Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells | The Story Behind The Song | Top 2000 a gogo

Musician Mike Oldfield tells the story of his song 'Tubular Bells'. A short documentary by Top 2000 a gogo (Dutch Public TV) from 2007.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

One of the best composers of the last 50 years. He’s a brilliant guitarist too!

[@the0point]

lol guy has one track.

[@AlexDainese]

100.

[@ianferguson3455]

A genius quote. “It’s just better, don’t ask me why. I hate that question, It just is” This mans music will be played and appreciated for years to come. Music that just touches the soul.

[@yvesandrethevenot3489]

Exactly ! There is no " why ".

[@SsgtHolland]

The Moonlight Shadow by Mike Oldfield was the song that made me aware of the beauty of music, I will never forget the moment I heard it for the first time. And I will never forget the joy I felt when I heard it again. This was the time that you had to wait for music to be played again on the radio and you had to be sure the DJ told the name of the artist and song.

[@winterprei5979]

Same! It was the first song I remember really loving myself. I was 6 years old when it was a hit song in my country and we drove to Italy for the summer holiday. I remember it playing on the radio, while I was sitting behind my parents in the back seat of the car and really enjoying that song. Years later, I was about 20 years old (and before we all had internet at home), I was driving by myself with the radio on and they played Moonlight shadow. I hadn't heard it in years, got excited all over again, and pulled over at a gas station just to listen. When I got back to the city I lived in, I went straight to the record store and bought a Mike Oldfield cd just for Moonlight shadow, and got the rest of the songs as a bonus. I drove my friends nuts that year with Moonlight shadow. Every time someone got in my car, they had to listen to Moonlight shadow. I'm in my forties now and I still love that song and Maggie Reilly's voice.

[@mikearchibald744]

@@winterprei5979 I hated that song. But I quite liked most of the other songs on that album.

[@gaztaylor4178]

I love the original version ft Maggie Riley on vocals and the other version with Pepsi I think it was on the old live vh1 music channel Pepsi and Shirley of wham fame they were the two babes for sure.

[@paulbol4342]

a "shadow on the wall"

[@liamobrien5738]

ONE OF THE GREATEST PIECES OF MUSIC EVER...

[@lozthedrum8479]

liam obrien Without a doubt!

[@triffiks]

THE greatest piece of music

[@unclebigkid1020]

Beethoven once said “ I have taken music to its limits , anyone who wants to create music now will have to find a new way”. And I think Mike Oldfield did just that in tubular Bells.

[@bumberClart1000]

Absolutely man 💚🎧

[@leesawford]

Totally agree ...Apart from all the other music! That’s ALL better !.. but apart from ALL the other music ...of all genres ...EVER written ..oh, and ALL the other music that’s yet to be written (probably) ...apart from all of that..it’s up there somewhere for sure! ...maybe!

[@jdbdg6208]

Het spannende muziekje uit de Bassie en Adriaan afleveringen.

[@ljmike1204]

en de exorcist

[@kooskansloos4834]

Dan ken je Jean-Michel Jarre wellicht ook

[@alexekelmans1945]

Ja, dat is altijd het eerst waar ik aan denk als ik deze intro hoor. Mooie herinneringen Bassie en Adriaan.

[@KittyK.]

Oorlogswinter (de serie)

[@MrSalarmax]

Jooaaah! Altijd blijven lachen!

[@deejayC]

I could listen to Mike playing Tubular Bells solo on a grand piano all day. Wonderful.

[@kevsumner2064]

He was playing it so differently to any other pianist I've heard in the past. So much feeling. I'd love to hear him play the whole piece solo or maybe a mix of all three versions.

[@garymills2702]

Tubular bells saved my life and helped me survive being a teenager.

[@marcuskeulertz5852]

Music in general saved my life. My interest in music started when I was a 7 year old boy. My mom bought me my first vinyl with assorted classical music pieces in a record store in downtown Bonn. I listened to this record every day after school was over and loved those children's suited pieces from Rimsky Korsakoff, Beethoven,Mozart and many others. When I was older my aunt bought me Abba's "Super Trouper on cassette I inhaled their music. Years later when I was 12 years I started to explore more sophisticated bands like Pink Floyd, Genesis, ,ELO ,Deep Purple,whilst my class mates were into RAP and drugs. My passion was the music which helped me to survive as a teenager. I never got in touch with any drugs. Fortunately.

