- - 1971 Rock Classic Ranked 'Weirdest Song' of All Time

Nicole MooreFebruary 16, 2026 at 2:21 AM

0

Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images

Dutch rock bandFocus debuted their unusual and beloved song, "Hocus Pocus" in 1971. The song, which showcases singer and keyboardist Thijs van Leer's serious yodeling and flutist skills, was ranked as the number one "weirdest song of all time" by American Songwriter in 2024.

Other tunes that made the list include “Bike” by Pink Floyd, released in 1967, Napoleon XIV's 1966 song, “They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!," and “Muffin Man” by Frank Zappa, off the 1975 album, Bongo Fury.

In a 2021 interview withVRP Rocks, Van Leer, now 71, opened up about the creation of "Hocus Pocus." He recalled that one day the band's guitarist Jan Akkerman began playing what ended up being the song's opening notes, which Van Leer described as "one of the greatest licks in guitar history." According to Van Leer, their drummer, Pierre van der Linden, then joined in with a drum solo. The musician said that he eventually began yodeling. "I started yodeling behind my organ. For the first time in my life. And that was it. That was the song. And we recorded it for the studio. And it became a big hit," said Van Leer in the 2021 interview.

He said that while he had never yodeled before that, he managed to be "kind of in tune."

"I think it was sounding immediately adequate," said Van Leer.

He also said he hasn't been able to sing the high notes in the song, which is off Focus's second album, Moving Waves, for quite some time.

"The high notes, I can not make anymore. Since my 50s. The yodeling I can do, but the go up, it doesn't happen, anymore. The guitarist is helping me and the public [at concerts]," said Van Leer during the interview with VRP Rocks.

Van Leer also noted that the 1971 song got them attention from audiences in the United States. He recalled enjoying being invited on American talk shows to perform "Hocus Pocus" in the early '70s.

"That was kind of nice. Because we had such a small audience," said Van Leer.

This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”