House Of The King - Focus

Focus is a Dutch progressive rock band. It was founded by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969.
Akkerman's "House of the King" (from the "In and Out of Focus" album) is the title theme of 'Don't Ask Me', a science-based British TV show of the 1970s that made household names of Dr. Magnus Pyke and Professor David Bellamy. It is also the title theme of Steve Coogan's BBC2 sitcom Saxondale.

[@snipperbesfelixje]

This is something that I, as a Dutchman, can really be proud of.

[@kristijanknezevic4725]

Oh man u should,u should

[@AndrewSvonja]

this and footballing legend johan cruyff!

[@andyd1893]

I could listen to Focus and Tull all day, this stuff is timeless!!

[@clutch2827]

When I heard this on Saxondale, I thought it was some Jethro Tull that I had never heard before! I love it!

[@ragnarlobrook8228]

No! Not Ian Anderson but Thijs Van Leer!

[@thursfield3107]

@@ragnarlobrook8228 me too was convinced it was a JT song

[@carlfoster7123]

A great old tune ... used as the theme tune to 70's tv science programme, 'Don't Ask Me' with Magnus Pyke, David Bellamy & Miriam Stoppard

[@yorkshirepianist8407]

Which is where I heard it first. I never knew it was the same band that did Sylvia, which I also loved. Was also nice to see it used years later as the theme of Saxondale.

[@edgeeffect]

Riiiiiiight!! That's where I know it from!!

[@rabfallon4507]

And everyone thought it was Tull ha ha

[@deadlift65]

It was used in an Italian TV program, too, "Voi ed io" ("You and I").

[@spodge1233]

ENORRRRMOUS !!

[@josephlemko3027]

Focus was a very talented band. Their music was always interesting.

[@Guitarrwizard]

Oldies but Goldies forever! I love with all heart this guys and their smart music!

[@MarkusNapp]

It's unbelievable this band isn't mentioned with all the other greats.

[@invictaspirit]

One of the Netherlands’ finest gifts to the UK! BBC Schools intro to language programmes; Yorkshire Television’s ‘Don’t Ask Me’, and a few regional TV news or current affairs magazine themes in the 1970s. Part of our childhood soundtrack. Dank je wel, Focus!

[@filijander]

christ what a song.... beautiful... listen to the hand claps in the background... uffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff .. wish it would never end...

[@dbbification]

this is not youst part of music. this is part of culture. this is connection between medieval misic and rock. cool tune

[@zetametallic]

BBC schools tv theme for Encounter France, Germany, Italy and Spain in the late 1970's/early 1980's. Had me literally dancing around the living room as a toddler, and, got me interested in learning languages later on! :)

[@TumbleTower]

+zetametallic I remember that too, the BBC used it for the various Encounter series. For each country featured there was an English version and local language version, usually shown one after the other, i.e. Encounter: France / Rendez-vous: France Encounter: Spain / Descubra España Encounter: Germany / Treffpunkt: Deutschland All used the same theme tune, and similar opening sequences (numerous different flags on screen at once), followed by the applicable country flag and title

[@mjarbar3204]

Talk about memories, sitting in class and the teacher wheels in the TV and video recorder on a trolly and then this plays, was one of my favourite hours in school. There was another song played as well but I can't quite remember how it went to track it down which combined with the 'Vision On' tune probably summed up my childhood in a nutshell.

[@TheHideChild]

I love this track because I remember the 'Encounter' series too! My memories of it were me and my sister sitting at home in our pj's, off school as eight year olds (swinging the lead!) and watching the schools programmes on tv. Every single time I ever hear this track it brings me nothing but pure joy and puts a huge smile on my face!!

[@andrewmyers9982]

Ha ha brilliant! Have you looked up “Ruby” by Bart? Epic 1970s number used by BBC in the intermission between schools programmes. That would have had you doing cartwheels!

[@TheHideChild]

Oh my god! I've just listened to it!! You're right, I remember it!! Even as it was playing, I could see that little electronic BBC clock again counting off the seconds til the next programme!!!

