A Fifth of Beethoven

Last updated

"A Fifth of Beethoven"
A Fifth of Beethoven Walter Murphy single.jpg
Single by Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band
from the album A Fifth of Beethoven and Saturday Night Fever
B-side "California Strut"
Released 1976
Studio Sound Ideas (New York) [1]
Genre
Length3:02
Label Private Stock
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Thomas J. Valentino
Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band singles chronology
"Disco Bells"
(1975)
"A Fifth of Beethoven"
(1976)
"Flight '76"
(1976)
Official audio
"A Fifth of Beethoven" on YouTube

"A Fifth of Beethoven" is a disco instrumental recorded by Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band, adapted from the first movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. The record was produced by production music and sound effects recording producer Thomas J. Valentino. [4] The "Fifth" in the song's title is a pun, referencing a liquid measure approximately equal to one-fifth of a gallon, a popular size for bottles containing liquor, as well as Beethoven's Fifth Symphony from which the song was adapted.

Contents

Released as a single by Private Stock Records in 1976, the song debuted at number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and climbed to number 1 within 19 weeks, remaining there for one week. In 1977, it was licensed to RSO Records for inclusion on the best-selling Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. The song is one of Murphy's few Top 40 hits.

Background and recording

In college, Murphy's interests included rock music, particularly that which was adapted from classical music, such as "Joy" by Apollo 100 and "A Lover's Concerto" by The Toys. Later, in 1976, while writing a disco song for a commercial, a producer suggested the idea of "updating classical music", which "nobody [has] done lately". [5] He then recorded a demo tape of five songs—three were ordinary pop songs, while the fourth was a disco rendition of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony titled "A Fifth of Beethoven" [6] —mailing it to various record labels in New York City.

The response was underwhelming, but "Fifth" caught the interest of Private Stock Records owner Larry Uttal. Murphy signed on to Private Stock and recorded the album A Fifth of Beethoven, containing the title track and first single of the same name. The single was credited to "Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band" upon encouragement from Private Stock, which believed it would be more successful if credited to a group rather than an individual. However, two days following the record's release, Private Stock discovered the existence of another Big Apple Band (which promptly changed its name to Chic). The record was later re-released and credited to "The Walter Murphy Band", then simply to "Walter Murphy". [7]

The 1998 single "Enjoy Yourself" by A+ samples this song.

Reception

"A Fifth of Beethoven" started at number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually reached number 1 within 19 weeks, where it stayed for one week. The single sold two million copies, while the album sold about 750,000 copies. The second single, a rendition of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee", titled "Flight '76", reached number 44 on the Hot 100. [7]

In addition to Saturday Night Fever, it appears in a heavily edited form in the movie House of Gucci . It is used as the theme of the television miniseries Mrs. America .

The music was used in a recruitment campaign by the Irish Defence Forces in the early 1980s. [8]

Charts and certifications

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Supremes discography</span>

American girl group The Supremes have released 29 studio albums, four live albums, two soundtrack albums, 32 compilation albums, four box sets, 66 singles and three promotional singles. The Supremes are the most successful American group of all time, and the 26th greatest artist of all time on the US Billboard charts; with 12 number-one songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and three number-one albums on the Billboard 200. The Supremes were the first artist to accumulate five consecutive number-one singles on the US Hot 100 and the first female group to top the Billboard 200 albums chart with The Supremes A' Go-Go (1966). In 2017, Billboard ranked The Supremes as the number-one girl group of all time, publishing, 'although there have been many girl group smashes in the decades since the Supremes ruled the Billboard charts, no collective has yet to challenge their, for lack of a better word, supremacy.' In 2019, the UK Official Charts Company placed 7 Supremes songs—"You Can't Hurry Love" (16), "Baby Love" (23), "Stop! In the Name of Love" (56), "Where Did Our Love Go?" (59), "You Keep Me Hangin' On" (78), "Come See About Me" (94) and "Stoned Love" (99)—on The Official Top 100 Motown songs of the Millennium chart, which ranks Motown releases by their all-time UK downloads and streams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)</span> 1984 single by Dead or Alive

"You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" is a song by the English pop band Dead or Alive, featured on their second studio album, Youthquake (1985). Released as a single in November 1984, it reached No. 1 in the UK in March 1985, taking 17 weeks to get there. It was the first UK number one hit by the Stock Aitken Waterman production trio. On the US Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at No. 11 on 17 August of that year, becoming their highest-charting single there. The song also reached No. 1 in Ireland and in Canada, while in Australia it peaked at No. 3 and it charted highly in numerous European countries.

