!

[@onusgumboot5565]

I don't know where you heard that, but it is incorrect. He played guitar only. Studio musicians did the backing track, including guys from the wrecking crew. From what I can find out, Jim Gordon plays the drums on it, although it sounds more like Hal Blaine.

[@ballhawk387]

@@onusgumboot5565One of the best drum parts ever, for my money. Tragic what followed due to his mental illness, possibly worsened by drug abuse.

[@onusgumboot5565]

@@ballhawk387 Drugs were part of it. But apparently mental illness came first. I've heard anyway, that he did drugs largely to silence the voices in his head. It's impossible for me to say for sure of course. But mental illness seems to have been there the whole time he was active in music.

[@ballhawk387]

@@onusgumboot5565 Edited, wasn't aware of his prior history, thanks. True that paranoid schizophrenia of that sort tend to be due to an inherent biochemical imbalance. I know of nutritional approaches that can correct it. I know I had serious depression, anxiety, etc., due to food allergies, which eliminating the allergic foods corrected. Now generally happy as the proverbial lark

[@anthonysalomone9225]

My parents grew up in the 40's and this song bonded our musical tastes. It was a cross of Glenn Miller Orchestra and Led Zeppelin

[@johnvillanova9984]

I was 10 when this came out...65 year-old me still loves it! 😎

[@batmanforpresident9655]

One of the greatest instrumentals ever. Fun facts: Mike Post, who also wrote the theme songs to many classic T.V. shows like "The Rockford Files", "Hill Street Blues", "Law And Order", "Magnum P.I.", wrote the middle section of this song.

[@lloydbraun6026]

Love is Blue by Paul Mauriat is another amazing instrumental from this period.

[@submandave1125]

Mike Post was a true G of theme music.

[@edwardmclaughlin719]

Actually, that is the worst part. pap.

[@paulonius42]

That really is a fun fact. Now I know who to blame for that part. 😂

[@batmanforpresident9655]

@@submandave1125 "The Rockford Files" is the greatest T.V. theme ever.

[@irishgrl]

This & The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly were my 2 favorite instrumental hits 👍

[@rockyroad7345]

The Ecstasy of Gold.

[@DG-uh8uv]

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly by the Danish Symphony, Orchestra is off the charts!

[@johnathandavis3693]

@@marktait2371 Pink Panther and Snoopy dance....

[@mxkguitar]

I remember seeing Mason Williams on TV as a kid and just loving his guitar playing! A trip down memory lane! ❤

[@alfredlandesman5165]

I recall He did it on the Smothers Brothers show back in like 1968.

[@HamiltonRb]

@@alfredlandesman5165. I remember him playing this on Andy Williams

[@MrSmartAlec]

@@alfredlandesman5165 Thank you. I was trying to remember which show I saw this on as well. At first I thought maybe Ed Sullivan but Smothers Brothers sounds right.

[@almeisam]

@@alfredlandesman5165 I remember seeing him do it there.

[@kinokind293]

Same here! Man, '68 was so long ago. This was one of the few good things in a very bad year.

[@bjs301]

You missed the most amazing part. In the late '60s the Smothers Brothers put it on their TV show, synchronized with a video of hundreds of pictures of classical art flashing by, at several per second. At the end, sentences were put on the screen saying something like, "you have just watched 3000 years of the world's great art. You are now cultured." It was that video that caught the world's attention, not just the tune. I was 13 or 14, and remember seeing it and being awestruck. I've read that the original video no longer exists, though several people have put versions on KZbin. Williams was also a stand up comedian and comedy writer, notably for the Smothers Brothers.

[@jpmnewyork]

I found that same information a couple of months ago. But what continues to bug me is that I have a distinct memory of it being used on the Smothers Brothers to accompany a montage, not of art, but of the events of 1968. Yet I can find absolutely nothing to back that up. So it's either a false memory or I'm the only one who remembers it.