[@SpaceShuttleG]

Can never thank my dad enough for introducing me to older music from the 60s, 70s, 80s back in 2003/2004.

[@andrewcoslett9036]

Watched them playing this live 3 weeks ago in a ProgRock festival ~ absolutely brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great track which has stood the test of time really well, great band ~ love em!!!

[@JustMe-bw1ie]

wow, so lucky...I'm 15 but I have my father's taste in music. We went to see the stranglers play in Cambridge corn exchange on the anniversary of Ratius Norvegicus. Such an amazing experience, and one I'll never forget.

[@PatrickStaal]

This has been my ringtone for the past three years at least. Always happy to pick up the phone. Call me!

[@Kipah]

You should be sad to pick up the phone.

[@muttley9520]

Number please!

[@amethyst760]

5705

[@TheHideChild]

I play it constantly in the car! My wife (who's 17 years younger than me) just doesn't get it!!

[@Georgeth-kb6rg]

lol

[@maurazerbini9268]

unforgettable song.it seems to be fifteen years old again

[@karlmoller7812]

May be the best rock instrumental ever.

[@dlamiss]

i have this song as the third best instrumental of ALL time after ELP Fanfare for the common man and space Magic Fly which IMO is THE greatest. House of the king is a class tune though.....

[@karlmoller7812]

dlamiss Don't you think Hoedown is better? What about Sylvia?

[@dlamiss]

Karl Möller Sylvia was the first instrumental i remember with a passion in early 73 and it would be in my top 10... i just prefer House of the king.....

[@markjohnson1224]

Karl Möller Ja ich denke auch die ambesten, dann Hocus Pocus und Sylvia

[@scooby1ize]

dlamiss which on my copy was on the b side!

[@paulnorris2756]

I heard this as background to a tv programme and was suddenly transported nearly 50 years back to an Oxford Poly concert. What a great band. The track’s name hit me first and then, after a moment’s wonder if it was Jethro Tull, the memories came flooding back. Happy, happy days.

[@mainwasser]

Akkerman & van Leer were gods of music!

[@danbowman8030]

Loved them nearly 50 years ago, love them still . Jan and Thijs were groundbreakers .

[@SabLMPh]

I listened to this in a bar. It reminds me of my well beloved Jethro Tull. :D

[@stevebarker6917]

I was told by my cousin that this was Jethro Tull and bought nearly all their back catalogue up to Heavy Horses trying to find it, but been a huge Tull fan ever since. Shame his voice is shot now

[@leesaunders1930]

@@stevebarker6917 aye agreed mate his voice is knackered, saw him at Manchester apollo a few year back and then way back at the Royal Albert Hall. Still really enjoyed it though. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👏

[@merlin5476]

Such a brilliant crafted tune.

[@hansvegt9937]

Wonderful band, wonderful song.

[@kissyxander]

one of the truly great guitar breaks... with a terminator end lick at 2:16, fantastic stuff!

[@mazzab1970]

In the UK - memories of Magunus Pyke waving his arms around on ITV while answering questions about science. 'Don't Ask Me'.

[@henman09]

Favourite band

[@Zowi121]

Beautiful :) I love it. The best music in the world = folk and rock ;)

[@alankingwell]

Great memories of watching these guys play back in the 70s

[@dlamiss]

this piece along with fanfare for the common man and magic fly by space remain IMO the three best instrumentals ever made

[@madmonkeydude93]

progressive medieval rock song

[@dickyboyryw]

wow. fell really..strange. as a little kin in the 1970s this was the theme tune to "don't ask me". a UK TV science show. was very popular. but it reminds me of youth, health & happiness. most of which have deserted me. even at 48. still. beautiful memories. RIP. mum, dad & little sister Shirley.xxxx

[@saravigilante618]

the best instrumental song forever

[@JoseMAlea]

What a magnificent band.

[@maurazerbini9268]

una canzone che attraversa il tempo.non ho più sedici anni ,sono madre e nonna e ,come tutti,dalla vita ho avuto gioie e dolori.ma questa canzone l'adoro come la prima volta che la sentii

[@markjohnson1224]

Go on now tell me you were not banging your foot up and down with Pierre van Linden. Nice bass line running through too. Has there ever been anyone who has such a feel for the acoustic guitar or any guitar for that matter other than Jan Akkerman? Epic stuff!

