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Lisa's Saxophone Solo ListCreated and maintained by Chad Lehman through season 12, except where notedMaintained by Matt Garvey (garvey@simpsonsarchive.com) Last revised October 2, 2024 This is a comprehensive list of Lisa's saxophone solos used in the opening credits, created as a complement to the Chalkboard Gags and Couch Gags lists on this site (and let's not forget the overarching Opening Sequences list). In many episodes' opening sequence, Lisa plays the saxophone. Mr. Largo dismisses her, and she walks out the door still playing. Occasionally, it's not a saxophone, but the document title remains the same. As of the end of season 35, there have been 67 different sax (etc.) solos used. 284 episodes have had solos and 484 have not. Starting with LABF01, the opening sequence has been reanimated for widescreen HD; we now see Lisa for more of the solo, and at the end she ducks back inside, plays a bit more, and smiles. This smile may vary slightly in length; some older solos may feature a delay before her reappearance when they are reused (such pauses are not documented here). |
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Contents:
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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1. What's the name of that one song Lisa plays-- Could it possibly be "Baker Street"?
2. Who performs Lisa's solos and other sax music?
3. Who wrote the solos? Are there any official names for them?
4. These descriptions are worthless! Can I download them or get the music?
5. How has the balance of episodes with solos in the opening shifted over the years?
6. Are you sure solos 2, 3, and 5 are different? Why are there at least five versions of the main theme?
7. What about the solo for the movie?
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Descriptions of Lisa's Solos |
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For each solo, there is a short description and the list of episodes in which it was used (for "also heard in" see the next section). We have also given each solo a nickname to distinguish it. The nicknames are not official, so don't take them as such. The list of episodes near the bottom of the page organizes the information by season and episode. Thanks to Vivian Lewis for some musical help in the descriptions! |
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DESCRIPTION: This solo follows the 17-note main melody figure (counting from the first note all main theme variations have in common, not counting sustained lead-in notes or a few occasional others). Only used during Season One. |
EPISODES: 7G01, 7G02, 7G03, 7G04, 7G06, 7G07, 7G09, 7G10, 7G12, 7G13. |
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DESCRIPTION: Follows the main melody figure, but one octave lower. A few variations of this solo also appear. Used mostly in Season Two episodes with full, uncondensed openings. |
EPISODES: 7F01, 7F02, 7F03, 7F05, 7F06, 7F07, 7F08, 7F09, 7F10, 7F13, 7F14, 7F17, 7F20[1], 7F21, 7F22, 7F23. |
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DESCRIPTION: Almost an exact copy of Solo #2, except that it's more "breathy", and the fourteenth note in the sequence is played more aggressively. This is used in Season Two episodes where the opening sequence is condensed. |
EPISODES: 7F11, 7F12, 7F15, 7F16, 7F18. |
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DESCRIPTION: A deliberate downward blues and chromatic scale, that ends with a quick downward trill. Originally used in condensed openings. |
EPISODES: 8F03[2], 8F13, 9F18, 5F18, 5F21, AABF04, AABF05. |
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DESCRIPTION: A very plain, no-frills variation of the main theme, but not "breathy" like Solo #2 or Solo #3. Used in condensed openings. |
EPISODES: 7F24, 8F06, 2F13[6]. |
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DESCRIPTION: Similar to Solo #4, but quicker. Starts at the top, and ends with two "friendly sounding" notes. Originally used in condensed openings. |
EPISODES: 8F01, 8F08, 9F06, 9F12, 1F09, 1F10, 5F13, AABF10, AABF12, BABF20, EABF14, EABF16, LABF01, NABF05. |
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DESCRIPTION: Similar to Solo #6, but at the beginning there is a pause, and then a slide to the top note. The ending is plain in comparison. Originally used in condensed openings. |
EPISODES: 8F05[2], 8F15[2], 9F14, 1F11, 1F19, 5F05, CABF07, CABF08, KABF03, MABF21, NABF10, SABF14. Also heard in MABF05. |
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DESCRIPTION: The last variation on the main theme, originally used in full openings. Notice the fancy triplet on the third note, not used in the previous variations. This may be the most famous of Lisa's solos. |
