"Guns Of Navarone" is the theme music and song of the 1961 film of the same name. The music was written by Dimitri Tiomkin for the film, the soundtrack of which was released in 1961.[1] A number of orchestral recordings have been released by various artists and appeared in various charts. Lyrics were added by Paul Francis Webster,[2] and various vocal version have also been recorded including one by the Jamaican group the Skatalites whose single was released in 1965, and reached No. 35 on the UK Singles Chart in 1967.[3]
The Jamaican group the Skatalites recorded a version in 1965. AllMusic describes their recording as a masterpiece of the ska genre with its feeling of optimism with a "jubilant harmonic horn chorus". The vocalist is Roland Alphonso, with Lee "Scratch" Perry who provided various shouts on the track. The rhythm section of drummer Lloyd Knibb and bassist, Lloyd Brevett provided sharp rim shots and a "thumping bass".[11]
Originally released in Jamaica on Coxsone Dodd's Muzik City label in 1965 under Alphonso's name, it was re-released the same year in the UK on Island using a slightly shorter edit. However, it did not appear in the UK charts until 1967, making number 36 in the spring of that year and staying on the charts for six weeks. It was The Skatalites' only top 40 hit in the UK.[12][3]