FIRST TIME HEARING Mason Williams - Classic Gas REACTION

[@bradsullivan2495]

One of the biggest hits of 1968 and still sounds fresh all these years later.

[@batmanforpresident9655]

As does 99.9% of the music written from this era. I feel blessed to have been alive through it.

[@thomastimlin1724]

@@batmanforpresident9655 Me too.

[@bgallagher8129]

Soooooo many great instrumentals from this time period. Try "Wipeout" by the Surfaris. Someone described this as elevator music. actually, instrumentals from the 60's were charted hits and played along side The Beatles, and Andy Williams. There were not just one or two hits, but scores. like----------------- Telstar by the Tornados, Love is Blue, Paul Muriate. Wipeout by The Surfaris, Green Onions by Booker T and the M, G's, Tequilla by the Champs, Walk Don't Run by the Ventures, The Lonely Bull by the Tijuana Brass , Grazing in the Grass by Hugh Masekela, A Taste of Honey by Herb Alpert, Pipeline by the Chanteys, Baby Elephant Walk by Henry Mancini, Bumble Boogie by Henry Mancini, Hawaii 5-0 by the Ventures. They were a genre of their own.

[@donkey3187]

lol....no it doesnt...its sounds very dated..its been around forever

[@redpine8665]

Another fantastic instramental of this period is Love is Blue by paul mauriat

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

Another great instrumental from the same year 1968. 'Paul Mauriat - Love Is Blue'.

[@dogstar7]

OMG! I was in a dance ensemble in high school in 1970 and we choreographed this with couples!

[@lauragriffin6512]

When I first bought a piano when I was 40 I learned to play Love is Blue because I wanted to play it for my mother before she passed away. It was her all time favourite song. And I did, 4 months before she died.

[@loritajohnson5664]

Yes! I was 5 or 6 years old but remember this playing on the radio! Was one of my oldest sister's song!

[@alrivers2297]

1968 seemed to be the year for great instrumentals. There was also Grazing in the Grass by Hugh Masekela and The Horse by Cliff Nobles

[@jrox6091]

I LOVE LOVE Love is Blue. Beautiful instrumental that brings wonderful memories.

[@MeYou-nm5bd]

Mason Williams was also a comedy writer, most significantly for the Smothers Brothers TV show.

[@richardb6260]

He also wrote the theme music for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

[@christopherwinkler4451]

He debuted the song on the show.

[@bgcloon]

One of his other tracks, "The Prince's Panties", was popular on the Dr. Demento show, way back. Look for it, it's funny.

[@richardb6260]

@@bgcloon yeah, the Prince called his dogs panties because they panted all the time and they ate him.

[@jrepka01]

RIP Tommy. Williams also hired a young inexperienced stand-up comic to the Smothers Brothers writing staff by the name of Steve Martin.

[@JoTracy]

My older sister (RIP) could play this on the guitar It will always remind me of her ❤

[@JohnLennon99791]

☮❤

[@geoculus5606]

That's impressive. It's supposed to be a very difficult piece to play.

[@michaeliacangelo9423]

What a loving memory! ❤

[@db-gb5xi]

A great jazz instrumental to check out is Dave Brubek's, Take Five.

[@jeffking4176]

Take Five: THE best selling jazz song EVER❗️ I also like some of the other songs from him. 📻🙂

[@unclebobunclebob]

This is not jazz. Your comment is irrelevant.

[@alleykeosheyan4779]

YESSSSSS they should totally do that one! Also, Ravel's Bolero, preferably the Andre Rieu Live at Maastricht version!

[@rickybutler2826]

​@@unclebobunclebob Troll

[@bgallagher8129]

arguably noted Seven of Nine@@unclebobunclebob

[@bradsullivan2495]

Mason Williams was a one-hit wonder, but this one hit is HUGE.

[@joelanderos23]

@@LazloMortimer what other songs from him hit the charts?

[@paulg68paulg68]

His work with the Mannheim Steamroller may have sold a couple of albums.

[@houngandave]

​@@joelanderos23greensleeves

[@JohnLancaster-fh3oc]

He was mainly a comedy writer.

