The Song Planner

Orchestra Cover Songs

tagStarted 1950Peak 1956–1974Last big hit 1978

Located in 1 route

Easy Listening / Standards / Lounge → Instrumental Pop / Easy Covers

Orchestra cover songs are the large-format version of easy-listening adaptation: multiple violins, divided strings, woodwind fills, chorus-like brass pads, and meticulously balanced studio reverberation. Their pleasure lies in scale without harshness—big sound, soft edges, and melodies treated like luxury goods.

History

The format thrived in the LP era because a full orchestra could translate anything from Tin Pan Alley to the Beatles into prestige-listening product, and ensembles such as Mantovani, Percy Faith, James Last, Franck Pourcel, 101 Strings, and Living Strings became synonymous with cover albums aimed at adult buyers and FM background formats.

Defining artists

Essential listening

← Explore Easy Listening / Standards / Lounge

Sources

  • Library of Congress, "Elevator Music"
  • Smithsonian Libraries, "Popular instrumental music"
  • Joseph Lanza, *Elevator Music*. citeturn7search21turn7search11