My bud DeAngelo Starnes gave me this idea... by reminding me that old TV theme songs used to freakin’ rock!There’s a reason why, too. They were often made by credentialed jazz musicians such as Nelson Riddle, Quincy Jones and Gil Melle. Alas, those days are over.
If you are past the age of 45, I bet these particular old TV theme songs will evoke nice memories:
1. “The Name of the Game” – Dave Grusin
2. “Medical Center” – Lalo Schifrin
3. “Daktari” – Shelley Manne
4. “Space: 1999” – Barry Gray
I knew the "Daktari" theme but I listened to the stream anyway. I didn't quite remember the others, though.
ReplyDeleteI have some tv theme songs on my mp3 player. Like "The Savers" from the Joker's Wild game show and Rhythm Heritage's "Theme From S.W.A.T."
Hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteOT: Hey UBM you got mentioned in the Freakanomics blog.
Freakanomics
How about the theme song from "Green Hornet"? Al Hirt playing "Flight of the bumblebee", and doesn't seem to take a breath!
ReplyDeleteDid Quincy Jones do the Sanford and Son theme? Love that one...
ReplyDeleteAlso like the Match Game music, and the Munsters had a cool instrumental...and then there's Maude.
They probably don't spend much time on theme songs now in order to fit more commercials in...or maybe it is an added expense because you have to pay the composer each time it plays?
I have some tv theme songs on my mp3 player. Like "The Savers" from the Joker's Wild game show...
ReplyDeleteYeah, Jena6, there was some cool game-show music too... though I don't remember that one.
Like CJB pointed out, that walkin' bass line and wah-wah guitar break on "Match Game" tickled my fancy...
About 15 years ago, a group of CDs was released called Televisions Greatest Hits. Each CD had 40+ theme songs from Cartoons, Sit-Coms, Prime Time Drama and others.
ReplyDeleteI was leaving a concert one night and this CD was the only one I had, ao I was blasting it. "Greatest American Hero" came on and I had all the cars around me bopping to the music (and someone let me merge into traffic!)
Ok, so I went to the Amazon site and they are still available....
I don't know if you allow links, but I'll give it a shot...
http://www.amazon.com/Televisions-Greatest-Hits-Vol-2-50s/dp/B000000GOL
Like CJB pointed out, that walkin' bass line and wah-wah guitar break on "Match Game" tickled my fancy...
ReplyDeleteIt sounds kinda porno. :-P
As for "The Savers" I searched around for a link but couldn't find one. It's Moog-alicious!
yeah, quincy jones did do the theme to sanford and son. the little break down part, after the main melody is just awesome.
ReplyDeletealso, i've always enjoyed the theme to barney miller. very, very cool.
re Schifrin - Medical Center is pretty good, but better than Mannix?
ReplyDelete^ Bonus points for the Jurassic synth.
ReplyDeleteHmmm.
ReplyDeleteI always loved the intro to Barney Miller.
Dave been on the road to our old stomping grounds in DC.
ReplyDeleteThe theme to "Barney Miller" was phat.
Hawaii Five-0
Mannix
Ironside
The Rookies
Sanford and Song
Mission Impossible
Baretta
Peter Gunn.
ReplyDelete