HOROSCOPE ASTROLOGY AND ASPECTS

Planets & their “Aspects” have effect on the lives of people based upon their astrology & horoscope. Planets are said to be in Aspect when they are at a certain distance from each other. In the simplest terms, the zodiac is a circle divided into twelve parts, each part containing 30 degrees [...]]]> HOROSCOPE ASTROLOGY AND ASPECTS

Planets & their “Aspects” have effect on the lives of people based upon their astrology & horoscope. Planets are said to be in Aspect when they are at a certain distance from each other. In the simplest terms, the zodiac is a circle divided into twelve parts, each part containing 30 degrees of space and occupied by one of the twelve signs, through which each of the planets travel from west to east following their natural order from Aries to Pisces. The twelve signs measuring 30 degrees each constitute the 360 degrees of the Zodiac.

The aspects are the angles between two planets. The aspects or angles foretell the type of energy generated by the planets in the house which is being occupied. Remember, each house covers a different area of your life. Some aspects are harmonious, beneficial, positive and easy. These are considered to be Soft aspects.

Other Aspects are difficult, tense, bad or malefic. These are considered to be Hard aspects.

An easy aspect is one that requires little effort, whereas a hard aspect requires real work to overcome it. The strength of influence depends on the planets involved and how they relate to each other. The closer the aspect occurs within its orb (distance in degrees), the more important it becomes, whether it be a major or a minor one. Another way of understanding this would be if a planet touches another planet or comes very close in aspect it will have a definite influence in the area the planet occupies in your chart. If the planets are further away, you may not notice any influence or change at all.

The Conjunction 0 Degrees: Any two or more planets positioned in the chart within 6 degrees orb of one another are said to be conjunct. Its effects vary depending on the nature of the planets involved. The conjunction is the easiest aspect to note in a chart as the planets are unusually in the same sign, although planets can be conjunct if one planet is at the end of a sign (28 degrees) and the other at the beginning of the next sign (3 degrees).

The Semi-Sextile 30 degrees: Any two or more planets that form a 30 degree angle with each other are semi-sextile. This aspect allows a 2 degree orb or variance on either side of the 30 degree angle. The effects are usually favorable, but the planets involved should be considered.

The Sextile 60 degrees: Any two or more planets that form a 60 degree angle with each other with an allowable orb of 6 degrees are Sextile. This is one of the most beneficial aspects as planets are usually in elementally compatible signs to one another. This aspect usually represents opportunity and talents that are well utilized.

The Square 90 degrees: Any two or more planets that form a 90 degree angle with each other with an allowable orb of 6 degrees are Square. The Square is a major aspect and usually the most potent aspect after the conjunction. The square can be difficult; however, if overcome, the results can prove to be quite beneficial in time and with patience.

The Trine 120 degrees: Any two or more planets that form a 120 degree angle with each other with an allowable orb of 6 degrees are in Trine aspect. The trine usually occurs between signs of the same element (Water, Earth, Air and Fire) however, it is possible for a trine to be formed between incompatible signs. The trine is a harmonious aspect and can show great talent or opportunity when the person is motivated.

The Quincunx/Inconjunct 150 degrees: Having two names shows the complex nature of this aspect. Planets are Inconjunct when they are 150 degrees apart with an allowable orb of 3 degrees. The two signs involved are almost always of a different element. This is a minor aspect, but somewhat difficult in nature and is often related to ill health, stress and adjustments. As with the Square aspects, the Inconjunct can also prove beneficial when utilized positively and can provide diverse talents and creative potential.

The Opposition 180 Degrees: The Opposition, as its name describes relates to two planets that are directly opposite one another with an allowable orb of 6 degrees. The opposition is the most powerful aspects after the conjunction and square. This aspect produces difficulties and creates tension that must be reconciled, thereby increasing the range of possibilities. With the exception of the Inconjunct, when the Sun, Moon or Ascendant is in aspect, an 8 degree orb (distance) is allowed. Astrologers often differ in their usage of allowable orbs, although usually not by more than 2 degrees.

Find More Aries Compatibility Articles

Aquarius men are like the air that we breathe-always moving, ever changing, flowing along through life. People born between January 20th and February 19th are born under the sign of Aquarius, the water bearer. Very social, very talkative, very communicative, they are the life of the party, yet there is [...]]]> Aquarius Male – Inventors of the Zodiac

Aquarius men are like the air that we breathe-always moving, ever changing, flowing along through life. People born between January 20th and February 19th are born under the sign of Aquarius, the water bearer. Very social, very talkative, very communicative, they are the life of the party, yet there is a certain self-imposed aloofness about them, which makes then stand out in a crowd.

Sensitive, Yet Strong Personality

While exhibiting a strong attractive and attracting personality, Aquarian men can be easily demoralized if things don’t go the way they think they should. They are generally optimistic about life, practical, philosophical and frank-sometimes too frank for their own good. They mean well, but sometimes don’t understand that what comes out of their mouth can hurt. To them it’s objective or constructive, never personal.

Love Traits

It takes dedication to win an Aquarius male, you must be loyal, and a light hand to keep them. The best way to win is to befriend him, get to know him well. Give him his space, and freedom. Don’t be clingy, too possessive and jealous type. If you are a possessive lover you will become an ex-lover too quickly. Aquarians are unconventional as lovers but true lovers, nonetheless. They do always remember your birthday or anniversary, just not necessarily on the day it happens.

Likes And Dislikes

Aquarius Males are always on the prowl for a happy, stable and passionate relationship. Deep down inside them, there is a zest for life and exuberance, waiting to be let out. But you’d never know it from the surface. The Aquarian male most of the times keeps everything to himself, and open up only to the right people. They like to welcome new acquaintances with open arms and are ready to see the best in them no matter what race, ethnicity or diverse culture you came from. They like cleanliness and exceedingly particular about appearance, clothing, and most importantly personal hygiene. Dirt under your fingernails will turn them off, whether he likes your vegetable garden or not.

How To Attract An Aquarius Male

The Aquarius man could rightly be called the chameleon of the Zodiac because of his shape shifting abilities. He is uncomfortable with “emotion,” preferring to approach everything, including women, objectively. Getting emotional or attempting to draw an Aquarian male into a conversation about “deep feelings” will only send him running for the door with his hands clasped over his ears. It is best to let him come to you.

Sexually Opportunistic

Aquarian men may not be in hyper-drive when it comes to sexual desire, but they do like trying new things and unconventional things that are experimental and a bit unorthodox. They are not afraid to follow their desires. They are attracted to taller partners with a similar love of the unconventional, with a willingness to explore. Best compatible signs [that can go along with], Aries, Libra, Gemini, Sagittarius. Opposite sign: Leo. Famous Aquarians: Michael Jordan, John Travolta, Eddie Van Halen, Bobby Brown.   Lucky numbers: 1,11, 7, 56

Do you want to know your daily fortune and are really looking out for some ways? Do you want to find out if it is a pleasant day for going on a date, or a right time for investing? If so, then you may want to try out free daily horoscopes, [...]]]> The Value of Daily Horoscopes

Do you want to know your daily fortune and are really looking out for some ways? Do you want to find out if it is a pleasant day for going on a date, or a right time for investing? If so, then you may want to try out free daily horoscopes, and consult them based on your birth date and Zodiac sign . With the wonders of the World Wide Web today, a lot of things can be so conveniently found, such as information for school work, phone numbers, addresses, and many more. Where as in the free daily horoscopes, horoscopes for Chinese, and others, you can always get attain what you are searching for online. On these online free daily horoscopes you will get horoscope for everything like your partner, pet etc, you just have to register on these horoscope sites. How would these daily horoscopes come to you? Gone are the days when you need to flip through the pages of a newspaper to find out if Aries is lucky today, or if Capricorn should find a new job. Now, thanks to the internet, you may receive them via email, as following your request to an astrology newsletter. If you like, you can also bookmark a website and keep checking it everyday for your daily horoscopes. Have you hard about RSS feeds? With the help of this, you can get updated on the desktop of your PC or laptop each time you connect to the internet. You can get your free daily horoscopes through RSS, and all you must do is subscribe at contributing astrology sites. Moreover, you must install aggregator software on your PC. Did you know that in a 1996 investigation, about 25% of Americans believe in star signs and horoscopes, and how these can drastically affect the lives of individuals? The records were seen in Gallup Organization poll in 1996. As of the present time, there are said to be enormous Americans who read their horoscopes everyday, for reasons like love, money, business, family, and others. Even residents of the United Kingdom are huge fans of horoscopes, especially the women, according to a 2000 study by the journal Correlation. Around 70% of the testers in the study check their horoscopes everyday. A majority of English respondents claim that their star signs match their lifestyle quite perfectly, which further adds to the fame of horoscopes. Almost all the people in the world know what are star signs and Zodiac signs. Many individuals choose to read on their horoscopes everyday because they find it interesting, aside from being informative. Horoscopes, as many people claim, serve only as guides for society, and merely suggest what should or should not be done in case a person is faced with a dilemma. In some examples, people read horoscopes to assit them to decide their compatibility with their loved ones, as the Zodiac signs each mention the aspects and individuality of a person. According to them, the descriptions or profiles for each sign are actually accurate with their real personalities.

