In 1963, the popular instrumental track "Saturday Night at the Duckpond" by The Cougars caused quite a stir when it was banned by the BBC. The reason behind this ban was the accusation of "defacing a classical melody," which left many curious about the origins of the melody in question.

The melody that The Cougars used in their hit song actually came from the ballet "Swan Lake" composed by the renowned Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. "Swan Lake" is one of the most famous and beloved ballets of all time, known for its beautiful and haunting melodies.

The ballet "Swan Lake" tells the story of Princess Odette, who is cursed by an evil sorcerer and transformed into a swan. The melody in question, which The Cougars borrowed for their instrumental track, is taken from Act II of the ballet. This act features the iconic "Dance of the Swans," a mesmerizing and melancholic piece that showcases Tchaikovsky's masterful composition skills.

It is understandable why the BBC considered The Cougars' use of this classical melody as defacing. The band took a well-known and respected piece of music from a ballet and transformed it into an upbeat, rock and roll instrumental track. This departure from the original context of the melody was seen as disrespectful by some classical music enthusiasts and purists.

While The Cougars' "Saturday Night at the Duckpond" was banned by the BBC, it still managed to gain popularity among fans of rock and roll music. The catchy tune, combined with the controversy surrounding its use of a classical melody, helped propel the instrumental track up the charts. Despite the ban, the song became a hit and remains a classic example of 1960s rock and roll.

In conclusion, the melody that The Cougars used in their hit instrumental "Saturday Night at the Duckpond" came from the ballet "Swan Lake" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The BBC banned the song for "defacing a classical melody," but this controversy only added to the song's popularity. Today, the instrumental track stands as a testament to the influence of classical music on popular culture.

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