[@darrenjones5885]

There’s live video of Glenn Campbell playing Classical Gas on a 12 string guitar. How he didn’t get caught up in the strings is beyond me. But before he was famous in his own right he was part of the Wrecking Crew and if you needed musicians for hire they were the best.

[@bgallagher8129]

I thought the same when I watched the video of Glen playing the William Tell Overture with a full orchestra. His finger speed on the guitar is absolutely unparalleled, but on a twelve string is beyond human. He even plays with the guitar over his head, and does not miss a beat. Amazing.

[@stevenklein3195]

His skill is simply incredible!!

[@darylprice-wx7fz]

I've tried to play Classical Gas on my 12 string, not easy. It was written for a 6 string nylon guitar, much easier to play when you're following the tabs.

[@alanmusicman3385]

The fact that this was a huge hit in countries around the world is proof of how un-stovepiped mainstream music was in those days - success came to all kinds of styles and genres. It's a shame we lost that as time went on.

[@MrScoop156]

Well said my friend

[@samuelrossmesa1430]

🎯💯✔️

[@paulwalker9421]

To watch Mason Williams Sit in front of an orchestra and play his guitar is fantastic!

[@jonathanhacker5025]

The name Classical Gas was from a segment that was done on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. If I remember right, Mason was the music director for the show. They showed images of classical art while Mason’s song was playing in the background. After the show, folks wanted to know about this incredible music. The next episode they had Mason perform it live with an orchestra. It shot up the charts. It’s one of my favorite instrumentals of all time.

[@PrivateAccount---ji6ni]

he was also a writer.

[@artmanjohn2]

I'm 74 and I remember watching that on TV too! Good Days!

[@youmustbethistall5861]

If I'm not mistaken, the live performance on the Smother's Brothers was the first live performance that Mason ever performed. I seem to recall that they told him the day of the show that he was going to play it.

[@MrsRosencranz1]

Mason was the head writer. The music was handled by Nelson Riddle and Dickie. Mason was the head writer. He and Tommy shared a home during the show's run. The film was 3,000 Years of Art which was aired with Classical Gas as the sound track, The response to it was so great they repeated it two weeks later which to someone like me was a miracle. As a 13 year old I was so mesmerized and I went into the arts. Mason loved it when people told him stories about how much they were affected by the show and his work. I know this because he told me so. One of my best days, telling Mason Williams that he unknowningly was my mentor.

[@audreycumby1075]

Yes indeed remember watching that on TV!

[@musicgrl100]

As a little girl, the moment I fell in love with this song was when the brass instruments come in. Probably why I ended up playing a brass instrument (and still do today!).

[@robertsaul234]

Mason was a comedy writer for the Smothers Brothers Show and Glen Campbell's show. One of the writers he brought to his staff was the then unknown Steve Martin. Speaking of Glen, a reaction to "Galveston" would be appreciated.

[@bjdefilippo447]

Good call on Galveston!

[@michaellockhart554]

Any of the Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb (another fellow Oklahoman) collaborations are worth a listen, even one that Glen didn't originally perform, MacArthur Park, but Glen's version is awesome

[@sabrinapittsley2304]

Glen plays this song with a big orchestra as well. It’s here on youtube. Jim Stafford does a great version of this song, too. 😊

[@erniesteele3164]

Glen Campbell doing the "William Tell Overture" with the orchestra is also phenomenal.

[@louisdellavalle2159]

Another great instrumental, A Taste of Honey by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass 1965

[@Sabrina79]

I ❤ Herb Alpert and I'm 45

[@audreycumby1075]

Herb Alpert has MANY great hits!

[@terryboyer1342]

Ever hear of Bill Chase?

[@donnacorey5682]

Think I was about 13 when this came out and the first time I heard it on the radio I was blown away. Was like nothing I'd ever heard before. Love it so much♥️

[@batmanforpresident9655]

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

[@217_Walker]

💯

[@umbluegray1]

The Rockford Files -- my favorite detective genre series ever! Mannix, Columbo, Cannon, so many greats ones, but TRF tops them all. Plus Mike Post's & Pete Carpenter's theme song rocks!