[@dupont135]

I just love the song, Akkerman's aqoustic guitar and Van Leer's flute are so nice together. If I were a woman, I would wet my pants...

[@paulpapetti8040]

THE BEST ROCK OF ALL TIME

[@MachineLocal]

One of my all time favorites!

[@d72jjpilc]

Like the description says, a portion of this song was used as the theme for 'Don't Ask Me!' Oh, those memories from the 1970's!

[@Sloofus]

This sounds a lot more like the Gold Saucer music that can be heard during the "play scene" on your date with Tifa/Aeris/Yuffie/Barret, which is probably just a variation of the main theme.

[@MrBlueSky474]

At last I found it! The tune that was used in the seventies on TV but I couldn't remember which programme it was, thanks for the info above akvarog. This is a fantastic piece of music which has stuck in my head since I was a child and I always thought it was by Jethro Tull. Thank you so much for this, you have made me very happy.

[@tariksba]

i love these sounds from the past ,maybe cause i was young in the past... i'm 53 now ...

[@sweetsweatyfeet]

Much of focus's music was well suited as theme music for shows and movies.

[@emmiemartin]

Such good music!

[@chrisefthymiou8289]

focus very underrated band. this tune takes me in 2 the court of some medieval Kingdom with knights jesters and suckling plus on a spit.

[@maurazerbini9268]

1971.allora come oggi ascolto estasiata le canzoni di questa mitica band.la migliore in assoluto del genere rock progressivo.intramontabili

[@stefanopisano7663]

Starting from the bars with twelve cords guitar, it has been also the title theme of a radio program of RAI, the Italian national broadcasting, in the 70s.

[@carlo3000bc]

Voi e Io

[@sexyeyes1969]

I like this song the best from this group. The themem song from "Don't Ask me" british science series from 1973 to 1975. ITV...

[@solaroberto7435]

LOVE

[@andrewjones3022]

AERSOMENESS FROM AWESOME HOLLAND

[@paulpapetti2087]

AWESOME SONG

[@flyboy2880]

Best version in my opinion

[@chris103050]

Great music...back in the day when acid was the proper stuff!!!

[@thewhippetbeans]

too good.

[@Abrohill]

que maravilla, la música de focus siempre me pareció la mas noble del rock

[@Ash1955]

Times change and not always for the best! But great music will always last.

[@EleanorPeterson]

I was inspired to take up the flute after hearing this. Ironically, many years later, my blowing still sucks... 😁

[@tyreburster]

Brilliant. 'Tis all.

[@trevorbayfield4006]

How times have changed, I taught myself the acoustic intro by listening to the single for months and hundreds of times, now we have soft ware, forgotten it now, but guess what, Steve Vai brought me here.

[@romakayak]

excellent, nuff said

[@davidsimpson911]

Tommy Saxondale take a bow you rock pensioner lol

[@hans-jrgenjgergaardnielsen7848]

"House Of The King" er fra dobbeltalbummet "Focus 3" der bliver en millionsælger og et stort hit i England i 1974

[@edsterdaniels2888]

Saxondale!!!

[@Hollywood-vampire]

Uniquely Awesome 🤘

[@dariodelavegaeguiluz6546]

Sublime un tema epico de la historia de la musica, un clasico.

[@philjamieson5572]

Wow. Still fantastic.

[@uilleo]

This was played as bumper music on CBS sports programs when going to a commercial in the mid to late 1970's.

[@glassfone]

spot on mate. was just thinkin that

[@jferkfjkj]

Why can't today's music tackle these musical connections

[@neilsailing]

Great stuff..........damn happy days !

[@markjohnson1224]

Neil Kerr Weren't they just. Looking back I could just cry and when I pull out the Focus cassette I am right back there.

[@neilsailing]

Good man..same here. When did the music stop ?

[@rottenapples33]

SAXONDALE!!!

