History Music / TubularBells

The hugely successful debut album by Music/MikeOldfield. The album is known for its signature opening track, which was soon used as the recognizable music to the film ''Film/TheExorcist'', and also for its financial success, providing the foundation for what became Richard Branson's Virgin Empire. Previously, Branson had been the owner of a single, though quite successful, record shop.

Oldfield plays nearly all the instruments featured on the first album himself through overdubbing – the only exceptions were flute (Jon Field), string bass (Lindsay Cooper) and drums (Simon Broughton). At the time, overdubbing wasn't so widespread as it is now, and was a notable feature of the album in 1973. The sequels continue this practice, although some instruments are played by others. According to [[http://tubular.net/articles/2001_08 engineer Simon Heyworth]], the "Piltdown Man" section resulted from Virgin Records owner Richard Branson pressuring Oldfield to add vocals to at least one section to make it more marketable as a single. Oldfield stormed out of the meeting [[WriterRevolt saying "You want lyrics? I'll give you lyrics!", proceeded to get smashed on half a bottle of whiskey and "screamed his brains out" for ten minutes in the studio]].

The hugely successful debut album by artist Music/MikeOldfield. The album is known for its signature opening track, which was soon used as the recognizable music to the film ''Film/TheExorcist'', and also for its financial success, providing the foundation for what became Richard Branson's Virgin Empire. Previously, Branson had been the owner of a single, though quite successful, record shop.

Hugely successful debut album by artist Music/MikeOldfield. The album is known for its signature opening track, which was soon used as the recognizable music to the film ''Film/TheExorcist'', and also for its financial success, providing the foundation for what became Richard Branson's Virgin Empire. Previously, Branson had been the owner of a single, though quite successful, record shop.

*** The opening riff switches between 7/8 and 8/8.

* BoleroEffect: Every album but ''Tubular Bells III'' has a finale at the end of the first side of vinyl which, like the original Bolero, adds a different instrument each loop until everything is playing beneath the majestic entry of the titular instrument.

** KuleshovEffect: Those people who saw ''The Exorcist'' before listening to the album found it far more intense and scary than it really was -- and the [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment sudden screaming of Oldfield during "Piltdown Man"]] was actually terrifying, ramping up the tension until it was released by the MoodWhiplash of "The Sailor's Hornpipe".

* GeorgeLucasAlteredVersion: ''Tubular Bells 2003'' which is rerecorded with all the recording, mastering, and editing equipment that didn't exist in 1973. Most bits are more or less the same, but there are some significant differences.

** KuleshovEffect: Those people who saw ''The Exorcist'' before listening to the album found it far more intense and scary than it really was -- and the [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment sudden screaming of Oldfield during "Piltdown Man"]] was actually terrifying, ramping up the tension til it was released by the MoodWhiplash of "The Sailor's Hornpipe".

* CreditsGag: ''Tubular Bells'' has a caption reading "This stereo record cannot be played on old tin boxes no matter what they are fitted with. If you are in possession of such equipment please hand it into the nearest police station." This is a parody of labels advising listeners that stereo [=LPs=] may be played on mono equipment given suitable cartridges are used.
** The gag is preserved on ''Tubular Bells 2003'', where it reads "This stereo record ''still'' cannot be played on old tin boxes no matter what they are fitted with."

!! '''''Tubular Tropes''''':

''Tubular Bells'' was released in 1973, and its success spawned the recording of ''The Orchestral Tubular Bells'' in 1974, but it was not until much later that Oldfield returned to his first album in force, releasing ''Tubular Bells II'' in 1992, ''Tubular Bells III'' in 1998, ''The Millennium Bell'' in 1999, ''Tubular Bells 2003'', and ''Tubular Beats'' in 2013.

** KuleshovEffect: Those people who saw ''The Exorcist'' before listening to the album found it far more intensive and scary than it really was -- and the [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment sudden screaming of Oldfield during "Piltdown Man"]] was actually terrifying, ramping up the tension til it was released by the MoodWhiplash of "The Sailor's Hornpipe".

* {{Improv}}: That epic acoustic bit right before "The Sailor's Hornpipe" on the original? Mike wrote the bassline and the basic direction he wanted it to go in, and bam.

!!! '''''Tubular Tropes''''':

''Tubular Bells'' was released in 1973, and its success spawned the recording of ''The Orchestral Tubular Bells'' in 1974, but it was not until much later that Oldfield returned to his first album in force, releasing ''Tubular Bells II'' in 1992, ''Tubular Bells III'' in 1998, ''Tubular Bells 2003'', and ''Tubular Beats'' in 2013.

