Sylvia - Focus

Sylvia, which was recorded and released in 1972 on the album Focus III, has the distinction of being one of those relatively few hits that are instrumental. The single came out at the beginning of 1973 and reached No 4 in the UK (it only reached the bottom half of the Top One Hundred in the USA). It was originally written as a vocal track near the end of the sixties in honour of a Dutch actress and singer called Sylvia Alberts. The lyrics have apparently long been lost. The track begins with Jan Akkerman's distinctive jazz guitar riffs (evidently written by Thijs van Leer's older brother, Frank). Ambience is enhanced by heavy reverb from the other speaker acting as a sort of drone against the chopped chords. The organ and bass join in next, then the drums too for the opening section. Next the guitar leads the band on the lead theme until the chopped chords return to be followed once again by the guitar-led theme. Just over a minute in there is a brief bridge that features again under a minute later when it is repeated three times accompanied by van Leer's vibrato voice. We visit the main theme once again at the two minute mark (note the distinctive variation 20 seconds in). This leads to a false ritartando ending when the chopped chords break in for the last time as we approach the three minute mark, before fading to a close. When I first heard it I thought it rather old fashioned but have grown to love it. It is unlike any other song I know.