In style tv exhibits typically got here packaged up with a memorable title tune, and a few even crossed over into the pop charts, as our Prime 20 TV Themes confirms.
Phrases by Barry Web page
Identical to a stellar pop tune has the evocative energy of taking us again to a specific time in our lives, a terrific TV theme can have an equally transportative impact.
Whereas often straying outdoors of the last decade’s parameters, we return to the 80s and a golden period of tv when only a handful of home channels existed, a pre-streaming technicolour panorama the place catch-up TV meant enjoying again our favorite exhibits on our video recorders (if you happen to might afford them, that’s, and if the tape didn’t get chewed up).
Usually central to the viewing expertise – which was an occasion for a lot of in these halcyon days – was a theme that set each the temper and tone.
20 The Equalizer – Stewart Copeland: Busy Equalizing (1987)
Previous to the dissolution of The Police, self-proclaimed rhythmatist Stewart Copeland had already commenced a profession as a composer for rent. His debut rating for Francis Ford Coppola’s Rumble Fish instantly singled him out, incomes a Golden Globe nomination. One in all his first noteworthy TV soundtracks was The Equalizer, which initially starred Edward Woodward because the vigilante Robert McCall. Copeland equipped each the theme and the rating, and even made a cameo as a pickpocket.
19 Star Fleet – Brian Might + Mates: Star Fleet (1983)
With English dubbing and a brand new synth-heavy rating by Paul Bliss, Star Fleet was a Westernised revamp of Japanese sci-fi collection X-Bomber, whose puppetry had attracted Gerry Anderson comparisons. The present was first aired on ITV in 1982 and shortly grew to become successful with younger viewers, one in all whom was Brian Might’s son. The legendary Queen guitarist – who’d penned the title tune of Flash Gordon – was drawn to the present and its theme, which he later recorded with visitors together with Eddie Van Halen.
18 Avenue Hawk – Tangerine Dream: Streethawk (1985)
Starring ex-teen idol Rex Smith as motorcycling crimefighter Jesse Mach, Avenue Hawk didn’t capitalise on the recognition of motion exhibits like Knight Rider and ended after only one season. Very a lot of its period, the digital rating now appears like generic online game music, but it surely was really created by kosmische musik legends Tangerine Dream. Their idea album, Le Parc – its titles named after worldwide parks and gardens – included a brand new association of the theme and doubled up because the title minimize.
17 Prime Of The Pops – Paul Hardcastle: The Wizard (1986)
As soon as he’d reached N-N-N-No.1 with 19, electro-funk pioneer Paul Hardcastle all of a sudden discovered himself in excessive demand as each a producer (Phil Lynott) and remixer (Ian Dury, 5 Star), whereas additional work arrived within the type of a fee to create a brand new theme for Prime Of The Pops. Armed with a brand new Synclavier that apparently price as a lot as his home, Hardcastle minimize The Wizard at a second’s discover, however the Beeb – terrified of accusations of self-promotion – confirmed their gratitude by refusing to play it on the radio!
16 The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾ – Ian Dury: Profoundly In Love With Pandora (1985)
A small-screen adaptation of Sue Townsend’s bestseller a couple of teenage misfit and his dysfunctional household, The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole started airing on ITV in 1985. The archetypal diary of a wimpy child, the guide’s themes resonated with each pre- and post-pubescent readers, and translated nicely to TV. Effortlessly tapping into Mole’s psyche was punk poet Ian Dury, who penned the theme together with his Blockhead co-writer Chaz Jankel.
15 Large Deal – Bobby G: Large Deal (1984)
Occupying comparable dramatic terrain to Minder, Large Deal starred Ray Brooks (who’d notably narrated cult cartoon Mr Benn) as hapless gambler Robbie Field and Sharon Duce as his long-suffering girlfriend. Its theme was written, carried out and produced by Bucks Fizz’s Bobby Gee, who was then taking tentative steps as a solo artist because the Eurovision stars’ hits had been drying up. Sadly, it missed the Prime 40 – his unhealthy luck continued when he was injured in an street accident that landed co-vocalist Mike Nolan in a coma.
