Hocus Pocus, The Crazy 1971 Focus Song That Pairs Yodeling With a Prog Rock Band
by Lori Dorn from Laughing Squid on (#1M7PP)
In 1971, the incredibly talented Dutch progressive rock band Focus recorded "Hocus Pocus", their most well-known, if not eccentric song. The song (and its re-recorded) featured the incredible yodel, scat and whistle stylings of vocalist, keyboardist and flautist Thijs van Leer melding in perfectly with Jann Akkerman's effortlessly brilliant guitar and that of drummer Pierre van der Linden. The song made a resurgence in 2010 during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when Nike used the song prominently in a commercial.
Also in 2010, Thijs van Leer spoke with FaceCulture about how "Hocus Pocus" originated.