In
the world of music, it seems quite rare when a song without lyrics
hits the charts. But there have been some instances in which
instrumentals have done very well.
In
fact, I can name quite a few instrumentals that have managed to get a
lot of airplay. Below, you can find a list of them, when they
charted, their peak position on the charts, as well as the artist who
sang them. In chronological order, here are some of the
instrumentals that charted on the Billboard Charts.
Tequila,
The Champs, 1958, #1
Calcutta,
Lawrence Welk, 1961, #1
Mexico,
Bob Moore, 1962, #1
Wipeout,
The Surfaris, 1963, #2
Love's
Theme, Love Unlimited Orchestra, 1974, #1
The
Hustle, Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony, 1975, #1
A
Fifth of Beethoven, Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band, 1976, #1
Rise,
Herb Alpert, 1979, #1
Give
It All You Got, Chuck Mangione, 1980, #18
Chariots
of Fire, Vangelis, 1982, #1
Rockit,
Herbie Hancock, 1983, #71 (#1 on the Dance Club Play charts)
Love
Theme from St. Elmo's Fire, David Foster, 1985, #15
Theme
From Mission Impossible, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr., 1996, #7
That's
quite a long list of successful instrumental songs, isn't it? And
notice how many ended up topping the charts! Of the thirteen
examples that I have posted, eight have been #1 singles! So, I think
I've proven that there is a place for instrumentals in this world.
So,
why am I bringing up the topic of instrumentals in this blog entry,
especially since today happens to be a Monday Matinee? Well, as it
so happens, I want to focus on an instrumental that managed to hit
the Billboard Charts...an instrumental that happens to be a part of
one of 1984's most successful films.
But
first, let's have a listen.
ARTIST:
Harold Faltermeyer
SONG:
Axel F
ALBUM:
Beverly Hills Cop Soundtrack
DATE
RELEASED: January 21, 1985
PEAK
POSITION ON THE BILLBOARD CHARTS:
#3
Ah,
yes, Axel F. The song that made German-born musician Harold
Faltermeyer a household name for a spell. Mind you, the song Axel F
was hardly his first foray into composing songs for soundtracks.
Aside from composing hits for Donna Summer, Laura Branigan, and the
Pet Shop Boys, he ended up contributing songs to films such as
“Fletch”, “Top Gun”, “The Running Man”, and “Tango &
Cash”.
But
there was something about Axel F that was special. I can attest to
this fact alone. Although I was barely four when it was released, I
remember the song being played everywhere. You couldn't turn on the
television without seeing some clip of Harold playing his multiple
keyboards. For some reason, it's one image that will forever be
burned into my memory, as it was one of the few from early childhood
that I remember vividly.
And
for those of you who remember the movie, “Beverly Hills Cop”, you
know that this song features quite prominently in the film. So, I
decided to pick this film for the subject of today's blog. Not just
because it has a killer soundtrack (which also features songs by
Glenn Frey, Patti LaBelle, and the Pointer Sisters), but because it's
a great movie.
The
film was released on December 5, 1984, and was the film that turned
Eddie Murphy into a huge Hollywood star. Would you believe that
Murphy was only 23 years old when this movie was filmed? The film
was directed by Martin Brest, produced by the team of Jerry
Bruckheimer and Don Simpson, and also starred Judge Reinhold, Lisa
Eilbacher, John Ashton, and Ronny Cox.
The
film was a box office bonanza, taking in over $300 million in profits
alone! It stayed at #1 on the box office ratings for fourteen
consecutive weeks between late 1984 and early 1985. And just to give
you an indication as to how successful the soundtrack of the film
was, it ended up winning a Grammy Award in 1986! The film also
spawned two sequels, one in 1987, and one in 1994.
Although
the film was completed in 1984, the idea behind the film was actually
born seven years earlier, in 1977. The first draft of the script
that would become the screenplay for Beverly Hills Cop was written by
Danilo Bach. The plot went through several changes in development.
Initially, it was about a police officer from East Los Angeles who
was transferred to Beverly Hills. By the time the film was ready to
be filmed, it had evolved into the story of an East Coast cop who
went out to Beverly Hills to avenge the death of a friend. Oh, and
the main character was named Axel Elly.
TRIVIA:
Would you believe that the only reason Martin Brest took on the
directing role of the project was due to the luck of a coin toss? He
flipped a quarter to determine whether he would accept the role or
not. Reportedly, that quarter is now framed and is now hanging up on
Brest's wall.