EPISODES: 8F07[2], 8F19[2], 8F23, 9F03, 9F10, 9F17, 9F21, 2F32[7], 3F31, AABF03, AABF17, CABF13, DABF06, GABF15, PABF15, RABF12, WABF01[11], OABF13. Also heard in UABF15 (album version sped up and reversed in end credits). |
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DESCRIPTION: Possibly the "funniest" of Lisa's solos, this one is a favorite. It's just several atonal blasts, followed by a crazy attempt to get back on rhythm. It almost foreshadows the scene in 4F24 where Lisa plays her sax poorly, Homer states "Now you're swinging, honey!", and he runs off imitating her. Originally used in full openings. |
EPISODES: 8F09, 8F17, 9F02, 9F07, 1F07, 3G01, AABF02, BABF04, BABF07, BABF18, CABF04, CABF11, CABF17, EABF04, HABF16. Also heard in LABF19, VABF21, XABF03. |
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DESCRIPTION: Optimistic and happy sounding. It's bright, thoughtful, and not bluesy at all. Originally used in full openings. |
EPISODES: 8F10, 8F18, 8F20, 9F05[1], 9F11, 9F20[1], 5F19, AABF08, BABF19, DABF04, HABF08[8]. |
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DESCRIPTION: Somewhat like Solo #10: thoughtful, bright, melodic notes with only a hint of blues. Only used in full openings so far. |
EPISODES: 8F11, 8F21[3], 8F24, 9F08, 9F13, 9F16, 9F22, 2F08, 3G03, AABF06, AABF07, GABF18. Also heard in VABF06. |
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DESCRIPTION: The solo starts early, as if Lisa's breaking out of the pattern and taking over. Very melodic and thoughtful. Originally used in full openings. |
EPISODES: 8F14, 8F22[4], 9F01[5], 9F09[1], 9F19, 3G02, 4F16, 5F17, FABF01, HABF14, JABF06. |
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DESCRIPTION: A James Brown influence; the accent is on the "one" (downbeat). Another favorite. Originally used in condensed openings. |
EPISODES: 8F04[2], 9F15, 3F23, 5F01, 5F14, AABF09, AABF11, BABF15, EABF05, MABF13. |
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DESCRIPTION: Sounds like Solo #13 coming in late, ending with two low blasts. The first new solo in seven years. |
EPISODES: AABF13, AABF19, BABF22, CABF10, CABF12, CABF14, CABF15, CABF18, CABF21, CABF22, DABF08, DABF20, PABF04. Also heard in TABF01. |
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DESCRIPTION: Groovy, backbeat driven funk that begins with three falls/descending triplets and one more short descent, climbs up an octave note by note, and ends high. |
EPISODES: AABF14, AABF18, CABF01, CABF02, CABF06, HABF04, JABF01, MABF07, NABF03, RABF03. Also heard in YABF19. |
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DESCRIPTION: Simple, slow, and sad. Two longing wails. |
EPISODES: AABF15, BABF12, HABF09, LABF13, LABF16, PABF22. |
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DESCRIPTION: Named for one aspect and not actually what hot jazz typically describes, but I'd rather not change the name. Bluesy riff that starts slow, moves up to the top, turns downward with two "hot" blasts/growls, and ends low and quiet. |
EPISODES: AABF16, AABF20, AABF22, AABF23, BABF06, BABF17, HABF13, KABF12. |
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DESCRIPTION: Familiar sounding melodic riff, but brand-new. Distinguished by three deliberate blasts in the middle. |
EPISODES: AABF21, BABF03, BABF05, BABF11, BABF13, BABF14, BABF16, CABF16, CABF20, DABF02, DABF07, EABF06, JABF20, NABF02. |
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DESCRIPTION: The first bar sounds eerily like the chorus of the song "Mellow Yellow" by Donovan. The ending is very bluesy and sad. |
EPISODES: BABF02, BABF10, CABF03, CABF05, HABF03, HABF21. |
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DESCRIPTION: Dramatic, drawn-out blues notes. It ends on a non-blues tonal center note. |
EPISODES: BABF08, CABF09, LABF05, LABF15. |
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DESCRIPTION: Starts off funky. Slows down and breaks out of the main rhythm with a noticeable ritardando, then a soulful blues climax. |
EPISODES: BABF09, MABF09. |
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DESCRIPTION: A simple, slow-paced bluesy melody, largely from a minor key. Defined by an obvious beat. The first new solo in almost 5 years. |
EPISODES: FABF22. |
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DESCRIPTION: Four distinct groups of 4-5 notes each, sounding like a few false starts but not unintentionally. Overall is reminiscent of fragments of the main theme, but only if you don't listen too closely. The first new solo in two and a half years (the last significant gap before more frequent debuts overall). |
EPISODES: JABF13, LABF07[9], MABF19, WABF16. |
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DESCRIPTION: Somewhat like #22 in that you can snap your fingers to it, but is lower and has more of a melody. Ends on a down note. |