14 Auf Wiedersehen, Pet – Joe Fagin: Breakin’ Away/That’s Livin’ Alright (1983)
Chronicling the labours and booze-drenched adventures of seven British building staff abroad, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet was a staple of British TV within the mid-80s and made display stars of the likes of Jimmy Nail and Timothy Spall. Such was its recognition, this double A-sided single by Liverpudlian singer Joe Fagin – pairing with Collection One’s bookending themes – rose to UK No.3, with the rousing That’s Livin’ Alright incomes a coveted spot on Now II.
13 Boon – Jim Diamond: Hello Ho Silver (1986)
Jim Diamond first got here to prominence within the early 80s as one third of I Gained’t Let You Down hitmakers Ph.D., however later reached the chart summit solo with I Ought to Have Identified Higher. He struggled to construct on this success, till an invite to file the theme for Boon – starring Michael Elphick as a fireman-turned-troubleshooter – gave Diamond a UK Prime 10 hit. Whereas there was some lyrical correlation with the collection’ titular character, the reggae-tinged observe was in truth a tribute to the Scottish singer’s firefighting father.
12 Minder – Dennis Waterman: I Might Be So Good For You (1979)
By the point Minder was first broadcast, Dennis Waterman was a family title courtesy of crime drama The Sweeney. Starring George Cole as dodgy vendor Arthur Daley and Waterman as ex-con-turned-bodyguard Terry McCann, Minder endured a sluggish begin, as did its theme. Finally rising to No.3, the Ivor Novello-winning singalong reportedly started life as a throwaway B-side, with its co-writer Gerard Kenney stating it was knocked off in simply 25 minutes.
11 Robin Of Sherwood – Clannad: Robin (The Hooded Man) (1984)
Having experimented with a Prophet-5 on their hit theme for Harry’s Recreation, Clannad continued to upset the Irish folks purists by flirting with electronics on their soundtrack for Robin Of Sherwood, which spawned this single. Arguably probably the most genuine rendering of the Robin Hood legend, the present first aired on ITV in 1984, and its stars – together with Michael Praed and Ray Winstone – have lately been celebrating its fortieth anniversary.
10 Brush Strokes – Dexys Midnight Runners: As a result of Of You (1986)
From the creators of The Good Life and Ever Reducing Circles got here Brush Strokes, with Karl Howman as Jacko and Gary Waldhorn because the jocular painter and decorator’s overbearing boss. Characterised by Helen O’Hara’s exemplary fiddle and an unusually languid vocal from Kevin Rowland, the theme reignited their fortunes, however they had been already on the cusp of a break up. On the B-side was Irish folks tune Kathleen Mavourneen, an thought they’d revisit on Dexys’ second reunion LP in 2016.
09 Tour De France – Pete Shelley: Give It To Me (1984)
Following Buzzcocks’ 1981 break up, electronics fanatic Pete Shelley endured a shaky begin to his solo profession when the title observe of his Martin Rushent-produced Homosapien LP acquired a BBC ban – now lauded as an LGBT anthem. One other main milestone got here by way of his electro-pop theme for Channel 4’s Tour de France protection (presumably Kraftwerk had been too costly), that may very well be traced to obscure B-side Give It To Me. Later variations got here below the Zip moniker, whereas a reformed Buzzcocks additionally put their spin on it.
08 Enviornment – Brian Eno: One other Inexperienced World (1975)
Recuperating in hospital after absent-mindedly stepping in entrance of a taxi, Roxy Music co-founder Brian Eno had one thing of an epiphany while listening to 18th century harp items on low quantity, and started to formulate the concept of ambient music. His first LP to showcase a extra minimalist method was One other Inexperienced World, whose ephemeral title minimize was utilized by the BBC because the theme for his or her flagship arts present, Enviornment. Practically 50 years on, the enduring title sequence, through which a bottle floats on the ocean, stays unchanged.
07 Prime Of The Pops – Philip Lynott: Yellow Pearl (Remix) (1980)
Yellow Pearl started life as a synth motif Midge Ure had performed in soundchecks throughout Skinny Lizzy’s 1979 tour, earlier than evolving right into a Phil Lynott solo single. It flopped, however caught the ear of Prime Of The Pops producer Michael Hurll, who wanted a futuristic theme to accompany a brand new title sequence (the one with the flying data) for TOTP’s 1981 revamp. Relatively than recording a recent observe, the one was remixed, and for over 5 years it remained because the present’s theme, serving to Midge to repay his mortgage within the course of.