[@stephaniejones4749]

I love the theme song for Hill Street Blues

[@batmanforpresident9655]

​@@umbluegray1 My personal favorite detective show is Columbo, and "The Rockford Files" theme is the best T.V. theme ever.

[@217_Walker]

@@stephaniejones4749 There are too many too list.

[@aarongoldstein7614]

That should read Classical Gas. Whatever its spelling it is one of the greatest instrumentals of the second half of the 20th century and the unofficial theme of "The Smothers Brothers" TV show.

[@garybradford8332]

You're right. Classic gas is when grandpa tells you to pull his finger.

[@rubroken]

"Classical Gas" was played a lot when it first came out but not played so much now. Great instrumental!

[@Spooky1862]

Yeah, our local oldies station played this one a good bit throughout the 1980s!

[@rjjcms1]

@@Spooky1862I was a teen and 20-something in the 80s but that's about when I first heard it somewhere. Had no idea of the title of the piece or who it was by. Saw the title Classical Gas written since a few years ago and thought it a very strange name for a song. Only in the last year or two have the title and the piece of music been matched together for me,so even if I found that music playing in my head I wouldn't have had a chance of finding it until very recently.

[@Spooky1862]

@@rjjcms1Glad you’ve discovered this cool song! I first heard it only a few years before you did, when I was about seven. My Mom and Dad introduced me to their music then; they brought out the albums they’d bought in the 1960s. The Beatles, The Tams, early Marvin Gaye-and The Mason Williams Phonograph Record, which features Classical Gas! That’s when I transitioned from kids’ records to grown-up music 😂

[@rjjcms1]

@@Spooky1862Wonderful. We had a variety of those kids' 7" single records,too! They included the odd one that was a mainstream hit in the 60s and early 70s. But my parents introduced us to lots of the music they bought,too,including the Beatles. I still have their copy of the Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever double A side they bought in 1967. In the mid-70s we used to put not just those kids' records but also their Rolling Stones 45s on their stereo system,and also the likes of Chris Barber as they liked their jazz too. My mum also introduced me to things like the Rumours album by Fleetwood Mac,playing it one night while we sat on the living room couch and I looked at the lyrics on the record sleeve.

[@Spooky1862]

⁠@@rjjcms1Great stuff! My sister and I still have a few of those 7” children’s records; we wore most of them out, though! It sounds like your parents and mine enjoy a lot of the same music-my Mom’s into jazz, too-Barber, Brubeck, Louis Armstrong, etc. My folks have Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album, too; hearing that really brings back a lot of ‘70s memories! Secondhand News is my favorite song on that one. You can’t go wrong with the Beatles or the Stones though! There was truly a lot of terrific music between the 1950s and the 1980s.

[@secretstacker5097]

Roy Clark has a song called Malaguena. It's another instrumental using only an acoustic guitar. It's a short song, but some of the most impressive guitar playing. I think you would like it.

[@manuelromero2128]

Roy Clark played it brilliantly but as a Cuban/Spaniard, I can tell you that Malagueña was written in 1933 by Cuban born Ernesto Lecuona. He composed and performed it.

[@Lensmaster1]

His appearance on The Odd Couple is his best performance of it.

[@manuelromero2128]

@@Lensmaster1 It’s my all time favorite episode!

[@hawkeyegeorge]

Roy Clark was an amazing guitar player. People seem to forget about him when naming the greats.

[@haroldsockey6987]

Bein requesting that one for a year now.

[@TheNotedHero]

As others have mentioned, look for a video called "Classical Gas [Mason Williams] | Tommy Emmanuel". Tommy is one of the world's best guitarists and his cover of this song is amazing!

[@dranet47]

Patti Page was from Oklahoma. She's famous for her song Tennessee Waltz, and my favorite, How Much is That Doggie in the Window? Your kids will probably like that one. :D

[@tonic8945]

'How much is that doggie in the window ' is the first record I remember my mum playing for me, early 60s

[@ragjamrock]

Doggie in the window was the first song I learned to play on the guitar. 🎶🎸

[@sundayze]

My mom used to sing Doggie in the Window to us, then she taught it to us and we all sang along. That brought back memories!

