

"Yakety Sax" is often used in television and film as a soundtrack for outlandishly humorous situations.
YOUTUBE YAKETY AXE GUITAR LESSON TV
Atkins and Randolph, who both worked together on Elvis Presley recording sessions in the 1960s, occasionally merged their two versions of the song in joint TV appearances, with each musician trading off a verse. The original version of "Yakety Axe" was Atkins' highest charting piece on Hot Country Songs, reaching number four it also went to number 98 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1990, Atkins collaborated with Mark Knopfler on the album Neck and Neck, where he recorded a slower-tempo version, with verses composed by Merle Travis that he recited rhythmically to the music. The title change referred to the colloquial term for an electric guitar as an "axe". Atkins' version used a similar tempo and showcased his country guitar picking style in place of a saxophone.


Randolph's take on the piece was inspired by a saxophone solo in the Leiber and Stoller song " Yakety Yak", recorded in 1958 by the Coasters. The piece also quotes two bars each of " Entrance of the Gladiators" and " The Girl I Left Behind".

The selection includes pieces of assorted fiddle tunes and was originally composed by Rich for a performance at a venue called The Armory in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The piece is considered Randolph's signature work. UK comedian Benny Hill later made it more widely known as the closing theme music of The Benny Hill Show. Saxophonist Randolph popularized the selection in his 1963 recording, which reached number 35 on the pop charts. " Yakety Sax" is a pop novelty instrumental jointly composed by James Q. Problems playing this file? See media help.
