"House of the King" is an instrumental by the Dutch rock band Focus. It was released as a single in January 1971 and reached No. 10 on the Dutch charts[1] and sold well across Europe.[2] In the UK, it was issued on both the group's first album, In And Out of Focus[3] and the 1972 double album Focus 3.[4]
The song is in a baroque pop style.[2] It was written by guitarist Jan Akkerman and based on an improvised instrumental that the group performed after the plug was pulled on a concert in Majorca in June 1970 because they played over their allotted time.[5] The recording features group leader Thijs van Leer on flute, which has led to it being compared to the work of Jethro Tull.[6] Akkerman played acoustic guitar during the main section, and a brief electric guitar solo in the bridge. Unlike many other Focus songs, which featured extended instrumentals, it is less than two and a half minutes long.[7]
Focus almost disbanded during 1970, after the song was recorded, but because of the commercial potential for "House of the King", they were persuaded by management to stay together, albeit with a different line-up.[8] It was performed live as part of a one-off reunion set for Dutch television in 1990.[9]
The track's commercial potential led to it being used as the theme tune for the 1970s ITV television show Don't Ask Me (presented by Magnus Pyke).[10] It was also used as theme for the Steve Coogan comedy series Saxondale, which befitted the title character's role as a former roadie for rock bands.[6][10] It has been cited by several sources as one of the best television theme tunes.[10][11]
^"Dutch Charts – Focus". Retrieved 18 January 2017.
^ abDale 2003, p. 384.
^Focus (1973). In and Out of Focus [Reissue] (Media notes). Sire Records. SAS 7404.
^Focus 3 (Media notes). Polydor. 1972. 2344-038.
^Johnson 2013, p. 35.
^ ab"Ye Gods: The Twenty Greatest Prog Rock Record Sleeves". The Quietus. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
^Thompson, Dave. "House of the King – Focus". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
^Johnson 2013, p. 38.
^Johnson 2013, p. 224.
^ abcDennis, Jon (1 September 2011). "Readers recommend: TV themes – results". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
^Chantler, Chris (4 January 2016). "The 10 best TV show themes". Louder Than Sound. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
"HouseoftheKing" is an instrumental by the Dutch rock band Focus. It was released as a single in January 1971 and reached No. 10 on the Dutch charts...
KingHouse may refer to: in the Republic of Ireland KingHouse (Boyle, Ireland), Boyle, County Roscommon in the United States (by state, then town) King...
Houseofthe Dragon is an American fantasy drama television series created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal for HBO. A prequel to Game of Thrones...
of this house, meanwhile theKingof Spain and Kingof Denmark are matrilineal members. The dynasty rose to prominence when Count Christian I of Oldenburg...
This is a list of characters featured in the Disney Channel animated series The Owl House, created by Dana Terrace. Natalie Palamides voices a younger...
House v TheKing is a decision ofthe High Court of Australia. The case is notable as a statement of principle for sentencing discretion in Australian...
TheHouseof Black is a villainous professional wrestling stable, currently performing in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The group consists of leader Malakai...
had become the first Platinum album in the history of hip hop. The Secret Society studio had been colloquially dubbed "Chung KingHouseof Metal" by Rubin...
Celeste King (born January 22, 1951) is an American activist, author, and former state representative for the 28th District in the Georgia Houseof Representatives...
"Goodwill Towards Men." In 2013, King appeared in Oz the Great and Powerful, Family Weekend, White House Down, and The Conjuring. In 2014, she appeared...
was Kingofthe United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. George was born during the reign...
TheHouseof Normandy (Norman: Maison de Nouormandie [mɛ.zɔ̃ d̪e nɔʁ.mɛnde]) designates the noble family which originates from the Duchy of Normandy and...
The characters from the medieval fantasy television series Houseofthe Dragon are based on their respective counterparts from author George R. R. Martin's...
illegitimate son ofKing John I of Portugal oftheHouseof Aviz, and would eventually grow into one ofthe wealthiest and most powerful noble housesof Iberia...
elder brother George IV, becoming the last king and penultimate monarch of Britain's Houseof Hanover. William served in the Royal Navy in his youth, spending...
Burger King Corporation (BK, stylized in all caps) is an American multinational chain of hamburger fast food restaurants. Headquartered in Miami-Dade...
Kingofthe Hill is an American animated sitcom created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels that initially aired on Fox from January 12, 1997, to September...
(English: Kingof Bahrain). TheKing also holds the honorific title of sheikh. Houseof Khalifa Succession to the Bahraini throne Prime Minister of Bahrain...
1952) was Kingofthe United Kingdom and the Dominions ofthe British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor...
during the Renaissance and the period ofthe Portuguese discoveries, when Portugal expanded its power globally. Thehouse was founded by King John I of Portugal...
Global Information