[@MrSteveLoucks]

Another huge instrumental hit from the era (and another one hit wonder) is Popcorn by Hot Butter. It’ll have you tapping your fingers.

[@bjdefilippo447]

I had that on vinyl. Played the heck out of it!

[@brucejacobs4026]

And Green Onions

[@johnsilva9139]

Popcorn is a great choice. They'll love it. Green Onions is another great instrumental from the '60's.

[@cwalokie9559]

Popcorn came out at the same time a running back named Greg Pruitt played for the Sooners. I remember seeing a highlight video of his with that song playing in the background.

[@dougbrowning82]

Gershon Kingsley did that originally in 1969. Hot Butter followed up Popcorn with Percolator.

[@DerekDominoes]

Another terrific instrumental is "Joy" by Apollo 100 which is based on a composition by Bach.

[@stephenulmer3781]

Great suggestion❤

[@alkronlage5236]

Made that suggestion too, then I saw you already mentioned it! Great song!

[@heidiv5488]

I loved that one as a kid. I remember practicing it over and over and over on my organ.

[@Sisallaboutthelove]

Seconded! That's one of my go-to happy songs.

[@michaelmisanthrope]

It is not from a Bach composition. it is from the famous last movement of Beethoven's 9th which incorporates Schiller's poem entitled "An Freude " which translates to "to joy" and is often called "Ode to Joy."

[@gerardcote8391]

As impressive as this song is to listen to, it is even more impressive to see performed live.

[@j6282]

True this

[@revaflowers3115]

I miss the numbers of instrumentals that we used to be blessed with on our radios back in the day.Rebel Rouser,Misirlou,Wipeout,Pipeline,Sinister Minster,The Lonely Bull,The Pink Panther,Wonderland By Night,.....................

[@Mel-oz9fl]

Misirlou a classic

[@AzaleaLala]

I feel like we had one radio station and it just played all the good stuff no matter what genre.

[@stephaniejones4749]

I remember this as if it was yesterday. It was one of the most played instrumental songs that I can remember back then.

[@MrSleazey]

I was fortunate enough to be a big fan of the Smothers Brothers show, and I recall the evening when this premiered on their show. It was instantly riveting, and the fast paced flickering of the great art works of history made it hypnotizing. It was the talk of everybody at my high school the next day, and I purchased a 45 rpm disc as soon as it was available at our local stores (This was back in the day where the dime store, the music shop downtown, the chain retailers, actually sold LPs and 45s.) It's been a favorite of mine ever since then, and is still part of my very long daily playlist.

[@brianmccullough5764]

It's hard to put into words just how huge this tune was when it came out. It was everywhere at once with Williams on every big TV variety show performing it. In the following decade something similar happened with "The Entertainer", an instrumental from the soundtrack of the movie "The Sting". Hey, that's a great Redford and Paul Newman movie you'd love, too!

[@welshrabbit5]

fantastic guitar work on this stone cold classic- well done both of you, Love the chase comment, so appropriate.

[@peacepupppy]

It reminds me of being alive in the sixties. Such a great feeling. Wish I could go back to visit. Thanks for the peek back in time!

[@angharaddenby3389]

Mason Williams also recorded this with Mannheim Steamroller on their "Classical Gas" album.

[@Janadu]

I got this 45 for my 12th Birthday. I loved it and still have the record.

[@myownchannel247]

This is an excellent choice and a great time to suggest Tommy Emmanuel’s version of this with well over 25M views 🎼

[@aliquinn2474]

Yes.a well known Australian and phenomenonal guitar player. Also waiting for day they discover Jimmy Barnes

[@andycofin6983]

Gas was a slang word in the ‘60s and early ‘70s meaning cool, a blast. Like, it’s a gas, it’s a blast, it’s fun, it’s cool.