[@ceevee369]

+1. The crescendo build up of all instruments had something powerful to pull energy out for a next fight. That and Rocky

[@geowynleda4641]

I was 15 when I was introduced to Tubular Bells. It spoke to me the way no other piece of music has before or since. I don't hear it, I feel it. I have just about everything Mike has recorded but I always come back to the first and best. Thank you Mike.

[@jupiterbuoy2930]

Me too! Nothing comes close to this wonderful piece of music.

[@sspbrazil]

It’s a masterpiece.

[@slaphappy7559]

Mikes music has guided me through despair more than once, carrying this music with you through life can bring a clarity you may not find elsewhere

[@tonioreyes]

vroeger luisterde ik Tubular bells elke dag voor het slapen gaan. ik zette de plaat op en viel dan in slaap met deze heerlijke muziek

[@wizmos74]

Mike Oldfield and Vangelis ,my two greatest composers

[@g.t.36]

Yes mine too.

[@bumberClart1000]

💚🎧

[@g.t.36]

@@bumberClart1000 To the unknown man by Vangelis. From the album Spiral One of my favourites

[@paco5386]

Can't forget the collaboration of Vangelis & Jon Anderson

[@Mindphaser1]

What about Jean Michel Jarre?

[@thornyturtleranch4u]

When I was 3 or 4 or so my father picked up a mike oldfield ommadawn album, that music resonates with my whole being as a person of earth, all my life I've loved that music in ommadawn. Mike is a masterful composer. Thank you mike.

[@neoroman0510]

My feeling exactly! It just sticks with you somehow.

[@TheValueOfN]

Ommadawn is definitely my #1 Desert Island Disc for much the same reason as yours, Thorny.

[@dahinsoncoj]

Mr. Oldfields iconic score that propels the listener through every emotion. Tubular Bells deserves the recognition of his contribution to music. It is his alone, it is his Opus!

[@nomad7412]

I usually steer clear of using superlatives, however, this man is simply a musical genius. I have listened to him since his first days and have great stories and memories associated with his music. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your music talent with me Mike Oldfield.

[@leesawford]

Nomad - probably best you keep ‘ steering away’ mate.

[@briancordova1299]

My LP got warped from playing it so much. And after all of these years, I am still entranced by Mike's musical magic.

[@romo2674]

I feel sorry for you in a certain way

[@teknical100]

Create don't destroy, the way to get through your teenage years.

[@richards9407]

I like that.

[@BrianSmith-vl7xu]

or destroy then recreate

[@norwegianzound]

Shame Oldfield wants to destroy the EU. He's an ardent Brexiteer.

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

Also helps to run fast. Bullying wasn't considered a big deal back then. My dad was in the air force. Moving around alot means your always the new kid and the bullies like to screw with the new kid.

[@sspbrazil]

True

[@mikecollings2808]

Don't forget the artwork, probably the most instantly recognizable album cover of all time

[@andygummybear123]

except for Dark side of the Moon

[@mikecollings2808]

@@andygummybear123 not sure about that, I think more none music fans would recognize those tubular bells instantly

[@paulmanson253]

As much as I adore Tubular Bells,I must say the most iconic album cover was King Crimson,Court of the Crimson King. Unforgettable. TB is visually low key. Memorable,calming,but so many other albums are truly visual as well. So many visual categories. So many memories.

[@TesterAnimal1]

@@andygummybear123 Not forgetting Autobahn!

[@volt9903]

IT'S ONE OF MOST ICONIC....IN THE TOP LET'S SAY....TOP 3??YES FROM ME.

[@rickr.mortis4821]

Hergest Ridge is another favorite of mine. I've been a huge fan of Mike since the early 70's. A true musician,,something that doesn't really exist anymore sadly.

[@judyhines7403]

Music of the Spheres is incredibly beautiful, one of my favorites.

[@blackkittens.]