[@jpmnewyork]

Aha! I found part of the answer, written by Mason Williams himself. He says there was another video montage done for the show -- the one I remember -- but he does not say what music was used to accompany it: The Original Classical Gas Video "3000 Years of Art" Written by Mason Williams CLASSICAL GAS was one of the earliest records that used a visual to help present and promote a recording on television. It probably qualifies as one of the earliest music videos. During the time that CLASSICAL GAS was a hit and I was the head-writer for THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR. I had seen a film titled “GOD IS DOG SPELLED BACKWARDS” at The Encore Theater, an offbeat movie house in L.A. The short film was a collection of approximately 2500 classical works of art, mostly paintings, that flashed by in three minutes. Each image lasted only two film frames, so one saw twelve images a second! At the end of the film the viewer was pronounced “cultural” since they had just had “3000 years of art indelibly etched in their brains in 3 minutes!” The film was the work of a UCLA film student named Dan McLaughlin. I contacted Dan and told him that I was interested in the idea of using his film as a visual for CLASSICAL GAS to air on THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR. (His original sound track had been Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.) THE COMEDY HOUR offered him enough money to finance a new film he wanted to make in exchange for the right to change the original soundtrack from Beethoven’s 5th Symphony to CLASSICAL GAS and air it on the show. As a “music video” it was first shown on THE SUMMER BROTHERS SMOTHERS SHOW (Glen Campbell was the host) in the summer of 1968. The impact of the film on television opened the door to the realization that the viewer’s mind could not only absorb, but was excited by this degree of visual input. It was the beginning of the use of streams of fast-images now called kinestasis. Over the years it has been exploited effectively by television commercials, documentaries, etc. THE COMEDY HOUR also created other films in the kinestasis style. The most notable of these being a montage of the major news photo images of 1968 compressed into a four minute film titled “American Time Capsule”. Dan McLaughlin was asked if he would like to make the film, but being an experimental filmmaker, wasn’t interested in repeating himself, so Tom Smothers hired Chuck Braverman to create this and other films for the show. As a result of the response to the CLASSICAL GAS music video and my interest in bringing new visual concepts to the show, in September of 1968 I wrote a comedy piece for the show projecting the concept that someday DJ’s as VJ’s (Video Jockeys) would play hit tapes on TV, a prophesy of what was to later become MTV. (The original sketch from my journal is included.) When I approached THE COMEDY HOUR with the idea, the producers said, “What the hell are you talking about, DJ’s on TV? That ain’t funny!” They passed on the idea.

[@jpmnewyork]

And here it is: the 1968 montage, done by Chuck Braverman. And it turns out the music was NOT Classical Gas, but compilation of a couple of other recordings, including a portion of "Inna-Gadda-da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKXdZnijrtGXrcksi=I0OQlIe1KrVjNTM_

[@bjs301]

@@jpmnewyork No, the 1968 Video was unrelated. The Classical Gas montage was hundreds of pieces of art. It was originally created by a guy and synched to Beethoven music, then the Smothers Brothers had it synched to Classical Gas for their show. It made a huge impression on me and I remember it well. I Googled it and there is even a Wikipedia page about it.

[@jpmnewyork]

@@bjs301 Yes, you are correct, as I noted in my subsequent comments -- I found the 1968 events montage, and it uses different music.

[@UFOS4]

When this song came out, it was a surprise and very addicting. Just another bit of magic during a musical renaissance time; there are so many more.

[@alanarakelian5021]

Another game-changer is "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)" by the Electric Prunes. Amazing song and studio wizardry for late 1966.

[@creech54]

And don't forget "Journey to the Center of the Mind" by The Amboy Dukes.

[@scottingram7634]

I've been after the guys to do "Dream" for the longest time. A classic 60s psychedelic banger.

[@alanarakelian5021]

@@scottingram7634 They'll love it if they review it. The Prunes' follow-up hit from early 1967 -- "Get Me To The World On Time" -- is no slouch, either.

[@scottingram7634]

@@alanarakelian5021 Kenny Loggins first gig in a band was with the Prunes but he left the band before Dream came out.

[@robertsaul234]

Mason was also a comedy writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. I have a vague childhood memory of him performing it on one of them.

[@johnathandavis3693]

He was on alot of shows...Ed Sullivan I remember...