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You can find anything on the internet these days, including how the alignment of the planets is affecting your dog’s behavior. As strange as it sounds, the web is filled with dog astrology materials. You can find magazine articles, books, and newsletters focused on daily, monthly and yearly horoscopes. [...]]]> Are The Stars Aligned For Your Pet?

You can find anything on the internet these days, including how the alignment of the planets is affecting your dog’s behavior. As strange as it sounds, the web is filled with dog astrology materials. You can find magazine articles, books, and newsletters focused on daily, monthly and yearly horoscopes. Before you push the dog horoscope craze out of your mind, consider why someone may want to check out an animal horoscope. Then, if you’re interested, read below for additional reference materials.
In order to use a horoscope for a pet, you must know his or her date of birth. This can be a difficult task for some people, since pets come from all sorts of places. If you do know the birth date, or have a rough idea, then you can use the horoscope to find out a number of things. Just like human astrology, these tidbits can fill you in on your pet’s strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes and desires.
So, once you find out this information about your pet, what are you supposed to do with it? Many people interpret the horoscopes for current situations. For instance, if your pet suddenly adapted a bad habit of jumping on your guests, a horoscope may tell you how your dog is being affected by astrology at the moment. Maybe this information can help you identify and correct the problem. Or, maybe you’re curious about your compatibility with a pet before you take one home. A horoscope can provide that information before you make a dog decision.
You may be wondering exactly what astrology can tell us about our pets. Again, there are tons of resources on the web and even in your library. For the purpose of this article, let’s see what personality traits are correlated with each zodiac.

Aries:  The leader of the pack
Taurus:  The strong and silent type
Gemini:  The yapper
Cancer:  The home-lover
Leo:  The boss dog
Virgo:  The helper
Libra:  The shop steward
Scorpio:  The paragon
Sagittarius:  The problem dog
Capricorn:  The social climber
Aquarius:  The friend
Pisces:  The interpreter

This is just an introduction to pet horoscopes; what you believe is up to you. If you like to check your own horoscope, then give your dog’s horoscope a try to. Who knows? Maybe it will help you solve that annoying behavior or let you know when you should purchase a puppy.

There are also books related to canine astrology. If you’d like to further research dog astrology at your local library, then look for these popular titles:

Cosmic Canines: The Complete Astrology Guide for You and Your Dog, by Marilyn Macgruder Barnewall. (October 13, 1998).
Joyce Jillson’s Astrology for Dogs by Joyce Jillson. (June 25, 2005).
Stardogs: Astrology for Dogs (And Owners), by Helen Hope. (May 2002).
Dog Stars: Astrology for Dog Lovers, by Sherene Schostak and Wendy Lam.  (November 2, 2006)
Dogstrology: Interpret Your Pet’s Star Sign, by Pat and Cat. (December 22, 2005).

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The world of astrology brings you with the astrological aspects and sensitive angles about the time of an event in the human life. There are many charts like sky-map, chart wheel, cosmogram, astrological chart, celestial map and radical chart [...]]]> World Of Astrology And Your Monthly Prediction ? Love, Weekly, Daily ,monthly Horoscopes, Calendars And Bank Holidays

The world of astrology brings you with the astrological aspects and sensitive angles about the time of an event in the human life. There are many charts like sky-map, chart wheel, cosmogram, astrological chart, celestial map and radical chart that define the hard lines of astrology world. Basically, horoscope is narrow term as compared to astrology, world of astrology is very huge concept that concerned various types of houses, planet moments, astrological charts and types of different sensitive angles that effects human life at particular moment. At present majority of population interested to known more about the moment or event when they starts new business, about relationships, event of marriage, love affairs, a movement of a person’s birth and lots more.
As astrologers are in high demand by the various sectors of the economy, to meet this demand, there are many websites, newspapers and magazines start giving a separate identity to the horoscope world in the form of separate column for 2011 horoscopes section. That includes monthly horoscopes, free horoscopes, free online horoscopes, love horoscopes, Chinese horoscopes, sun sign compatibility, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo horoscopes and lots more means vast collection of different types of categories of horoscopes are available to the public. If some one does not have time to read daily or weekly horoscope can go through monthly horoscope or birth month horoscope that will bring some ideas or may be some helpful suggestions to that particular reader.
Among these categories, monthly horoscope comprises month wise horoscope that defines moments to be happen or some good or bad to be happen in a particular month along with the helpful suggestions that one can use it as safeguard against that problem. These suggestions, actions or steps are not compulsory, it is always suggested to those person who are really crazy about horoscope or to know more about moments to happen in a life through astrology. Apart from monthly horoscope there is another horoscope which is very familiar among the curios people love horoscope. It can help one to know more about partner’s life to have some superior relationship, romance and happy life. The concept of astrology is always connected with the calendar and new year. Like 2010 New Year brings new 2011 calendar that directly effects to 2010 astrology aspects and sensitive angles that indirectly effect the moments or events to be happen in a human life in a positive or negative way.

How important is the sun sign in astrology? Read and know more to find out:

To better understand the sun signs, here are the following astrological aspects you might want to learn: definition, dates of each sign, popularity, basis, and relevance in astrology.

If you are new to [...]]]> Things You Need to Know about the Astrological Sun Signs

How important is the sun sign in astrology? Read and know more to find out:

To better understand the sun signs, here are the following astrological aspects you might want to learn: definition, dates of each sign, popularity, basis, and relevance in astrology.

If you are new to astrology, you should know that a sun sign is any of the 12 constellations in the zodiac in which your horoscope would be derived from. Each sign has a specific characteristic and some of these traits can be compatible with other signs. Before understanding the difference of each sign, know first the vital details about it, in general.

Definition

The sun sign is the main basis for astrology today. They are the 12 zodiac signs in which the sun would be positioned in a specific month. That specific sign will be the sign of the person born that month. The sun sign astrologers follow these 12 signs and incorporate the movement of planets with each other. Each sign has its own characteristics, inclination, and motivations.

Dates

The sign dates are as follows: Aries is from March 19 to April 18, Taurus is from April 19 to May 19, Gemini is from May 20 to June 19, Cancer is from June 20 to July 21, Leo is from 22 to August 21, Virgo is from August 22 to September 21, Libra is from September 22 to October 21, Scorpio is from October 22 to November 20, Sagittarius is from November 21 to December 20, Capricorn is from December 21 to January 18, Aquarius is from January 21 to February 18, and Pisces is from February 18 to March 18.

Popularity and basis

The concept of sun sign astrology began when the first astrologers thought that people who were born under a specific constellation having the same traits. These observations have developed over the years and many more associations were attributed with each sign. During the early 1900s, the sun signs became famous because it was much easier to give definitions. Astrologer-journalists began writing them, thus the development of horoscopes in media based on them.

Relevance in astrology

The sun signs gives emphasis on a person’s innate characteristics and traits that remain constant throughout life. It’s traits are image you project in society and it describes your innermost being. At any field, whether love, career, or simple daily activities, the sign will serve as a driving factor. The sign can elso help you understand the nature of your opposite sex. It also portray which kinds of environment and situations are you more likely to adapt easily.

Sun signs and horoscope should not be always used for daily decision making. They are just simply guides and it is still best to trust your instincts.

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Horoscopes are diagrams which represent where the moon, sun and planets are positioned in when a person is born. They are subject to interpretation by an astrologer who gives there significance during different times in a year. There are 14 horoscope signs which include Aries for the people who were born between [...]]]> The Significance Of Horoscopes

Horoscopes are diagrams which represent where the moon, sun and planets are positioned in when a person is born. They are subject to interpretation by an astrologer who gives there significance during different times in a year. There are 14 horoscope signs which include Aries for the people who were born between March 21st and April 19th, Libra September 23 to October 22, Taurus from April 20 to May 20, Scorpio from October 23rd November 21, Gemini from May 21 to June 20, Sagittarius from November 22 to December 21, Cancer from June 21 to July 22.Capricorn from Dec 22 to January 19, Leo from July 23 to August 22, Aquarius from Jan 20 to Feb 18, Virgo from August 23 to September 22 and Pisces which is from Feb 19 to March 20. All have different pictorial representations which are used to distinguish them.

There are different people such as psychics who interpret them to tell a person what they mean at a particular time. There are people who religiously follow them and they have to get daily horoscopes before they can begin their day. These usually tell them what to expect, what to do and what not to do in that particular day. For some people they turn out to be true and that is why they have to consult in them before they can embark in any journey.

There are different sites and places you can find them if you want to know your luck for the day. There are sites you can register with for free and they will be sending your regular updates on them depending on the nature of frequency you want to be receiving them. For instance you can be getting your monthly horoscope once in a month. You can also find them in magazines and newspapers. They are used as a means to measure the future where they tell a person what will happen before it actually does. For example you can be told not to invest in a project on that day as it will only bring you bad luck you can also be told when to expect success and that it why some people use than as investment guides. They can also be used to find out whether you will be lucky in love or whether you are going to meet someone new. They usually give out the best person to hook up with who belongs to a different group than you who will be most compatible with you.