[@natvlb8244]

Fantastic ❤

[@joaquinsalas21]

Grande,un grupo de los paises bajos, rock progresivo hace 30 años, adelanto al tiempo ( bastante Celta)

[@fourkero1]

So beautiful and pleasant music to my seanses " La casa del Rey - Focus "....Greetings from Chile !

[@insushin]

SAXONDALE!!!!!!!

[@felipepaulo4716]

são tantas lembranças q vejo um mundo diferente , onde o cumprimento era paz e amor

[@bibsteenson]

What a great song, great to listen to when trying to work out what the guy on the right is wearing! Different times!

[@FRANCEBERNARDI]

grandissimi...

[@KITI0104]

the best

[@sandgrownen]

I think you are right. It was used as incidental music quite a lot at the time.

[@joekiddlouischama]

I love the jazz-pop flavor.

[@ninaruth51]

BUENISIMA... Q DE TIEMPOS NO LA ESCUCHABA..

[@MrTonedeff]

i have focus three in a reissued form and was disappointed they did,nt include this,which is a crime it,s a top tune.i have the original vinyl album a double album no less!

[@michaelkelly4850]

Brilliant!!!!!

[@TheEdsongodinho]

Obra prima!

[@pimpitu64]

assolutamente imperdibile

[@davidpoulton2860]

TV show don't ask me 1974 to 78 on Yorkshire TV for ITV network

[@harryroberts2403]

It was yes and then years later used by Steve Coogan for the theme tune for 'Saxondale'

[@BeppeTV]

Grandissimo brano, storico...!

[@buscameymencontraras]

Uno de los programas pioneros ( 1966, creo, Santiago ) en informaciòn musical acerca del rock ALTO VOLTAJE, en Chile, tenìa este tema como cortina musical; cosa que tambièn hice, en los años 90 en mi ciudad añorada TEMUCO, en un simil: CONTRAPUNTO, en otra emisora, a 670 kms, en el sur...

[@EllisDeeful]

I'm back in the 70s.....riding my chopper

[@rubensgonzales2280]

uma das melhores do focus

[@edsroraphael]

exelente!!!!!!!!

[@Bastiolo48]

If you like Focus, listen to The Mars Volta, it's like a modern Focus :D

[@inky5168]

You'd be forgiven if you thought it was Jethro Tul

[@queipazzoidi7200]

it's sooo similar!

[@bouncinggonk]

grazer770 The science program was called "Don't Ask Me" (Wednesdays at 19:00), I think there were 4 members in the team, can only remember these 3 though - Magnus Pyke, Dr Mirriam Stoppard, Dr Rob Buckman.

[@dlamiss]

Dave Black David Bellamy was on the show

[@bouncinggonk]

Thought it was him but wasn't 100% sure at the time of writing.

[@JupaZi5]

simply epic

[@ianbutterworth123]

Saxondale

[@DirkjeA]

Honey I grew up in the 70tees too, saw The Stones, Dr. Feelgood, Focus, Matchbox, Wishbone Ash, J. Geilsband, Black Uhuru, UltraVox, Pretenders, Ted Nugent, Peter Gabriel, Iggy Pop, The Police, Van Morisson, Rory Gallagher etc, hashbrowns, tripple monk beer, partying, dancing at the beach, happy memories, but hey, don't think kids have no fun nowadays......

[@dancingduade]

Who remembers Encounter France from the BBC Schools in the late 1970s?

[@DanHunterSportsWriter]

Always thought this was Jethro Tull!

[@Goreface69]

Damn flutes!

[@Davmicon]

Don't ask me

[@antonystringfellow5152]

Same style. Then Britain and Holland do share a lot of history (Angles and Vikings)

[@Davmicon]

History between countries can be controversial. I would ask for that to be substantiated but I really want to keep this on the bands in focus. (didn't intend that - see what I did?)

[@hiwithaar]

Jethro Tull scks

[@jimiguitar100]

I love Ian Akerman

[@markjohnson1224]

ivan kovacevic Me too man. Me too. Jan Akkerman one of a kind. Makes me not too unhappy to be 'old'.

[@LouloubeeBerlin]

Bravo