06 Moonlighting – Al Jarreau: Moonlighting (Theme) (1987)
Comedrama or dramedy? Nevertheless you wished to classify it, Moonlighting – starring Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis as mismatched non-public detectives – wasn’t simply an enormous hit with viewers, its screwball comedy and laser-focused cultural element additionally wooed the critics. It additionally catapulted a then-unknown Willis to superstardom. The soundtrack included a minimize from Willis, and a Nile Rodgers-helmed model of Al Jarreau’s elegant theme tune, that hit large within the UK and US.
05 Making Out – New Order: Vanishing Level (1989)
No strangers to soundtrack work, New Order had already minimize the theme for soccer chat present Finest And Marsh previous to a fee to supply music for BBC manufacturing unit ground drama Making Out. For the reason that band had been starting to fracture throughout classes for Method, Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris did a lot of the heavy lifting, creating each the rating and the theme, basically an instrumental model of album standout Vanishing Level. It seems on the Spherical And Spherical CD single.
04 The Garments Present – Pet Store Boys: In The Night time (1986)
Initially the flipside of flop 1985 single Alternatives, this closely Bobby Orlando-influenced minimize utilised the same chord sequence to its yuppie-baiting A-side, and referenced les Zazous, an anti-fascist youth motion of French origin. By 1987, the Pet Store Boys had been regulars within the charts, and an instrumental part from Arthur Baker’s remix was utilised as the brand new theme of pioneering style programme The Garments Present, displacing a mixture of 5 Star’s Discover The Time. The duo revamped the observe in 1995.
03 Miami Vice – Jan Hammer: Miami Vice Theme (1985)
Starring Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as drug-busting cops, Miami Vice was revered for each its fashionable cinematography and up to date pop soundtrack, whereas its adrenaline-fuelled theme tune earned Jan Hammer a US No.1 and two Grammys. The Prague-born musician additionally wrote the rating for 90 episodes, with leitmotif Crockett’s Theme reaching UK No.2 in 1987. In accordance with Edgar Froese, Tangerine Dream had initially been within the body to produce the music, however their work on Avenue Hawk precluded them.
02 Twin Peaks – Angelo Badalamenti: Theme From Twin Peaks (1990)
Following their profitable union on Blue Velvet, visionary director David Lynch and composer Angelo Badalamenti reunited for an album by breathy singer Julee Cruise, whose observe Mysteries Of Love had featured within the 1986 film. Through the making of dream-pop basic Floating Into The Night time, Lynch was concurrently devising the TV collection Northwest Passage – later Twin Peaks – and chosen an instrumental model of Falling to be its theme. It earned Badalamenti a Grammy, whereas Cruise’s haunting model climbed to UK No.7.
01 Physician Who – BBC Radiophonic Workshop: Physician Who (1964)
Since Physician Who’s first aired in 1963, 15 incarnations of the Time Lord from Gallifrey have come and gone, in addition to numerous companions. The long-running sci-fi present is now an establishment, with the picture of viewers heading for the backs of their sofas after seeing the pepper pot-shaped Daleks nonetheless firmly ingrained in standard tradition. Its modern theme has attained iconic standing, too, whereas its musical impression is immeasurable. From Pink Floyd to The Human League, The KLF and Orbital, quite a few artists have been touched by its greatness.
An audacious interpretation of Australian composer Ron Grainer’s unique rating, it was initially created in a Maida Vale lab by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, whose resident genius Delia Derbyshire utilised painstaking strategies to create the otherworldly piece we all know at this time. Writing for The Guardian, Her former colleague Brian Hodgson elaborated: “It was a world with out synthesizers, samplers and multi-track tape recorders; Delia, assisted by her engineer Dick Mills, needed to create every sound from scratch. She used concrete sources and sine- and square-wave oscillators, tuning the outcomes, filtering and treating, reducing in order that the joins had been seamless, combining sound on particular person tape recorders, re-recording the outcomes, and repeating the method, again and again.”
Learn Extra: Traditional Pop’s Prime 20 80s pop instrumentals