The
initial casting for the main character of the movie was a lengthy
process. Jerry Bruckheimer actually gave a bit of insight into the
casting process behind the scenes. Initially, the project was
intended for Mickey Rourke. Rourke had even signed a holding
contract worth $400,000 in order to do the film. So what happened?
Well, due to revisions of the script and other preparations needed
for the film, Rourke's contract expired before filming could begin,
and he walked. The project was then offered to Sylvester Stallone,
but two weeks before filming was slated to begin, Stallone was out,
and Eddie Murphy was in.
TRIVIA:
Other actors in the running for the lead role reportedly included
Richard Pryor, James Caan, and Al Pacino!
Oh,
and here's another piece of trivia. You know the character of Billy
Rosewood, played by Judge Reinhold? Back when Stallone was cast, the
original script called for Rosewood to be KILLED OFF! Could you
imagine? The only thing that ended up changing the producers minds
about that plot point came down to casting. When John Ashton (who
played the role of John Taggart was paired with Judge Reinhold, the
director had a change of heart once he witnessed their chemistry with
each other, and kept Rosewood alive to live through two more sequels!
The
movie even boasted advanced technology, as there is a scene in the
movie where Axel and Rosewood are being tracked via a GPS device,
which didn't become commercially available for civilian use until the
1990s! No real reason to add this point in, I just thought it was
cool!
Oh,
and one final thing. The casting of Eddie Murphy in the main role
meant that the whole movie had to be completely revised and some
parts written entirely. The name of the main character was changed
as well. Instead of Axel Elly, the name was changed to Axel
Foley...or Axel F. Hmmm, where have I heard that name before? ;)
So,
instead of Axel being from the East Coast, Axel now became a native
of Detroit (some of the film was actually filmed in Detroit,
Michigan). Axel Foley ended up becoming a police detective in
Detroit, but prior to that, he was a juvenile delinquent in and out
of trouble. At the beginning of the film, we see Axel try (and fail)
to bust up an unauthorized cigarette smuggling operation, which earns
him the wrath of his boss, Douglas Todd (Gilbert R. Hill).
Shortly
after, Axel is surprised by an old childhood friend (who decides to
break in rather than use the doorbell). His name is Mikey Tandino
(James Russo), and he informs Axel that he now has a job as a
security guard in Beverly Hills, California. Apparently, it was
their mutual friend, Jenny (Eilbacher) that hooked Mikey up with the
job. The two men head out for a few drinks, and all seems fine. But
when they return to Axel's apartment, the two men are ambushed. Axel
is knocked unconscious and Mikey is killed after he was questioned
about some missing German bearer bonds.
Axel
is devastated by the loss of his friend, and he demands to be a part
of the investigation into his murder. But because Mikey was his
friend, the police department in Detroit deem it a conflict of
interest, and Axel is left out.
But
does this stop Axel? No. He takes all of his unused vacation time
and boards a flight to Beverly Hills, determined to launch his own
investigation into the events that lead up to Mikey's demise.
He
happens to run into his old friend Jenny at an art gallery that she
happens to be working at, and after he fills her in on what happened
to their friend, she offers Axel some insight behind what was
happening. She tells him that before Mikey flew up to Detroit, he
was hired by her boss, art dealer Victor Maitland (Steven Berkoff),
as a favour to Jenny. With a lead to go on, Axel attempts to find
out more information by paying Maitland a visit...and then this
happens.
I
suppose that's one way out.
So,
despite the fact that Axel is a member of the police force in
Detroit, he is arrested and taken to the closest police station where
he first meets Taggart and Rosewood. Initially, Taggart and Rosewood
are assigned to follow Axel around to keep a close eye on him, and
certainly the path is not an easy one. After all, with tricks like
the one below, it's a wonder that Taggart and Rosewood even still
have their badges.
But
ultimately, the trio manage to form a mutual respect of each other,
especially after foiling a robbery at a strip tease bar.
This
is all fine and good, but there's a mystery to solve. What
connection does Maitland have to Mikey's murder? Why is he so keen
on keeping Axel from sneaking around? And, just what other criminal
activities is Maitland involved in?
Well,
I can't tell you. You know I never reveal movie endings. In this
case, I'm especially being vague because I find the movie so
interesting and entertaining, you have to really see it for
yourselves.
After
all, it made a star out of Eddie Murphy, it was one of 1984's most
successful films, and it gave Harold Faltermeyer a Top 5 hit.
Which
Crazy Frog proceeded to destroy twenty years later...
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