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Art of Noise — Peter Gunn
Album: Reconstructed...
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2542








Released: 1986
Length: 3:44
Plays (last 30 days): 2
(Instrumental)
Comments (321)add comment
My band's first single was produced by Gary Langan.  Just saying.  
"'ullo, Sid Snot 'ere" 
Old (with electronic enhancement).
 PopKombo wrote:

Mancini is God



or Luigi Russolo...
 Lindo525 wrote:

I guess this qualifies as a guilty pleasure, but at about the third note - an involuntary "Hell Yeah!" escapes my lips and my subconscious guides my hand to the volume up button... The heart wants what the heart wants...


I wouldn't classify this as "a guilty pleasure".
The Art of Noise takes me back to driving through the upper middle class suburbs and streets of Dallas in 1986 and 1987.  That worldly, artsy sound kind of captured some of that 80s yuppie/tech flair that was brewing in the city at the time.
There was a memorable weekend at friends (out in the country) where The Best of The Art Of Noise was left on repeat. All night long. It's quite trippy to wake up and here this group's music at 3am, 5am and 8am. Crap. Is that still on?

Good times.
Peter Gunn.....my first encounter with the Mancini! This is a memorable arrngement!
Still have this on vinyl. For those of you who said the 80's were boring, I present to you exhibit #1. 
Remember when this came out(was already a fan of them) and it had a crazy stop motion/live action video to go along with it. Loved it all!
 Smitix wrote:


Oh yeah! I remember it well.  I lasted 45 minutes on a single quarter one afternoon playing Spy Hunter. Video games only costing $0.25, that has to date me...


SPYHUNTER!!!  Damn.  Wasted time in the college arcade.
aww man, why not play the long version.? This one is over way too soon.
Rocked the hell out this song in HS in 86
Now i have it as a ringtone
I love this tune.  The Stan Kenton band does a pretty hot version.  I have seen Arrow Smith once. To my surprise  and delight they played Peter Gun. I got to hang out back stage. Which was pretty cool. I was spending some time with one of the AS employees.
I had completely forgotten that the synths on this are played by the great Anne Dudley. She has an Oscar for the scoring "The Full Monty"! Must be she did this for fun!
Always makes me think of my 'desert island DVD' The Blues Brothers. Please play 'Everybody needs somebody to love!' x{#Clap}
 birdman42 wrote:
This was so WHFS back in the day. I miss Weasel.
 
He's still playing music on WTMD.


https://wtmd.org/radio/sample-page/weasel/


 drewd wrote:

I wasted many quarters on this game!!!


Image result for spy hunter gif
 

Oh yeah! I remember it well.  I lasted 45 minutes on a single quarter one afternoon playing Spy Hunter. Video games only costing $0.25, that has to date me...
Don't do this again. Terrible.
This was so WHFS back in the day. I miss Weasel.

I wasted many quarters on this game!!!


Image result for spy hunter gif
 Lindo525 wrote:
I guess this qualifies as a guilty pleasure, but at about the third note - an involuntary "Hell Yeah!" escapes my lips and my subconscious guides my hand to the volume up button... The heart wants what the heart wants...
 
I have always believed that if Peter Gunn doesn't make you groove, you are dead inside.
 Typesbad wrote:
I grew up with the Mancini version.  Dad's Mancini records were by far my favorites out of his entire collection.  I find this version completely in keeping with the spirit of the original
 

 Lindo525 wrote:
I guess this qualifies as a guilty pleasure, but at about the third note - an involuntary "Hell Yeah!" escapes my lips and my subconscious guides my hand to the volume up button... The heart wants what the heart wants...
 