EPISODES: JABF12, JABF19, KABF18, MABF11, NABF06. |
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DESCRIPTION: Kind of marchy, with discrete notes, but the first four notes remind me especially of The Sorcerer's Apprentice. This marks the first of 6 new solos for season 19 and then 6 more in season 20, which tie for the most introduced in one season since season 3, not matched until season 29; the season 18-20 wave of 14 beats the non-theme solos of season 3 and seasons 10/11 (8 each), and is the last distinct/sharp wave to speak of. |
EPISODES: JABF18, KABF14, RABF02. |
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DESCRIPTION: A sustained high note, followed by a few steps down to a low tone. Sounds a little uninspired. |
EPISODES: JABF22. Also heard in VABF06. |
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DESCRIPTION: A rapidly-paced piece that sounds like it belongs at a hoedown. (I'd have called it "Hoedown" but it sounds nothing like Copland's well-known song of the same name. You might know it as "that beef song.") Knee-slappin'. |
EPISODES: JABF17, PABF05, VABF14. |
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DESCRIPTION: Starts like #23, but becomes more like #13 and #14 at the end. It's pretty fun. |
EPISODES: KABF02, KABF22, LABF12, LABF17, MABF08, NABF13, VABF12. |
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DESCRIPTION: Starts a lot like #17, but then hits a minor key and gradually works down in a jazzy way. The last four notes are repeated. |
EPISODES: KABF06, MABF17. Also heard in PABF13. |
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DESCRIPTION: Remarkably similar to #29 (and thus close to #17), but the trip down the scale is more playful and doesn't repeat. |
EPISODES: KABF10, LABF19. |
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DESCRIPTION: Similar to Barn Dance, but not as frenetic. |
EPISODES: KABF15, LABF08, PABF03. |
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DESCRIPTION: A jazzy finger-snapping number with a sort of questioning up note near the end. |
EPISODES: KABF20, NABF08, PABF06. |
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DESCRIPTION: A syncopated, jazzy version of the first line of this carol. Used in the second appearance of JABF01's reanimated Christmas opening. (The rest of the band plays the main theme as usual.) |
EPISODES: KABF21. |
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DESCRIPTION: A few discrete, almost random notes, followed and recognizable by a moderate 6-note trill and a final flourish. This was the first new solo after the HD/WS opening, and with the end of the solo now animated, this may have been designed to take advantage. |
EPISODES: LABF02, LABF18, MABF14, RABF09. |
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DESCRIPTION: Starts with two separate, somewhat similar groups of four notes, and then what sounds like a third variation continues farther down a scale. |
EPISODES: LABF03, LABF20, SABF08. |
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DESCRIPTION: A thoughtful, drawn-out rendition of the first line of this song. Used in the heavily-publicized Irish-set episode. |
EPISODES: LABF11. |
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DESCRIPTION: Lisa plays a high-pitched trumpet instead of a sax, with a very upbeat jazzy tune. This one stays high and swings a long note in the middle. Apart from the change in octave in season 2 and the new animation in season 20, this is the first substitute for Lisa's instrument in the title sequence. |
EPISODES: MABF15. |
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DESCRIPTION: Starts very much like #37, but has an overall downward progression and no long, sustained notes. |
EPISODES: NABF09. |
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DESCRIPTION: This first violin solo has a fairly moderate pace and could trace the pattern of a leaf drifting downward. It ends with three ascending triplets, each lower than the one before, and sudden climb like a squeaky door. |
EPISODES: NABF14, PABF19. |
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DESCRIPTION: After some low notes, heads up a scale in a syncopated stairstep fashion and ends with a high flourish. Would not sound out of place aiming to roll up the score at a sporting event. |
EPISODES: NABF17. |
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DESCRIPTION: A slow, comically jaunty ascent, playful end, and flourish. One of the cartoonier, shall we say, solos, so how can I resist a punny name? |
EPISODES: PABF07. |
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DESCRIPTION: If #41 is a jaunty stepping-out accompaniment, this might accompany a happy walk into the distance. The rhythm is peppy like #40, and the tune primarily descends. |
