Country Singer, Actor, TV host, Sausage man
JIMMY DEAN, 1928-2010
Click here for his complete list of popular songs


Jan 1974 to present

Instrumental Top 20 Songs and Samples
EVERY Instrumental Top 20 Song since 1960 with music samples

Every instrumental hit with samples, instrumental song links, brief information, instrumental artist song discographies, etc., here, at the online music encyclopedia. Choose an instrumental hits date range above. Find instrumental songs!
Oct 1973
4
8
127
Space Race
Billy Preston
 
 
 
Billy Preston wrote Space Race.
Jan 1974
1
1
128
Love's Theme
Love Unlimited Orchestra
 
 
 
Barry White wrote Love's Theme.
Apr 1974
1
2
129
TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)
MFSB Featuring The Three Degrees
 
 
 
TSOP became the theme for TV show Soul Train. MFSB stood for Mothers Fathers Sisters Brothers. MFSB had a string of soul and instrumental songs that received radio airplay. The Three Degrees also had a string of hits including the 1974 number 2 song When Will I See You Again. The writers of this song were Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
May 1974
7
11
130
Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
 
 
 
While Tubular Bells was a top 20 one hit wonder for Mike Oldfield, he had a string of instrumental songs that received pop and rock radio airplay, including the 1988 number 8 rock top 20 song Magic Touch. Tubular Bells was written by Mike Oldfield. The song was from the production The Exorcist.
May 1974
3
2
131
The Entertainer
Marvin Hamlisch
 
 
 
Marvin Hamlisch was a well-known arranger and producer. The instrumental one hit wonder The Entertainer was a 1902 popular ragtime song by Scott Joplin. Marvin Hamlisch never had another solo song that received any significant radio airplay. Scott Joplin wrote the song. The song was from the movie The Sting.
Feb 1975
1
132
Pick Up The Pieces
AWB
 
 
AWB stood for Average White Band. The group went by either name.
Apr 1975
22
133
Satin Soul
Love Unlimited Orchestra
 
 
 
Barry White wrote Satin Soul.
Apr 1975
4
134
Express
B.T. Express
 
 
 
The writers of Express were: Barbara Lomas, Ennis Rowe, Carlos Ward, Orland Woods, Richard Thompson, Louis Risbrook, William Risbrook.
May 1975
14
135
Hijack
Herbie Mann
 
 
 
Less than a year before Herbie Mann brought this more instrumental version of Hijack into the top 20, Barrabas had a popular dance version of the song.
Jul 1975
1
136
 
 
 
The mostly instrumental one hit wonder song The Hustle was a number one song and the only top 20 hit for Van McCoy. He followed up with a string of fairly popular dance and soul songs like Change With The Times. This song was from the album Disco Baby. The Hustle was written by Van McCoy.
Jul 1975
10
137
Dynomite
Tony Camillo's Bazuka
 
 
 
Dynomite was a popular saying by J.J. Walker on the comedy TV show Good Times, and a top 20 one hit wonder hit. This group, sometimes called Tony Camillo's Bazuka, Bazuka Featuring Tony Camillo, or simply Bazuka, had a few other songs that received slight radio airplay like Love Explosion. Dynomite was written by Tony Camillo.
Aug 1975
10
138
The Rockford Files
Mike Post
 
 
 
The writers of The Rockford Files were Pete Carpenter and Mike Post. The song was from the TV show The Rockford Files.
Oct 1975
11
139
Brazil
The Ritchie Family
 
 
 
Ary Barroso wrote Brazil.
Feb 1976
140
The Homecoming
Hagood Hardy
 
 
The Homecoming was a top 20 one hit wonder for its writer, Hagood Hardy. He received minor radio airplay for other songs too, like Love Theme From Missouri Breaks. Hagood Hardy also wrote commercial jingles and movie music.
The extra here is an alternate version of the song, The Homecoming (2). The Homecoming was from the movie The Waltons.
Feb 1976
1
141
Theme From S.W.A.T.
Rhythm Heritage
 
 
 
Barry DeVorzan wrote Theme From S.W.A.T.. The song was from the TV show S.W.A.T..
Jun 1976
14
142
Movin'
Brass Construction
 
 
 
Although Movin' was the a top 20 one hit wonder for Brass Construction, the group had a few other songs that received radio airplay, like Changin' and Ha Cha Cha (Funktion).
Sep 1976
1
143
A Fifth Of Beethoven
Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band
 
 
 
The instrumental song A Fifth Of Beethoven was a top 20 one hit wonder for Walter Murphy. He had other songs that received minor radio airplay like Themes From E.T. (The Extra-Terrestrial). Ludwig Van Beethoven wrote the song.
Nov 1976
8
144
Nadia's Theme (The Young And The Restless)
Perry Botkin, Jr.
 
