Celebrating the Big Show, #2 - Fučík's "Entry of the Gladiators"

The Circus Tune

That’s Everywhere

          The 1897 military march “Entry of the Gladiators,” by Czech composer Julius Fučík, is instantly recognizable as “circus music.”  Since the early 1900s, this flamboyant piece has been used as a screamer march for circuses and shows as the acts enter the arena.  The tune’s familiarity has led to its being included in many a pop song—over 60, according to whosampled.com.  Just a few of the acts to include riffs or melodies from “Entry”:

·        “The Show Must Go On,” Three Dog Night, 1974

·        “Merry Go Round,” Keith Sweat, 1990

·        “Goodbye Cruel World,” James Darren, 1961

·        “Hokus Pokus,” Insane Clown Posse, 1997

·        “Tight Rope,” Leon Russell, 1972

·        “Don’t Get It Twisted,” Gwen Stefani, 2006

·        “Killer Klowns from Outer Space,” The Dickies, 1988

·        “Yakety Sax,” Boots Randolph, 1963

·        “Amusement Park,” 50 Cent, 2007

·        “Palisades Park,” Freddy Cannon, 1962

·        “Rhymin’ Man,” Frank Zappa, 1988

·        “Chaos and Disorder,” Prince, 1996

·        “Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock ‘n Roll),” Elton John, 1973

          You will also encounter “Entry of the Gladiators” in films such as:

·        Mary Poppins, 1964

·        Octopussy, 1983

·        Madagascar 3, 2012

 See you next Monday, with a devastating exposé on a long-lost horror classic!