Walter Anthony Murphy Jr. is an American composer, keyboardist, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for the instrumental "A Fifth of Beethoven", a disco adaptation of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony which topped the charts in 1976 and was featured on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack in 1977. Further classical-disco fusions followed, such as "Flight '76", "Toccata and Funk in 'D' Minor" "Bolero", and "Mostly Mozart", but were not as successful.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roll Over Beethoven</span> Original song written and composed by Chuck Berry

"Roll Over Beethoven" is a 1956 song written by Chuck Berry, originally released on Chess Records, with "Drifting Heart" as the B-side. The lyrics of the song mention rock and roll and the desire for rhythm and blues to be as respected as classical music. The song has been covered by many other artists, including the Beatles and the Electric Light Orchestra. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number 97 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)</span> 1975 single by the Four Seasons

"December, 1963 " is a song originally performed by the Four Seasons, written by original Four Seasons keyboard player Bob Gaudio and his future wife Judy Parker, produced by Gaudio, and included on the group's album Who Loves You (1975).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock and Roll All Nite</span> 1975 single by Kiss

"Rock and Roll All Nite" is a song by American rock band Kiss, originally released on their 1975 album Dressed to Kill. It was released as the A-side of their fifth single, with the album track "Getaway". The studio version of the song peaked at No. 69 on the Billboard singles chart, besting the band's previous charting single, "Kissin' Time" (#89). A subsequent live version, released as a single in October 1975, eventually reached No. 12 in early 1976, the first of six Top 20 songs for Kiss in the 1970s. "Rock and Roll All Nite" became Kiss's signature song and has served as the group's closing concert number in almost every concert since 1976. In 2008, it was named the 16th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandy (Scott English song)</span> 1972 single by Scott English also covered by Barry Manilow

"Brandy", later called "Mandy", is a song written by Scott English and Richard Kerr. It was originally recorded by English in 1971 and reached the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Should Be Dancing</span> 1976 single by Bee Gees

"You Should Be Dancing" is a song by the Bee Gees, from the album Children of the World, released in 1976. It hit No. 1 for one week on the American Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 for seven weeks on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, and in September the same year, reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Soul chart. It was this song that first launched the Bee Gees into disco. It was also the only track from the group to top the dance chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Down Tonight</span> 1975 single by KC and the Sunshine Band

"Get Down Tonight" is a song released in 1975 on the self-titled album by the disco group KC and the Sunshine Band. The song became widely successful, becoming the first of their five No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached the top of the Hot Soul Singles chart and was an international chart hit, reaching No. 1 in Canada and charting in Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celebration (Kool & the Gang song)</span> 1980 single by Kool & the Gang

"Celebration" is a 1980 song by American band Kool & the Gang. Released as the first single from their twelfth album, Celebrate! (1980), it was the band's first and only single to reach No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I Get You Alone</span> 2002 single by Thicke

"When I Get You Alone" is the debut single of American singer Robin Thicke—under the name Thicke—released on September 23, 2002. It was originally to be featured on his debut studio album Cherry Blue Skies, before being placed on a revamped version of that album called A Beautiful World. The song became a top-20 hit in Australia, Flanders, Italy, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, entering the top 10 in the latter two regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Play That Funky Music</span> 1976 single by Wild Cherry

"Play That Funky Music" is a song written by Rob Parissi and recorded by the band Wild Cherry. The single was the first released by the Cleveland-based Sweet City record label in April 1976 and distributed by Epic Records. The performers on the recording included lead singer Parissi, electric guitarist Bryan Bassett, bassist Allen Wentz, and drummer Ron Beitle, with session players Chuck Berginc, Jack Brndiar (trumpets), and Joe Eckert and Rick Singer (saxes) on the horn riff that runs throughout the song's verses. The single hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 18, 1976; it was also No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of over 2 million records and eventually sold 2.5 million in the United States alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)</span> 1979 song

"No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" is a 1979 song recorded by American singers Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer. It was written by Paul Jabara and Bruce Roberts, and produced by Giorgio Moroder and Gary Klein. The song was recorded for Streisand's Wet album and also as a new track for Summer's compilation double album On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I & II. The full-length version was found on Streisand's album, while a longer 11-minute edit (the 12" version) was featured on Summer's album. The longer 12" version features additional production by frequent collaborator Harold Faltermeyer, and incorporates a harder rock edge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evil Woman (Electric Light Orchestra song)</span> 1975 single by Electric Light Orchestra

"Evil Woman" is a song written by lead vocalist Jeff Lynne and recorded by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was first released on the band's fifth album, 1975's Face the Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Is the Drug</span> 1975 single by Roxy Music

"Love Is the Drug" is a 1975 song from English rock band Roxy Music's fifth studio album Siren, released as a single in September 1975. Co-written by Bryan Ferry and Andy Mackay, the song originated as a slower, dreamier track until the band transformed its arrangement to become more dance-friendly and uptempo. Ferry's lyrics recount a man going out looking for action.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fly, Robin, Fly</span> 1975 single by Silver Convention

"Fly, Robin, Fly" is a song by the German disco group Silver Convention from their debut studio album Save Me (1975). Sylvester Levay and Stephan Prager wrote the song, and the latter produced it. "Fly, Robin, Fly" was released as the third single from Save Me in September 1975, reaching number one on the United States Billboard Hot 100. Thanks to the success of "Fly, Robin, Fly", Silver Convention became the second German act to have a number one song on the American music charts. The song received a Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance in 1976.