EPISODES: PABF21. |
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DESCRIPTION: Overall frenetic pace during the body of the solo, then five slower, distinct, mostly ascending notes at the end. |
EPISODES: RABF07. |
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DESCRIPTION: Fast-paced first half with a descending trend, then three ascending tenuto (held) notes and a final upswing. |
EPISODES: RABF10. |
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DESCRIPTION: The first few notes could fit with a syncopated "When the Saints Go Marching In", as if that's the starting point for a jaunty improv. Ends high. |
EPISODES: RABF05[10]. |
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DESCRIPTION: The first of many harp solos to feature the glissando technique, this is more or less continuous throughout, rising and falling, sounding mostly like a long version of a TV flashback cutaway. Ends with a short chord (a punctuation many of these have to accompany Lisa's final doorway grin). |
EPISODES: RABF20. |
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DESCRIPTION: Although this is the first new sax solo after 10 non-sax ones were introduced, it's also the first with a major setting change: a Phantom-of-the-Opera-esque basement, with the band replaced by a low organ and male chorus. This is also the only Treehouse of Horror episode so far to feature a solo in the opening! The solo itself is a little funky, a little jazzy, but distinguished by a bassier, more forceful power as if to keep up with the gothic context. Visually, the sax is drawn about as usual. |
EPISODES: RABF16. |
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DESCRIPTION: In a first for the band itself, a recognizable tune, "Good King Wenceslas", replaces the main theme; Lisa breaks out from it in a solo that starts off like #29 or #30, then gets stuck on a few notes as she heads outside. |
EPISODES: SABF01. |
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DESCRIPTION: Primarily made of short pizzicato (plucked) pairs with pauses between many of them, with both rhythm and rising-and-falling pitch giving it a very singsong quality. Ends with a quick gliss. This is one of the only non-sax solos used more than once, but it's abridged somewhat in later episodes, with SABF20 dropping a few early pizzicato notes and YABF14 paring down the brief gliss at the start. |
EPISODES: SABF03, SABF20, YABF14 (see abridgement notes above). |
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DESCRIPTION: Jazzier and less fiddle-y than other violin entries, this one starts low and meanders up over the span of an octave or two, with only a few fast notes. |
EPISODES: SABF09. |
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DESCRIPTION: The band plays "Jingle Bells" and Lisa veers off, beginning a bit like #18, but repeating some riffs and circling back around. |
EPISODES: TABF03. |
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DESCRIPTION: Plain Jane theme variation recalling the simplest renditions of season 1 and 2, as rendered to look and sound like an old video game (using early-season visual style, even several years into the modern era). It doesn't sound anything like a real sax, of course, or even a synthesized sax, but it's portrayed as a pixel-art one, so I'm not counting it as a new instrument. |
EPISODES: TABF07. |
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DESCRIPTION: A gradually climbing pattern is plucked out as if each hand is walking up a scale on its own. The effect calls Debussy to mind. |
EPISODES: TABF12. |
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DESCRIPTION: Sounds less like typical harp and more like chimes being hit gently at random, as if by wind or an unseen spirit. Ends with a brief chord. This one is named partly for a certain film containing a claim the world would end the day this solo debuted. |
EPISODES: VABF07. |
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DESCRIPTION: The first half sounds just like the other main theme variations, but the second half practically inverts it while retaining the rhythm. It may just be playfulness, yet it's reminiscent of copyright-skirting soundalike melodies often used in TV. |
EPISODES: VABF10. |
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DESCRIPTION: It's the usual portion of the main theme, on a theremin. It skips some of the earlier notes, though. |
EPISODES: VABF15. |
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DESCRIPTION: Basic wandering glissando patterns sandwiched between two very bright single notes that evoke old department store paging tones. |
EPISODES: VABF20. |
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DESCRIPTION: Like #46, but slower and with clearer down-and-up scales patterns. Ends with a major chord. |