Horoscopes are diagrams which represent where the moon, sun and planets are positioned in when a person is born. They are subject to interpretation by an astrologer who gives there significance during different times in a year. There are 14 horoscope signs which include Aries for the people who were born between [...]]]> The Significance Of Horoscopes

Horoscopes are diagrams which represent where the moon, sun and planets are positioned in when a person is born. They are subject to interpretation by an astrologer who gives there significance during different times in a year. There are 14 horoscope signs which include Aries for the people who were born between March 21st and April 19th, Libra September 23 to October 22, Taurus from April 20 to May 20, Scorpio from October 23rd November 21, Gemini from May 21 to June 20, Sagittarius from November 22 to December 21, Cancer from June 21 to July 22.Capricorn from Dec 22 to January 19, Leo from July 23 to August 22, Aquarius from Jan 20 to Feb 18, Virgo from August 23 to September 22 and Pisces which is from Feb 19 to March 20. All have different pictorial representations which are used to distinguish them.

There are different people such as psychics who interpret them to tell a person what they mean at a particular time. There are people who religiously follow them and they have to get daily horoscopes before they can begin their day. These usually tell them what to expect, what to do and what not to do in that particular day. For some people they turn out to be true and that is why they have to consult in them before they can embark in any journey.

There are different sites and places you can find them if you want to know your luck for the day. There are sites you can register with for free and they will be sending your regular updates on them depending on the nature of frequency you want to be receiving them. For instance you can be getting your monthly horoscope once in a month. You can also find them in magazines and newspapers. They are used as a means to measure the future where they tell a person what will happen before it actually does. For example you can be told not to invest in a project on that day as it will only bring you bad luck you can also be told when to expect success and that it why some people use than as investment guides. They can also be used to find out whether you will be lucky in love or whether you are going to meet someone new. They usually give out the best person to hook up with who belongs to a different group than you who will be most compatible with you.

Track listing All songs written and composed by Mike Oldfield, except “The Sailor’s Hornpipe” (traditional, arranged by Mike Oldfield) Side one “Tubular Bells, Part 1″ 25:36 Side two “Tubular Bells, Part 2″ 23:20 Personnel Mike Oldfield Acoustic [...]]]> Tubular Bells – Hydraulic Couplings – China PEM Fastener