Indeed.  I'm right there with you.  It seemed mind-blowing in the 80's, and I still don't think that Art of Noise gets enough credit for pushing the envelope for sampling.  Super fun cover. 
I guess this qualifies as a guilty pleasure, but at about the third note - an involuntary "Hell Yeah!" escapes my lips and my subconscious guides my hand to the volume up button... The heart wants what the heart wants...
About as bad as it gets.
Wow, I know this from the very first single I bought: Knife's Edge / Peter Gunn by Emerson Lake and Palmer. This is a pretty good rendition as well. Will listen to the original now. 
Art of Noise...   had the LP... it was such an interesting part in the sound scape of my early crazy joys of diverse music... Bravo... more memories please!  Love you to the Moon and back Radio Paradise!  123K{#Daisy}
 TerryS wrote:
Probably my favorite Henry Mancini tune (shortish list) because it is ostinato improved by 80's technology.

 
I'd rather hear Henry's version with the brass. We played this in Pep Band.
My first CD and generally as music media which I owned is "In Visible Silence".  On this CD I are "Legs" and "Instruments of Darkness" for me highlights.
At this time our family didn't own a CD-player, so I went to a friend which had one and made a copy from this CD on a tape...funny times.
Today I still own this CD, I'm just a fan of AON - 9
 PopKombo wrote:
Mancini is God
 
Can you imagine if he'd been part of the rock n roll period? He was doing the strings/band thing as music was changing. If he'd been born a bit later I wonder what that would've sounded like.
as annoying now as it was then
Probably my favorite Henry Mancini tune (shortish list) because it is ostinato improved by 80's technology.
Straight outta my 80s. Most excellent! pxd
I second that emotion

wyrd wrote:
I prefer the Blues Brothers version by a country mile!

 


I prefer the Blues Brothers version by a country mile!
In the 80s it was a sound monster Today it's nice to hear.
{#Clap}{#Dancingbanana}{#Guitarist} Art of Noise rocks!
Who are you calling dumb? {#Stupid}
I prefer Roy Buchanan's version by a mile.
I grew up with the Mancini version.  Dad's Mancini records were by far my favorites out of his entire collection.  I find this version completely in keeping with the spirit of the original
 LizK wrote:
Bit of trivai;  On the Peter Gunn show, the telephone receptionist -only her legs were shown in this darkened scene - was played by
Mary Tyler Moore.  She started life in show biz as a dancer and was hired for her legs.
 
Cool!
Edit: Oops. Mary's legs appeared on a similar show, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, not Peter Gunn. Still fun to know.
Creepy, irritating, and just can't give it a low enough number.
Some of the first "all digital sample" music.  
Bit of trivai;  On the Peter Gunn show, the telephone receptionist -only her legs were shown in this darkened scene - was played by
Mary Tyler Moore.  She started life in show biz as a dancer and was hired for her legs.
i don't enjoy being negative, but this is flat-out terrible
Mancini is God
My belly dance troupe did a routine to this song...what fun!
Hate to sound like an old geezer, but I like the Emerson, Lake & Palmer version.
dum da da dum da da... What a blast!
That's the first thing I learnt on the guitar back when I was 12!
 oldfart48 wrote:
not a bad cover, a bit over produced, but not bad. then again it's all sampled so there is no new music being made.....junk rock

 
No, it's not all sampled - there's probably very little sampling on this tune and that's Duane Eddy playing guitar on this track, not a sample of his 1959 version.  
Not quite.  The original was by Henry Mancini in the late 50s.

Henry Mancini

 ginniet wrote:

I'm not an expert on the subject, but I think this is the original.

 



 LastChance wrote:
I usually don't like remakes, but this I like.

 
I'm not an expert on the subject, but I think this is the original.

{#Notworthy}

A classic.


 BobLoblaw wrote:
Reminds me of playing Spy Hunter on the original Nintendo.

