"Cuckoo Song" is a musical piece written by

Michael Praetorius Michael Praetorius (probably 28 September 1571 – 15 February 1621) was a German composer, organist, and Music theory, music theorist. He was one of the most versatile composers of his age, being particularly significant in the development of ...

(1571 – 1621). In 1977 British musician

Mike Oldfield Michael Gordon Oldfield (born 15 May 1953) is an English retired musician, songwriter and producer best known for his debut studio album ''Tubular Bells'' (1973), which became an unexpected critical and commercial success. Though primarily a gu ...

released an arrangement of the piece as a

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

Mike Oldfield single

Mike Oldfield released a version of "Cuckoo Song" in 1977 as a non-album single on

Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label owned by Universal Music Group. They were originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman (musician), ...

. The B side, a musical precursor of

Incantations An incantation, spell, charm, enchantment, or bewitchery is a magical formula intended to trigger a magical effect on a person or objects. The formula can be spoken, sung, or chanted. An incantation can also be performed during ceremonial rit ...

and which could almost be a part of it, is an original composition by Oldfield. The single (in a plain white sleeve) was included as a free bonus when the double LP ''

'' was released in 1978. It is one of the many non-album singles which Oldfield released in the 1970s. "Cuckoo Song" also features

Les Penning Les Penning is a British folk musician and composer, best known for his work with Mike Oldfield on the album ''Ommadawn'' and several of Oldfield's singles. He is credited with introducing Oldfield to medieval music through their time playing ...

Track listing

# "Cuckoo Song" – 3:13 # "Pipe Tune" – 3:27

References

1977 singles Mike Oldfield songs Virgin Records singles Year of song unknown {{1970s-single-stub