The best theme songs/music in tv/movies
[Work in progress]
My pick of the best songs/instrumentals etc. used in tv shows or movies. Might try and rank them according to original instrumental (tv)/original song (tv)/etc.
My pick of the best songs/instrumentals etc. used in tv shows or movies. Might try and rank them according to original instrumental (tv)/original song (tv)/etc.
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- StarsJohn WatersMax MeldrumAlain DouteyStories of the lives of people living in and around the goldfields in the Australian bush during the 1850's.#1 Original instrumental (tv)
Composed by George Dreyfus, played by...
Brian May and the A.B.C. Showband - Rush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uJMF93Zatw
Extract from Brian May's Wikipedia page:
"The theme was composed by Australian George Dreyfus, but May's arrangement of the theme was recorded by the Show Band and quickly reached the top of the Australian charts, selling more than 100,000 copies. This type of success was usually reserved for pop groups such as Sherbert and Skyhooks." - CreatorNicolas FreelingStarsBarry FosterMichael LatimerJoanna DunhamCynical Dutch Detective Commissaris and his colleagues investigate murders, kidnappings, and political corruption.#2 Original instrumental (tv)
Composed by Jan Stoeckart (using the pseudonym Jan Trombey) accourding to Wikipedia. Peformed by...
The Simon Park Orchestra - Eye level
Hopefully this entry is valid as Wikipedia mentions that the original music was created in 1971 by De Wolfe Music, which made music for use in tv shows etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0O-2oAvNTo
An excerpt from the Wikipedia page for the composer:
"ITV had picked the tune, which Stoeckart had written a few years earlier, from the De Wolfe catalogue. The tune, loosely based on a German/Dutch nursery rhyme from the 18th century, became an instant hit with viewers and record buyers, as the recording - made by the Simon Park Orchestra - climbed to number one on the UK singles chart in 1973." - CreatorLeonard FreemanStarsJack LordJames MacArthurKam FongThe investigations of Hawaii Five-0, an elite branch of the Hawaii State Police answerable only to the governor and headed by stalwart Steve McGarrett.
- CreatorMichael J. BirdStarsJack HedleyBetty ArvanitiTakis EmmanuelAlan Haldane, footloose after selling his boatbuilding business, returns to Crete where he fought in the Second World War - only to find out that his former girlfriend died, but had a daughter. He decides to stay.
- CreatorDonald WilsonSydney NewmanStarsWilliam HartnellPatrick TroughtonJon PertweeThe adventures in time and space of the Doctor, a Time Lord who changes appearance and personality by regenerating when near death, and is joined by companions in battles against aliens and other megalomaniacs.#5 Original instrumental (tv)
Composed by Australian Ron Grainer, performed by...
The BBC Radiophonic Workshop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HHQbGI92MY
This has the great middle eighth of the theme which you'd sometimes here during the end credits (here it starts at 0:34 seconds).
An extract from the Wikipedia entry for the theme tune states:
"On hearing the finished result, Grainer was amazed, and famously asked, "Did I write that?"."
and
"The original theme was composed by Ron Grainer and realised by Delia Derbyshire of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, with assistance from Dick Mills. The various parts were built up using musique concrète techniques....It is widely regarded as a significant and innovative piece of electronic music, recorded well before the availability of commercial synthesisers or multitrack mixers." - CreatorStephen J. CannellRoy HugginsStarsJames GarnerNoah Beery Jr.Joe SantosThe cases of an easy-going ex-convict turned private investigator.
- CreatorRichard CarpenterStarsGeoffrey BayldonRobin DaviesGary WarrenA medieval wizard (though not a very good one) is transported to the modern age.
- CreatorBrian CookeJohnnie MortimerStarsRichard O'SullivanPaula WilcoxSally ThomsettSitcom exploring the trials and tribulations created by one man and two women flat-sharing in the 70s.#8 Original instrumental (tv)
Johnny Hawksworth - Up to date *
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mroyWhvpL-8
* Wikipedia states something similar for this as for "Van der Valk":
"it was not specially commissioned for the show, rather provided via the Production music company De Wolfe Music and most recently, made available in 1996 by independent record company Studio2Stereo on their CD "The sound gallery – Volume two". (Matrix number 7243 8 52990 2 5)." - CreatorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganA young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.#9 Original instrumental (tv)
Nerf Herder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYS-7mqpc7w
Wikipedia notes that:
"The song sounds similar to a section of a German pop song from the Eighties called "Codo" by "Deutsch-Österreichisches Feingefühl" (DÖF), but in 2006 Nerf Herder said that they had "never heard of DÖF," and the similarity was coincidental."
