Favourite TV Themes

[the]

They don't do the drum properly. The 'booooooooom' at about 23 seconds in seems to be missing from all the live versions I've seen and it's one of my favourite moments in the last 100 years of recorded music.

Because it would require a timpani, which is quite a large unwieldy instrument to transport for such momentary use.

[Neomod]

They don't do the drum properly. The 'booooooooom' at about 23 seconds in seems to be missing from all the live versions I've seen and it's one of my favourite moments in the last 100 years of recorded music.

Have you seen the stage at The Jazz Cafe? Tis tiny.

[Norton Canes]

All three Tomorrow's World themes: Dankworth jazz | synthesized horizons | baroque grandeur

[Satchmo Distel]

Out Of Town - Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Memories of the Alhambra) by Francisco Tarrega (1907, Malaga, Spain) arranged by Jonathon Caudrille

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recuerdos_de_la_Alhambra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_PCQNTLGhA&ab_channel=ETV

Other version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-5weyHVC2U&ab_channel=BrandonAcker

Same technique applied to 'Blackbird':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnHGg7uc8mY&ab_channel=AngelA.Fargas

Version for sitar:

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=S0Th8bvR_Ps&list=RDAMVMS0Th8bvR_Ps

[non capisco]

Mr Rossi. Some MPB via Italy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hETMGwol2Ys

Missed this. Viva La Felicita is a sky high belter, isn't it? Adore that tune.

[Menu]

It really does beggar belief that was the theme for the news, doesn't it? For decades! News of the Aberfan disaster was introduced by that, was it? That dingly dell gnome music? The IRA mainland bombing campaigns of the 70s were soundtracked by that, were they? That music has the gravitas of a bashful cartoon lamb. Why'd it take from 1955 to 1982 before someone thought "Do you know what....this might sound too frivolous." I mean, I can only guess The Falklands War but it's not like nothing bad happened between the Suez Crisis and then. I guess it may have helped make the winter of discontent seem more like a bike ride to the beach with mater and pater and a hamper of scones with clotted cream and jam. Insanity.

They went to the other extreme with its replacement which still scares me to this day. An angry angry piece of music.

[Menu]

It really does beggar belief that was the theme for the news, doesn't it? For decades! News of the Aberfan disaster was introduced by that, was it? That dingly dell gnome music? The IRA mainland bombing campaigns of the 70s were soundtracked by that, were they? That music has the gravitas of a bashful cartoon lamb. Why'd it take from 1955 to 1982 before someone thought "Do you know what....this might sound too frivolous." I mean, I can only guess The Falklands War but it's not like nothing bad happened between the Suez Crisis and then. I guess it may have helped make the winter of discontent seem more like a bike ride to the beach with mater and pater and a hamper of scones with clotted cream and jam. Insanity.

Danny Baker used it as a 'bed' under his chatter for years (not sure if that's the right term. Sounds a bit weird).

[non capisco]

I honestly cannot wrap my head round the fact that shit was the theme music for the news. No wonder they wouldn't let us in the EEC for ages. They probably thought we were governed by Rupert the Bear.

[Glebe]

How could I forget the Chocky theme tune, especially as I just rewatched the whole thing on YouTube not long ago? Haunting and sad.

The Equalizer TV theme - Stewart Copeland.

Didn't realise that was composed by Copeland, actually.

Star Wars: Droids (Outro).

Shit cartoon, but that was a catchy little ditty.

Inspector Gadget Theme Song (HQ).

Go, Gadget, go!

Manual & The Music Of The Mountains Tico`s Tune.

That was used as the theme for Gay Byrne's radio show here in Ireland, and subsequently in Moone Boy. Written and performed by Geoff Love.

Brian Eno - Another Green World (Arena) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36B225lLvY4&ab_channel=sbritt

Ah yes, absolutely gorgeous.

Monkey-both the opening credits song and the slow one they played at the end.

The music was written and performed by Japanese band Godiego, here they are doing the main theme live. The ending theme was called 'Gandhara'.