 
 
Nadia's Theme was supposed to be by its writers Barry DeVorzon And Perry Botkin, Jr., but Barry was left off the pressings. Nadia was Nadia Comaneci, a 14 year old Olympic gymnast who received a perfect score.
This song was borrowed by Mary J. Blige in her 2002 number 4 hit No More Drama. Nadia's Theme (The Young And The Restless) was written by: Barry DeVorzon, Perry Botkin, Jr.. The song was from the TV show The Young And The Restless.
May 1977
28
145
Gonna Fly Now (Theme From Rocky)
Maynard Ferguson
 
 
 
The Maynard Ferguson version of Gonna Fly Now was a popular disco song. The song was from the movie Rocky.
Jun 1977
1
146
Gonna Fly Now (Theme From Rocky)
Bill Conti
 
 
 
The writers of Gonna Fly Now (Theme From Rocky) were: Carol Connors, Bill Conti, Ayn Robbins. The song was from the movie Rocky.
Aug 1977
10
147
Star Wars (Main Title)
John Williams
 
 
 
Star Wars featured The London Symphony Orchestra. John Williams wrote the song.
Oct 1977
1
148
Star Wars Theme Cantina Band
Meco
 
 
 
Meco was known for making disco versions of movie themes. Star Wars Theme Cantina Band was written by John Williams.
Feb 1978
13
149
Theme From Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
John Williams
 
 
 
John Williams wrote Theme From Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. The song was from the movie Close Encounters Of The Third Kind.
May 1978
4
150
Feels So Good
Chuck Mangione
 
 
 
Chuck Mangione wrote Feels So Good.
Apr 1979
3
151
Music Box Dancer
Frank Mills
 
 
 
Frank Mills wrote Music Box Dancer.
Sep 1979
1
152
 
 
As of Rise, Herb Alpert started regularly crossing over to soul stations. The writers of this song were Andy Armer and Randy Bandazz.
Mar 1980
18
153
Give It All You Got
Chuck Mangione
 
 
Give It All You Got was the theme song of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, USSR.
Aug 1980
18
154
Empire Strikes Back (Medley)
Meco
 
 
 
Empire Strikes Back (Medley) was from the movie The Empire Strikes Back.
Nov 1981
10
155
The Theme From Hill Street Blues
Mike Post Featuring Larry Carlton
 
 
 
The Theme From Hill Street Blues was from the TV show Hill Street Blues.
Jan 1982
10
156
Hooked On Classics
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
 
 
 
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was formed in 1946 and finally had a hit in 1982. Hooked On Classics was a dance medley of classical songs.
Apr 1982
1
157
Chariots Of Fire - Titles
Vangelis
 
 
Chariots Of Fire, the theme of the movie, was the only top 20 song for Vangelis. Vangelis went on to join Jon Anderson of Yes as Jon And Vangelis. The duo hit the rock top 20 three times.
Apr 1982
158
Sleepwalk
Larry Carlton
 
 
 
 
In 1959, Sleepwalk was a number one hit for Santo & Johnny, as Sleep Walk.
Jun 1985
3
159
 
 
 
Axel F was a top 20 one hit wonder for Harold Faltermeyer who was known mainly as a movie score writer, but also wrote hit songs for other artists, especially Donna Summer. Axel F was written by Harold Faltermeyer. The song was from the movie Beverly Hills Cop.
Oct 1985
1
160
Miami Vice Theme
Jan Hammer
 
 
Although Miami Vice Theme was the only top 20 hit by Jan Hammer, his later song, Crockett's Theme also received some radio play. Miami Vice Theme was an instrumental. Jan Hammer wrote the song. The song was from the TV show Miami Vice.
Nov 1985
15
161
Love Theme From St. Elmo's Fire
David Foster
 
 
 
This was the only top 20 hit for David Foster, who wrote and produced many famous songs for others. David Foster wrote the song. The song was from the movie St. Elmo's Fire.
Jul 1987
4
162
Songbird
Kenny G
 
 
Dec 1988
13
163
 
 
 
Kenny G wrote Silhouette.
Jul 1991
11
164
Lily Was Here
David A. Stewart Introducing Candy Dulfer
 
 
David A. Stewart, writer of Lily Was Here, was in group Eurythmics. Saxophonist Candy Dulfer was famous with jazz audiences.
Mar 1993
18
165
Forever In Love
Kenny G
 
 
Forever In Love was from the album Breathless. Kenny G wrote the song.
Jun 1996
7
166
Theme From Mission: Impossible
Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen
 
 
Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen were members of U2. As a side-project, this instrumental was the duo's only top 20 song. Lalo Schifrin wrote the song. The song was from the movie Mission: Impossible.
Mar 1998
167
Southampton
James Horner
 
 
 
The instrumental song Southampton was the only top 20 song by James Horner. He had no other songs that received mentionable airplay. The song was from the movie The Titanic.
Dec 1999
7
168
Auld Lang Syne (The Millennium Mix)
Kenny G
 
 

There have been no pop top 20 instrumentals since 1999 -- not a single one. Axel F (The Frog Song) by Crazy Frog reached number 21. Here are the three most popular instrumentals of the 2000s:
Aug 2001
28
1
Sandstorm
Darude
 
 
Apr 2003
25
2
E
Drunkenmunky
 
 
 
Aug 2005
21
3
 
 
 







Full Artist Song Discography Pages:

Kelly Rowland
Cage The Elephant
Avenged Sevenfold
The Chemical Brothers
Faithless
Yes
The Allman Brothers Band
David Bowie
We combed through thousands of instrumental compilations and found a few that have authentic instrumental top 20 hits.

Click on the pictures for more details.

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