[@Suprahampton]

It was meant to be Classical Gasoline

[@heatherqualy9143]

One of my favourite instrumentals of all time. So glad you enjoyed it!😊

[@merlinathrawes746]

The biggest thing I've always liked about this song is how simple it starts out, then the guitar part slowly gets more complex and merges with the interplay of the other instruments, which take over briefly, before modulating back down. It's intriguing to listen to and keeps your attention throughout.

[@oh8wingman]

"Gas" is a term used when you jam. This song was technically a structured jam session and it was a gas because it incorporated classical guitar.

[@carolmartin4413]

Now this is a first-rate guitarist. Great blast from the past! Thanks Rob Squad!

[@kbingh]

Mason Williams was part of the Wrecking Crew that played with Glenn Campbell.

[@maryluken-stout9335]

This piece has been on my Top Ten All Time Greatest List since its release. The Album it was on was called The Mason Williams Phonograph Record and is also a 50+ year favorite. The album is an eclectic mix of songs … blues, jazz, baroque, rock … even silly, “The Prince’s Panties”. Williams was a comedy writer for the Smothers Brothers TV show. Yep … I’m a 67 year old fan. 😊

[@coolcpa3321]

When I was four, this song was everywhere. My father, an eye surgeon, was also a very good guitar player (among other instruments) and often strummed Classical Gas when home. He was born in Oklahoma and this was one of his favorite tunes. Thanks for the reaction.

[@wingchun1963]

Anyone else feel like smoking a cigarette after listening to classical gas? 😂 Historic song, not only classical but a historic song. Thank you for playing. Please consider Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto.

[@odiebryer2144]

Oh, 1968, the year I graduated HS! Remember this on the radio -- it was played OFTEN! Ah, the memories from that year . . . they are still plentiful and vivid. Thanks for this one! ❤❤❤😂😅

[@stevehatton-bw3bo]

Classic! I’ve suggested a number of instrumentals over the years, none yet have made their way to your channel. Once again I will suggest Roy Clark, one of the greatest guitarists of all time! Although born in Virginia, he lived in Oklahoma for the last 40+ years of his life; I believe he has an elementary school named after him in Tulsa. “Malagueña” is probably the most amazing of his instrumentals; I like the version from The Odd Couple tv show, as it is on acoustic guitar, although any version he does is incredible! Most other reactors start off with either his 1964 version of “Folsom Prison Blues”, a comedic version of the Johnny Cash classic, or “12th Street Rag” from the Jimmy Dean show.

[@piedmontish]

Great suggestion! I like them all too, but his live performance, when he's older, just strikes me as he's REALLY working it!

[@grammilynn233]

Kristi Yamaguchi used Malagueña in the Olympics. I miss instrumentals, The Lonely Bull, A Taste of Honey, The Horse, Pipeline, I could go on.

[@stevehatton-bw3bo]

Yeah, always liked The Tijuana Brass. As for “The Horse”, only ever heard it played by my high school band every halftime; they did it justice, but geez, every game!

[@carrieallen]

My dad, for my whole life at least, has always randomly picked up his guitar and played this song. I’ve heard it so many times 😊

[@jamescpotter]

The best instrumental of the 60's! Masterpiece. That is the Wrecking Crew Rhythm section backing him.

[@thomassullivan9692]

Indeed, Jim Gordon nailed those drum parts with minimal takes.

[@michelepaccione8806]

I second “Outta Space,” A great tune. Also check out two Paul McCartney instrumentals: “Love in the Open Air,” a haunting tune written for the film “The Family Way,” while Paul was still with the Beatles, and “Rockestra Theme,” an instrumental Paul wrote when he put together a rock orchestra supergroup with multiple famous rock stars… it won a Grammy.

[@KenRoerden]

"We have not had any dinner."

[@williambowman1660]

When this premiered on The Smothers Brothers Show it was played while a montage of events of America from its founding to 1968. It was memorable to see the history of the country accelerating to the music and quite different for its day

[@jpmnewyork]

Close, but no cigar. Actually, I thought it was used with a montage of the events of 1968, but turned out I was wrong. It was used with a montage of all of the world's greatest works of art. (You can still find that video online.) The Smothers Brothers later commissioned filmaker Chuck Braverman to do a montage of the events of 1968, but it used completely different music. (You can find that online too.)