I bought the vinyl in the 80's. Still have it :)

[@scopex2749]

This one album launched Mike Oldfields career And Richard Bransons Career! LIFE CHANGING MUSIC that has shaped music to this day! A true masterpiece....... The rest of us kneel before you Maestro........RESPECT! Mike is no big head, he is humble and gracious at all times

[@Squab1972]

Keyboard Krazy well said and doesn’t show attitude like today’s stars.

[@lyrimetacurl0]

@Ru22eLL Branson inadvertently made billions and billions since it was what made him lucky.

[@Porkcylinder]

Keyboard Krazy almost makes up for Branson being such an obnoxious arsehole

[@janiceprescott5694]

By the grace of God its a masterpiece ✨ Thankyou

[@roberthickerty390]

I rate it right up there with any of the great classic composers. Well written, moves from one place to another so smoothly, and provokes many emotions.

[@christianblack9426]

1:38 it does appeal to people going through that stage, as I am only 19, and it appealed to me when I was 13 years old, and I was going through a lot. Felt like an outcast. Mike Oldfield is still my favorite modern musician.

[@raymondscott8499]

I am 72 now and I clearly remember buying the vinyl L.P in the first weeks of its release. Like quite a few Saturday afternoons I bought this album purely for the cover, thought id give it a chance.Got it home and stuck it on my Dads old Grundig Mandella gramophone, didn't get it at alI, musical scribble, it had no tracks. Then it struck home I got it.I had just started reading Lord of the rings and stuck it on headphones( pair of Koss that weighed about 3 stone) The 2 masterpieces for me meshed perfectly. The rest as they say is history. Another bought for the artwork was Dark side of the moon, but I did choose some stinkers as well. I miss those Saturday afternoons with my wife doing her clothes shopping and me sat in a record booth drawing on a Gold leaf smoke and loving it. Those were the days my friend .

[@antonystringfellow5152]

Very powerful piece of music. Even more powerful when you know the story behind it. A true musical genius!

[@Filete]

Thanks to John Peel, he had the audacity to play so many unknown artists and bands! Nowadays radio is just an extension of labels with no freedom at all.

[@andrewkostelnyk272]

I never have got tired to listening to Tubular Bells -an a amazing piece of music that will live forever - a masterpiece- Mike Oldfield s a genius to have composed it at such an early age -incredible!

[@geoffjoffy]

Mike is such a likeable man.

[@douglee1911]

Very complex and fragmented man, but likeable.

[@DrWhom]

In an aspergeresque, authentic kind of way.

[@brianz7917]

And Handsome.

[@lyrimetacurl0]

Genius isn't aspergic, it's just something that appears weird because it's above you.

[@DrWhom]

​@@lyrimetacurl0 I never said anything about genius in general, I just said that his likability had an aspergeresque aspect. Hey, maybe I know I thing or two about being a genius and aspergers...

[@madiantin]

My parents had a cassette of this and I heard it and fell in love. I nicked off with their cassette and would listen to it in my bedroom over and over and over again.

[@theforestreasons8650]

In 2018 year, i was in Greece, and all time, when we go on the roads behind mountance in the car was played this song - tubular bells. And now, this music asociation for me with beutifull nature of Greece.

[@rss3785]

The absolute best musician of all time.I have loved his music for the past 35 years and am never tired of hearing his compositions!

[@johnk2743]

Mike Oldfield can't possibly know how profound Tubular Bells has influenced my life. It's one of those records that don't wear over time but ripens with age.

[@soundhobo]

The soundtrack to my youth...and a scary film. Still love it all these years later 👍

[@2012listo]

Mike, I was one of those. I still can remember sitting in my '73 mustang mach-1, smoking weed and playing this on my cassette player. Good times! I designed the retro-stang to this music. Got laughed out of Ford for it! Ten years later they built my car.

[@kooskansloos4834]

Couldn't believe this is the same guy behind Moonlight Shadow. Love that song too.

[@Meddled]

Perry Kettler Dave Angel, Ecowarrior.

[@kooskansloos4834]

@@Meddled Meaning?

[@jane1975]

@@kooskansloos4834 You have to of watched the Fast Show to know, its used for his characters titles on the show, played by Simon Day.

[@gurneymcbuzzin]

Don't forget the theme to Blue Peter.

[@jeninegrasc8414]

Perry Kettler people always forget about that song. I think it’s one of his best.

[@IllyaLeonovMorganFreepony]

It has all that Mike says it has and the wonderful memories of the past in which it was produced. I was in love, and had not yet had my heart broken.

[@irishelk3]

I don't know why people always focus on Tubular Bells, he's made a lot of good music; that's like someone just acknowledging Leonard Cohen for Hallelujah. His music has brought me a lot of joy.

[@safakacar3965]

I agree , he has composed and performed other masterpieces as well ... like ommadawn or incantations... his "pop" albums in 80s were impressive too... but he was only 17 when he started composing tubular bells and only 20 when it made a ground-breaking impact on the musical scene of that decade...his gift as a multi-instrumentalist was at the very center of the work etc... personally I am a grateful fan too and ommadawn is not less stunning in my list of oldfield s best...

[@fufufoofoo]

Agree, Every Music Lover should listen to Ommadawn, and others

[@irishelk3]

He's great man, all my friends and family are always like who's that guy you're always playing?, he has that effect on people.

[@theshamelesspitchmenforjes2173]

I wish that Tubular Bells was never connected to the Exorcist. The connection gets in the way of the beautiful gentleness and sadness of the music.

[@jonnuanez2843]

Um, well it's an iconic piece of music associated with you-know-what-movie. That movie was not just your average gorefest but an actual thriller with maybe-real life implications. Prince will always be associated with Purple Rain. It's simple yet elegant and touches the heartstrings. Same here. And people are always free to check out other pieces as well from anybody. It's on them.

[@terpag11]

Wow. What a great bunch of answers. Seems like a real guy, no pretensions at all.

[@henrikpetersson3463]

I remember him saying in a 90s interview that he could play anything that anyone has ever played on guitar. Yeah, very humble guy 😉

[@leesawford]

Are we watching the same interview ? One of the most pretentious of the series !

[@colinbremner9030]

@@henrikpetersson3463 its probably true though, if i remember correctly Mike played every instrument on that album.

[@tellinit4real87]

I get creeped out every time I hear that song . That's the one movie I wish I'd listened to my mother about .

[@jamesroyce1845]

I grew up listening to TB and have enjoyed all of Mike's work throughout the years. TB has evolved but there is so much great music to listen to. I even have the VR stuff produced many years ago - not brilliant by today's CGI standards but fun. There is so much depth to Mike's music - love it all.

[@lylewilliams1371]

What a haunting melody! Thank you.

[@МаринаЧикова-д8ъ]

He is a great composer. I love him

[@tangerine825]

Genius ! Poland Love Mike Oldfield ;-)

[@astra004]

Thanks to Mike Oldfield for this inspiring piece of music. It helped a lot.

[@agentred8732]

Eccentric. Honest. I love heart Mike Oldfield.

[@logotrikes]

Oldfield has done some really REALLY good stuff, but then some not so much. A highly talented but much -troubled individual. Own everything he's done, and some gets aired more than others. The world is a better place for having Mike Oldfield in it....

[@robmoir7524]

I really enjoy Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells part one and part two I first heard that around the middle of September 1974 I really enjoyed it then as well

[@allisonhunter2940]

That was so interesting, very honest and real

[@Squab1972]

Great album and a timeless classic, thank you for sharing.

[@mrrolandlawrence]

what a fascinating series of videos. mind blown. amazing to hear the insights of the songs. mike you are a legend!

[@thankyouforyourcompliance7386]

I often came back to that BBC performance. Mostly late in the evening after a long day.

[@wysiwyg2006]

i adore TBII, thats the masterpiece for me *the whole album!

[@khymaaren]

The most regular looking musician I listen to. Honestly, if I ran into him on the street, I wouldn't be able to guess his profession. And I like it.

[@philrabe910]

Possibly my favorite album of all time. now I have to haul it out and give it a spin. It is one of 3 actual vinyl albums I own.

[@Vaisin]

I love his music, he seems nicer than I expected and that's awesome!

[@jasebrown2634]

And then then it got stuck on the Scariest film ever made.