Track listing
All songs written and composed by Mike Oldfield, except “The Sailor’s Hornpipe” (traditional, arranged by Mike Oldfield) Side one
“Tubular Bells, Part 1″ 25:36 Side two
“Tubular Bells, Part 2″ 23:20 Personnel Mike Oldfield
Acoustic guitar, bass guitar, electric guitar, Farfisa, Hammond, and Lowrey organs; flageolet, fuzz guitars, glockenspiel, “honky tonk” piano (piano with detuned strings), mandolin, piano, “Piltdown Man”, percussion, Spanish guitar, “double speed guitar”, producer, “taped motor drive amplifier organ chord”, timpani, violin, vocals and tubular bells. Additional personnel
Steve Broughton percussion
Lindsay L. Cooper string basses
Mundy Ellis vocals
Jon Field flutes
Sally Oldfield vocals
Vivian Stanshall Master of Ceremonies
Nasal Choir
Manor Choir (Simon Heyworth, Tom Newman, Mike Oldfield)
Simon Heyworth – producer
Tom Newman – producer
Trevor Key – artwork Album artwork
Tubular Bells picture disc.
The cover design was by Trevor Key, who would go on to create the covers of many Oldfield albums, and was inspired by Magritte’s “Castle in the Pyrenees”.[citation needed]
The concept for the triangular bell on the album cover art originally came from the idea of a bell which had been destroyed. Oldfield had come up with this when he had dented the set of Tubular bells used to record the album when playing them.
The “bent bell” image on the cover is also associated with Oldfield, even being used for the logo of his personal music company, Oldfield Music, Ltd. The image was also the main focus for the cover art of the successive Tubular Bells albums. Tubular Bells has also been issued as a vinyl picture disc, showing the bent bell on a skyscape.
The album cover for Tubular Bells was among the ten chosen by the Royal Mail for a set of “Classic Album Cover” postage stamps issued on 7 January 2010. Significance Virgin
Oldfield approached (and was rejected by) many other established record labels. Some of the rejections were because they believed the piece to be unmarketable. Oldfield then played his demos to some of the Engineers at The Manor; they along with their boss, Richard Branson decided to give Oldfield a chance. Virgin Records released Oldfield’s debut album Tubular Bells as its first album; hence the catalogue number V2001 (although V2002 and V2003 were released on the same date).
The significance of this album to the Virgin empire is not lost on Richard Branson, who named one of his first Virgin America aircraft, an Airbus A319-112, N527VA Tubular Belle,. Prior to this Virgin Atlantic had named a Boeing 747-4Q8 , G-VHOT Tubular Belle, in 1994.
Virgin reissued the album a number of times including in 2000 for a HDCD release, and in 2001 for a SACD release. The HDCD release contained liner notes by David Laing, and the SACD release notes were by Phil Newell and Simon Heyworth.
The 50th Anniversary edition of the music magazine Music Week features the album in the official Top-Selling UK albums 19592009 at No. 35, noting it as the only entry that did not yield a hit single. In the Q & Mojo Classic Special Edition Pink Floyd & The Story of Prog Rock, the album came #9 in its list of “40 Cosmic Rock Albums”. The Mail on Sunday free edition
On 22 April 2007 a British newspaper, The Mail on Sunday, gave away 2.25 million free copies of the full original Tubular Bells to its readers; this came in a card packet displaying the original artwork.
EMI (owners of the Virgin Records label) earned between 200,000 and 500,000 from the promotion. The Mail on Sunday claimed that their promotion increased sales of the album by 30%; however industry sources noted that this was not a significant rise for the title at the time. This cover-mount deal came prior to the album’s transfer from Virgin/EMI back to Oldfield.
Oldfield attacked EMI in the press for agreeing this deal with The Mail on Sunday, not having been consulted about it. He also stated that he felt that it devalued the work. In a poll conducted by Music Week, to whom Oldfield wrote a letter about the situation, 89.9% of people supported Oldfield’s view that EMI and The Mail on Sunday should have at least asked him about the cover-mount promotion. Mercury reissue
In 2008 when Oldfield’s original 35 year deal with Virgin Records ended, the rights to the piece were returned to him, and were transferred to Mercury Records On 15 April 2009, Mercury announced the transfer of Oldfield’s Virgin albums to the label, and the first album, Tubular Bells, was re-released in June 2009. Tubular Bells was released on various formats, which include an original vinyl, a new remix, a 2CD edition and DVD. There were also bell ringing events on 6 June 2009 at 6pm (a reference to 666, the Number of the Beast). Overdubbing
Mike Oldfield played most of the instruments on the album (see below), recording them one at a time and layering the recordings to create the finished work. Many of his subsequent albums feature this technique. Though fairly common in the music industry now, at the time of the production of Tubular Bells not many musicians made use of it, preferring multi-musician “session” recordings. Reference in other Oldfield works
Tubular Bells is the album most identified with Oldfield, and the reverse may be true as well, as he has frequently returned to it in later works. The opening passage of the title track on the album Crises and the piece “Harbinger” on the album Music of the Spheres are clearly derived from the opening of Tubular Bells. The opening is also quoted directly in the song “Five Miles Out” from the album of the same name, and the song also features his “trademark” instrument, “Piltdown Man” (referring to his singing like a caveman, first heard on Tubular Bells). Charts and awards
Tubular Bells stayed in the British charts for 279 weeks. It climbed the charts slowly but steadily, and did not reach number one for over a year. In doing so it displaced Oldfield’s second album, Hergest Ridge, which had been at number one for three weeks. This made Oldfield one of only three artists in the UK to beat himself to the top of the album charts.
The album sold more than 2,630,000 copies in the UK alone (making it the all-time 34th best seller in the UK), and according to some reports 15 to 17 million copies worldwide. The album went gold in the USA and Mike Oldfield received a Grammy Award for the best Instrumental Composition in 1975. In popular culture
The opening theme, which was eventually chosen for the 1973 film The Exorcist, gained the record considerable publicity and is how many people have probably first heard the work. Along with a number of other Oldfield pieces it was used in the 1979 NASA movie, The Space Movie. The opening theme has been sampled by many other artists such as Janet Jackson on her song “The Velvet Rope”. The opening theme has also gained cultural significance as a ‘haunting theme’; partly due to the association with The Exorcist.
In television it was also used in several episodes of the Dutch children’s series Bassie en Adriaan, an episode (”Ghosts”) of the BBC series My Family and an episode (”Poltergeist III – Dipesto Nothing”) of Moonlighting. It was also used in a television advertisement for the Volkswagen Golf Diesel in 2002. It has also been used in other films such as 1974’s Black Christmas, 1985’s Weird Science, 2001’s Scary Movie 2, 2002’s The Master of Disguise and 2004’s Saved!.
The intro theme is frequently used during news segments around the time of Halloween. One such example is that during the 31 October 2008 edition of the WEAR ABC 3 show, In The Morning News the theme was used in the spirit of Halloween. Album progression Progression of part one
Part one opens with a soft minor key piano line in 15/8 eventually played verbatim by organ and glockenspiel. This riff is made up of two bars; the first bar is in 7/8, the second bar is in 8/8. These are later joined by a different line in bass guitar. An occasional punchy organ chord, first heard at about 1:02 in, accents this piece, harmonised by variations of the anchor line and a later incorporated 3/4 chord sequence, both in piano. At around 3:38, a gentle flute line appears, which segues into a section of 4/4-7/8-7/8-4/4, and at 3:40 an electric guitar line, the latter entirely in 4/4.
After the electric guitar line ends, a softer, fast guitar line (”speed guitar,” as listed in the liner notes) takes over, only to be interrupted by an acoustic guitar line overlaying the original piano phrase in major key. A gentle glockenspiel/piano piece takes over, but is later replaced with a fast piano section, occasionally accented with organ chords.
The mood of the first 6 minutes is soon replaced by edgy electric guitar and, afterward, a sinister organ chord, with various changes in pitch and duration. But, once again, a more refined, carefree section ensues, dominated by acoustic guitar and piano, eventually returning to the soft riff first heard just past four minutes into the piece.
A 3/4 variation of the original theme comes next, followed by eerie bass and organ playing, segueing into a bluesy shuffle on electric guitar. Once again, when it looks like the piece will be serene (when the nasal choir intervenes), another edgy guitar line ensues, with Oldfield incorporating both 4/4 and 7/8.
After that, a more folky acoustic line plays (with background tambourine), but is suddenly cut off by the tolling of bells. A weary acoustic guitar line follows, breaking into the eight-and-a-half minute “Finale” section, commencing with a double bass line in 5/4, polyrhythmically played with a 4/4 acoustic line. After the bass and guitar unite into the 4/4 line, the acoustic guitar tacets and is eventually replaced by soft pipe organ notes (usually lasting four or eight full beats) while the bass line plays.
After the 10-bar bass phrase is repeated several times, Stanshall introduces many of the instruments appearing in part one up to then, beginning with the keyboards, followed by glockenspiel and all guitars before the tubular bells are announced, the ensemble becoming more dynamic and full as more instruments are said. Finally, after the tubular bells enter, a wordless feminine chorus starts to sing. Farther down, the Finale ensemble fades out to an acoustic guitar solo, which takes up the remainder of part one. Progression of part two
Part two begins where part one left off; a soft, simple piece, this time, beginning with bass guitar and working up with other guitars and keyboards. The opening time signature is 6/8, but a later line plays a similar melody in 3/4 on various instruments, beginning with guitar. The opening section builds for five minutes before the second section starts, another 3/4 section at half tempo on acoustic guitar, with accompaniment on organ, mandolin and female chorus.
At around 8:48, the piece becomes edgy and surreal again, as the “bagpipe guitars” enter the piece (electric guitars with added effects to give it the bagpipe-esque sound), playing a 12/8 piece of sorts. About 11 minutes in, the intensity of the section builds as the guitar pitches increase and a heavy piano “roll” plays, climaxed by a sudden ascending glissando on the piano.
What comes next is one of the more unusual parts of the entire album. Tympani rolls and drum kit commence this part, highlighted by unintelligible “lyrical” utterances, growls, and screams by Oldfield (who, according to rumours, was then intoxicated), in rebellion against Richard Branson’s desire to include at least one part with lyrics to release as a single (at the time, Oldfield was not interested in adding lyrics to his music). This is listed in the liner notes as the “Piltdown Man”. Oldfield’s yelling is countered by various phrases on piano, guitars, and the “Moribund chorus,” with this piece abruptly ending on one loud shout exactly 16:29 in.
As expected, another quiet section ensues, a 12/8 piece mostly dominated by guitars and organ. This section gives an excellent insight into the psychedelic, spacey side of Oldfield (a similar sound to that of Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour), which would also be present in his third album, Ommadawn. After about five minutes, an optimistic organ line plays, segueing into a climactic arrangement of “Sailor’s Hornpipe”.
“Sailor’s Hornpipe” begins with just one guitar playing at a moderately slow tempo, but quickly mutates into a gradually accented piece with multiple instruments (including an unlisted violin), ending with two loud, accented notes. In live performances, Oldfield would reach incredible tempos and “Sailor’s Hornpipe” alone became a staple of his concerts in the 1970s and 1980s. The recording sessions
Part one was recorded in just one week at The Manor Studio, owned by the founder of Virgin Records, Richard Branson. Oldfield used this studio immediately after John Cale’s sessions and just before the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band began recording.
Oldfield’s working title for Tubular Bells was Opus One; Richard Branson thought to call it Breakfast in Bed. One of the possible album covers for Breakfast in Bed included a boiled egg with blood pouring out of it. This cover was edited and used as the artwork for Oldfield’s final album with Virgin, Heaven’s Open.
Mike Oldfield had been performing “The Sailor’s Hornpipe” for years before including it on Tubular Bells, when he was the bass player with Kevin Ayers and The Whole World.
The only electric guitar to be used on the album was a 1966 blonde Fender Telecaster (serial no. 180728) which used to belong to Marc Bolan. Oldfield had added an extra Bill Lawrence pickup and has since sold the guitar and donated the money to the SANE charity.
According to Oldfield the “Piltdown Man” shouting sequence came about when he had practically finished recording the instruments for the section, but felt that it needed something else. The whiskey-fueled idea to create the “Piltdown Man” effect was to shout and scream into a microphone while running the tape at a higher speed. Upon playback the tape ran at normal speed, thus dropping the pitch of the voice track.
The album was recorded on an Ampex 2″ 16 track tape recorder, which was The Manor’s main recording equipment at the time.
To create the double speed guitar, the tape was simply run at half speed during recording. Oldfield also used a custom effects unit, named the Glorfindel box, to create the ‘fuzz’ or ‘bagpipe’ distortion on some guitar pieces on the album. The Glorfindel box was given to David Bedford at a party, who then subsequently gave it to Oldfield. Tom Newman criticised the wooden cased unit in a 2001 interview with Q magazine noting that it rarely gave the same result twice.
The set of tubular bells that were used on the album had been left by an instrument hire company after John Cale’s sessions at the Manor, at the request of Oldfield.
According to Phil Newell the Bass guitar used on the album was one of his Fender Telecaster Basses.
Vivian Stanshall, who was staying at the Manor at the time, was asked to introduce the instruments for the finale of part one. It was the way in which Stanshall had said plus… tubular bells which gave Oldfield the idea to call the album Tubular Bells.. “Sailor’s Hornpipe” and the original ending
When recorded in 1973, the coda at the end of Part Two, the “Sailor’s Hornpipe”, was originally preceded by a longer slightly bizarre rendition of the piece. Loud marching footsteps trot around the sound channels as the “Sailor’s Hornpipe” is played on acoustic instruments, whilst announcer Vivian Stanshall gives an obviously-inebriated, improvised tour of the Manor. According to the liner notes for the Boxed vinyl set, this session occurred at four in the morning after Oldfield, engineer Tom Newman and Stanshall had been drinking heavily. They placed microphones in the rooms of the Manor, hit record and set off on an unplanned tour of the house.
It was cut from the final version, though it can be heard “in all its magnificent foolishness” (from the liner notes) on Boxed. The Boxed set reinstates the section at the end of side two of Tubular Bells. It can also be heard on the SACD (multi-channel track only) This rendition of “Sailor’s Hornpipe” was included in the 2009 Mercury reissue of Tubular Bells.
In addition, a version of Tubular Bells was originally released on the Spanish Boxed compilation such that Part Two ended with the “Ambient Guitars” movement without the “Sailor’s Hornpipe” finale. Stereo record joke
