“Hooked on Classics” by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

You know how, at the end of a horror or suspense film, the bad guy appears to be dead? Then somebody goes over to the body to make sure he/she is dead, and then AH!!!!!, they sit straight up, or take one last swipe at the good guy before they drop dead for real? Well the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Hooked on Classics” was Disco’s version of that. Just when everybody thought Disco was dead – Boom!! – this song became a top 10 hit!

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London, and was founded in 1946.

In 1981, Louis Clark, former arranger for Electric Light Orchestra, conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing a collection of very recognizable Classical Music pieces with a fast Disco beat in the background. A single was released, which had a medley of the songs from that album. It peaked at #10 on January 30, 1982.

In addition to Classical music, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performed orchestral arrangements of rock music by artists such as Queen (which I own), George Michael, R.E.M., and U2.

But, only the “Hooked On Classics” medley became a hit single: