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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 2022 02:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four

Clip

Music Played

  • Burt Bacharach

    Wives and LoversΒ 

  • Percy Faith

    Theme For Young LoversΒ 

  • Paul Weston and His Orchestra

    I'm in the Mood For LoveΒ 

  • Percy Faith

    µώ΄Η³ά±η³ά±π³ΩΜύ

  • Ray Conniff and His Orchestra

    s WonderfulΒ 

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Danke SchoenΒ 

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Red Roses For a Blue LadyΒ 

  • Henry Mancini

    Baby Elephant Walk

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Afrikaan BeatΒ 

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Afrikaan Beat

  • Percy Faith

    Theme from A Summer Place

  • Ray Conniff and His Orchestra

    µώ΄Η±τ±π°ω΄ΗΜύ

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Afrikaan BeatΒ 

  • Henry Mancini

    Experiment in TerrorΒ 

  • Percy Faith

    Theme from A Summer Place

  • Percy Faith Orchestra

    ¶Ω±π±τΎ±³¦²Ή»ε΄ΗΜύ

  • Morton Gould Orchestra

    Holiday For StringsΒ 

  • Morton Gould Orchestra

    Holiday For StringsΒ 

  • Henry Mancini

    Moon RiverΒ 

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Spanish EyesΒ 

  • The Beatles

    Roll Over BeethovenΒ 

  • Chuck Berry

    Johnny B GoodeΒ 

  • The Beatles

    She Loves YouΒ 

  • James Last and His Orchestra

    Hey JudeΒ 

  • The Hollyridge Strings

    Things We Said TodayΒ 

  • The Hollyridge Strings

    Things We Said TodayΒ 

  • The Hollyridge Strings

    I'll Follow the SunΒ 

  • Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Bye Bye BluesΒ 

  • Burt Bacharach

    Wives and LoversΒ 

  • Sounds Orchestral

    Classical GasΒ 

  • Chris Montez

    The More I See YouΒ 

  • James Last and His Orchestra

    Memphis TennesseeΒ 

  • Perry Como

    Magic Moments

  • Neil Sedaka

    Laughter in the RainΒ 

  • The Hollyridge Strings

    Heartbreak HotelΒ 

  • Herb Alpert

    Lonely Bull

  • A Taste of HoneyΒ 

  • Herb Alpert & Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra

    Spanish FleaΒ 

  • The Hollyridge Strings

    If I FellΒ 

  • 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 PiecesΒ 

  • The Beach Boys

    Heroes and VillainsΒ 

  • The 5th Dimension

    Up, Up and AwayΒ 

  • Henry Mancini & His Orchestra

    Windmills of Your MindΒ 

  • 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

Producer Chris Rodley
Director Chris 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 Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Playlister

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

  • (open.spotify.com)