The album cover contains humorous statements about the record being in stereo. Under the label’s logo on the back, there is the statement, “In Glorious Stereophonic Sound”, followed by the line: “Can also be played on mono-equipment at a pinch”. Another statement appears at the lower left of the back cover, a spoof on the warnings about compatibility between stereo records and mono equipment (or vice versa) as found on older albums:
This stereo record cannot be played on old tin boxes no matter what they are fitted with. If you are in possession of such equipment please hand it into the nearest police station.
The use of record vs. equipment warnings re-appeared on album covers when quadraphonic albums were marketed in the early to mid 1970s, and when Tubular Bells was later issued in quad, the American pressing removed the “tin boxes” statement. British and Australian quad pressings retained the statement, and most quad editions modified the top-right statements to read: “In Glorious Quadraphonic Sound; Can also be played on stereo and mono equipment at a pinch”. Some British editions also had a sticker on the front declaring the quad edition to be “for people with four ears”.
A small essay about the restoration and remastering of the album, included with the 25th Anniversary limited edition CD, concludes with: “…but (it) still can’t be played on old tin boxes”. Similarly, the re-recorded album Tubular Bells 2003 reprints the original warning with the word “still” (in italics) added.
A similar humorous “health warning” appeared on Oldfield’s Amarok album, which cautioned:
This record could be hazardous to the health of cloth-eared nincompoops. If you suffer from this condition, consult your Doctor immediately. Sound mixes Vinyl
There are four known variations of the vinyl edition of Tubular Bells:
The standard stereo black vinyl version catalogue number V2001 (white label with twins image)
A stereo black vinyl version catalogue number VR 13-105 (white label with color twins image)
A quadrophonic version, black vinyl catalogue number QV2001. The first 40,000 copies of this are not true quadrophonic but doctored versions of the stereo issue, thereafter the subsequent copies are true quadrophonic. Unfortunately there is no indication on the record label that this substitution was made.
The Picture Disc, catalogue number VP2001. This is a stereo remix of the quadrophonic version. The only difference being in the sound of the “Reed and Pipe Organ” during the ceremony of instruments. This version appears in the Boxed compilation. CD/DVD
There are a number of different mixes and masters of the album available on CD. Some of the known ones are:
Some CDs contain the original stereo mix.
The Boxed CD release contains a stereo remix of the quadrophonic version.
The 2000 reissue (HDCD) contains a remaster of the album.
The SACD edition contains the remaster and the Boxed quad mix.
In 2009 two new mixes were released, one a CD stereo mix and one a DVD (Dolby Digital) 5.1 surround sound mix. Chart positions
Year
Chart
Position
1974
Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart
1
UK Albums Chart Single
“Mike Oldfield’s Single” was the first 7-inch single released by Mike Oldfield, in June 1974. In the UK it featured a re-recorded extract from part two of Tubular Bells as the A-side, while “Froggy Went A-Courting” was the B-side. The single was produced in response to an American single containing an excerpt from Tubular Bells which Oldfield did not authorise. This was included in the 2009 Mercury reissue of Tubular Bells. Demo version
Oldfield recorded the demo pieces of Tubular Bells in his flat in Tottenham, London in 1971. Oldfield recorded the demos on a Bang & Olufsen Beocord 1/4″ tape machine which he had borrowed from Kevin Ayers. Oldfield was able to overdub his playing by blocking off the erase head of the tape machine. The demos titled, “Tubular Bells Long”, “Caveman Lead-In”, “Caveman”, “Peace Demo A” and “Peace Demo B” appeared on the DVD-Audio version of the rerecording of Tubular Bells, Tubular Bells 2003.
Pieces from Oldfield’s 1971 demos appear on the 2009 Ultimate Edition Mercury reissue of Tubular Bells; also included on this release is a scrapped mix of the album from Spring 1973. Tubular Bells series
Tubular Bells can be seen as the first of a “series” of albums continuing with Tubular Bells II (1992), Tubular Bells III (1998) and The Millennium Bell (1999). Finally in 2003 Oldfield released Tubular Bells 2003, a re-recording of the original Tubular Bells with updated digital technology and several “corrections” to what he saw as flaws in the first album’s production. This version is notable for replacing the late Vivian Stanshall’s narration with a newly recorded narration by John Cleese. There is also a new mix of the original album on the 2009 Mercury reissue.
Other versions include a quadrophonic version in 1975 (”For people with four ears”, as the sleeve said; the quad mix was later used for the multi-channel part of the SACD release), an orchestral version in the same year (The Orchestral Tubular Bells with David Bedford), and different live recordings; a complete one can be found on the double live album Exposed from 1979.
Tubular Bells (1973)
The Orchestral Tubular Bells (orchestral version; 1975)
Exposed (live version; 1979)
Tubular Bells II (1992)
Tubular Bells III (1998)
The Millennium Bell (1999)
Tubular Bells 2003 (2003) 2000/2001 Re-issues
Personnel
Simon Heyworth – remastered at Chop Em’ Out Mastering, London March/April 2000
David Glasser, Airshow Mastering, Boulder, Colorado, USA March 2000 – master
Gus Skinas – DSD SACD
Ed Meitner – A2D and D2A Converters
Arbernaut/Rina Cheung @ Public Art Creative Consultants Limited – artwork
Jason Day – Remastered series co-ordinator 2009 Re-issue
In 2008 when Oldfield’s original 35 year deal with Virgin Records ended, the rights to the piece were returned to him, and were transferred to Mercury Records. Oldfield’s Virgin albums were transferred to the label, and re-released, starting 8 June 2009. Tubular Bells was released in four physical variations, and two digital variations in the UK and Ireland, and as five physical editions elsewhere. In April 2009 a new official website, TubularBells2009.com, was unveiled.
The new releases contain a new 2009 stereo mix of the album, which Oldfield created at his home in the Bahamas in March 2009. The “Deluxe Edition” contains a 5.1 mix, and the “Ultimate Edition” box set contains a 60 page hardback book, a poster, plectrums and other pieces such as rough mixes and demo versions of the album. There is also a vinyl version released as part of the Back to Black series.
The liner notes include photos from the time and text written by Mark Powell about Oldfield and the album. The DVD also states on its label that it features the “Tubular Bells film” from The Old Grey Whistle Test as visual content, however this appears not to be on the DVD and is also not listed on the outer cover of the album.
The Digital Edition contains the same audio content as the Ultimate Edition. The Vinyl Edition is part of the Back to Black series, and contains the original 1973 mix of the album. Downloads are also available from Back to Black website. The Vinyl Edition carries the original seascape artwork. Track listings Tubular Bells Standard Edition (1CD)
The Standard Edition carries the original artwork, and features the new mix, and two bonus tracks. UK release code number 060252735055.
“Tubular Bells Part One” (New stereo mix) – 25:58
“Tubular Bells Part Two” (New stereo mix) – 23:20
“Mike Oldfield’s Single” – 3:53
“Sailor’s Hornpipe” (Vivian Stanshall version) – 2:48 Tubular Bells / The Mike Oldfield Collection 19741983
Main article: The Mike Oldfield Collection 19741983
The Mike Oldfield Collection 19741983 carries a black cover with the Tubular Bells logo. It contains the same first disc as the Standard Edition as well as a compilation of some of Oldfield’s work from Ommadawn to Crises. Tubular Bells Deluxe Edition (2CD & 1DVD)
The Deluxe Edition carries the original seascape artwork with a “Deluxe Edition” white banner at the bottom. The DVD is incorrectly labelled as “Disc 4″, even though there are only three discs in this version. This is due to the same DVD disc being the fourth disc in the Ultimate Edition. UK release code number 270 354-1. CD one
As standard edition CD two
“Tubular Bells Part One” (Original stereo mix)
“Tubular Bells Part Two” (Original stereo mix) DVD
Audio
“Tubular Bells Part One” (5.1 surround mix)
“Tubular Bells Part Two” (5.1 surround mix)
“Mike Oldfield’s Single” (5.1 surround mix)
“Sailor’s Hornpipe” (Vivian Stanshall version)
Visual
“BBC TV 2nd House Performance” Tubular Bells – The Ultimate Edition
The Ultimate Edition comes complete with 60-page hardback book forwarded by Mike Oldfield, plectrums, poster, copy of manor studios recording brochure, concert ticket, postcard and recording information. The Ultimate Edition carries the white artwork, with the bell logo. UK release code number 270 353-9 (04).
CD one – (As Standard edition)
CD two – (As Deluxe edition)
DVD – (As Deluxe edition)
Vinyl – (As Vinyl edition)
Bonus CD
“Tubular Bells (long)” (demo) – 22:55
“Caveman Lead-in” (demo) – 2:44
“Caveman” (demo) – 5:06
“Peace Demo A” (1971 demo) – 7:01
“Peace Demo B” (1971 demo) – 4:22
“Tubular Bells, Part One” (scrapped first mix Spring 1973) – 25:13 Personnel
Mike Oldfield – Stereo and 5.1 mixes, project director
Adam Barker – project director
Daryl Easlea – project director
Joe Black – product manager
Mark Powell – master tape research, artist liaison
Pashal Byrne, The Audio Archiving Company, London – 24-bit digital remastering
Phil Smee, Waldo’s Design & Dream Emporium – artwork package and design
Trevor Key – original artwork
Rupert and Alex Smee – New Bell 3D image
Tom Newman – Recording engineer
Simon Heyworth – Recording engineer, Photographs
Barry Plumber – Photographs
Getty Images – Photographs
Ben Wiseman and Craig Thompson, Audio Archiving Company – Analogue to Digital Transfers
Emma Sutcliffe – Numbers Artwork
Where the original artwork has been used, the photographs have been digitally enhanced, and the bell logo has been replaced with a computer generated version. Interestingly the shapes of some of the clouds have changed, the image is a richer blue, the detail on the bell, including reflections, has been simplified, and what appear to be birds have been removed from the front cover image.
New artwork has also been used, such as the bell on a white background, which was used for the Ultimate Edition, and the bell on a black background, which was used for The Collection. Promotion
The 2 CD version, The Mike Oldfield Collection 19741983, containing the album and a disc of Oldfield’s tracks from 1974 to 1983 was advertised on television during the run up to Father’s Day. The actor Tom Baker, known for his role as the Doctor in Doctor Who, provides his voice-over for the advert. Baker also did the voice-over for the advert for The Best of Tubular Bells in 2000. The Collection charted at number 11 in the UK Albums Chart.
Some stores, such as audio/video retailer Richer Sounds, ran promotions for the album. The Richer Sounds promotion was a prize draw, where first prize was a Cambridge Audio Hi-Fi system and a signed copy of the Ultimate edition of Tubular Bells. Oldfield has also endorsed Cambridge Audio products. Single
The 2009 promo single cover.
A short old mix of the introduction piece was released as a promotional single, and was first played on BBC Radio 2’s Radcliffe & Maconie show on 26 May 2009. The single begins with the “Introduction” piece, then moves into the “Fast Guitars” and “Basses” pieces, before returning to the “Introduction” piano part.
Oldfield was interviewed on the Radcliffe & Maconie show on 23 June 2009, and he was also interviewed on Johnnie Walker’s Sounds of the 70s on BBC Radio 2 on 14 June 2009. The Crown Records cover of the finale of part one was played at the end of the Sounds of the 70s interview; Oldfield’s version was played on Walker’s show the following week. Post-release bonus material
When the album is inserted into a computer, and the user goes to the URL mikeoldfield.com/bonus, additional material is available, such as an interview with Mike Oldfield which was filmed on a rainy day in the Bahamas in May 2009. Since the creation of the releases more material has been unearthed, such as another alternate version (second take) of “Caveman”; these may be released on the website at a later date. Online store
The online store was opened to those who registered in advance on 15 May, and was publicly opened on 18 May. All editions of the album, an art canvas, and t-shirts displaying the Tubular Bells logo are available.
There was also a special limited edition of 500 signed and numbered copies of the “Ultimate Edition”, available from Oldfield’s website, but which sold out in under 24 hours. The signed element is a numbered certificate. Bell ringing events
On 6 June at 6pm (a reference to 666) there was a worldwide bell ringing event; Bells were rung in Milan (on MTV), Berlin (Siegessule), Brussels (Atomium), Paris (the George Pompidou centre), Sydney (Opera House), Japan/Narita (at a Japanese Temple) and London. Official footage has been shown on a YouTube video, linked from Oldfield’s website.
One of the events in London was at the British Music Experience at The O2. It featured the 29 piece Handbell Ringers of Great Britain and an Orbular Bells DJ set by The Orb. There was also bell ringing workshops and competitions. The Orb had previously remixed “Sentinel” from Tubular Bells II.
Photos from the London event were posted on the official website on 8 June. An official video of the events was uploaded to YouTube on 9 June. Equipment
For the 2009 remix, the following equipment was utilised. A screenshot of the session in Steinberg Nuendo was included in the Ultimate Edition book.
Steinberg Nuendo 4.2.2
Apple Mac Pro, 2 x Quad 3 GHz
24 Channel Euphonix MC Mix System and one MC Control
Digidesign 003 + audio interface
Dynaudio Acoustic Air Series networking 5.1 loudspeaker system
Solid State Logic Duende
TCC Electronic Powercore
DVR 2 digital vintage reverb
Coffee machine Live performances
There have been a number of live performances of the work. It is typically one of the pieces that Oldfield plays at the majority of his concerts, due to its popularity. BBC Second House performance
Footage exists of a live-in-the-studio performance for the BBC, filmed on 30 November 1973, originally broadcast on BBC2 on 1 December, with a cast including Oldfield, his brother Terry (flute), Fred Frith (and other members of Henry Cow), Steve Hillage, Pierre Moerlen, Tom Newman, Mike Ratledge, Mick Taylor, Karl Jenkins and others. It includes a new part for oboe. This has been released on the Elements DVD and is on the 2009 reissue of Tubular Bells. Live releases
Live video performances are available on the following releases:
Exposed
The Essential Live
Live at Montreux 1981
Elements (BBC 2nd House, part one)
Tubular Bells (2009 reissue, Deluxe/Ultimate Edition, BBC 2nd House, part one)
The Art in Heaven Concert (only an excerpt from part one)
Live audio releases are on the following albums:
The Orchestral Tubular Bells (orchestral arrangement)
Exposed
Airborn
Night of the Proms 2006/Best of, Volume 2 (CD, excerpt from part one) Cover versions
Various sections of Tubular Bells have been covered by many artists, with the most used part being the introduction piano piece.
Lol Coxhill recorded a very short track of “doubled and echoed flexatones” (a flexatone is a hand percussion instrument consisting of two balls striking a piece of metal, which makes a “spooky” sound effect), titled “Tubercular Balls” on his 1974 Caroline Records half-album, …Oh Really? (the other side being The Story So Far… by Stephen Miller, a.k.a. Steve Miller, ex Caravan; the album is often referred to by a combination of its two titles: The Story So Far … Oh Really?).
The Champs Boys Orchestra released a short rendition of Tubular Bells in 1976.
Thrash metal band Possessed played the intro in the first song of the record Seven Churches (in 1985), which is titled “The Exorcist”.
Paul Hardcastle based his 1985 single “19″ around the piano theme of Tubular Bells.
Another thrash metal band called Death Angel played the main theme in the title track of the album The Ultra-Violence in 1987.
Book of Love opened their 1988 album Lullaby with a cover version, stretched to 4/4 time by adding stretching a note to make it danceable.
Ed Starink made an abridged cover for an album Synthesizer Greatest (the first album in a multi-volume series) that was released in 1989. Tubular Bells appears only on the CD-version as a “bonus track”. Other tracks on the album are cover versions of famous synthesizer songs but the original Tubular Bells features no synthesizer.