[@gailjohnson5950]

I'm thinking it was the Smothers Bros. because I remember seeing it, and I would never have watched Glen Campbell.

[@bradsense7431]

Glen Campbell was at first the summertime replacement show for Smothers Brothers Show if I remember correctly.

[@michaelrowell7798]

It was with Glen Campbell, I think.

[@bodowen]

He wrote/drew a hilarious comedy book back then as well. Lots of clever visual puns.

[@alfredlandesman5165]

When I think back to music of the 60's & 70's I feel like I was so blessed to have lived thorough that era. You just had to put on the radio and song after song was great, and then for $2.99 you could go out and buy the record. This particular song was never one of my very favorites, but I never grew tired of it, always brought out a special excitement. Mason Williams worked as a comedy writer on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, and Saturday Night Live.

[@bradevans5566]

This one grows on you. That “A” will persist after some “S” songs have been forgotten.

[@adrianstevens2146]

Yes, I was actually surprised when they didn't give it an S. But I'm so glad they finally got to it!

[@Flowerchick1967-tq1vn]

Poignant song for me. Brings back such great memories of my parents when they were so very young. Love this one.

[@trevortamboline279]

Same

[@peggymiller2475]

Absolutely! And I was young with my whole life ahead of me...good times.

[@steph990]

I loved when this song came on the radio when I was a kid in the 70s. Yes, this was on the regular radio station. So, yes, a song that changed what you thought music could be.

[@michaellynch9550]

Triumphant is a perfect word for this song

[@MarkRosengarten]

Does not matter how often I listen to this, inevitably I end up with tears in my eyes at the end.

[@lloydbraun6026]

When it comes up on my playlist it gets repeated at least two more times

[@mariefc8504]

Me too. It brings me right back to my childhood when my folks were young and it was a hit on the radio. Mom is gone now, and those days are so far away. What a great song.

[@deborahcornell171]

Same here, including this time. And I actually tried not to get misty watching this reaction but it happened anyway.🩵

[@cattlejax]

He originally called it Classical Gasoline to, as he put it, "fuel" classical guitar. Backed by the Wrecking Crew, including Larry Knechtel, Bruce Johnston (Beach Boys) and Jim Gordon on drums.

[@soapytiger]

It has that trademark Wrecking Crew sound. So good.

[@maryk446]

It meant "gasoline?" And all these years I assumed the word "gas" was being used as in the popular phrase (popular at that time) "It's a gas."

[@jamescpotter]

Backed by many members of The Wrecking Crew! I first heard this when I was a Sophomore in high school and it blew me away. I had never heard anything remotely like this on radio before this (Spring 1968). Mason's guitar skills were extraordinary and the arrangement was perfect capturing the spirit of this instrumental. I think it is the best instrumental of the 60's. Thanks for showcasing this masterpiece.

[@gsparkman]

The virtuosity of this song definitely switched on my brain as kid listening to AM radio for most of my music at the time. It was one of those songs that you’d hope the DJ would spin while you were tuned in.

[@angelarains]

I have always loved this song. Its so amazing

[@dagmar.6954]

Have always loved this cool song. "Classical Gas" is one of the great instrumental pieces. There were a lot of great instrumental groups back in the 50's-60's such as The Ventures, Surfaris, Tornadoes, Booker T. & The M.G.'s, The Shadows, Santo & Johnny etc.

[@user-ru4sw1pg3s]

A little, "Green Onions", anyone?

[@htim8997]

We need some Ventures on the channel. "Walk, Don't Run", maybe?

[@RonD108]

I remember when he first played this on the Ed Sullivan show, he had a see through acoustic guitar half-filled with water with a couple of gold fish swimming around in it.

[@TheJoyfulEye]

Cool!

[@twistedlimb4053]

I knew I had seen that and couldn't remember where. Thank you.

[@joonzville]

The horn, Andy, was a tuba and they often do the bass part in bands, especially marching bands. This song made a big splash when it came out in ‘68. My senior year in HS.

[@08191906]

Mason Williams did an album with Mannheim Steamroller with this as the title track. Mindblowing.

[@edwardjacklewis]

The entire album is so good!