Catweazle!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEUVg6TJ6Eo

Ah yes! Just watched both series earlier this year on YouTube!

Robin's Nest (1977) - written by Richard O'Sullivan, arranged and performed by Brian Bennett

I bet Matt Berry loves that. No mention of one-armed dishwasher David Kelly in the main credits there!

"Sit BooBoo Sit"
Bob James Taxi (Angela)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DL8SGEyhZE

I'm sure I remembered the sit Ubu sit followed by the Paramount sting but it's in fact a John Charles Walters Productions 'joint'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT8DOwk4yiU

YES! "Goodnight Mr. Walters!", "Uh-uh!" That's a beauty of theme tune actually, lovely combo of groovy, soulful organ and sad flute!

Don't Ask Me (1974-1978)

The opening chord makes me think of Billy Bragg's 'Shirley', then it goes full on Tull! Magnus Pike... he had a bit of pop success by guesting on Thomas Dolby's 'She Blinded Me with Science'!

Mr Rossi. Some MPB via Italy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hETMGwol2Ys

"Mr. Rossi, whatcha want?" A mate of mine was rewatching that some years back and told me there was an episode where MR. ROSSI EATS GLASS, ffs.

[daf]

Holiday (1978-1985)

Gordon Giltrap was born in the village of Brenchley, Kent, England. At 18, he signed with Transatlantic Records and released his debut studio album in 1968.  In 1977 he released the single "Heartsong". The track was used as the theme tune of the BBC TV series Holiday from 1978 to 1985.

Unthinkable now, the title sequence included a pair of unfettered knockers - waheyy!!

[Brundle-Fly]

I'm amazed this has never been sampled for a hip hop track.

Never The Twain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQbRUla1PUw

The most undynamic opening titles for a detective series ever. Starsky & Hutch, it ain't.

Shoestring
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4FMMgTGHPw

Scarier than Doctor Who?

I, Claudius
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71s_Y37_KYo

[the]

I honestly cannot wrap my head round the fact that shit was the theme music for the news.

It's more of a product of its time, as an example of light music in broadcasting presentation. I guess they stuck with it so long as it just became the familiar cry of a news bulletin, a bit like the Pathé theme.

[Phoenix Lazarus]

Scarier than Doctor Who?

I, Claudius
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71s_Y37_KYo

When that series was first shown, I was a small child and would be in bed when my parents watched it.  That music really used to creep me out when I heard it distantly coming into the silence of my room from downstairs.

[Brundle-Fly]

When that series was first shown, I was a small child and would be in bed when my parents watched it.  That music really used to creep me out when I heard it distantly coming into the silence of my room from downstairs.

It has the same menace as this TV movie title music. A prickly chill down my back even now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWZHdwMNq4c

[pigamus]

It's more of a product of its time, as an example of light music in broadcasting presentation. I guess they stuck with it so long as it just became the familiar cry of a news bulletin, a bit like the Pathé theme.

Is there another weird one as one - a mid 70s one? I'm thinking sort of boinging drums - sort of a lolloping thing - not newsy at all?

[the]

Is there another weird one as one - a mid 70s one? I'm thinking sort of boinging drums - sort of a lolloping thing - not newsy at all?

You're probably thinking of Roadwalk, the theme to News Review on BBC2.

^{Bloody hell, were they still using Anchor captioning in 1985?}

[Brundle-Fly]

It's more of a product of its time, as an example of light music in broadcasting presentation. I guess they stuck with it so long as it just became the familiar cry of a news bulletin, a bit like the Pathé theme.

I adore light music. I'd even wear a Ronald Binge t-shirt or an Eric Coates button badge.

[daf]

Screentest (1970-1984)

Screen Test was a children's game show that aired on BBC1 from 18 November 1970 to 20 December 1984. It was first hosted by Michael Rodd from 1970 to 1979, then by Brian Trueman from 1979 to 1983 and finally by Mark Curry in 1984. It involved its contestants seeing clips from films, and then being asked questions about the films to test their memories of them.