Italian Keyboarder Claudio Simonetti covered the song on his Days of Confusion album in 1992.
American artist Tori Amos has frequently been using the opening Tubular Bells theme in her live shows. It began during the 1996 Dew Drop Inn Tour where she would let “Father Lucifer” segue into Tubular Bells on the piano while singing words from Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy” as well as playing it on the harpsichord during songs “Love Song” (a Cure cover) and “Bells for Her” (from the album Under the Pink), usually while mixing in lyrics from a third song such as Bjrk’s “Hyperballad” or “Blue Skies”. It appeared again in 2005 as part of “Yes, Anastasia” and on the current 2007 tour promoting her album American Doll Posse it is being performed with full band as an intro to “Devils and Gods”.
Forma Tadre use the intro guitars from the second part of Tubular Bells in their song “Automate” on the 1998 album of the same name. Their version is done with synth and only repeats the first two bars.
Therapy? jokingly covered the opening theme live in 1998 as part of a medley, which opened with “Tubular Bells”, segued into Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law”, and ended with their own “Nowhere”.
Duo Sonare, a German classical guitar duo, made a complete rerecording of Tubular Bells for two guitars in 2000.
Rapper Tech N9ne used a version of the intro in the song “Be Warned” in 2002, only he moved it to 4/4 time.
Interactivo, lead by bandleader Roberto Carcasss, based their 2005 Cuban jazz-funk arrangement entitled Escriba y Lea Con las Tubular Bells on themes from late in the second half of Tubular Bells, Part One.
Finnish a cappella performer Paska recorded an abridged version for his 2005 album Women Are From Venus, Men From Anus. Paska has also performed the song at his live performances. In a concert on 1 October 2007, before performing it, Ari Peltonen gave a speech about his hatred towards the song and progressive rock.
Crown Records – iTunes download – A cover of Tubular Bells by the Crown Star Records studio musicians.
Marcel Bergmann made two arrangements of Tubular Bells “Part One”, in 2005 (for two pianos and two synthesizers as well as four pianos); A CD with both versions was released by Brilliant Classics in 2008.
California Guitar Trio covers most of the first side of the original album on their album Echoes released in late March 2008.
Tubular Bells for Two – in April and July 2009, in association with Universal Music Australia, two multi-instrumentalists Aidan Roberts and Daniel Holdsworth performed the work live in its entirety, in two exclusive performances in Sydney. Holdsworth and Roberts had spent 9 months arranging and rehearsing the work, and in order to represent Oldfield’s complex original arrangements they utitilised loop pedals, multiple percussion and keyboard setups, various guitars and a custom-made set of abstract tubular bells. Holdsworth and Roberts made a recorded version of their arrangement but for copyright reasons it has not been released.
Furthermore, many dance acts and other artists have used the intro to Tubular Bells as the basis for their songs. A long list can be found at Rainer Muenz’ discography. Computer games Commodore 64
With the aid of the software house CRL and distributor Nu Wave, Mike Oldfield released an interactive Commodore 64 version of the album in 1986, which utilised the computer’s SID sound chip to play back a simplified re-arrangement of the album, accompanied by some simple 2D visual effects.
The “interactivity” offered by the album/program was limited to controlling the speed and quantity of the visual effects, tuning the sound’s volume and filtering, and skipping to any part of the album. Maestro
In 2004 Oldfield launched a virtual reality project called Maestro which contains music from the re-recorded Tubular Bells album (Tubular Bells 2003). The original title of the game was The Tube World. This was the second game which was released under the MusicVR banner, the first being Tres Lunas. MusicVR set out to be a real-time virtual reality experience combining imagery and music, as a non-violent and essentially a non-goal driven game. References
^ “Tubular Bells ring out across world at 666″. The Evening Standard. 2009-06-02. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23702477-details/Tubular+Bells+ring+out+across+world+at+666/article.do. Retrieved 2009-06-05. 
^ “Orb, bellringers to play Tubular Bells”. Digitalspy. 2009-06-03. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a158051/orb-bellringers-to-play-tubular-bells.html. Retrieved 2009-06-06. 
^ “The Orb To Perform Tubular Bells”. Undercover.com.au. 2009-05-31. http://undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=8412. Retrieved 2009-06-06. 
^ “Tubular Bells at The British Music Experience”. About.com. 2009-06-02. http://golondon.about.com/b/2009/06/02/tubular-bells-at-the-british-music-experience.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-06. 
^ Oldfield, Mike (2007). Changeling – Autobiography of Mike Oldfield. Virgin Books. pp. 128, 140. ISBN 978-1852273811. 
^ “Classic Album Covers: Issue Date 7 January 2010″. Royal Mail. 2010-01-08. http://www.royalmail.com/portal/stamps/content1?catId=32300674&mediaId=112400790. Retrieved 2010-01-08. 
^ “Coldplay album gets stamp of approval from Royal Mail”. The Guardian. 2010-01-08. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jan/08/coldplay-album-stamp-approval. Retrieved 2010-01-08. 
^ “Album Covers stamps”. NorPhil. http://www.norphil.co.uk/2010/01-album_covers_stamps.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-12. 
^ a b “Archiv Sendung vom 02.04.2008, kulturplatz, Mike Oldfield video interview” (html/video). SF 1. 2008-04-02. http://www.sf.tv/sf1/kulturplatz/index.php?docid=20080402. Retrieved 2008-04-08. 
^ “N527VA”. Airliners. http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=N527VA&distinct_entry=true. Retrieved 2009-04-03. 
^ “G-VHOT”. V-Flyer. http://www.v-flyer.com/aircraft.asp?search=yes&flight=G-VHOT. Retrieved 2009-04-02. 
^ Classic: Pink Floyd & The Story of Prog Rock, Q, 2005 
^ “Covermounts provoke fresh outrage”. Music Week. 2007-04-30. http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=28025. Retrieved 2009-03-22. 
^ “Mail on Sunday hits back in Mike Oldfield row”. The Guardian/Scenta. 2007-05-12. http://www.scenta.co.uk/Music/1698948/mail-on-sunday-hits-back-in-mike-oldfield-row.htm. Retrieved 2009-03-22. 
^ “Oldfield attacks Tubular Bells giveaway”. Music Week. 2007-05-08. http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=28250. Retrieved 2009-03-22. 
^ “Industry expresses support for Oldfield”. Music Week. 2007-05-15. http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=28471. Retrieved 2009-03-22. 
^ “Mike Oldfield regains control of Tubular Bells”. The Times. 2008-03-01. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3431337.ece. Retrieved 2008-04-05. 
^ “Oldfield signs to Mercury for new album”. Music Week. 2005-05-24. http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=13712. Retrieved 2009-03-22. 
^ “12 Albums That Changed Music”. MSN Music. 2009. http://entertainment.uk.msn.com/music/galleries/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=16966562. Retrieved 2009-05-29. 
^ “Theme from “The Exorcist”, The Sequel”. Los Angeles Times. 1993-10-08. http://tubular.net/articles/93_10.shtml. Retrieved 2008-04-05. 
^ “Volkswagen dispels diesel myth in eerie new TV campaign”. PR Week. 2002-03-22. http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/article/139878/Volkswagen-dispels-diesel-myth-eerie-new-TV-campaign/. Retrieved 2009-04-27. 
^ Oldfield, Mike (2007). Changeling – Autobiography of Mike Oldfield. Virgin Books. pp. 111. ISBN 978-1852273811. 
^ Oldfield, Mike (2007). Changeling – Autobiography of Mike Oldfield. Virgin Books. pp. 123129. ISBN 978-1852273811. 
^ Oldfield, Mike (2007). Changeling – Autobiography of Mike Oldfield. Virgin Books. pp. 139. ISBN 978-1852273811. 
^ Oldfield, Mike (2007). Changeling – Autobiography of Mike Oldfield. Virgin Books. pp. 85. ISBN 978-1852273811. 
^ “Sale 15242 – Film and Rock & Roll Memorabilia”. Bonhams. 2007-06-20. http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/wspd_cgi.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=EUR&screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=3596185&iSaleNo=15242. Retrieved 2008-04-01. 
^ “The Making of Tubular Bells”. Q magazine. 2001-08. http://tubular.net/articles/01_08.shtml. Retrieved 2008-04-05. 
^ Oldfield, Mike (2007). Changeling – Autobiography of Mike Oldfield. Virgin Books. pp. 124. ISBN 978-1852273811. 
^ Oldfield, Mike (2007). Changeling – Autobiography of Mike Oldfield. Virgin Books. pp. 140. ISBN 978-1852273811. 
^ Hamlyn, Nick (1994). Musicmaster Price Guide for Record Collectors (3rd ed.). Retail Entertainment Data Publishing Ltd. pp. 599. 
^ “Universal press release – Tubular Bells”. Mike Oldfield Information Service. 2009-04-15. http://www.mikeoldfield.org/news/150409.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-20. 
^ “The Bells are Back…”. TubularBells2009.com. 2009-04. http://tubularbells2009.com/news.php?item=2. Retrieved 2009-04-21. 
^ “Where are they now – Tom Baker”. Real Doctor Who Fans. http://www.pearsecom.co.uk/where/wtntombaker.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-07. 
^ “Tubular Comp”. Richer Sounds. 2009. http://www.richersounds.com/information/tubular_comp. Retrieved 2009-06-07. 
^ “Mike Oldfield”. Cambridge Audio. 2009. http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/set_territory.php?TID=1&Redirect=/content.php?COID=167&Title=Mike+Oldfield. Retrieved 2009-06-07. 
^ “Radcliffe & Maconie show”. BBC. 2009-05-26. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00kmft9. Retrieved 2009-05-29. 
^ “Sounds of the 70s”. BBC. 2009-06-14. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00l2hh6. Retrieved 2009-06-14. 
^ a b “Bonus material”. MikeOldfield.com. 2009. http://www.mikeoldfield.com/bonus. Retrieved 2009-06-11. [dead link]
^ “Tubular Bells store”. Band Stores. 2009-05-15. http://www.bandstores.co.uk/shop/tubularbells/. Retrieved 2009-05-15. 
^ “About”. Tubular Bells 2009.com. http://tubularbells2009.com/about.php. Retrieved 2009-09-26. 
^ “International Bell Day”. TubularBells2009.com. 2009-04. http://tubularbells2009.com/news.php?item=1. Retrieved 2009-04-21. 
^ “The Bell is Back”. Universal Music. 2009. http://assets.umusic.co.uk/mercury/tubular_bells/images/BME_Tubular_Bells_V6.pdf. Retrieved 2009-06-05. 
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^ “Gallery”. TubularBells2009.com. 2009. http://www.tubularbells2009.com/gallery.php. Retrieved 2009-06-11. 
^ International Bell Day 6 June 2009 at YouTube
^ “Shop”. Night of the Proms. http://www.notp.com/english/shop. Retrieved 2010-01-28. 
^ a b c d e f “Cover versions”. Rainer Meunz. http://www.argiers.com/rainer/cover.html. Retrieved 2009-02-07. 
^ “Seven Churches”. Metal Storm. 2005-06-28. http://www.metalstorm.ee/bands/album.php?album_id=3481&band_id=114&bandname=Possessed. Retrieved 2009-02-07. 
^ “Death Angel”. Voices from the Dark Side. http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/deathangel.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-07. 
^ “Claudio Simonetti – Days of Confusion”. Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Claudio-Simonetti-Days-Of-Confusion/release/1576024. Retrieved 2009-09-26. 
^ “Whispers to wails, Amos dazzles”. St. Petersburg Times. 2002-11-08. http://www.sptimes.com/2002/11/08/Artsandentertainment/Whispers_to_wails__Am.shtml. Retrieved 2009-02-07. 
^ “Bizarre Live 2000 Russia”. TankTrix.ru. http://www.musiclib.tanktrix.ru/t/bizv.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-07. 
^ “Fear of Overlooking”. XXLMag. 2009-08-21. http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=55322. Retrieved 2009-10-09. 
^ “Paska – Women Are From Venus, Men From Anus” (in Finnish). Noise. http://www.noise.fi/levyarvostelut/index.php?id=3841. Retrieved 2009-02-07. 
^ “Crown Records – Tubular Bells” (iTunes). Apple. http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=127956755&s=143454. Retrieved 2009-10-09. 
^ “Interview with Marcel Bergmann, author of the four piano version of Tubular Bells”. mundomikeoldfield.com. 2008-01-04. http://www.mundomikeoldfield.com/marcelenglish.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-25. 
^ “Echoes”. Acoustic Guitar Central. http://www.acousticguitar.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=24174. Retrieved 2009-02-07. 
^ “Tubular Bells for Two”. Myspace. http://www.myspace.com/tubularbellsfortwo. Retrieved 2009-10-09. 
^ “Top Ten Rubbish Video Games That Feature Musicians”. Stylus Magazine. 2004-07-23. http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/staff_top_10/top-ten-rubbish-video-games-that-feature-musicians.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-05. 
^ “GamEnd”. Vaz Comics. http://www.vazcomics.org/mamend/gamend/endless5.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-05. 
^ “Tubular Bells game”. Gamerbase64. http://www.gamebase64.com/game.php?id=9745&d=18&h=0. Retrieved 2008-12-29. 
^ “Talk time: Mike Oldfield”. The Guardian. 2003-07-31. http://technology.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,1008870,00.html. Retrieved 2008-04-05.  Further reading
Tubular Bells – Mike Oldfield (Music score for piano or guitar, analysis by David Bedford, text by Karl Dallas, photos by David Bailey and others). New York, London, Sydney: Wise Publications. ISBN 0860012492.  External links
TubularBells2009.com
Tubular Bells store at Band Stores
Mike Oldfield Discography – Tubular Bells at Tubular.net
Preceded by
Hergest Ridge by Mike Oldfield
UK number one album
5 October 1974 11 October 1974
Succeeded by
Rollin’ by Bay City Rollers
Preceded by
Band on the Run by Paul McCartney & Wings
Australian Kent Music Report number-one album
20 May 16 June 1974
Succeeded by
The Sting (soundtrack) by Various artists
v  d  e
Mike Oldfield
Albums
Studio albums: Tubular Bells  Hergest Ridge  Ommadawn  Incantations  Platinum  QE2  Five Miles Out  Crises  Discovery  The Killing Fields  Islands  Earth Moving  Amarok  Heaven’s Open  Tubular Bells II  The Songs of Distant Earth  Voyager  Tubular Bells III  Guitars  The Millennium Bell  Tr3s Lunas  Tubular Bells 2003  Light + Shade
Orchestral albums: The Orchestral Tubular Bells  Music of the Spheres
Live albums: Exposed
Singles
“Mike Oldfield’s Single”  “Don Alfonso”  “In Dulci Jubilo”  “Portsmouth”  “William Tell Overture”  “Cuckoo Song”  “Guilty”  “Blue Peter”  “Arrival”  “Sheba / Wonderful Land”  “Five Miles Out”  “Family Man”  “Mistake”  “Moonlight Shadow”  “Shadow on the Wall”  “Crime of Passion”  “To France”  “Tricks of the Light”  “tude”  “Pictures in the Dark”  “Shine”  “In High Places”  “Islands”  “The Time Has Come”  “Magic Touch”  “Flying Start”  “Earth Moving”  “Innocent”  “(One Glance Is) Holy”  “Heaven’s Open”  “Gimme Back”  “Sentinel”  “Tattoo”  “The Bell”  “Hibernaculum”  “Let There Be Light”  “Women of Ireland XXV”  “Man in the Rain”  “Far Above the Clouds”  “To Be Free”  “Thou Art in Heaven”  “Spheres”
EPs and other songs
“Two Ships”  “Child of Allah”  “Take Four”  “The Singles”  “The Mike Oldfield EP”  “Foreign Affair”  “The X-Files Theme”  “Introduction 2003″  “Surfing”
Video albums
The Space Movie  Exposed  The Essential Live  Live at Montreux 1981  The Wind Chimes  Tubular Bells II Live  Elements  Tubular Bells III Live  The Art in Heaven Concert
Compilation albums
Boxed  Music Wonderland  The Complete Mike Oldfield  Elements 4 CD Boxset  Elements – The Best of Mike Oldfield  XXV: The Essential  The Best of Tubular Bells  Collection  The Complete Tubular Bells  The Platinum Collection  The Mike Oldfield Collection 19741983
Other media
Changeling  MusicVR  Tres Lunas  Maestro
Tours
Tour of Europe  In Concert  European Adventure Tour  Five Miles Out World Tour  Crises Tour  Discovery Tour  Tubular Bells II 20th Anniversary Tour  Live Then & Now 1999
Related content
Virgin Records  Richard Branson  Sally Oldfield  Terry Oldfield  Anita Hegerland  Maggie Reilly  The Sallyangie (Children of the Sun) Categories: Debut albums | Instrumental albums | Concept album series | Progressive rock songs | Mike Oldfield songs | Mike Oldfield albums | Albums produced by Tom Newman | Universal Deluxe Editions | Albums released in Super Audio | Mercury Records albums | Virgin Records albums | 1973 albumsHidden categories: All articles with dead external links | Articles with dead external links from January 2010 | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from May 2007

