TV Themes – Like a technicolour memory

It’s amazing really. I can listen to dazzling symphonies, finely-crafted songs penned by the Isaac Newton’s of the pop world, and yet it’s TV theme-tunes that seem to be the pieces of music which stir the greatest memories in me. It’s like they bring back memories you can smell.

I know at this point I’m supposed to be a elitist, and say they’re written without any skill by people who churn out hit after hit faster than screenwriters can create them, but I’m not going to dismiss them that easily. Afterall, remember they’re written before the show has been filmed. They won’t know how the finished thing will look, or what reception it will get with audiences. Sure they’re only thirty seconds long, but doesn’t that mean the composers have to work harder to make us remember it and take it to our hearts?

I only say this because this evening’s episode of The Simpsons began with a parody of 60’s TV show Get Smart. Within seconds I was returned to my youth. My mind was filled with the smell of dry Summer mornings in the school holidays, lazily watching the show on a faux-wooden TV before I could go outside in the sunshine. The days seemed so long, everything was so innocent…but maybe I’m over-indulging in nostalgia. But then TV themes do that to you.

Take a listen and see what you think.

Pub Quiz Trivia Fact No.1: Did you know that Don Adams, who played the lead Maxwell Smart, was also the voice of Inspector Gadget in the cartoon series.

Pub Trivia Fact No.2: Barbara Feldon, who played Agent 99, one the top prize on the quiz-show The $64,000 Question, before being persuaded by Mel Brookes to star in the show.