Mason Williams plays every instrument, on this track.

I've always loved the magnificence of this. And I still feel the same magnificence when I hear it today. It just fills my soul!

Mason Williams was the head comedy writer on the Smothers Brothers Show and, obviously, a very talented classical guitarist. This one composition made him a multi-millionaire in royalties and, yes, it was used for every imaginable TV venue.

Always loved this song since I was a child raised in the 60s!

I haven't heard this in decades. I love this instrumental song.

This came out when I was a small child and it made an impression on me. It is STILL easily one of my favorites. BTW, Mason Williams is still alive. Can’t wait to hear your reaction to this one.

This guy was an omnipresent artist. From writing for the Smothers Brothers to his artistic talent in respect to his gift of playing multi instrumentalist. His timely narrative of quintessentially correct musical repertoire. This gentleman was truly great persona.

After this watch Tommy Emmanuel's version, what he does with his guitar is beyond amazing and he is a really nice guy too!

He wanted people to know classical guitar wasn't boring. Job done.

Ah, thank you so much for reacting to this song! I commented on "Baker Street" about a year ago, "My #2 favorite song of ALL time. #1 is hard to beat: "Classical Gas" by Mason Williams." I'd like to think that you picked it because of my comment but it was probably in a one-hit wonder list!

You guys should also do “Love Is Blue”, & “Midnight Cowboy”

This was one of those songs like "The Theme From The Good The Bad And The Ugly" 🤠 that just always got my attention even though I was only 4 or 5 years old at the time 🤭🧒!! It was just one of the many tunes that held my "little mind" 🤔 long enough to stick so when I picked up a guitar 🎸 about ten years later when I was in high school(80-81) that I just "had to go back and learn because I just wouldn't be "at peace"😌 with myself until I did! It was like a "coming of age" thing on the guitar if you will(at least for me it was)!! Those things just stay with you even unto this day! Never gets old🗝️🎸🎶🤟✌️🌎❤ 🙏

A couple more "one hit wonders" for you are Mungo Jerry "In The Summer Time" and Ram Jam "Black Betty". You should do the videos of these, they are awesome.

An astonishing song.....it isn't long enough, is it? ❤❤❤❤❤

Thrilled to hear you guys are continuing the marathon…it’s been🔥🔥

So good to see a channel where the younger generation is open to and appreciative of pop and rock music from the past 50 years. Really got off on all of you bopping to the music that has impacted many of our lives. When all of you are "Bobble Heading" to the music it makes me smile. You really cover a wide range of genres and seem to be open and willing to see the music for what it was when first released. Being from the Great White North it refreshing to see a channel who has been willing to explore the music we have grooved to for years. from The Hip to April Wine, Rush to the Guess Who, Max Webster to Justin Bieber and Alannah Myles, there is a whole lot of music to be mined and enjoyed. Thank you so much! you will never run out of music to play and opinions to express keep up the good work. P.S. try the Tragically Hips Cordelia........for reference think Shakespeare's play King Lear.

I remember this being played on Wide World of Sports intro when they showed all the mishaps, animal attacks & racecar crashes. I think in the 70’s.

Does anyone remember an album called Switched On Bach? It was updated versions of classical music selections by Johanes Sebastian Bach.

This came out when I was six or seven and for awhile you heard it everywhere -- it was one of those 60's songs that both older and younger folks liked. After awhile it started to get used for various TV news and sports shows.

OMG - THIS is ONE OF THE ONES I suggested!! :) YAY!! I used to just LOVE THIS SONG!! STILL DO! :) ENJOY!!

I fell in love when it first came out, and then the local NEWS station used it as their intro music to the 5 o'clock news!! SO GOOD!!! SUCH a talented guy!!

Omg!!!! Excellent pick! Glen Campbell plays this too, it's phenomenal !!❤

What a memory kicker! This song was playing when I moved into my dorm at I.U. freshman year, It always and forever will bring a smile to my face. Thanks a million guys

Another great instrumental is Love is Blue by Paul Mauriat.though it's a bit more mellow then this song. An even shorter tune i was only 7 when it came out but whenever i hear this song it brings back what memories i can remember of 1968 and the music i heard on the radio at the time.

