Classical Gas 2000 (1968 Irving Music, Inc. (BMI)) This "Classical Gas" still uses the classical guitar as its central instrument but has a chamber orchestra fills out the sound. Even without the percusion, Darren’s nimble licks and driving style will have your foot tapping.
The original recording by Mason Williams was released in February 1968 from the album The Mason Williams Phonograph Record. In August 1968 it reached the top 5 in the American charts and went on to sell over a million copies and won three Grammy awards.
The song has appeared in many pop culture settings. Lisa Simpson played it in the 1993 Simpsons episode Last Exit to Springfield and Frasier Crane played it on his CD player while testing his new furniture in the 2000 episode The Great Crane Robbery Also, Mannheim Steamroller re-recorded the song, along with other compositions by Williams, in their album of the same name. On internet file sharing programs, the song is sometimes credited (incorrectly) to Eric Clapton or The Shadows. The version often credited to Clapton on various tabbing websites is actually performed by Mark Knopfler; this was recorded but never released on any of his albums.