EPISODES: WABF19. |
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DESCRIPTION: The tuba ventures into jazz territory for this faster-paced improv. A small climb near the end is followed by a glissando up about the same range. |
EPISODES: WABF20. |
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DESCRIPTION: In a special "Shrimpsons" opening, the characters all live "under the sea" and the band segment certainly takes inspiration from the showstopper of that name. It's still the sound of a land saxophone, one that actually plays the main theme with/over the band (something of a first); the solo on its own is a pretty straightforward down-up-down with a slight island rhythm, but the high four-note button after a rest may identify it best. |
EPISODES: WABF21. |
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DESCRIPTION: The band plays "Jingle Bells" (worse than in #51), and Lisa actually runs with it a little, traveling up before ending in some more distinct, scattier notes. Most of these Christmas openings have extra visual flourishes, but this one affects the solo more, as the snow falling off the roof makes her release a few random toots. |
EPISODES: XABF02. |
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DESCRIPTION: If played more slowly, this solo could fit a brief moment in a spy caper. A high minor-key note near the very start is almost sour, and the first four notes are close to a Bond sting in a different rhythm. The rest is a jazzy downward-upward progression. Apart from the new artwork on the walls, this is the first normal sax solo with normal animation to debut since #36 (9 years), or #35 if you only count original tunes. |
EPISODES: XABF07. |
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DESCRIPTION: By far the longest solo, exceeding all others by about 5 seconds, since it cuts the opening short and transitions right into the episode as Lisa continues playing outside and clashes with Mr. Largo. It starts early, too, with some high wails, several sustained tones, and a slow soulful pace throughout. |
EPISODES: XABF11. |
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DESCRIPTION: The band and Lisa play "Deck the Halls", and Lisa jazzes it up during the solo, more than in #33, but sticks to the basic tune. |
EPISODES: YABF02. |
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DESCRIPTION: Uses a distinct, driven 1960s beat, as if backing a peppy pop tune of the period, and could loop easily, unlike most solos. Primarily bassy, with some higher notes at the end of alternate measures. |
EPISODES: YABF03. |
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DESCRIPTION: One of the peppiest sax solos, even compared to its immediate predecessor. Stays high and playful, with mostly distinct, rapid tones between an initial squeal and the final flourish. |
EPISODES: ZABF05. |
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DESCRIPTION: Yet more glissando, but distinguished by lower pitch overall, less of the "flashback" quality than some others, and a short wavering tremolo near the start while the band is playing. Ends with a single high note that has room to breathe. |
EPISODES: ZABF13. |
Solos Reused Within Episodes |
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In recent years, parts of these solos have been used elsewhere in episodes, all played by Lisa. Sometimes they're very short excerpts, but they are still recognizable to anyone who's become familiar with the old favorites. Are these quotes quick ways to toss in some incidental tooting without a special scoring session, or are they a special bonus? I have a feeling it's the former. This list doesn't cover Lisa's sax playing in general, however. You know what to do if you have spotted an error or omission.
LABF19: Two blurted notes from Solo #9 "play" as Lisa blows shaving cream out of the sax at Bart, who filled it as a prank, halfway through the episode |
Alternate Visuals and Instruments |
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Occasionally, the usual animation is not used for Lisa's solo. When she plays a different instrument, that is shown instead (and often, but not always, on her bike in the driveway scene later on); that instrument, like the sax, is often simplified and may not match the exact version heard (e.g., we see a tuba but might really hear a sousaphone). In later seasons, entire new opening sequences are reanimated for one-off or holiday themes, and in two early examples we just don't see Lisa at all. And since the end of season 27, the walls of the band room sometimes bear new visuals: a bulletin board behind Largo becomes a sign reading "andante arpeggio baritone", while nondescript posters near the exit become (left) a sign with "Polonaise" above a few measures of music and (right) a portrait of Chopin.
