It Began in Anglika (slight return)

 

1980!

The theme to Tomorrow's World  - popular BBC show devoted to new technologies, gadgets, inventions, appliances, breakthroughs etc etc. 

Now, along with bolstering the counter-narrative about technotronica's origins, this BBC Radiophonic creation is also a classic example of what I call "friendly futurism" 

i.e the electronic future emerging first not out of pop's vanguards (art-pop or street) but from the middle-aged and the middle-of-the-road  - radio and TV themes, musik for advertisements, , novelty pop, background music, easy-listening, etc

Raymond Scott, Jean-Jacques Perrey, this chap... 

In part because who else could afford to use the gear at the start? 

the future is half a century old

i.e. young people dancing to electronic music

RIP Gershon Kingsley, who reached the ripe old age of 97

interesting, isn't it, that the Future would emerge first under the sign of easy listening - and even kitsch?

c.f. my "friendly futurists" thesis (Jean-Jacques Perrey et al)

the most successful hit version =  Hot Butter




Didn't realise that Jean-Michel Jarre did a version



Makes sense cos "Equinoxe 4" always felt like a semi-rewrite - not literally, but the vibe 'n ' feel, albeit more sedate, less boppy-bouncy




another of the many 'Popcorn' covers



Inane in the Membrane


stop press: some suggestions from Ian S in comments


the DJ Vibes happy hardcore version



the Aphex Twin's 92 breakbeat version