[@williambowman1660]

Thank you. It’s amazing what the memory of a child puts into your mind. I remember hearing the song at age 10 and put into my mind that the pictures were that of American history.I have been wrong for 55 years. Thanks for sharing the correct event. Makes me wonder if I really did see Mommy kissing Santa Claus that night🤔?

[@jpmnewyork]

@@williambowman1660 Yes, the memory does play tricks. I was absolutely convinced it was used in the video of events of 1968, and had to do a load of searching to discover the truth. My wife, meanwhile, remembered that video but thought it was set to music by Donovan. We were both wrong; the video uses a couple of instrumentals, one of which is a portion of "Ina-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly! It also turns out that the premiere of "Classical Gas" was not on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour itself, but on their summer replacement show hosted by Glen Campbell!

[@jpmnewyork]

@@williambowman1660 There's more to the story! I just had this video pop up in my feed, and Chuck Braverman himself describes the film he did -- NOT Classical Gas, but also not events of 1968; it was the history of the United States! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJXaZKOYi9J-kK8si=0cDf5EH9sDvG2qua

[@jimbobgreasemonkey]

You should watch the LIVE version, from the Smothers Brothers show.

[@danadesimone9322]

Yep it was amazing

[@mbartz2804]

Tommy Emmanuel is considered the best acoustic guitar player in the world. Check out his version. Amazing,

[@protamine4]

I have seen him live 3 time when I lived in Kentucky. He did an annual guitar workshop in Bardstown (or Elizabethtown?) and also did a concert there each year. I cannot believe he is not famous in the U.S.

[@arielpena6564]

I am so glad that you reacted to one of the greatest instrumentals of all time, and that you both liked it! Jay said this song sounds like a chase, it brought to mind an instrumental heard in the 1978 movie "Midnight Express", song name is "The Chase" by Giorgio Moroder, the Italian trailblazer of electronic and disco music. Another great electronic instrumental is "Oxygene IV", or Part 4, by Jean-Michel Jarre, French musician. One last group that you reacted to twice, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass had hits with Mexican Shuffle, Whipped Cream, Spanish Flea.

[@stephenhuber1219]

Mason was a writer for The Smothers Brothers, Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour & Saturday Night Live

[@EvieBear236]

If you watch a video tape of him playing this, you can see that he is playing the melody and the harmony at the same time. Very talented guitarist.

[@alandhopewell]

When I was a kid, the second movement of this (brass) was used as the theme music for the local wrestling show.

[@kylekerwin4993]

Great song. Great reaction. I remember hearing this on the radio and was blown away. Same with Love is Blue instrumental. Both charted to #1 in 1968. These are fun songs that aren’t made like this anymore.

[@aleatharhea]

This song was on the radio a lot when I was a kid. I love the guitar finger picking, the various themes, and those trombone hits!

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

The joyousness of it. That's not allowed today.

[@daddyguerrero]

And do not diminish your contribution to your area as well. The two of you are impacting your generation as well as the younger generations that are tuning into your channel. You are beloved by so many because of the joy and positivity you bring in introducing many to the beautiful music that has been created by so many wonderful artists. And all from your little home in Oklahoma. Well done Jay and Amber.

[@TSIRKLAND]

Instrumentals are so timeless. Their ability to bring to mind different things to different people- people sitting in the same room, or people across generations- is so awesome. "Classical Gas" is truly one of those instrumentals that deserves to stay around for a long, LONG time!

[@byranwonderly538]

I saw him in Eugene OR about 15 years ago. He was playing this tune on a street corner. He lives there now.

[@andymageen5308]

There’s a lot of old Hippies that have settled in Eugene. ✌️

[@tylerhackner9731]

Love this song

[@waynecanning4122]

If you want to see this song played on a single guitar, amazingly, check out Tommy Emmanuel‘s version

[@ausmarkb]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWSWpYqQpr2bpM0si=fIjKFqux8NLEAykA

[@foureyes264]

Absolutely! I came to say the same thing. Tommy's guitar prowess would blow their minds. As good as this original version is, Tommy takes it to a whole other level.

