Sylvia (Focus song) on the "Old Grey Whistle Test", along with a number of UK gigs in late 1972, has been crediting with exposing the band and helping the single reach number 4 in the UK Singles Chart. The programme's presenter, Bob Harris, is quoted as saying that the band's appearance was so well received by the audience that the pressing plant for the single was overwhelmed and only produced copies of "Sylvia" for the following week to cater for the demand. Dave Thompson, writing for AllMusic, said that aside from the studio recording, the band's best version of the song was the
The Old Grey Whistle Test the glam metal scene of the 1980s. The show became the template for many successive "serious" British music programmes, such as the BBC's "Later... with Jools Holland" and "From the Basement" as well as OGWT's independent television rivals Alright Now", "Revolver" and "The Tube". In a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, voted for by industry professionals, "The Old Grey Whistle Test" was placed 33rd. The Arctic Monkeys referenced the show in the track Four Out of Five, from their 2018 release "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino". A parody