You’ve heard different parts of the Giacchino Rossini’s William Tell Overture in cartoons, commercials, and The Lone Ranger of course. But there’s never been a version quite like Spike Jones’ Victor 78, recorded in 1948.
Rossini’s full overture is actually a musical depiction of the Swiss Alps, lasting twelve minutes in four parts. There’s Dawn, Storm, The Call to the Cows (the popular “daybreak”-sounding theme we just heard cowbelled, clown-horned and gargled). And then, there’s the most famous bit, ( You know, the diddle-unt diddle-unt, diddle unt dunt-dunt part), known as The Cavalry Charge or The March of the Swiss Soldiers. Now enjoy some good punning.