8+

“Also Sprach Zarathustra" by Deodato which clocks in at 8:58

INT. MANHATTAN OFFICE - DAY
There is a man seated at a desk using an Apple laptop computer and listening to some podcast made up of a variety of 'happy' songs. He clicks through a series of historic pop charts and music resources online. He is on a quest. He is a music nerd. This is a genesis moment. Like from that movie about space with the Earth and the fetus. He's speaking aloud to nobody in particular.

MATTThis is me trying to use EAR FARM's weekly 8+ column as a means by which to expand my, our, horizons. Don't go thinking you know me. Don't think you know what to expect here in 8+ land. No ma'am. It moves FAST round here. Watch: non sequitur/non sequitur/abstract/polenta. I'm after something new.

He grabs for his glass of water and finds it empty. He continues the speech.

MATTOkay, it's old but new to me. An exploratory venture into the past, into the realm of fusion/crossover jazz, into a song I'd never listened to before today, and into the pop charts. Have I heard this song before? Maybe. Feels like it but then I don't think so. Perhaps it's simply a combination of having heard the soundtrack to 2001: A Space Odyssey so many times mixed with the audio scars of that disco Star Wars song. No, I'm sure I must've heard this particular song before. Was it in a blaxploitation film?

The podcast has been replaced by “Also Sprach Zarathustra" by Deodato, which he is now listening to on repeat.

MATTOne wonders what the world must've thought when this song was released in 1973. It's half Shaft, half 2001: A Space Odyssey, and half Miles Davis mixed with Latin music. That's a whole lotta halves. Why would I have heard this...ah HA! There it is. Not only was this song inspired by a famous piece of music by Richard Strauss but it was used in the film Being There AND it won a Grammy in 1974 for for Best Pop Instrumental Performance AND it went to #2 in the pop charts in the US and #7 in the UK. Who wants to bet this very well might be the most successful 8+ ever? Is it? I will find out! Research! Research!

He begins to yell and sing like he's the star of Man of La Mancha...

MATTThis is my quest! To follow the stars!! No matter how hopeless, no matter how far. To fight for the right without question or pause. To be willing to march into hell for this 8+ cause.

A female coworker passes by and stares. He quiets to a whisper.

MATTYes, I will indeed try to find out if any other 8+ has ever charted higher, flown farther or faster...if any other long song has broken through that pop song glass ceiling of 5 minutes and risen so close to the top of the charts. For you see my friends, we just might be looking at the longest one-hit wonder ever. In terms of running time I mean. Like, the king of 8+ pop charters. At the very least, I've just found the perfect soundtrack for my walk home. An old song that's brand new to me. To you too? Maybe it'll help us get our groove back.

The phone rings. He answers it and does not cease the soliloquy but rather continues right into the phone.

MATTThis here song is 100% groove and lately my stride has been functioning at a measly 15-20%. So hey, if you see a guy with headphones on and a confident Dolemite strut walking through the East Village sometime around 6:15pm just back up and get out my way. I might have to go Rudy Ray Moore on your ass...

The man stands up in a hurry, slams down the phone, and acts out a line from the 1970's film Dolemite while pointing in the direction of an imaginary camera.

MATTMan, move over and let me pass 'fore they have be to pullin' these Hush Puppies out your mothafuckin' ass!

Buy Prelude HERE on Amazon.

(photo from HERE)

EAR FARM's 8+ is a weekly feature that showcases songs longer than 8 minutes. In the recent past these songs were featured on EF's 8+:
Bob Marley & The Wailers - “Exodus” (1984 12" Mix)
Charalambides - “Two Birds"
Explosions In The Sky - "Memorial"
Rush - “2112"
Love and Rockets - “Haunted When the Minutes Drag"
Suede - “The Asphalt World"
!!! - “Me and Giuliani Down by the Schoolyard (a true story)"
Bark Psychosis - “All Different Things"

To see a full list of every song featured in EAR FARM's 8+ click HERE.