[@kw99190]

Bully to you for getting to this! Amazing song and certainly reminiscent of the late 60's.

[@141118]

I love your use of metaphors and mental pictures throughout your videos Alex. Sometimes I don't know where you're going with it, but by the time you reach the end, the image is so clear and really captures the spirit of things.

[@danithompson8743]

Mason Williams, the guitarist, plays this live on a whole 'nother level. And Mason was also part of the writing team for the Smothers Brothers, which also had Rob Reiner and Steve Martin on staff. Talented people and in multiple areas was the norm, not the exception.

[@bobrob2004]

Lorenzo Music and Don Novello was also on the writing staff. If you grew up in the 80s/90s, you'll recognize Music as the voice of Garfield. Novello is known for his character of Father Sarducci on SNL.

[@hamiltonburger4574]

At the time this came out, Classical Gas managed to create (as intended) a crossover between classical and pop music. In fact, after this nylon string guitar sales dramatically increased. At least in my local area where I grew up. So yea, it was a pretty important milestone in music back then. Good choice guys.

[@genny5309]

That crossover is why I voted for it on the poll, plus it is a great song.

[@lynnedean8674]

This song came out in 1968. Mason played EVERY INSTRUMENT ON THIS TRACK! My all time favorite instrumental rock piece!

[@denpea-mm8zr]

The early 60's instrumentals that sounded so futuristic at the time were "Green Onions" by Booker T & The MG's and "Telstar" by the Tornadoes.

[@jeffhoyt5661]

Well Andy, this is 61 year old Jeff, and I still love this track. It came out when I was in grade school and it was absolutely everywhere!

[@mariefc8504]

Fellow 61 year old here. Yes, it was a big hit then, still an amazing song that always brings tears to my eyes.

[@beerbro1980]

Sooooo...I grew up in San Antonio and there is a roofing company called Beldon that used this song in their commercials back in the '70's. I absolutely loved this song. My mom had a huge record collection and of course she had it and I would whip this album out and play it for my friends and they would say "Hey!! That's the Beldon roofing song! I love this song!" And I'd say "I know! Me too!" And we'd listen to it over and over in between Beatles songs 😂. Thinking of that and the Beatles today I found myself tearing up while listening. By the way...I'm 60. So yes young Andrew, it will happen 😢🤘🍺

[@user-td8uq2og9c]

I was 8 years old when I saw this played on the Smothers Brothers show and it floored me then...and still does!

[@mikedebois7776]

Hey Andy & Alex, I want each of you to listen to this song again in 10 years and vote again.

[@sammcbride2149]

Hearing great instrumentals always makes me think that there should have been more instrumentals throughout the years. I mean, how many times do we need to hear "I love you" or "you rock me", etc. Sometimes words just get in the way.

[@bradleyjjohnson]

What a great song!!! Timeless.

[@benoitrenaud519]

60’s instrumental hits are so cool! We don’t get those anymore. This is the best one, by far.

[@r.g.doolind5804]

I love classical guitar! The mellow tones coming from the nylon strings at the hands of those master guitar players brings joy to my ears!

[@damonhines8187]

Brilliant, unexpected ray of very different light emerging from the radio way back when. 😮 😀🤙🏼🎶❤️✨️🕊

[@rickjend6667]

When I was in Junior High, our teacher gave us an assignment to match a picture with an instrumental. I picked this song and used a picture of a cross country runner. As I held up the picture while this song played, everyone could imagine what the runner was feeling as he ran, and how exhausted he was as he crossed the finish line. I got an A. Beautiful song and good memories.

[@davidschecter5247]

What a breath of fresh air this was back in the day. What was great about this time was that almost anything could make the charts if it was good enough. You had Sinatra, The Beatles, novelty records, and everything in between. This piece probably helped get a lot of people interested in dramatic music, such as soundtracks.

[@scottski51]

I've heard this tune for much of my adult life and Just Now.... heard that wonderful low brass section!! Wow!

[@larrywhite710]

Gotta check Tommy Emmanuel's version of this after.