From memory, that German song's similarity seemed hard to view as merely 'coincidental' on the part of this tv show. - StarsDave AllenMichael Sharvell-MartinJacqueline ClarkeComedy show by Irish comedian#10 Original instrumental (tv)
Alan Hawkshaw - Blarney Stoned
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZF6aBtGMZY - DirectorRichard PearceStarsJessica LangeSam ShepardWilford BrimleyGilbert Ivy and his wife Jewell are farmers. They seem to be working against the odds, producing no financial surplus. Gilbert has lost hope of ever becoming prosperous, but his wife decides to fight for her family.There is no entry at this site for the rural affairs programme "Countrywide" on ABC TV Australia...so this will have to make do.
#11 Original instrumental (tv)
Tommy Emmanuel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlazrogEq5o - CreatorDavid SaleStarsPat McDonaldJeff KevinJoe HashamFollows the lives and relationships of residents in a Sydney apartment building, exploring adult themes and featuring risky content like sex scenes.
- CreatorIan Kennedy MartinStarsJohn ThawDennis WatermanGarfield MorganJack Regan and George Carter are hard-edged detectives in the Flying Squad of London's Metropolitan Police. They pursue villains by methods which are underhanded and often illegal, frequently violent and - more often than not - successful.#13 Original instrumental (tv)
Harry South
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmUOee7fRRQ
Closing theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mZE7BVlWO0 - CreatorHarry DriverVince PowellStarsSidney JamesDiana CouplandRobin StewartSid and Jean struggle to understand their teen kids' progressive ways. The couple lives in London with protest-loving son Mike and trendy daughter Sally.
- StarsLeonard TealeGeorge MallabyJohn FeganThe cases and crimes actioned by the Victoria (Australia) homicide squad, with many cases based of true events.
- CreatorJean HollowayStarsHope LangeEdward MulhareReta ShawDerived from the 1947 movie with the same name, a house is haunted by a deceased sea captain who wreaks havoc with the new tenants who were not advised of his existence.
- CreatorTed WillisStarsWilliam LucasCharlotte MitchellRoderick ShawA thoroughbred horse in 19th century England is adopted by a widowed doctor and befriended by his children. The horse helps the children as they have weekly adventures and encounters with various characters.#17 Original instrumental (tv)
Denis King - Galloping home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flvxbw8YYM8 - CreatorMel BrooksBuck HenryStarsDon AdamsBarbara FeldonEdward PlattMaxwell Smart, a highly intellectual but bumbling spy working for the CONTROL agency, battles the evil forces of rival spy agency KAOS with the help of his competent partner Agent 99.
- CreatorBlake EdwardsStarsCraig StevensHerschel BernardiLola AlbrightPeter Gunn is a private detective with a knack for finding trouble. His cases often mean he runs into the shadiest characters, most vicious thugs and the most powerful crime bosses. Cool and resourceful, he always gets the guilty party.
- StarsKerry O'BrienSarah FergusonQuentin McDermottAn Australian current affairs documentary television programme, the longest running of its kind nationally, produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).#xx Use of pre-existing or adapted music for instrumental theme (tv)
This isn't the version that I remember...edit in...found the original tune...details here:
John Keating and The Z Men - Lost patrol *
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6P18LujuTo
* The tune is the B side to the theme from the British drama "Z-cars".
Someone comments on the link above that the track is an adaptation of a melody in:
"Tchaikovsky's "Capriccio Italienne".
Due to this new info, I'll have to put this track in a category for non-original themes. - StarsMary LarkinKerry McGuireJon EnglishEighteen-year-old Mary Mulvane gets convicted for trying to get back her father's cow. She has to endure the travel in a prison ship from Ireland and living the life of a convict in Australia.
- CreatorGabe KaplanAlan SacksPeter MeyersonStarsGabe KaplanRon PalilloJohn TravoltaA compassionate teacher returns to his inner city high school of his youth to teach a new generation of trouble making kids.