[@mlinderict]

Um, I think you might mean Tommy Shaw, not Tommy Emanuel?

[@alvinjohnson773]

Yes agree totally the Aussie performer Tommy Emmanuel's version is a must see.

[@Stan_sprinkle]

I saw him in Austin recently it was amazing

[@spiritwalkerperformer1689]

When I was learning to play guitar in 1973 "Classical Gas" was the benchmark of a good guitar player. I dreamed about being able to play this piece. It took years to get that good, but it was worth it. Though I haven't played it in years, it is one of my favorite pieces of guitar excellence. I so enjoy watching you two do reaction videos that I was thrilled to be able to combine two of my favorite things in one video. Thanks guys! I suggest you find the video of Mason Williams performing this live on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour." It's incredible. God bless you, two.

[@mark-be9mq]

Loved this for near 50 yrs & still feels great.

[@davidmckenzie420]

Mason is a national treasure! This great song is enough! Head comedy writer who paved the way for SNL! This became my favorite song back then, when I was 14. And I love playing this on guitar!!!

[@tvgator1]

You really need to do more of these instrumentals; there’s a lot of them that were HUGE hits in the 60s and 70s. Don’t forget them.

[@djake1107]

Classical Gas is a take on 1960s slang, it’s a gas, Besides describing something fun and/or amusing, it’s also another way of saying that everything is fine and dandy. Glad ya liked it. Stay safe and stay well. 😎✌🏻🤟🏻🖖🏻🤙🏻

[@johnnielson4341]

One of the greatest instrumentals ever. I just waited for Amber's reaction when the horns blew in

[@Pravda3]

I read an interview with Mason Williams in one of the guitar magazines a while back. He said that the period when he wrote this (1968) was a time when many people had begun to learn guitar, and his crowd would pass around a guitar at parties and everyone would give it a go. One of the things he had in mind with the song structure were the long, badass chains of chords guaranteed to impress his Hollywood buds (and all of us!). But the song is brilliant for lots of reasons and really was an instant classic.

[@MrSteveLoucks]

Great tune from from one hit wonder Mason, who was part of the Wrecking Crew and comedy writer for lots of 60s and 70s shows like the Smothers Brothers.

[@stevenkarner6872]

He wasn't exactly out there trying to have hit records.

[@MrSteveLoucks]

@@stevenkarner6872 right. His Wrecking Crew and comedy were his work

[@in8hope617]

This was as popular (maybe even more so), than any rock'n roll song on the radio, at the time. This is a theme song of my childhood/young teen! I am glad you got to hear it, and the instruments are great!

[@darylprice-wx7fz]

Heard many covers of this but Mason Williams version of Classical Gas is the original and the best.

[@tomschoening2210]

Genius at work..

[@patrickmclain8735]

Its not just an acoustic guitar, its an acoustic "classical" guitar with nylon strings thus the different sound.

[@kenpatton8761]

Crazy-The first time I heard this song it was being played by my brother-in-law. I was 11 in 1968. He was 17 and in a local band playing gigs at high schools and little joints. This tune hadn’t been out but just a month or so and he had already figured the cords and finger picking out. It just came to him like air…anything with strings he could just play. He gave up his playing for his girl(now wife since 1969). She didn’t like all the future roadies that were hanging out with the band and giving him the longing eye….Thanks for the review. Cheers

[@MrGG1959]

One of the greatest guitar pieces of all time, and a favourite of my youth.

[@dickleijen7761]

From the NETHERLANDS , i agree! First time i heard that record was a WOW moment! GREETINGS FROM THE NETHERLANDS! 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@bobb9541]

Never get tired of listening to this classic.

[@DavidBush-wm1fe]

Classical Gas is right up there with other great instrumentals of the 1960s, like Green Onions and Yakety Sax.

[@keith6485]

Mason Williams was also a writer for the Glen Campbell show, along with someone else you may have heard of, Mclean Sevenson. Glen, who was himself a fantastic guitarist, performed this song on his show several times. It was one of the most requested songs of 1968 and 1969. And it still sounds great.