Millions of people everyday read their horoscopes in the newspaper, then go about their day. Although, these horoscopes can be fun, they can be misleading. Newspaper horoscopes only scratch a very wide surface, and to dig deeper here are 5 things you should know about astrology when [...]]]> 5 Things You Should Know About Your Newspaper Horoscope

Millions of people everyday read their horoscopes in the newspaper, then go about their day. Although, these horoscopes can be fun, they can be misleading. Newspaper horoscopes only scratch a very wide surface, and to dig deeper here are 5 things you should know about astrology when reading your horoscope. Out of the billions of people who inhabit the earth, how could they possibly be categorized by only twelve zodiac signs? Have you ever met a Cancer who did not want kids? Or a passive Aries without a stubborn bone in his body? The explanation for this is, that there were other planetary energies imprinted on them at birth. This is the case for every person who was ever born. These five basics might shed some light, and hopefully get you interested in studying astrology at a deeper level.

1. The horoscope you read in the newspaper is for your Sun sign only. This is the zodiac sign that most people are familiar with. You are born from “this date to this date”, therefore you are this “sign”. This is referring to the constellation or “sign” the Sun was in at the moment of your birth. This is the same for the Moon, Mars, Venus, etc. These planets were set in a particular sign as well. You could have many planets in one sign and none in the other. We all have a unique specific chart that is drawn at our first breath and the Sun Sign is only part of this.