- CreatorJames L. BrooksAllan BurnsStarsMary Tyler MooreEdward AsnerGavin MacLeodThe lives and trials of a young single woman and her friends, both at work and at home.#3 Original song (tv)
Sonny Curtis - Love is all around
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1GC6yXZ4e4
Alternative version from 1st series
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuuYvQsN-ak - StarsThe Krofft PuppetsFrank AletterKim KahanaA pop group consisting of four anthropomorphic animals host a variety of cartoons, songs, and skits.#4 Original song (tv)
Mark Barkan and Ritchie Adams - The tra la la song (one banana, two banana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juJpyUkHPCA
Wikipedia lists this song as reaching #96 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969. - CreatorDon BarkhamMichael CraigStarsAndrew KeirSascha HehnHerbert TiedeCharlie Cole and his grandson Pete Jarrett travel around outback Australia in a beaten-up ute, finding itinerant work along the way. In each place they befriend locals and become involved in an adventure, culminating in their solving a mystery, crime or local conflict.#5 Original song (tv)
Hopefully this is the right link...it's the Australian ABC TV series...a very good one too...eerie, outback road movie vibe...
sung by...
Doug Parkinson - The outsiders
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saSe6JyEqZs - CreatorLeon GriffithsStarsGeorge ColeGlynn EdwardsDennis WatermanRoguish comedy drama following the misadventures of small-time crook Arthur Daley. Can his ex-boxer bodyguard Terry stay level-headed whilst working for the King of Dodgy Deals?#6 Original song (tv)
Dennis Waterman (the star of the show) - I could be so good for you (co-written by his wife of the time, Patricia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5ohUHIjAxI
Full, single release version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNRkwNC9Ms4 - CreatorMike EvansNorman LearEric MonteStarsJa'net DuBoisRalph CarterBernNadette StanisA poor family make the best of things in the Chicago housing projects.#7 Original song (tv)
Wikipedia states of this song:
"The theme was composed by Dave Grusin with lyrics written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman. It was sung by Jim Gilstrap and Blinky Williams."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6gNo4-1r6k
Slower, closing credits theme (with slightly different lyrics at times):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQHpV0F2xx4 - CreatorWhitney BlakeNorman LearAllan ManingsStarsBonnie FranklinPat Harrington Jr.Valerie BertinelliThe misadventures of a divorced mother, her family and their building superintendent in Indianapolis.#8 Original song (tv)
This is it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8xgDgTBmtI
Wikipedia states:
"Composed by Brill Building songwriter Jeff Barry, and performed by RCA recording artist Polly Cutter." - CreatorJames BurrowsGlen CharlesLes CharlesStarsTed DansonRhea PerlmanJohn RatzenbergerThe regulars of the Boston bar "Cheers" share their experiences and lives with each other while drinking or working at the bar where everybody knows your name.#9 Original song (tv)
Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo - Where everybody knows your name
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU8ApAnoL_E
The full version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1vXjB-jwPM - CreatorNeal MarlensStarsAlan ThickeJoanna KernsKirk CameronThe misadventures of a family with a home business father and a journalist mother.#10 Original song (tv)
As long as we've got each other
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liFmMcmigsQ
Written and composed by both John Bettis and Steve Dorff. Sung by B.J.Thomas in the first series, then with Thomas and Jennifer Warnes and then Dusty Springfield in later series (see Wikipedia for details). - DirectorPeter R. HuntStarsGeorge LazenbyDiana RiggTelly SavalasBritish agent James Bond goes undercover to pursue the villainous Ernst Stavro Blofeld, who is planning to hold the world to ransom.#01 007 James Bond song
Louis Armstrong - We have all the time in the world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMxRDTfzgpU - DirectorLewis GilbertStarsRoger MooreLois ChilesMichael LonsdaleJames Bond investigates the mid-air theft of a space shuttle, and discovers a plot to commit global genocide.
- DirectorGuy HamiltonStarsSean ConneryJill St. JohnCharles GrayA diamond smuggling investigation leads James Bond to Las Vegas where he uncovers an evil plot involving a rich business tycoon.#03 007 James Bond song
Shirley Bassey - Diamonds are forever
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6kxcFcO6Y0
The movie was actually based on the song, not vice versa...believe it...or not. - DirectorLewis GilbertStarsSean ConneryAkiko WakabayashiMie HamaJames Bond and the Japanese Secret Service must find and stop the true culprit of a series of space hijackings, before war is provoked between Russia and the United States.#04 007 James Bond song
Nancy Sinatra - You only live twice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHk39y2IztE
This song has really grown on me over the years...wouldn't have ranked it so highly when I first bought "James Bond greatest hits"...on cassette, I think it was! Maybe it could be my #3. - DirectorLewis GilbertStarsRoger MooreBarbara BachCurd JürgensJames Bond investigates the hijacking of British and Russian submarines carrying nuclear warheads, with the help of a K.G.B. agent whose lover he killed.#05 007 James Bond song
Carly Simon - Nobody does it better
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy-c8aAntWA
This might have been my #1 when I first heard "James Bond greatest hits" but maybe I just heard it too many times (this is probably the only Bond song that you hear/heard on commercial FM classic hits stations in Australia). Listening to it now on You Tube, you can't doubt its quality. One of the best Bond songs ever. - DirectorJohn GlenStarsRoger MooreMaud AdamsLouis JourdanA fake Fabergé egg recovered from the body of a fellow agent leads James Bond to uncover a jewel smuggling operation led by the mysterious Octopussy, and a plot to blow up a NATO air base.#06 007 James Bond songs
Rita Coolidge - All time high
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md8uNCYX_Nc
The last great Bond song. - DirectorGuy HamiltonStarsSean ConneryGert FröbeHonor BlackmanWhile investigating a gold magnate's smuggling, James Bond uncovers a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve.