Clapperboard (1872-1982)

Clapperboard was a 1970s children's television programme, hosted by Chris Kelly which covered the cinema. The show was made by Granada Television for the ITV network, and lasted 254 episodes. It was produced by Muriel Young and was broadcast between April 1972 and January 1982. Young herself fronted the show on occasions when Kelly was unavailable.

[pigamus]

You're probably thinking of Roadwalk, the theme to News Review on BBC2.

^{Bloody hell, were they still using Anchor captioning in 1985?}

Yes that's it! Doesn't exactly scream "news", does it? It's more like battleaxe music from a sitcom!

[the]

Yes that's it! Doesn't exactly scream "news", does it? It's more like battleaxe music from a sitcom!

It's been likened to stripper music (someone on here recently alluded to Jan Leeming with a feather boa) - a comparison that was taken more literally by a VT Xmas tape I saw recently.

It's by Syd Dale, from this KPM album.

[Mr Banlon]

The London Programme : https://youtu.be/2HnkBvF-DGw?t=9
The music, and title sequence that make sure you know that it's all fucking kicking-off in London.

[rectorofstiffkey]

Holiday (1978-1985)



Unthinkable now, the title sequence included a pair of unfettered knockers - waheyy!!

Bloody hell, didn't believe you until I clicked and saw for myself.  That show used to be on in the early evening and I used to watch it with my parents, and I don't remember the knockers at all.  I do however remember a letter to Points Of View being read out about the number of sunbathing women being featured, with the letter ending 'How about some nice male bums.  Which stuck in my mind because at 10 I found it totally hilarious that the posh lady doing the reading out had to say 'bums'.  Bums. < heh heh >

Was also surprised fairly recently to see a topless mermaid (only drawn, not live to be fair) on an episode of Bagpuss.  Presumably breasts were Different Then.

[jobotic]

You're probably thinking of Roadwalk, the theme to News Review on BBC2.

^{Bloody hell, were they still using Anchor captioning in 1985?}

Whenever I see someone with a massive arse I hear that music.

It goes back to school.

[rectorofstiffkey]

I do, of course! And here's the proof.

https://youtu.be/gCFqSCeCYhI

thank you!  That programme was actually aired pretty much as I went to school so I probably saw it.  Actually surprised by how good it was!

[MiddleRabbit]

Holiday (1978-1985)



Unthinkable now, the title sequence included a pair of unfettered knockers - waheyy!!

The original theme was Love's "The Castle".

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vV9qUqHL8uo

[jobotic]

The original theme was Love's "The Castle".

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vV9qUqHL8uo

Wow!

[Glebe]

Unthinkable now, the title sequence included a pair of unfettered knockers - waheyy!!

Not quite the biggest pair of tits on the Beeb!

Scarier than Doctor Who?

I, Claudius
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71s_Y37_KYo

Like Derek Jarman meets Peter Greenaway in a crack lounge... think I said this in another thread, but the Hale and Pace theme tune is oddly reminiscent of it in places!

[Phoenix Lazarus]

The theme to Star Trek was otherworldly and hearing it with that montage of weird beings pictured in the closing credits was an odd experience as a child.

[SteveDave]

Unthinkable now, the title sequence included a pair of unfettered knockers - waheyy!!

I actually gasped and pointed at the screen when I saw them. School the day after that premiered must've been amazing. I well remember seeing a single nipple on an advert for some skin cream (or sutin) when I was about 12 or 13 and it was 'round the classrooms like wildfire the day after.

[rectorofstiffkey]

The theme to Star Trek was otherworldly and hearing it with that montage of weird beings pictured in the closing credits was an odd experience as a child.

With surely the worst theme tune lyrics ever, even if they weren't actually sung

Beyond
The rim of the star-light
My love
Is wand'ring in star-flight
I know
He'll find in star-clustered reaches
Love,
Strange love a star woman teaches.
I know
His journey ends never
His star trek
Will go on forever.
But tell him
While he wanders his starry sea
Remember, remember me.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/unthemely-behavior/