 
I just learned Peter Gunn was a detective TV series from 1958 to 1961 on NBC.
The first album I ever bought!  Then motown.  Thanks!
Reminds me of playing Spy Hunter on the original Nintendo.
{#Cool}
Some girls sing Planet Claire to this. It fits, kinda.
Henry Mancini must be smiling in the cosmos whenever this arrangement is played.  Loads of fun.  Thanks.  
 zoopmama wrote:
Loved this song when it premiered in the 80s (having not heard the original) but it doesn't stand up so well now... Wouldn't mind hearing the Max Headroom theme again though... "A-a-a-am I dreaming?"

 
That was Paranomia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KUEQ4nWv7Y
Really, tear it apart all you want. By then, you've listened to it. Great entertainment.
Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy's song.
not a bad cover, a bit over produced, but not bad. then again it's all sampled so there is no new music being made.....junk rock
Loved this song when it premiered in the 80s (having not heard the original) but it doesn't stand up so well now... Wouldn't mind hearing the Max Headroom theme again though... "A-a-a-am I dreaming?"

We attempted to watch every episode...in B&W. Who could afford a color TV in 1958 and we only had the 3 major networks, 2 off which were snowy, but not NBC - Pete the Gunn, in crisp, clear viewing. Hey, c'mon, the only satellite was the Rusky's "Sputnik" and it was only an experiment just to outdo us. We were farm folk and none of the neighbors had color either. AHH, those were the days...glad they're gone.


OMG! Last time I heard this song I was on a summer camp in the UK in 1980's, getting s*it faced on a cider and making out with an 18 year old (I was 16). Thank you for great memories!
 ipuppy wrote:
A classic that can be covered by most anyone and still enjoyed.
One of my favorites is by Emerson, Lake and Palmer, but this one is fine.

 
Well said.  I also can't think of a version of this song I didn't like.

My favorite version of Peter Gunn by far.


This is a most delightful trifle of a tune! The Art of Noise is a perfect name for the act. I can't say it's "outstanding" but it does make me smile.
international Top 20 singles "Kiss" and "Peter Gunn", the latter of which won a 1986 Grammy Award.
This just made my day!
I usually don't like remakes, but this I like.
Love it when they place this at huge concert venues. It resonates well throughout a stadium!
The theme song for Joe Haynes' "Beyond The Edge" show on WKMS back in the day! Dang, this brings back the memories! {#Dancingbanana_2}
 Carl wrote:
Having grown up with Henry Mancini's "Peter Gunn" imprinted in my head, I can't get into this. 2.
 
Well, it is different, but so is a root canal. Actually, ok, it rifs well, but let us hear the genuine thing-maybe back to back, so one and all will know what Carl and I are talkin' about here!
 
Cheese of a very high order.
Memories of riding the bus, on the way to college, staring at the back of 'wig lady's head, assail me, much like the stench of diesel back then.
kitsch
Ack. I've heard this played on RP half a dozen times... Five times too many. This song's just a little too novelty and  it still gets weird looks from people when it plays on the office speakers. Time for this one to come out of rotation. 1.
Having grown up with Henry Mancini's "Peter Gunn" imprinted in my head, I can't get into this. 2.
 emmidad wrote:
Anyone recognize that riff from the original Star Trek series?
 
No it's not.  It's a techno version of "Walking to Mother's", the theme from a late 50s/early 60s detective show named "Peter Gunn".
 walchenbach wrote:
Perfect selection for your local High School Jazz Band.
 

Pep Band! played at every basketball game for probaly 25 years.
The horns had fun!
Anyone recognize that riff from the original Star Trek series?
Perfect selection for your local High School Jazz Band.
 NeuroGeek wrote:
Wow.  Flashback to early 80's MTV and the video with the creepy kid in it....
 
...too..........and dancing....funny.........
bad bad and bad... all three of these bads are the bad bad not the cool bads.
Wow.  Flashback to early 80's MTV and the video with the creepy kid in it....
FAB!!
 Cynaera wrote:

It takes balls to cover a Henry Mancini original, but Art of Noise does a pretty good job of it. Still, I'm a purist - I like Mancini's the best.