[@mattiemclean9882]

Not that scary...

[@willyappel7722]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZO1lGtuhdl6d80

[@Sassenhaim]

@@willyappel7722 dankje 👍🏻maar clowns zijn ook horror volgens sommigen 🤡😫

[@robmoir7524]

I would never watch The Exorcist J a s e Brown no way I never have and I never will

[@robmoir7524]

@@mattiemclean9882 what do you mean not that scary ? The Exorcist I never want to see that movie I never have and I never will

[@JustReadable]

Such a masterpiece. It accompanied me since back then. And kudos to John Peel.

[@fritzcat6198]

One of the greatest albums of all time. I was in high school when it came out. Smoked weed and enjoyed the heck out of it!

[@darcy_taylor3103]

Great Musician ! Greets From Poland Mike !

[@iismyalias]

It took me a looong time to listen to this and appreciate it for being the exceptional work it is, without out getting flat out terrified. I was a really young kid when The Exorcist came out and totally shouldn't have been watching it!

[@mickwinters8484]

You are truly a GOD my friend, followed you my entire life you are a musical genius!:)

[@patbrownastoria]

Back when I used to go through used record store bins a lot, I found this record more than any other.

[@TheCaptainKim]

John Peel! Nice to hear his name mentioned again.

[@kkuenzel56]

I wore out my 8 Track tape of Tubular Bells back in the 70s. Masterpiece!

[@Xnocturnus]

THANK YOU, for this timeless masterpiece!! >..

[@bkinouye]

This was the very first audio cassette I ever bought.

[@axel6699]

Ha! As a family, we bought our first cassette player (Philips I think) together with our first tape - Tubular Bells.

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

What is this "audio cassette" of which you speak...?

[@April-sp8un]

I ruined an 8 track i borrowed from brother in law cause i played it over and over. Felt bad cause couldnt afford to replace it. He had album too. I did too for awhile

[@kainkai007]

Mike Oldfield, you're just a magician :)))

[@kainkai007]

Mike the best Musician in the last century !

I am surprised to find a clip about Mike Oldfield in 2020. Yeah, it was published in 2018 but some Google algorithm must have thought I could like this. And I do. Actually, I still have a few LPs (vinyl) from those days when I listened to MO day out day in. Almost. Nice!!!

[@harrieakkers3002]

Tack you... Love from sweden...

[@davidweatherhead1431]

The greatest musical album EVER 👌👌

[@ndekamper]

Dit nummer is twee dingen: Bassie en Adriaan en een mooi moment om te gaan douchen tijdens de Top 2000

[@gaztaylor4178]

My favourire album of all time still listen to it today 2023 solid album from start to finish 👍 🇬🇧

[@pedromanafaia]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@sufiest666]

One of the greatest musicians of the 20th century

[@yvesandrethevenot3489]

Absolutely. Way underrated. His importance will prevail, some day.

[@loki76]

I have several of his albums. I love listening to them when reading books. Especially the books by Dean Koontz. It just works well together.

[@thankyouforyourcompliance7386]

All the suffering and problems he had at least created a beautiful piece of art. I guess that most extraordinary pieces of art come from this source.

[@thomaskolb8785]

One of the most likeable superstars ever.

[@zogzog1063]

Thank you for sharing that. Much appreciated.

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

I'd like to thank you for what you did.

[@markrichmond4796]

Just watched the video of Tubular Bells 2 Live from Edinburgh Castle........brilliant! 😀

[@drumdad54sdl47]

A brilliant piece of work. Tubular Bells 2 is also very good.

[@leesawford]

drumdad54 sdl A’s is tubular bells 3 -return of the bells. 4 is a bit of the ‘same old same old’ though..Don’t get me started on 5 !

[@deezynar]

Great music. Someone should use it in a movie.

[@willmistretta]

I love the film, but I never really found the opening to this album scary. Rather, it's soothing in a very austere way. Makes me feel calm and focused.

[@g2macs]

If Mr. O had decided to become a plumber instead of tinkering around with bells, we would not have Virgin trains, Virgin Air, Virgin Space, Virgin Music etc-etc and Beardy would be quietly retired in a council estate somewhere.