Different instrument (a plus sign means it's seen in the driveway)
Lisa not seen: 3F31 (most of opening replaced by montage of couch gags while longer title music plays), JABF20 (post-movie reconstruction set to title music)
New band room walls: VABF15, WABF01 (with bump), WABF19, WABF20, XABF07, XABF11 (extended and with one more sign), YABF03, YABF14, ZABF05, ZABF13, UABF15 (in end credits only), OABF13 (minus Chopin poster)
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Honorable Mentions and Soundtracks |
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Some episodes have a saxophone presence in the opening sequence without really making it a traditional solo, often in the couch gag (see also VABF21 above), sometimes not even played by Lisa: SABF02: Special opening sequence "MusicVille" has the entire family as living instruments TABF16: Rick briefly noodles on Lisa's sax during extended Rick and Morty couch gag VABF20: Lisa is seen playing a few notes of what sounds a bit like a pitched-up Solo #29 in extended Adventure Time couch gag (in addition to having her usual spot) UABF10: Lisa jams on her sax as family members' heads appear on a music staff in the "sour peanuts" couch gag, with music continuing through credits and into episode (all appropriate for episode's theme) In MABF12's cringeworthy "Tik Tok" special opening, some elements of the usual title sequence are reimagined, including Mr. Largo dancing in the band room (minus Lisa and the rest).
Soundtrack releases for the show, along with other compilations, have various versions of the main theme and established solos, though they mostly stick to main theme variations. (The movie soundtrack has an album-only solo; see FAQ.) Of course, they don't contain extra sound effects, and even the long sustained solo lead-in heard in episodes seems to be an overlay of its own as only a shorter, quieter version is present on the soundtracks.
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Episodes with No Sax Solo |
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The following episodes had no saxophone solo in the opening sequence in network airings. See lists above for episodes with parts of solos elsewhere and use of sax in other parts of the openings. If I am wrong about any of these, please let me know. You will notice that beginning with production Season 5/[1FXX], there are far fewer saxophone solos. The Simpsons production office apparently opted for shortened opening sequences to make the episodes longer. Almost none of the [2FXX] series had a sax solo, and this practice continued through much of the [5FXX] series; after a brief resurgence, the solos have been in sharp decline since the DABFs. In later decades, opening sequences have gotten shorter and shorter as episode runtimes continue to be whittled away, although sometimes a very long couch gag or special opening uses the time a normal long opening might otherwise take. (Note: in some seasons full of solos, the Treehouse of Horror episode is the only entry in this list!) 7G05, 7G08, 7G11; 7F04, 7F19; 8F02, 8F12, 8F16; 9F04; all 1FXX except 1F07, 1F09, 1F10, 1F11, 1F19; all 2FXX except 2F08, 2F13[6], 2F32[7]); all 3FXX except 3F23 and 3F31; 3G04; all 4FXX except 4F16; all 5FXX except 5F01, 5F05, 5F13, 5F14, 5F17, 5F18, 5F19, 5F21; AABF01; BABF01, BABF21; CABF19; all DABFXX except DABF02, DABF04, DABF06, DABF07, DABF08, DABF20; all EABFXX except EABF04, EABF05, EABF06, EABF14, EABF16; all FABFXX except FABF01 and FABF22; all GABFXX except GABF15 and GABF18; all HABFXX except HABF03, HABF04, HABF08, HABF09, HABF13, HABF14, HABF16, HABF21; all JABFXX except JABF01, JABF06, JABF12, JABF13, JABF17, JABF18, JABF19, JABF20, JABF22; KABF01, KABF04, KABF05, KABF07, KABF08, KABF09, KABF11, KABF13, KABF16, KABF17, KABF19; LABF04, LABF06, LABF09, LABF10, LABF14; MABF01, MABF02, MABF03, MABF04, MABF05, MABF06, MABF10, MABF12, MABF16, MABF18, MABF20, MABF22; NABF01, NABF04, NABF07, NABF11, NABF12, NABF15, NABF16, NABF18, NABF19, NABF20, NABF21, NABF22; all PABFXX except PABF03, PABF04, PABF05, PABF06, PABF07, PABF15, PABF19, PABF21, PABF22; all RABFXX except RABF02, RABF03, RABF05, RABF07, RABF09, RABF10, RABF12, RABF16, RABF20; all SABFXX except SABF01, SABF03, SABF08, SABF09, SABF14, SABF20; all TABFXX except TABF03, TABF07, TABF12; all VABFXX except VABF07, VABF10, VABF12, VABF14, VABF15, VABF20; all WABFXX except WABF01, WABF16, WABF19, WABF20, WABF21; all XABFXX except XABF02, XABF07, XABF11; all YABFXX except YABF02, YABF03, YABF14; all ZABFXX except ZABF05 and ZABF13; all QABFXX (the first production season with absolutely none/part of the first air season with none); all UABFXX; all OABFXX except OABF13; and all 35ABFXX so far (01-07, 09-12). |