Just curious - have you heard the original, and if so, what would you rate it, since you gave Art of Noise a ten?

 
I'm a huge Mancini fan, and I like both versions equally. I've always liked the fact that that they got the "King of Twang" himself to do the guitar part: Duane Eddy
If you want to hear the best version, get a listen to The Hellecasters.
I remember the first TV serie The Avenger... Mr Steel and Mrs Pill?...long long tima ago...
Give me the original....5..
 Byronape wrote:

Watched the tape.  It was awesome.  I'm going to be getting it transferred to DVD as soon as I can!
 
Now the rest of us want a look see
 Byronape wrote:
My wife was a dancer when she was little, and one day told me a story about the dance routine her troop had for this song.  Something about a hat, a toy gun, and a step-slide.  She only remembers one or two of the moves.  I keep trying to get her parents to find the tape of her doing the dance, but so far I have not had any luck. 

That would make my week.
 
Watched the tape.  It was awesome.  I'm going to be getting it transferred to DVD as soon as I can!
Wow this is irritating.
fun!
could never take to the urban electro beat!
This would be a definite 10 if this were Henry Mancini
Blast from past. First song I ever tried to play on guitar.
I prefer Duane Eddy's version, this isn't bad though.
wanna have some fun sometime?

walk into any Guitar Center/Sam Ash etc..

.
and start playing this {#Lol}

my current record is 32 others playing along...ROFL


"Who are you geek?" 

"I'm Farmer Ted"

 fredriley wrote:
Whoever does this song, it always makes me want to get up and strut down the road with head high and shoulders back as if I owned the pavement, like yer man from the Robert Crumb keep on truckin' cartoon. This is a fantastic cover, certainly the best I've heard. A rare 10 from the struttin' Nottingham jury.

 
It takes balls to cover a Henry Mancini original, but Art of Noise does a pretty good job of it. Still, I'm a purist - I like Mancini's the best.

Just curious - have you heard the original, and if so, what would you rate it, since you gave Art of Noise a ten?

 photolew wrote:

Dittos......A classic.  Though gotta say the Henri Mancini version is much better...this is like a cheap suit compared to it
 
Cheap suits are much better for dancing.

It also helps if you're dancing with a dame who's got more moving parts than a cheap watch.

Whoever does this song, it always makes me want to get up and strut down the road with head high and shoulders back as if I owned the pavement, like yer man from the Robert Crumb keep on truckin' cartoon. This is a fantastic cover, certainly the best I've heard. A rare 10 from the struttin' Nottingham jury.

 spigolli wrote:
 
beautifully said
I'm so glad to hear this! Great mood inducer.
A classic that can be covered by most anyone and still enjoyed.
One of my favorites is by Emerson, Lake and Palmer, but this one is fine.
 Cynaera wrote:
NOT classic! Geez, kids.  Henry Mancini did it first. Everything else is a copy. Get with the program.
 
Well, yeah...but "Peter Gunn" with that awesome backbeat is like a DreamSicle, dudette.

I want to say something... I have to say something... No!... Stifle yerself... Rise above that... Aargh
This song will always remind me of the movie Sixteen Candles!
My wife was a dancer when she was little, and one day told me a story about the dance routine her troop had for this song.  Something about a hat, a toy gun, and a step-slide.  She only remembers one or two of the moves.  I keep trying to get her parents to find the tape of her doing the dance, but so far I have not had any luck. 

That would make my week.
 spigolli wrote:
 
Loved Spy Hunter growing up. Those damn armored limos.
I got to see Duane Eddy open for Chris Isaak not long after this revived his career for a while.


Cooler than cool


GUNN THEM DOWN!

True is only that this is the
(simple) ART OF NOISE...!
 ziakut wrote:
I like Art of Noise, but not like this. Henry Mancini is the only for this tune.
 
Agreed but this version is imminently more "dance-able," which was very important way back in the 80s...for Mancini's version...not so much.  {#Wink}