You r forgetting the 2 best one hit wonders. My Sharona by The Knack and Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners. Love you guys. Make me laugh!! 😊

My mom introduced me to this gem when I was single digits. Still one of my top songs

Mason Williams played every instrument in this recording, not just guitar.

Thanks for this one!! Remember seeing this on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Show”!! Think he worked for the show. The Wrecking Crew was the band behind the music. 🤘🔥

This song inspired me to learn to play guitar! Mason Williams released a solo version of this w/o orchestra which is cool too. I've performed that version in public since the 70s... raises some eyebrows.

You definitely should see the video that went with it. It was just as intense as the song!

Check out Mason Williams 1968 Special Video on KZfaq. It really adds to the music and I remember seeing it when I was around 11. BTW, I am a huge Al Stewart fan and thanks to watching you guys, I decided to go see him in May for the first time and I’m 66. Other great guitar numbers by Al are On the Border and End of the Day.

This was covered by Glen Campbell!!! Amazing piece of music ❤❤❤

I think you could say this song is timeless!

Sincere and inspiring reaction.

This song was played a lot on AM radio in 68. Anybody listening then (like me) should immediately recognize the song.

#2 on Billboard in 1968. Believe it or not, national sports programming was only available on the 3 major networks (CBS, NBC, ABC) in the 60's and 70's. Each show had its own distinguishing theme music, sometimes popular instrumental music or original compositions were used. Now with so many cable, network, etc., sports shows and programs, each one needs their own theme music. :)

I don't know what people are talking about, but all evidence says The Wrecking Crew studio musicians play the rest of the instruments on Classical Gas.

It's been used in SO many TV shows and movies. I'm sure y'all have heard it.

Now do the song "Fire On High" by the Electric Light Orchestra, it was used for the opening of a show called CBS sports spectacular that used to be on Saturdays.

Hot Buttered Popcorn. The OG synth song.

Yes!!!! Fire on high!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

It was also used in the 1980s by Channel 4, (Not specified which city), during their NFL results presentation, and in the 1970s and 1980s and several local area television news programs in the United States used it as their theme song.

Yes, Nick, this song is FIRE. Actually got to see him perform this song on The Smothers Brothers show. I'm also glad to hear you are extending the Marathon. Gentlemen, keep up the great work!!!

You nailed it in your commentary after the song. This piece influenced a lot of instrumental music from '68 through the early '70s and the style was imitated heavily, while being careful to remain different enough that they didn't have to pay royalties.

Q: what do you call bethoven with sn upset stomach? A: classical gas.

I've heard this. Real good instrumental. It has been everywhere !

They all play it , America history !

One of favorites from the time!

The '60s certainly had the market on Pop instrument tunes. You gotta try "Washington Square" Village Stompers or theme from Born Free, Love is Blue, or theme from The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly.

You need to do the Tommy Emmanuel cover of this song. He’s one of the greatest guitarists ever.

John Tesh composed the well-known theme for the NBA. The Alan Parsons Project composed the song that the Chicago Bulls used for their theme. Just wanted to throw those tidbits of information out there.

That mid section with brass...I'm sure I've heard marching bands play that. It's perfect for them.

It's been used for many TV shows theme songs. In Buffalo, it used to the wrestling show song many years ago.

This was used for a bit in a classic Simpsons episode. Lisa sings a protest song while playing an acoustic guitar, and Lenny shouts out a request for Classical Gas. Since Williams was in comedy, I wonder if he had any overlap with original Simpsons writers.

One old one that I seldom heard but got stuck in my head was the Carpenters, B'wana she no home. The instrumental part, especially.

1968. At that time instrumentals were fairly common.

It's featured in Queen's Gambit, too. I grew up with this song. Amazing.

Other great instrumentals to consider, "Joy", by Apollo 100, "Frankenstein", by the Edgar Winter Group, and "Surfing with the Alien", by Joe Satriani. My memory is that "Joy" was played at the end of The Forty Year Old Virgin.

