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SNels03
SNels03

SNels03

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Where did the flute go in Rock music? In the Sixties and Seventies, Rock was awash in flutes, including the ones made from silver and brass. I can’t tell you exactly why the flute went out of fashion as a Rock instrument, but I suspect the general decline in the quality of musicianship between the 60s/70s and today is the main culprit. If virtuosity on guitars is no longer considered to be a significant asset, then I suppose the ability to play the flute would be of even less value.

I think this is a great loss. The light, breathy tones of the flute could provide a perfect textural counterpoint to power chords. But the flute can also swing, and deliver a lively, jazzy spring to any song. For this list, I looked at all flute parts, not just solos, and I looked desperately for songs post-1980, and I found very few. And as always, the list is completely subjective, do let me know what your fave Rock flute songs are in the comments.

13. Beastie Boys – Sure Shot

Leave it to the Beasties to buck the trend of their contemporaries. Included here only because it’s one of the few post-80s tracks with any flute at all.

12. The Association – Along Comes Mary

A very flute-friendly band, their #1 hit “Windy” was flute-full. Included here only because I think it’s one of the greatest songs ever written, seriously.

11. Focus – Hocus Pocus

Forget about the flute, let’s just be thankful yodelling never really caught on in Rock. Included here because it’s just so seventilicious.

10. Traffic – John Barleycorn Must Die

The flute was often used by 60s/70s bands as a way to support their baffling preoccupation with medieval themes. See “Stairway To Heaven”.

9. Guess Who – Undun

You just knew something special was happening when the lead singer pulled a flute out of his jeans and started playing it in earnest.

8. Rare Earth – Born To Wander

Back in the day, people didn’t recoil or make strange faces when they heard the flute intro to this song, because to them, it actually made a groovy riff that much groovier.

7. Donovan – There Is a Mountain

First it had a meaning, then it had no meaning, then it did.

6. Boz Scaggs – Lowdown

A transition song for the transition year 1976. Check it out now, funk soul-brother, disco was knocking on the door.

5. Eric Burdon and War – Spill The Wine

Here the flute provides a counter melody that brilliantly helps describe the scene on that crazy field of tall grass as if it were another voice.

4. The Mamas and the Papas – California Dreamin’

The perfect wedding of form and content, no matter how many times I hear it, the flute sends me into a reverie, although not necessarily about California.

3. Beatles – You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away

Maybe the Beatles’ first “grown-up” song, the flute signaled that these lads were about to take this rock & roll thing to some new places.

2. Canned Heat – Going Up The Country

Forget the dreary medievalism or contemplative thoughtfulness. Here the flute stands for pure, unfettered freedom and joy.

1. Anything By Jethro Tull

I know it’s cheating, but come on, they were a flute-rock band. Ian Anderson is now generally acknowledged as being one of the best flutists on the planet, be it classical or jazz or the rare rock species.

Strumenti

Flute,

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