- DirectorGuy HamiltonStarsRoger MooreChristopher LeeBritt EklandJames Bond is targeted by the world's most expensive assassin, while he attempts to recover sensitive solar cell technology that is being sold to the highest bidder.#08 007 James Bond song
Lulu - The man with the golden gun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cljuc0wS6cY
Yes, it's cheesy...but I like it. And this is one of my favourite Bond films too! - DirectorJohn GlenStarsRoger MooreCarole BouquetTopolSecret service agent James Bond is assigned to find a missing British vessel equipped with a weapons encryption device and prevent it from falling into enemy hands.#09 007 James Bond songs
Sheena Easton - For your eyes only
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGrptJTswNg
Used to like this song more years ago. - DirectorJohn GlenStarsTimothy DaltonRobert DaviCarey LowellA vengeful James Bond goes rogue to infiltrate and take down the organization of a drug lord who has murdered his friend's new wife and left him near death.#10 007 James Bond songs
Patti Labelle - If you asked me to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySsNGvAQSWI - DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsSean ConneryKim BasingerKlaus Maria BrandauerA S.P.E.C.T.R.E. agent has stolen two American nuclear warheads, and James Bond must find their targets before they are detonated.#11 007 James Bond songs
Lani Hall - Never say never again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRfL7eKSzCs
This sounds dated and a bit cliché...yet nice enough. - StarsPat KeysellRex HaysRalph ThompsonA show presenting art projects and pantomime performances oriented for a hearing impaired youth audience.#1 Use of pre-existing instrumental music for the theme music (tv)
Allen Toussaint - Java (played by Al Hirt/Bert Kaempfert)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqwIpH6phJs
This piece of music was used for the closing credits according to Wikipedia. - CreatorMark FrostDavid LynchStarsKyle MacLachlanMichael OntkeanMädchen AmickAn idiosyncratic FBI agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.#2 Use of pre-existing instrumental music for the theme music (tv)
Julee Cruise - Falling*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2cJUw_hRVg
* This is basically her song minus the vocals, I believe. I could be wrong on this attribution as the show's composers - Angelo Badalamenti and David Lynch - were also heavily involved in the music in Cruise's own album as well as her lyrics...according to Wikipedia. - CreatorMonica DickensStarsGillian BlakeSteve HodsonArthur EnglishYoung Dora stays with her uncle on his farm while parents travel. Uncle suggests she visit Follyfoot Farm, part of estate caring for unwanted horses. Dora finds happiness there but faces uncertainty when parents return.#1 Use of pre-existing song for the theme music (tv)
The Settlers - The lightning tree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kvNFRzX6eA
The full song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuDEGK-tJbQ - CreatorStephen KingStarsJamie HarroldDiane LaddBruce DavisonThe quirky staff and patients of an ultramodern (albeit increasingly dilapidated) Maine hospital gradually become familiar with the supernatural occurrences that take place there, uncovering a dark secret in the process.#2 Use of pre-existing song for the theme music (tv)
Ivy - Worry about you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZACUlDhh7zo
This song was also used in "The 4400" but perhaps only incidentally. - StarsElspeth BallantyneBarbara JungwirthBetty BobbittThe lives of the staff and inmates of a women's prison.* Perhaps I should have sub-categories for songs/music...as in perhaps a category for adult shows, a category for children's shows etc. In any case, this is the theme to the Australian soap "Prisoner", which was called something else overseas.
#XX Original song (tv)
Lynne Hamilton - On the inside
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK1iAwlhsnQ - StarsNerys HughesPolly JamesMollie SugdenThe lives and loves of Beryl Hennessey (Polly James) and Sandra Hutchinson (Nerys Hughes), two young, single women sharing a flat in Liverpool.? Check to see if original or pre-existing.
The Scaffold -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y9VW2ldaJI