[@paulpeacock1181]

Instrumentals: Emerson Lake and Palmer’s adaptations of Aaron Copeland’s Fanfare For The Common Man or Hoedown

[@epicycles700]

Hopeful, adventurous, bold -- it captures so much of the musical mood of 1968 for me.,

[@terryanderson2450]

To me, one of the great guitar instrumentals of all time!

[@scotthoward4774]

I came and looked at the comments just to see how many people would be talking about Tommy Emmanuel I see there is a lot. His verison, which there is a youtube video of, will blow your mind away.

[@ericilsen864]

Mason Williams played and recorded all the instruments heard in this song.

[@SLOPPEWALL]

"Classical Gas" is an instrumental musical piece composed and originally performed by American guitarist Mason Williams with instrumental backing by members of the Wrecking Crew.

[@stevenkarner6872]

LOL! Every horn, wind and string instrument plus the percussion. I do not think so. Considering that the Wrecking Crew gets acknowledged as the main group I would re examine your hypotenuse.

[@Linda-zm6lk]

This is one of the best instrumentals ever! I was like 12 when this was released and it's amazing for that time period that a strictly instrumental was such a hit and got so much airplay. You guys are so cute and I love watching you discover all this music. Keep up the good work!

[@madelinemitchell5102]

I also love “Dueling Banjos 🪕 “made famous in the movie “Deliverance “ burt Reynolds from the 1970’s

[@runntum]

First time I heard this when I was a kid, I quick ran out and bought the 45. Despite it classical influence, this rock!

[@donnaj1964]

Huge hit & I always love listening to this. You will Love the Allman Brothers- Jessica. Awesome instrumental.

[@staffsblue3812]

Brilliant! A hit in Britain just as I left school. Happy memories.

[@rodneygriffin7666]

Amazing song written by Mason Williams!❤

[@memorylane7068]

I used to play this on Classical Guitar. I am working it back up at this moment. In 1968, Williams won three Grammy Awards for his guitar instrumental “Classical Gas.” The song sold over one million copies and received a gold disc. Classical Gas was the music used for our local channel 7 wrestling show in Buffalo, NY in the early 70's. Way before Ron Burgundy.

[@totalvagabonds1454]

Big love from the beautiful emerald Isles

[@jimcottee9187]

Hearing Classical Gas at the age of 14 inspired me to get an acoustic guitar & teach myself the basic tune. 30 plus years later when my daughter wanted to learn guitar - I taught her this song. She now plays in a band.

[@dmbrew54]

This is one of the top instrumentals of all time!

[@carolynjensen3648]

Raw talent. One of the best songs every - 60's were awesome. Best cars, music, fashion.

[@Ozzcaddy]

You need to view Tommy Emmanuels video version of Mason WIlliams Classical Gas. It is just Tommy Emmauel in the studio showing his playing ability, his artistry and what you can do with a guitar. He also incorporates a couple of other old songs as well. This video is from Tommy's channel has had 26 million views - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWSWpYqQpr2bpM0 Enjoy.

[@ChuckHackney]

I will never forget I heard Mason perform this gorgeous instrumental for the first time on the wonderful Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Sigh. What great memories.

[@sodoffbaldrick3038]

If you get a chance, just for your own sakes, try and find a live version of this performance. This was so popular that he was a guest star on almost every well-known variety show of the year after he released this. It will really add to your enjoyment of the music just to see his guitar work .

[@robertgrimes7401]

This was really America’s introduction to what an acoustic guitar was capable of being. I was 15 when it came out and I listened for every chord.

[@jeffthewhiff]

Jay and Amber, if you like instumentals, you should definitely check-out Deodato's "Also Sprach Zarathustra" sometime!

[@Janewski11]

"Classical Gas" was used in a number of commercials, as well as movies, as background music. The song was used as background music when people were working, such as building something or creating something.

[@coffee-xg6my]

Now you gotta watch Glen Campbell's fantastic 2001 live performance of the song. Check out the video, "Glen Campbell - Classical Gas""

[@paulpeacock1181]

Also Glenn’s guitar version of William Tells Overture aka The Lone Ranger theme