* GloryDays: Oldfield released his greatest hit within his debut album. While he has released several other respectable hits, none has really matched it in terms of critical success or musical influence. He has repeatedly re-recorded that song over the years.

Oldfield plays nearly all the instruments featured on the first album himself through overdubbing – the only exceptions were flute (Jon Field), string bass (Lindsay Cooper) and drums (Simon Broughton). At the time, overdubbing was not so widespread as it is now, and was a notable feature of the album in 1973. The sequels continue in this practice, although some instruments are played by others. According to [[http://tubular.net/articles/2001_08 engineer Simon Heyworth]], the "Piltdown Man" section resulted from Virgin Records owner Richard Branson pressuring Oldfield to add vocals to at least one section to make it more marketable as a single. Oldfield stormed out of the meeting [[WriterRevolt saying "You want lyrics? I'll give you lyrics!", proceeded to get smashed on half a bottle of whiskey and "screamed his brains out" for ten minutes in the studio]].

''Tubular Bells'' was released in 1973, and its success spawned the recording of ''The Orchestral Tubular Bells'' in 1974, but it was not until much later that Oldfield returned to his first album in force, releasing ''Tubular Bells II'' in 1992, ''Tubular Bells III'' in 1998, ''Tubular Bells 2003'', and ''Tubular Beats''.

** The gag is preserved on the remake, ''Tubular Bells 2003'', where it reads "This stereo record ''still'' cannot be played on old tin boxes no matter what they are fitted with."

-->'''Child:''' And the Man In the Rain picked up his Bag of Secrets, and journeyed up the mountainside far above the clouds, and nothing was ever heard from him again - except for the sound of Tubular Bells.

''Tubular Bells'' was released in 1973, and its success spawned the recording of ''The Orchestral Tubular Bells'' in 1974, but it was not until much later that Oldfield returned to his first album in force, releasing ''Tubular Bells II'' in 1992, ''Tubular Bells III'' in 1998 and ''Tubular Bells 2003''.

''Tubular Bells'' was released in 1973, and its success spawned the recording of ''The Orchestral Tubular Bells'' in 1974, but it was not until much later that Oldfield returned to his first album in force, releasing ''Tubular Bells II'' in 1992, ''Tubular Bells III'' in 1998 and ''Tubular Bells 2003'' in 2003.

Oldfield plays nearly all the instruments featured on the first album himself through overdubbing – the only exceptions were flute (Jon Field), string bass (Lindsay Cooper) and drums (Simon Broughton). At the time, overdubbing was not so widespread as it is now, and was a notable feature of the album in 1973. The sequels continue in this practice, although some instruments are played by others.According to [[http://tubular.net/articles/2001_08 engineer Simon Heyworth]], the "Piltdown Man" section resulted from Virgin Records owner Richard Branson pressuring Oldfield to add vocals to at least one section to make it more marketable as a single. Oldfield stormed out of the meeting [[WriterRevolt saying "You want lyrics? I'll give you lyrics!", proceeded to get smashed on half a bottle of whiskey and "screamed his brains out" for ten minutes in the studio]].

** Later works such as ''Ommadawn'' and ''Music of the Spheres'' use this as well.
* CreditsGag: ''Tubular Bells'' has a caption reading "This stereo record cannot be played on old tin boxes no matter what they are fitted with. If you are in possession of such equipment please hand it into the nearest police station." This is a parody of labels advising listeners that stereo [=LPs=] may be played on mono equipment provided suitable cartridges are used.
** The gag is preserved on the remakes of the album, where it reads "This stereo record ''still'' cannot be played on old tin boxes no matter what they are fitted with."

* FakeLoud: In ''Tubular Bells'', the peak volume is intentionally held down until the titular bells are heard, leaving the impression that their sound is louder. Oldfield also mentioned that he [[http://tubular.net/articles/2001_08 was unable to use actual tubular bells]] due to budget constraints, so he ended up hammering smaller bells (hard enough to ''crack'' them, which inspired the cover) and recording them with excessive microphone gain, resulting in a distorted sound.

* MetalScream: The "Piltdown Man" section, starting at 11:55 of part two.

!! '''''Tubular Tropes''''':

* LighterAndSofter: Oldfeld wrote the original ''Tubular Bells'' from a very dark, depressed, alcohol-fueled place. ''Tubular Balls II'' comes from a bright, optimistic place and it shows. Even "Altered State" (the "Piltdown Man" variant) is fairly goofy.

