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The Joy of Easy Listening

Documentary telling the story of the easy listening genre, with contributions from Richard Carpenter, Herb Alpert, Richard Clayderman, Engelbert Humperdinck, Jimmy Webb and others.

In-depth documentary investigation into the story of a popular music genre that is often said to be made to be heard but not listened to. The film looks at easy listening's architects and practitioners, its dangers and delights, and the mark it has left on modern life.

From its emergence in the 50s to its heyday in the 60s, through its survival in the 70s and 80s and its revival in the 90s and beyond, the film traces the hidden history of a music that has reflected society every bit as much as pop and rock - just in a more relaxed way.

Invented at the dawn of rock 'n' roll, easy listening has shadowed pop music and the emerging teenage market since the mid-50s. It is a genre that equally soundtracks our modern age, but perhaps for a rather more 'mature' generation and therefore with its own distinct purpose and aesthetic.

Contributors include Richard Carpenter, Herb Alpert, Richard Clayderman, Engelbert Humperdinck, Jimmy Webb, Mike Flowers, James Last and others.

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Sat 4 Jun 202202:30
BBC Four

Clip

Music Played

  • Burt Bacharach

    Wives and Lovers 

  • Percy Faith

    Theme For Young Lovers 

  • Paul Weston and His Orchestra

    I'm in the Mood For Love 

  • Percy Faith

    Bouquet 

  • Ray Conniff and His Orchestra

    s Wonderful 

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Danke Schoen 

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Red Roses For a Blue Lady 

  • Henry Mancini

    Baby Elephant Walk

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Afrikaan Beat 

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Afrikaan Beat

  • Percy Faith

    Theme from A Summer Place

  • Ray Conniff and His Orchestra

    Bolero 

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Afrikaan Beat 

  • Henry Mancini

    Experiment in Terror 

  • Percy Faith

    Theme from A Summer Place

  • Percy Faith and His Orchestra

    Delicado 

  • Morton Gould Orchestra

    Holiday For Strings 

  • Morton Gould Orchestra

    Holiday For Strings 

  • Henry Mancini

    Moon River 

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Spanish Eyes 

  • The Beatles

    Roll Over Beethoven 

  • Chuck Berry

    Johnny B Goode 

  • The Beatles

    She Loves You 

  • James Last and His Orchestra

    Hey Jude 

  • The Hollyridge Strings

    Things We Said Today 

  • The Hollyridge Strings

    Things We Said Today 

  • The Hollyridge Strings

    I'll Follow the Sun 

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Bye Bye Blues 

  • Burt Bacharach

    Wives and Lovers 

  • Sounds Orchestral

    Classical Gas 

  • Chris Montez

    The More I See You 

  • James Last and His Orchestra

    Memphis Tennessee 

  • Perry Como

    Magic Moments

  • Neil Sedaka

    Laughter in the Rain 

  • The Hollyridge Strings

    Heartbreak Hotel 

  • Herb Alpert

    Lonely Bull

  • A Taste of Honey 

  • Herb Alpert & Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Spanish Flea 

  • The Hollyridge Strings

    If I Fell 

  • Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

    A Taste Of Honey

  • Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

    Spanish Flea

  • Bert Kaempfert

    Strangers In The Night

  • Henry Mancini & His Orchestra

    The Pink Panther Theme

  • The Dave Clark Five

    Bits and Pieces 

  • The Beach Boys

    Heroes and Villains 

  • The 5th Dimension

    Up, Up and Away 

  • Henry Mancini & His Orchestra

    Windmills of Your Mind 

  • The Dave Clark Five

    Bits and Pieces

  • The 5th Dimension

    Up Up & Away

  • Neil Sedaka

    Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

  • Carpenters

    Goodbye To Love

  • Carly Simon

    Nobody Does It Better

  • Commodores

    Easy

  • Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

    Casino Royale

  • 808 State

    Pacific State

  • Lighthouse Family

    Lifted

  • Jefferson Airplane

    White Rabbit

  • Henry Mancini & His Orchestra and Chorus, Henry Mancini

    The Windmills of Your Mind

  • Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

    This Guy's In Love With You

  • Lighthouse Family

    Ocean Drive

  • Quincy Jones

    Soul Bossa Nova

    Orchestra: Metropole Orkest. Conductor: Jules Buckley.

Credits

ProducerChris Rodley
DirectorChris Rodley

Broadcasts

Featured in...

  • Music Documentaries

    For music lovers, uncover the stories in this collection that explore all things music.

The Joy of Easy Listening on BBC Playlister

The Joy of Easy Listening on BBC Playlister

Check out our Easy Listening playlist in Spotify, with music from the relaxed side of pop