2. The Sun sign is very important it represents the self. But the other planets in our solar system play a part as well. To start it is good to focus on the three major influences which would be the Sun, the Moon, and the Rising Sign (Ascendant). Where the Sun represents the self and your journey, the Moon represents your emotions, secrets, and childhood. It is easy to find your Moon and Ascendant. But, you do need to know the exact time and place of birth. There are many free places online to get a birth chart, I suggest astrodienst.

3. The Ascendant (Rising Sign) is the sign that was rising in the east at the moment of birth. It is associated with physical appearance and how you project yourself to others. It could be classified as the “mask” you wear for the world. This does not mean that it is a false persona, it is simply how others see you, and your impression. This is a very important part of the horoscope and it is widely believed to be just as important as the Sun sign. Therefore, it is wise to read both the Sun sign horoscope, as well as, the Ascendant.

4. The horoscope in the paper is based on the planets’ influences, and their placements on that particular date. If, for instance, Mercury is strong in the heavens on that date, you will be successful in communicating with others. (Generally most people have Mercury in the same sign as their Sun.) This is the case for all twelve zodiac signs being written for that day. Which can be misleading because it is just too general and Sun sign specific. For example, if you are a Cancer (Sun sign) and it says it is going to be a productive work day, if you do not have Saturn in Cancer then it wouldn’t be fully accurate. (Saturn is associated with work and career)

5. An important thing to remember is that your newspaper horoscope is a very broad and brief interpretation of the Sun sign. These horoscopes are written to accommodate a wide range of readers and for the most part can be very vague. If it says there is love, then it is touching on a  Venus influence in your sign, if it mentions work or career, that would be Saturn etc. It is important to find where these planets play a part in your horoscope and go from there. Remember a  good place to focus on in the beginning would be the Sun, Moon, and the Ascendant.

Astrology can help you look at situations in a different light. If you are reading the horoscope in the newspaper for fun and to kill time, then you should be content with what the newspaper offers. If you have a serious interest, and are reading for legitimate insight and guidance, then you need to cast your chart. You will be amazed at the result, and will get much more out of this ancient science. Astrology can be a wonderful study for those interested in the human personality. It can help schedule events, predict compatibility, and even uncover issues that may have been hidden in the subconscious.