* LighterAndSofter: Oldfeld wrote the original ''Tubular Bells'' from a very dark, depressed, alcohol-fueled place. ''Tubular Balls 2'' comes from a bright, optimistic place and it shows. Even "Altered State" (the "Piltdown Man" variant) is fairly goofy.

''Tubular Bells'' was released in 1973, and its success spawned the recording of ''The Orchestral Tubular Bells'' in 1974, but it was not until much later that Oldfield returned to his first album in force, releasing ''Tubular Bells 2'' in 1992, ''Tubular Bells 3'' in 1998 and ''Tubular Bells 2003'' in 2003.

* BoleroEffect: Every album but ''Tubular Bells 3'' has a finale at the end of the first side of vinyl which, like the original Bolero, adds a different instrument each loop until everything is playing beneath the majestic entry of the titular instrument.

* IdiosyncraticCoverArt: Every sequel and re-release (as well as ''Tubular Beats'') features the iconic "bent tubular bell" logo on a different background, and sometimes in a different color.

* {{Instrumentals}}: With the exception of "Man in the Rain" from ''Tubular Bells 3''.

** In the first and second albums, the Narrator shouts "and... TUBULAR BELLS!"
** In ''Tubular Bells 3'', in "Far Above the Clouds":

* UncommonTime:

* BoleroEffect: Every album but '''Tubular Bells 3'' has a finale at the end of the first side of vinyl which, like the original Bolero, adds a different instrument each loop until everything is playing beneath the majestic entry of the titular instrument.

* TheShowMustGoWrong: According to Mike himself, he made several mistakes while recording, but had to leave them in. Then again, considering part one of the album was recorded in just a week, it might be more accurate to say he didn't have a choice.

''Tubular Bells'' was released in 1973, and its success spawned the recording of ''The Orchestral Tubular Bells'' in 1974, but it was not until much later that Oldfield returned to his first album in force, releasing ''Tubular Bells 2'' in 1992, ''Tubular Bells 3'' in 1998 and ''Tubular Bells 2003'' in 2003.

Oldfield plays nearly all the instruments featured on the first album himself through overdubbing - the only exceptions were flute (Jon Field), string bass (Lindsay Cooper) and drums (Simon Broughton). At the time, overdubbing was not so widespread as it is now, and was a notable feature of the album in 1973. The sequels continue in this practice, although some instruments are played by others.According to [[http://tubular.net/articles/2001_08 engineer Simon Heyworth]], the "Piltdown Man" section resulted from Virgin Records owner Richard Branson pressuring Oldfield to add vocals to at least one section to make it more marketable as a single. Oldfield stormed out of the meeting [[WriterRevolt saying "You want lyrics? I'll give you lyrics!", proceeded to get smashed on half a bottle of whiskey and "screamed his brains out" for ten minutes in the studio]].

''''

''''

!! '''Tubular Tropes'''
* BoleroEffect: Every album but TBIII has a finale at the end of the first side of vinyl which, like the original Bolero, adds a different instrument each loop until everything is playing beneath the majestic entry of the titular instrument.

* EverythingsLouderWithBagpipes: "Tattoo" off of TBII.

* FakeLoud: In ''Tubular Bells'' the peak volume is intentionally held down until the titular bells are heard, leaving the impression that their sound is louder. Oldfield also mentioned that he [[http://tubular.net/articles/2001_08 was unable to use actual tubular bells]] due to budget constraints, so he ended up hammering smaller bells (hard enough to ''crack'' them, which inspired the cover) and recording them with excessive microphone gain, resulting in a distorted sound.

* IdiosyncraticCoverArt: Every sequel and rerelease (as well as ''Tubular Beats'') features the iconic "bent tubular bell" logo on a different background, and sometimes in a different color.

* PublicDomainSoundtrack / MoodWhiplash: The first album ended with "The Sailor's Hornpipe".
* TheShowMustGoWrong: According to Mike himself, he made several mistakes while recording, but decided to leave them in. Then again, considering part one of the album was recorded in just a week, it might be more accurate to say he didn't have a choice.

** In ''Tubular Bells 3", in "Far Above the Clouds":

Hugely successful debut album by artist MikeOldfield. The album is known for its signature opening track, which was soon used as the recognizable music to the film ''Film/TheExorcist'', and also for its financial success, providing the foundation for what became Richard Branson's Virgin Empire. Previously, Branson had been the owner of a single, though quite successful, record shop.

** In the first and second albums, the Narrator shows "and... TUBULAR BELLS!"