[@ericrouse6458]

Tommy Emanuel Dudes is the MAN Acoustic .#1 & I Party with Joe Satriani since 1978 he was in SQUARES from Bay Area with Jeff & Andy .

[@Taranberk2]

I was a young kid when this came out but I remember everybody loved it. Even my parents who hated rock ‘n’ roll loved this song.

[@anthonytice3028]

This will forever remind me of the local 6 o’clock news who used this music for years. Brilliant piece

[@russellegge9840]

The vocals will blow you away

[@irishgrl]

😂

[@no2all]

Love sarcasm with my morning coffee. Two scoops, please...

[@michaelritter8951]

Vocals?

[@Urroner]

The vocals are soooo awesome, the brain cannot comprehend them, and thus blocks them out, but superior beings can hear them and rejoice. I heard them. Did anybody else?

[@stephenulmer3781]

😂

[@DM-hk4cw]

I'm 60 and not crying, but I get the gist. Tommy Emmanuel does a great take on this piece and rips it.

[@HughCorbyCruick]

Any piece of music that lovingly invites you to expand your musical perspective is a true gift. This has given that opportunity to countless people.

[@alpine1600s]

Mason Williams is one of the most underrated writers/composers. He is a musical genius.

[@leeroth5604]

Some may not realize, but instrumentals were a part of "pop music" at least through the end of the 1970's, after that they were pretty much gone. I certainly have fond memories of the varieties of instrumentals played on AM radio when I was growing up in the 60s and 70s, especially those Al Hirt and Herb Alpert trumpet-driven tunes.

[@mtnvalley9298]

Check out Tommy Emmanuel doing 'Classical Gas' here on the 'Tube. Tommy has been one of the greatest flat pickers on the planet for the last three decades. He regularly tours and I'm seeing him Denver @ the end of February. Don't miss this guitar GOAT folks!!

[@larrycoon3794]

If you haven't seen Tommy live before, you're in for a treat. He usually finishes his shows with his Beatles melody, Classical Gas and Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

[@mtnvalley9298]

Taking the wife and my son too. I can't wait!!@@larrycoon3794

[@marinebean420]

I went into a Guitar Center some 25 years ago and there was a guy playing this in the acoustic room, had to just stop and be in awe it was so good. Nice choice, fellas.

[@brianschafer2522]

Many years ago, at the Canandaigua performing arts center in upstate New York Steve Howe from yes came on stage while the rest of the group took a break. to set the stage, the Canandaigua performing arts center is an open venue with some covered seating and "lawn seats". My lady friend and I were under the roof section. It had gotten dark out and he came on center stage and a spotlight came out focused on him. To our amazement he played Classical Gas, BLOWN AWAY is all I can say. The atmosphere was a perfect setting!!

[@LadyIarConnacht]

This instrumental became a huge hit and oddly crossed over into many genres. I have heard it played on rock stations since I was a kid. Back then, "gas" meant something that was fun or nonsense.

[@jonm1114]

"Andy loves Lord of the Rings." Respect, man. Some of the greatest movies ever made. Ben Hur was my number one favorite movie for several decades before the LotR trilogy gently and reverently eased it out of first place.

[@vickib5579]

I first heard this when Mason Williams played it on the Smothers Brothers show in the late 60s/early 70s. Haven't heard it in years but just listened to it with you. I didn't cry, but I did smile all the way through.

[@americanaforever6725]

One of my favorite instrumentals from the era of 1960’s & 70’s that had so many amazing instrumentals

[@scottmarleneking6298]

Renaissance is a group that edges toward this end of the spectrum, and their lead singer (Annie Haslam) had a remarkable 5-octave range which you should hear. "Carpet of the Sun" and "Northern Lights" are two songs that are definitely worth a listen!

[@lloydbraun6026]

Love is Blue by Paul Mauriat is another amazing instrumental from this period.

[@alrivers2297]

I was looking for this comment

[@Belit01]

Was at a family & friends get together tv watch party when this artist was introduced and played this song. The whole room was silenced by the power generated by adeptness of the guitarist and phenomenal playing of the band when they kicked in. It was a WoW!!! moment that still grabs my attention whenever this song plays anywhere, anytime. It's still a WoW!!! piece of music. Glad the fellas liked it too 🎶😁👍

[@mariefc8504]

Wow, that's a fun story. I was 6 years old then but loved that song. Still do!

