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| What makes a great TV theme tune? | What makes a great TV theme tune? |
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| Johnny Dankworth, who has died aged 82, was lauded for his jazz but was also a noted composer of TV theme tunes, including The Avengers and Tomorrow's World. So why do some of them stick in the head? | Johnny Dankworth, who has died aged 82, was lauded for his jazz but was also a noted composer of TV theme tunes, including The Avengers and Tomorrow's World. So why do some of them stick in the head? |
| It might be the crashing drums at the start of EastEnders, the unfathomable "hooky street" lyrics at the start of Only Fools and Horses, or the frilly piano solo at the start of Murder She Wrote. | It might be the crashing drums at the start of EastEnders, the unfathomable "hooky street" lyrics at the start of Only Fools and Horses, or the frilly piano solo at the start of Murder She Wrote. |
| Whatever it is, many of us have a TV theme tune we cherish, in many cases more than the show itself. | Whatever it is, many of us have a TV theme tune we cherish, in many cases more than the show itself. |
| if Joe Bloggs down the street can whistle it after a couple of times then you're onto a winner Ruth BarrattComposer | if Joe Bloggs down the street can whistle it after a couple of times then you're onto a winner Ruth BarrattComposer |
| Getting it right is crucial for the army of composers who score music to fit the type of programme. | Getting it right is crucial for the army of composers who score music to fit the type of programme. |
| Ruth Barratt has written music for a number of dramas, including Wallander and Wuthering Heights. | Ruth Barratt has written music for a number of dramas, including Wallander and Wuthering Heights. |
| "A good theme tune has got to be something that is really memorable... if Joe Bloggs down the street can whistle it after a couple of times then you're onto a winner." | "A good theme tune has got to be something that is really memorable... if Joe Bloggs down the street can whistle it after a couple of times then you're onto a winner." |
| For Ms Barratt, the key is devising something which captures the spirit of the show, something Johnny Dankworth did with The Avengers. | For Ms Barratt, the key is devising something which captures the spirit of the show, something Johnny Dankworth did with The Avengers. |
| Humming along | Humming along |
| As well as Dankworth there have been other theme tune masters from the last 50 years. Henry Mancini, who died in 1994, was behind the famous Pink Panther theme tune, and won scores of Grammys. | As well as Dankworth there have been other theme tune masters from the last 50 years. Henry Mancini, who died in 1994, was behind the famous Pink Panther theme tune, and won scores of Grammys. |
| British composer Ronnie Hazlehurst who died in 2007 wrote the music for many popular shows. His credits included Last of the Summer Wine, The Two Ronnies and Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. | British composer Ronnie Hazlehurst who died in 2007 wrote the music for many popular shows. His credits included Last of the Summer Wine, The Two Ronnies and Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. |
| The compositions are instantly recognisable, unlike the composers | The compositions are instantly recognisable, unlike the composers |
| If you find yourself humming along to the Wimbledon theme, or have the Grandstand music as your ringtone, then it's Keith Mansfield you have to thank. Describing himself as the "sports king of England", he has been penning theme music since the 1960s. | If you find yourself humming along to the Wimbledon theme, or have the Grandstand music as your ringtone, then it's Keith Mansfield you have to thank. Describing himself as the "sports king of England", he has been penning theme music since the 1960s. |
| To take one example, the Grandstand theme was successful because it worked on a number of levels, Mr Mansfield says. | To take one example, the Grandstand theme was successful because it worked on a number of levels, Mr Mansfield says. |
| "One was that it had a direct approach which was the pop approach. Simple chords like pop music... then it goes into a middle section which is more like the old big band like Las Vegas and show music. It was both direct and poppy with a simple melody," he adds. | "One was that it had a direct approach which was the pop approach. Simple chords like pop music... then it goes into a middle section which is more like the old big band like Las Vegas and show music. It was both direct and poppy with a simple melody," he adds. |
