FOCUS - 'HOCUS POCUS' SONG INFORMATION & TRIVIA: But for some silly noises which can't really be called vocals, this song is an instrumental. In an interview with the British newspaper New Musical Express in May 1973, lead guitarist Jan Akkerman said "Hocus Pocus" was "just a send-up of those rock groups." Joke or not, it was a big hit. The album version of this Van Leer/Akkerman composition runs to 6 minutes 42 seconds. The radio edit entered the Billboard Chart at #98 week ending March 3, 1973 and peaked at #9 week ending June 2. In the UK it made the charts the same time as the classic Focus instrumental "Sylvia"; not many groups can boast that. This instrumental hit is known for its use of yodeling. The song stood out on the radio as there was nothing like it on the airwaves. The song also contains flute, accordion and various vocal sounds. This song came together very quickly when the band was at their recording studio. Drummer Pierre van der Linden started playing some two-bar fills, and guitarist Jan Akkerman came in with a tune. Focus frontman Thijs van Leer decided this would be a good time to yodel, something he had never done before. "Everyone considered it a very funny joke," he said. "But we found ourselves drawn back to the song." The song was originally recorded in 1971, but didn't chart as a hit until the faster radio version was recorded and released in 1973. Focus is a Dutch progressive rock band. This is their only hit. Guitarist Gary Hoey recorded a popular version on his 1993 Animal Instinct album. The song features prominently in the high profile Nike TV commercial, Write the Future, which was put together for the 2010 World Cup.
Always loved this hard rocker and still have the original 45 ! Sounds better than ever ! Great job ! Nothing wrong with Popeye singing and yodeling in this tune ! Rock on !!!😀😁😎👍🤘❤🎸🥁🎵🎶
Awesome..Thanks for the Offering.. Knew your touch would work great on this.. Best lyrics ,hard to forget eh,Lmao... I'm my top 5 favourite tunes...Onto the Favourites it goes..Haha,Awesome FB Share for a Friday morning..Cheers,Laddy..Well done...Chris
i am really pleased at how this turned out. The segments really show real separation like the original intended. The finished mix that i put out is always different sounding on YTube after they 'compress' the files.
@@macafeez it might have been a compilation of hits. I had access to an 8 track recorder and used a 45 rpm single to record. I am not sure if i ever viewed the Lp myself? I made a few of those of various songs on a 45 minute or so blank cartridge. Took a while to do, a little rough on the edit but ok. Those were the times.