Notes |
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[1]: The DVD versions of 7F20, 9F05, 9F09, and 9F20 have full openings and different sax solos (2, 10, 12, 10) from those previously indicated on this list (4, 5, 3, 6). From some new information, I've learned that Fox used to run summer repeats with shortened openings (which used a different batch of solos, see FAQ) to save time, and the long versions (with the solos given here) are probably the real ones. (This affected old versions of this document by having Solo #4 "debut" in 7F20 instead of 8F03, hence the footnote.) -mg [2]: The premiere dates and episodes of Solo #4, Solo #7, Solo #8, and Solo #13 are debatable, in part because Global usually aired full openings when Fox's premieres were trimmed. I took some time to work it out. Solo #4 debuted with 8F03, and Solo #13 with 8F04, using either Fox or Global premieres. Solo #7 was in Global's 8F05 premiere on 10/24/91, but its inclusion in Fox's repeat 3/19/92 was preceded by 2/27/92's premiere of 8F15, making that the solo's US premiere. The toughest one is Solo #8, because I do not know if Global's premiere of 8F07 included it. If so, the solo debuted then, on 11/14/91; if not, and certainly as far as Fox is concerned, it was first heard in 8F19 on 3/26/92, a week before 8F07's repeat. For the debut dates above I am using Global's. You might also have noticed that the numbering is not in order for any interpretation; the original author assigned numbers based on some misconceptions, particularly concerning #4[1] and #13. For the curious, Global's debut order of 4-13: 5 6 4 13 7 8 9 10 11 12, with 8 at the end if 8F07's premiere was trimmed; Fox's debut order: 5 6 9 10 11 4 12 7 13 8 (with 7 and 13 the same night!). The season 3 DVDs do include the full version of each episode's opening, so the solos first appear there in Global's order. (Older versions had #13 debuting with 9F15, hence the footnote.) -mg [3]: The first airing of 8F21, by Chad's tapes and records, had a shortened opening and no sax solo. However, the capsule says it used Solo #11. For this reason and with confirmation from the season 3 DVD, I've put it in the list. -mg [4]: Originally, 8F22 had no sax solo. According to the capsule, in subsequent viewings the episode used Solo #12. Season 3 DVD and so forth. -mg [5]: The original airing of 9F01 had a shortened opening sequence, but the third airing on November 27, 1994 (when 2F06 debuted) showed 9F01 with a full opening sequence. Chad had this version on tape, but the opening cut in late. The season 4 DVD uses Solo #12, not Solo #13 as an old version conjectured, and this is consistent with my own sources. Thus, here it is. See the ambiguities list for more. -mg [6]: Though previously listed without one, 2F13 definitively has a solo now (as seen on the season 6 DVD and confirmed in original airing), though some repeats may have used a shorter intro. -mg [7]: There was doubt before, but 2F32 has been shown (on the season 6 DVD, along with Simpsons Archive confirmation) to have used Solo #8 in a full opening, though repeats may have shortened it. -mg [8]: HABF08's first broadcast used a version of the special UK live-action opening, with a slightly trimmed Solo #10. The repeat used a different (animated) opening but the same (uncut) solo. However, do note that the full live-action intro (aka "The Real Simpsons") used a differently-trimmed Solo #11. [9]: LABF07's solo, a repeat, seemed to be slowed down overall, perhaps to match the ending to the new animated flourish. It's most noticeable at the end, but the whole solo seems to be affected. [10]: The original Fox (and Global) airing of RABF05 used a severely shortened opening, and so Solo #45 did not debut until the repeat, which was after the debut of Solo #44 in the later episode RABF10. The numbers are correct in solo order, although not in episode order. [11]: WABF01's opening sequence is full of mishaps by the Simpson family; Lisa runs into the wall halfway through her solo and squeaks out a few errant notes as she falls. Still, there's no need to make an entirely new number, especially since it clearly uses the old recording. |
Lisa's Sax Solos by Episode |
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Last updated on October 2, 2024 by Matt Garvey (garvey@simpsonsarchive.com)
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