| In the sixties, television themes were often written without seeing the show first. Instead a group of composers would each record a theme, and one would be selected by the show's producers. | In the sixties, television themes were often written without seeing the show first. Instead a group of composers would each record a theme, and one would be selected by the show's producers. |
| Today the trend is towards pieces being specifically commissioned. In both cases a brief is handed to a composer suggesting the theme, the mood and possible instruments to help create this. | Today the trend is towards pieces being specifically commissioned. In both cases a brief is handed to a composer suggesting the theme, the mood and possible instruments to help create this. |
| 'Catty melody' | 'Catty melody' |
| Like many theme tune aficionados, Mr Mansfield says they don't make them like they used to. | Like many theme tune aficionados, Mr Mansfield says they don't make them like they used to. |
| "Tomorrow's World was very, very good. It was very striking in terms of its syncopation, which had a very jazzy feel to it, like a cute and catty melody." | "Tomorrow's World was very, very good. It was very striking in terms of its syncopation, which had a very jazzy feel to it, like a cute and catty melody." |
| Aside from Johnny Dankworth's work, Mr Mansfield singles out Coronation Street's theme as one of the more memorable for its ability to "evoke the spirit of Manchester". | Aside from Johnny Dankworth's work, Mr Mansfield singles out Coronation Street's theme as one of the more memorable for its ability to "evoke the spirit of Manchester". |
| Theme tunes have the power to summon a wave of televisual nostalgia, and the importance they are accorded is best indicated by the presence of a special category at the Ivor Novello songwriting awards. | Theme tunes have the power to summon a wave of televisual nostalgia, and the importance they are accorded is best indicated by the presence of a special category at the Ivor Novello songwriting awards. |
| But for those of us not too familiar with musical terminology, it remains hard to explain why some bring a powerful response and some don't. | But for those of us not too familiar with musical terminology, it remains hard to explain why some bring a powerful response and some don't. |
| Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |
| Unfathomable "Hooky Street"? It means knock off gear. And you don't have to be a Londoner to know that...Malcolm Stoney, Skipton, UK | Unfathomable "Hooky Street"? It means knock off gear. And you don't have to be a Londoner to know that...Malcolm Stoney, Skipton, UK |
| There are two pieces of TV music with a guaranteed a 100% "pass-on" rate, i.e. when you hum it within earshot of someone of a similar age, they are guaranteed to start humming it too inside five minutes These are: | There are two pieces of TV music with a guaranteed a 100% "pass-on" rate, i.e. when you hum it within earshot of someone of a similar age, they are guaranteed to start humming it too inside five minutes These are: |
| 1) The theme from Animal Magic; | 1) The theme from Animal Magic; |
| 2) The gallery music from Take Hart. | 2) The gallery music from Take Hart. |
| Try it- I have never yet known it to fail.Sue, London | |
| Another classic theme tune would have to be the Red Dwarf theme, both the modern guitar intro and the lyrical credits music. | Another classic theme tune would have to be the Red Dwarf theme, both the modern guitar intro and the lyrical credits music. |
| And of course possibly the most famous theme ever, the Doctor Who theme tune. It seems to me that all Sci-Fi products have to have a damn good theme to become a success!Ben Dawson, Hull, England | |
| When I was at school in north Wales in the late 80s, I seem to remember there being a hymn sung at assembly set to the "Match of the Day" theme! John Baker, Lisbon, Portugal | |
| My favourite one has and always will be Blackadder (first series. The words and the tune are brilliant. Howard Goodall does amazing stuff.Timothy Lutton, London, England | |
| I really loved the theme to Wish You Were Here? and Holiday....great summery tunes!Stuart , Portsmouth, England | |
| Ron Grainer, the man credited with the Doctor Who theme tune (though it was probably more down to Delia Derbyshire, but that's another story) composed some cracking themes, including Steptoe & Son, Tales of the Unexpected, and my favourite The Prisoner. | |
| Someone would clean up if they produced an album of ORIGINAL TV themes - vast majority are awful cover versions.Paul, GB | |
| Thunderbirds - when that is played by one of the military bands at the Trooping of the Colour, then that must mean it has truly arrived!! Blue Peter's would be another memorable theme, I hate to say it, but "Big Brother", also Panorama, Newsnight...all instantly recognisable.Catherine, Southampton, UK | |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |