Included on this page are a selection of some of the more popular Theme or Signature Tunes used by BBC Presenters and shows since 1967. Hear what you can remember! 
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Radio 1 opening & closing theme Theme One by George Martin Theme One was also used as a background during programme introductions. It was phased out during the mid 1970's, last used by Alan Freeman during his Saturday Rock Show. Tony Blackburn's breakfast theme - Beefeaters by John Dankworth 
Mike Ahern - Buckeye* by Johnny and the Hurricans *This theme tune was only ever used with Mike's BBC 'trailer' - Mike left Radio 1 after co-presenting just one 'Top Gear' radio show. The tune was previously used by Mike Ahern on Radio Caroline. 'Pick of the Pops' theme 1961 - 1967 Sign of the Swingin' Cymbal by Brian Fahey 1960 'Pick of the Pops' theme 1967-1969*Quite Beside the Point by Harry Roberts Sound (1min) Jingle to denote chart climber 1967 - 1969* from Switched on Bach by Walter Carlos Jingle possibly to denote chart faller! origin as above. * estimated period of use - do you have more accurate info? 'Pick of the Pops' theme 1970 - 1972 Sign of the Swingin' Cymbal by Brass Incorporated DLT's show theme - A Touch Of Velvet (A Sting Of Brass) by Mood Mosaic Midday Spin theme - Sorry, Unknown title and artist Jimmy Young Prog - Town Talk by Ken Woodman and his Piccadilly Brass Pete Murray Show - Open House by Brian Fahey(1969) 
Pete Brady/Dave Cash/Wogan Afternoon Show - Breakthrough by Tony Evans and Orchestra Stuart Henry Show Soul Finger by the Bar-Kays Ed Stewart's Junior Choice Mornington Ride by Stan Butcher (0.5 mins) Stan's band played UK easy listening music with albums Wrappin' it Up, Birds & Brass and Big Band Blow-out. Johnnie Walker Show Because They're Young by Duane Eddy Terry Wogan Show Just Like That by Brass Incorporated Alan Field wrote to Radio Rewind; this Terry Wogan theme, Just Like That, is the B-side of the 1970 Pye single of the revamped At The Sign Of The Swinging Cymbal! Rosko's Round Table, up to 1976 Jumpin' Jack Flash * Annie Nightingale's Sunday Afternoon Request Show - East St. Louis Toodle-oo - Steely Dan. * Tony Brandon - Fuzz Duck by Jerry Allen Trio see also Radio 2 below * Mike Raven - Soul Serenade by the Mike Cotton Sound (MGM) * Jimmy Savile (Savile's Travels) The man I love-Ted Heath * What's New (from March 1969) Apricot Brandy by US band Rhinoceros * Jimmy Savile's Double Top Ten Show; Doodletown Fifers by Sauter Finegan Band (comp. W Finegan) Noel Edmonds Breakfast Show The Kid by Andre Brasseur Johnnie Walker's Tuesday Top 20 (mid 70's) - Time is Tight by Booker T & the MG's Jimmy Savile's Old Record Club The In Crowd by the Ramsey Lewis Trio Peter Clayton's 'Sounds of Jazz' theme was composed by Laurie Johnson. Peter Clayton's Jazz shows were heard on Radio 1 and 2 from 1968 until 1982 when moved to Radio 3 as 'Jazz Requests' until his death in 1991. Composer Laurie Johnson wrote this lovely theme tune as well as Classic British TV series themes including the Avengers, the Professionals and Jason King. * Andy Peebles Soul Show In the Stone by Earth Wind and Fire * Our Tune (Bates) Theme from Romeo & Juliet performed by the Henry Salomon Orchestra.  Top 40 (Browne/Bates) the excellent Brother by British group CCS (who also played 'Whole Lotta Love' theme to 'Top of the Pops'
* Tom Browne Top 20 countdown music (1975) Oh My My - David Hentschel, previously Lady Madonna - Apollo 100 Top 40 1980 (Blackburn) 'Theme from Firepower' by 'Hot Forties' Top 40 1981 (Blackburn) P.J.O. - Don't Jive Me. Top 40 (Skinner/Brookes) Top 40_Bed: Rockall by Mezzoforte (1min) You too could be Bruno! Bruno's name check, 'action radio' Chart that Counts' jingles & Top_40 Bed Top 40 - (Goodier) late 2001 to Nov 2002 Crash by The Propellerheads * Alexis Korner Struttin' byDr. Strut * Steve Wright Radio 1 Show Main Theme Theatre Land by Dick Walter. * Steve Wright Radio 1 Show Up to the news with Industrial Report by Graham De Wilde. (KPM) * Steve Wright Radio 1 Show Closing Theme 20th Century Revolution by Graham De Wilde. (KPM)
Other Songs Associated with Radio 1 include -
Binky Baker's 'revenge!' (Anne Nightingale's husband Binky is famous for having poured a port and brandy over Tony Blackburn's head during a Mallory Park fun day). Toe Knee Black Burn by Binky Baker & the Pit Orchestra (1978) 48kbps (1 min clip) Meanwhile over on BBC Radio 2..... * Breakfast Special theme - C'mon In by The European Sound Stage Orchestra * Housewives Choice- In a Party Mood by The Bosworth Orchestra (comp. Jack Strachey) This version was a remake of the original 1946 version played by The West End Celebrity Orchestra. Housewives choice was aired from 1946 on weekday mornings after 9am, with requests and dedications played for the nation's wives at home while their husbands were at work. Early presenters on a fortnightly rota were Neal Arden, Roy Rich, Franklyn Engleman and Brian Mickey. Popular 1960's presenters of the show included Sam Costa, David Jacobs, Val Doonican, Pete Murray, Barry Alldis and later David Hamilton. Note; David Rider wrote to Radio Rewind in 2006; "I've just been trawling through your sig tunes page and you have gone slightly adrift with the Housewives' Choice theme (above). The piece has two subsidiary themes and you have got the wrong one. The other subsidiary theme, with strings, was the fade point. I know this because I used to panel Housewives Choice in my young days!" Ed: if anyone has the correct version especially off-air, Radio Rewind would love a copy. 