[@antonystringfellow5152]

Indeed! Oldfield is a true genius!

[@hanniffydinn6019]

So true, also Branson didn’t even like the record, didn’t think it would be a success.... weird huh?

[@l3p3]

Hah, that is the story for every single person in history. These "what if ..." questions are a lil bit pointless I think.

[@lyrimetacurl0]

So you're saying Richard Branson rode off Mike Oldfield's back?

[@I_Don_t_want_a_handle]

Nope. It's a nice dream but Branson is from a rich family - he'd have been financed without riding on Mike's coat-tails. Besides, I'd rather have Beardy in all his slime and Mike Oldfield than no Mike Oldfield.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

An amazingly brilliant piece of music !

[@kevinstrawser5073]

In the 1970,s this is the best song to test a new stereo. Play TB THROUGH A SET OF AR7S,UNREAL

[@JohannesYtterstrom]

"Tubular Bells" remains Mike Oldfields masterpiece. However. He has done MANY albums and searching through it all is a rewarding journey. I can't say I love all the albums or most songs but there is plenty from pop/rock to progressive rock to ambient to embrace. "Return to Ommadawn" is his latest album right now. I can't say it is very similar to the more famous "Ommadawn" but I really love it. Fantastic album! If you aren't into buying albums... Just go on KZbin and give lots of the songs a chance.

[@anthonyfarshaw8619]

"Return to Ommadawn" is maybe not very similar to "Ommadawn", but clearly it has elements from "Ommadawn" as well as "Hergest Ridge" and "Incantations".

[@johnakaoldguy3158]

Such a classic piece.

[@richardsmith4187]

Love the song !! Saw the Exorcist when it came out and one week later was in Georgetown and saw the house where it was filmed, very spooky to say the least. I have since met Linda Blair and have watched the Exorcist over 500 times in the last 45 years.... I even have Tubular bells as the ring tone on my phone. Mike Oldfield is the greatest !!

[@Tom-ok2rh]

Richard Smith Ha ha I can relate. I too saw it many times myself and took various girlfriends to watch it to show I was the strong one who wasn’t afraid cause naturally I knew when the scary parts were coming and they didn’t. And now that I’m all grown up(so they say) you won’t catch me near that movie ever again. Scares the shit out of me whenever I see one little clip 😂😂 As far as the music, I’ve long removed any connection of the movie from the song itself. And I thought I saw it plenty of times, but you are the king👍👍

[@richardsmith4187]

@@Tom-ok2rh I still love it and then meeting Linda Blair was a real treat. Asked her lots of questions that were not covered in the 1 1/2 hour conversation where she answered questions on stage. And got a few pictures with her and a couple copies of the Exorcist DVD movie signed.

[@tonoormusic]

The new version he played is the central piece of one of his latest album 'Music of the Spheres', great album

[@leesawford]

spectre -is that the one he did before ‘sounds in the boxes’ ? Just after ‘ fart in a triangle’ ?

[@snuijt8815]

Adriaantjeeeee

[@londonroulette]

So true how the best music just comes.by chance, by inspiration, by life.

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

Very special piece of music for me and many many others, I played albums of this so often I must have bought it several times. I remember being all excited that it was going to be in 'The Exorcist' and when I saw the film it was all of 4 seconds or so lol but that was the attatchment I had to it and still have. BTW I dont think the "New Way" is better Mike lol

[@DAYGLOUKNOUKNO]

Hey he looks like Daniel Craig.......!!!!!! On a serious note......how much joy has T.Bells brought to the generations......BLOODY MASTERPIECE!!! And just a Smart kid too.....WE SALUTE YOU!!!

[@Beun007]

Also on my playlist!

[@nyccolm]

Wow, he was 17!!! Never knew that. Fabulous.

[@montag4516]

When he first began writing the piece. He may have been a bit older by the time it was recorded and the recording process was finished. Still, he had it in him either way.

[@anthonyfarshaw8619]

@@montag4516 17 when he wrote it, 19 when he recorded it, 20 years and 10 days when the album was released.

[@cuchullain27]

Rare for someone in the media to come across as so genuine. Clearly its use in The Exorcists influenced John Carpenter's Halloween theme.