When is an instrumental not an instrumental?

[JK]

Or, conversely, "Where do you draw a line between lyrics and non-lyrics?"

Is "Hot Pastrami" an instrumental?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50wYkq8DaVQ

I've always thought so, as the "lyrics" are basically just the title (as in so many instrumentals, sung or spoken) and a bunch of yeahs.

And "Double Barrel"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_7Kx2FlFQY

The only tune to speak of is on the piano, with Dave Barker shouting arcane stuff from time to time.

There must be others that walk this tightrope. Of course, it's a mere technicality but fascinating nonetheless. (Well, I think it is.)

[Lonely Summer]

Or, conversely, "Where do you draw a line between lyrics and non-lyrics?"

Is "Hot Pastrami" an instrumental?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50wYkq8DaVQ

I've always thought so, as the "lyrics" are basically just the title (as in so many instrumentals, sung or spoken) and a bunch of yeahs.

And "Double Barrel"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_7Kx2FlFQY

The only tune to speak of is on the piano, with Dave Barker shouting arcane stuff from time to time.

There must be others that walk this tightrope. Of course, it's a mere technicality but fascinating nonetheless. (Well, I think it is.)

"I-I-I-I-I! AM THE MAGNIFICENT!"

[JK]

These three borderline cases feature wordless vocals:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4PvWaTmgD8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFa1-kciCb4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGaVUApDVuY

[JK]

Arguably the instrumental with the longest declaimed passages is "Hoots Mon", a UK #1 for Lord Rockingham's XI in 1958:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BktLpmDNwt0

it may have influenced Roger Waters' "Pict" rant ten years later.

All other contenders for this title are welcome...

[Jay]

This probably doesn't count, but I think it's funny as hell.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz0UvIZw-Y0

[JK]

This probably doesn't count, but I think it's funny as hell.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz0UvIZw-Y0

It counts!

I remember this from a drunken scene in Mean Streets, if I'm not mistaken. Scorsese always turns up trumps in the soundtrack department (and elsewhere).