It's surprising to look back at how many instrumental hits there were back in the day. I'd guess it's been 40 years there's been an instrumental hit. Maybe the last one was that Kenny G hit? But it used to be very common. (I agree with the other commenters: Feels So Good by Chuck Mangione is 🔥)

"Joy" by Apollo 100 came out around the same time, is similar in style and also very good.

It was like Classical “Spanish Guitar” Gas. Very nice choice!

Great instrumental track! If you’re talking about instrumental backing tracks for sports clips, you might want to try Emerson Lake and Palmer’s cover of Fanfare for the Common Man (originally Aaron Copeland)

Easily one of the best, if not THE best, instrumental songs of all-time.

2nd 45 I owned. Great song .

Again, didn't know I knew it... I have heard this in a movie or something. It does sound like a sports theme. Glad I am not the only one who cannot wait for football each year! I want to say this was in Cheaper by the Dozen w/Steve Martin. But sounds like it on a pivotal scene. Glad you are extending the Marathon. Your picks have been good!

Love is Blue was by Paul Muriat and his Orchestra.

I'm with others that say you should listen to Tommy Emmanuel cover this. He takes playing to the next level!

For some reason when I was a kid in the 70's I remember watching Big Time wrestling on TV and I think they used this song as an introduction.Does anyone else remember that?

Great choice!!!

Joy - Apollo 100. It's a 1972 modern take of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Johann Sabastian Bach.

Hey guys, checkout “Feels So Good” from Chuck Mangione. It’s regarded as a one hit wonder from 1978 (Billboard #3). Yes, it’s an instrumental, but it’s awesome! He’s a flugelhorn and trumpet player. I would consider playing the 3:30 radio edit as it just flows so much nicer verses the 9 1/2 min version which is still great, and it definitely has a sax in it, Ryan😉. Trust me on this guys, you’ll love it.

Yes, please keep it going! ...and add "Midnight at the Oasis" by Maria Muldaur.

Freda Payne - Band of Gold

Renaissance Man!

Smiling Faces - The Undisputed Truth. OHW.

Popcorn by Hot Butter, a 1972 instrumental.

That one part kind of sounds like "Turn The Beat Around" which has been used in sports.

I was completely thinking you guys weren't going to like this one at all! Reminds me of movie or TV theme songs from my childhood. Pleasant choice 😊

Tommy Emmanuel.........

I have a one hit wonder for ya. “ Ariel” by Dean Friedman.

Great song. Until "Smoke on the Water" came out, this is the song people learning guitar wanted to be able to play. It sounds a little off to me tho--a bad upload or something. The guitar WAS more prominent. And, yeah, NFL Films used a lot of music that sounded a lot like this.

I’m having a “squirrel” moment because of Nick’s shirt. Have you done GREEN ONIONS by Booker T and the MG’s?!

There’s a stereo version of this song too. I think it makes the song twice as better with the orchestra! Back in the 50s and 60s, many artists and record producers thought stereo would be just a fad. By this time, most music was mixed into stereo.

I want some of that primo you guys are smoking.......LMAO

Check out Classical Gas by Manheim Steamroller. They elevate this exponentially!

I don't know about Classical Gas, but my gas is classic-lol

STEPPIN 'OUT JOE JACKSON PLEASE 🙏🥺

Prediction: This will be epic.

Also if y'all do ELO " Fire on High " was definitely used as NFL theme song!

Alan Parsons “Sirius”

Try Glen Campbell

If you want more great classical guitar, look up some Leona Boyd songs😁😎

Trombones had fun with this one.

My Sharona by The Knack 😊

Brilliant Title!

Check out Tommy Emmanuel's version too.....

I think you are thinking of Round Ball Rock by John Tesh.

"Feels so good"by Chuck Mangione is also a great instrumental one hit wonder, there is a version with vocals,the instrumental is much better

Seen the notification for 'Classical Gas' ! Drats ! It wasn't Tommy Emanuel.

If you like this you will want to check out Cat Steven's instrumental Crab Dance.