[@rabidsamfan]

There are so many great instrumentals in the history of pop music and almost no reactions. I am glad you listened to this one.

[@teresac3964]

This was one of my all time favorite pieces of music. My Mom was a piano teacher and I learned to play it on the piano. I practiced and played it over and over until Mom finally comes in and says "please stop, this song is giving me classical gas."

[@CCDzine]

I like when French horns pop up as much as I like when flute pops up.

[@Wtfumean4511]

Unlike anything we were hearing back then. Talk about a breath of fresh air. Ruled FM radio for awhile. Glad you liked it.

[@whoneedssantawhenthereisgr1724]

I love this instrumental piece from the 60’s when I was a teen. We had the best music back then!

[@darrenrunning5415]

Roy Wood, on Electric Light Orchestra's first album, does a song called First Movement, that is a reworked version of Classical Gas.

[@careycline8852]

I was 9 when this came out....I bought the 45 and wore the grooves out on it. I think it was the primary influence on my decision to become a musician. AND OMG the brass!

[@dathorndike4908]

People don't mention the drums enough on this track. I'm always just as impressed with the drums on this song as I am with the guitar playing.

[@glawnow1959]

Jim Gordon! He had already cut "These Boots are Made for Walking" and the milk carton clip clops on "God Only Knows," but this is the song that really kick-started his career.

[@The_Dudester]

As a teen a football team I was on had a major comeback victory against the defending state champs and a trainer on our team (a film major in college) set the game film to this song. By the end I was in tears and other players sat in shocked silence. I can't hear this song without that memory.

[@jalontf2]

Anything other than S-tier is unacceptable for this masterpiece

[@williammurray1341]

There's a video showing Mason playing all instruments. A great piece of film making for the time.

[@alan73795]

Learning to play this and opening to "Stairway to Heaven" were required back in the day for aspiring guitarists.

[@cincox3919]

This song blew me away when I was a kid.

[@JamesRea2]

Glen Campbell does a pretty mean version too.

[@mariefc8504]

Yes he does.

[@jeffschielka7845]

Unbelievable! I just played this cd an hour ago!! Some great songs.👍⭐️😎

[@nancy9478]

Ah, another memory! My big sister took me to the beach, this was a hit that summer and it was playing on her transistor radio. She was learning to play this. She is in her 70s and still plays!

[@gentryxc]

I hadn't heard this for many, many years. Used to enjoy it greatly when it was first a hit.. Mason Williams used to be a writer and frequent guest on The Smothers Brothers show. Thanks for doing this one.

[@mobanewman7139]

Have this album...it was my Dad's. Grew up loving this song. Played it for my husband a couple years ago, and he did not know it. That was crazy to me. Looking forward to your reaction.

[@kken7764]

This came out in 1968, it was far removed from the bubblegum music and the rock and the left over 50's style. It was fun, quirky and an all around tasty treat just like Andy said.

[@jollyrodgers7272]

This recording, released in '68, won THREE Grammy Awards in 1969. Mason was at the time a comedy writer for The Smothers Brother's Comedy Hour, and The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, which I watched faithfully, and was blown away by this piece when they first aired it on both shows. I bugged my parents for guitar lessons then. He re-recorded a 1970 solo guitar piece Alex is probably remembering.

[@willard2729]

Baby boomer here - this was heard by most people on tinny transistor and car radios. Unforgettable.

[@bodhisattva3774]

Unfortunately it didn't win the poll, but you have to react to The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil Scott Heron. It's groundbreaking proto rap mixed with jazz and funk. ❤

[@gregsteele806]

Tommy Emmanuel does a great guitar cover if this. Worth listening to.

[@jamesbenton8347]

This is the song that sent me on a thirty-year quest to master it. Along the way I ended up getting pretty good at a bunch of things. Thanks for hitting this all time favorite.

[@RSturtleness]

Absolutely love this song. Really set the stage for listening to acoustic guitar. Glad you gents finally got to it!!