"Muskrat Love" is a soft rock song written by Willis Alan Ramsey. The song depicts a romantic liaison between two anthropomorphic muskrats named Susie and Sam. It was first recorded in 1972 by Ramsey for his sole album release Willis Alan Ramsey. The song was originally titled "Muskrat Candlelight" referencing the song's opening lyric.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby, I Love Your Way</span> 1975 single by Peter Frampton

"Baby, I Love Your Way" is a song written and performed by English singer Peter Frampton, released as a single in September 1975. It first featured on Frampton's 1975 album, Frampton, where it segues from the previous track "Nassau".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Your Boogie Man</span> Song by KC & the Sunshine Band

"I'm Your Boogie Man" is a song written and produced by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch, and performed by Casey's band KC and the Sunshine Band, from their fourth album Part 3 (1976).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say You Love Me (Fleetwood Mac song)</span> 1976 single by Fleetwood Mac

"Say You Love Me" is a song written by English singer-songwriter Christine McVie for Fleetwood Mac's 1975 self-titled album. The song peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, and remains one of the band's most recognizable songs. Its success helped the group's eponymous 1975 album sell over eight million copies worldwide.

References

  1. "Interview with George Klabin, President of the Rising Jazz Stars Foundation and the new Resonance Records jazz label". Audiophile Audition. March 31, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  2. Bentkowski, Tom (March 28, 1977). "Ludwig on the Charts". New York Magazine . Vol. 10, no. 13. p. 65. ISSN   0028-7369.
  3. 1 2 Breihan, Tom (September 16, 2019). "The Number Ones: Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band's "A Fifth Of Beethoven"". Stereogum . Retrieved June 30, 2023. ..."A Fifth Of Beethoven" is a deeply silly piece of work, a pure novelty record...Beethoven's Fifth Symphony turns out to be a perfect vehicle for noodly funk riffage.
  4. "Thomas J. Valentino Is Dead; Early Sound Effects Producer". The New York Times . August 6, 1986. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  5. Campbell, Mary (October 15, 1976). "Beethoven Arranger Having Ball". The News and Courier . p. 48.
  6. Itzkoff, Dave (November 4, 2007). "A Satirical Sit-Com's Memorable Music". The New York Times . Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  7. 1 2 ""A Fifth of Beethoven" by Walter Murphy" . Retrieved December 6, 2016 via Superseventies.
  8. O'Connell, Hugh (May 12, 2012). "Video: Why don't the Defence Forces make recruitment ads like this any more?". TheJournal.ie . Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "National Top 100 Singles for 1976". Kent Music Report. December 27, 1976. Retrieved January 15, 2022 via Imgur.
  10. 1 2 "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1970s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  11. "Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band – A Fifth Of Beethoven" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  12. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 4280." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  13. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4340a." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  14. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 34, 1976" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  15. "Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band – A Fifth Of Beethoven" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  16. "Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band – A Fifth Of Beethoven". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  17. "Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band – A Fifth Of Beethoven". VG-lista. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  18. "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  19. "Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band – A Fifth Of Beethoven". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  20. "Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band – A Fifth Of Beethoven". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  21. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  22. 1 2 3 "A Fifth of Beethoven – Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  23. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 169.
  24. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending October 9, 1976". Cash Box . Archived from the original on September 2, 2012.
  25. "The Singles Chart" (PDF). Record World . September 25, 1976. p. 25. ISSN   0034-1622 . Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  26. "Offiziellecharts.de – Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band – A Fifth Of Beethoven" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 3, 2013. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band"
  27. "Top 200 Singles of '76". RPM . Vol. 26, no. 14 & 15. January 8, 1977. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  28. "End of Year Charts 1976". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  29. "Top 100 Hits for 1976". The Longbored Surfer. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  30. "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1976". Cash Box . Archived from the original on August 25, 2012.
  31. "Hot 100 60th Anniversary". Billboard. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  32. "Canadian single certifications – The Walter Murphy Band – A Fifth of Beethoven". Music Canada.
  33. "American single certifications – Murphy_ Walter and The Big Apple Band – A Fifth of Beethoven". Recording Industry Association of America.