** Housewives Choice was renamed Family Choice when Radio 1 launched in 1967, and was heard on both Radio's 1 and 2, however the format remained the same. Atheme tune was written; A Swinging Choice by Brian Fahey and Orchestra. Sadly by 1970 the show was axed entirely, with Radio's 1 and 2 going their separate ways; Johnnie Walker on Radio 1 (later replaced by Jimmy Young) and Pete Murray on 2 inviting listeners to his 'Open House'.  * Sing Something Simple - Cliff Adams Singers
Cliff Adams was born in 1923 and was a former singer with the Stargazers, a popular vocal group on BBC radio throughout the 1950s with six top 20 hits. The Cliff Adams singers were formed in 1954 and this series was heard on Sunday evenings on Radio 2 until 2001 after a mammoth run of 42 years. The group re sang well-known melodies from decades gone by. Cliff's also composed for TV commercials including Fry’s Turkish Delight, Cadbury’s Milk Tray and Cadbury’s Smash. Cliff arranged and performed on Sing Something Simple until his death in 2001. |
* Family Favourites - With a Song in my Heart Original 1941 Version by Andre Kostelanetz & his Orchestra. *1967 version (from Radio 1 Launch) by Brian Fahey & his Orchestra. This long running and very popular Sunday lunchtime request show was carried by Radio 1 as well as Radio 2 until April 8th 1973. Family Favourites most famous and regular presenters were Jean Metcalfe (b.1923- d.2000) and Cliff Michelmore. Sarah Kennedy also presented during the 1970's. The show was transmitted on the Light Programme/BBC Radio 2 between 1945 and 1984 as a long-distance record request show linking UK soldiers posted overseas with their loved ones in Great Britain. * John Dunn Start of show Imogene by Les Reed Show Close - Central Park Parade by Syd Dale * Ray Moore - Here, There and Everywhere by Mike Leander * Two's Best (70's) - Carnaby Chick; composed by Don Lusher * Sport on Two - Number One by The Delle Haensch Band (comp. Haench/Conzelmann) Note- Still used by BBC Radio 5 Live. * David Jacobs show- I Love You, Samantha by The Pete Moore Orchestra (comp. Porter) 
* Charlie Chester's Sunday Soapbox - Music to Drive By by Oscar Brandenburg Orchestra. Born in 1914 in Eastbourne, 'Cheerful Charlie' Chester won 82 talent competitions before turning professional as a teenager. His sixty year career was spent primarily as a comedy radio star. In 1969 started his long-running radio programme Sunday Soapbox broadcast from Manchester reflected his concern for less fortunate members of society. Charlie's show was broadcast regularly on Sunday afternoons until 1996. Charlie suffered a severe stroke and died in 1997. |
* Late Night Extra - Late Night Extra by Brian Fahey and Orchestra (1968) * I Hear Sounds written by Ron Roker and performed by Sounds Bob Rogers. He and his band had a late night spot on Radio 2 during the late 1960's with a show called 'I Hear Sounds' which featured lots of good songs, live music and records selected by guests. Ron Roker has been described as one of the most prolific and successful pop songwriters of the 1970s, responsible for amongst others The Fortunes' Storm in a Teacup', Tina Charles' Love Bug and Dance Little Lady Dance, and the much-loved hit theme tune to The Adventures of Rupert Bear. NEW * Tony Brandon's Radio 2 Show Happy Music by James Last * Early Show (70's) - Eye Catcher * Hubert Gregg Time Was by Nelson Riddle Amongst his many accomplishments, Hubert wrote more than a hundred songs. One of them - Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner - became a major hit in 1947 and a standard folk song in London. He presented his show Thanks For The Memory on Radio 2 from 1972 until just a month before his death in 2004. * Gloria Hunniford Taste of_Honey by Herb Alpert 
* Sports Report - Out of the Blue by the Central Band of the RAF was heard on the Light Programme at Saturday tea time with the football results, It can be heard today on BBC Radio Five Live at the same said time. Radio Newsreel (7pm News on the Light Programme - also used on World Service) Imperial Echoes by the R,A.F Band * Terry Wogan - Drum Diddley by The Carnaby Street Pop Orchestra & Choir (Conductor Keith Mansfield) This track is available on a CD album entitled THE LONDON THEME on Recur Records ECD 7302. * Steve Wright R2 Show theme 2004 (title Unknown) * Steve Wright R2 Closing Theme - Witchita Lineman Glen Campbell |
Radio 4 Themes included... * Opening Theme early 1970's A Skipping Tune by Fritz Spiegl * Opening Theme 1973 - Present UK Theme by Fritz Spiegl (Note - BBC link) The full 5 minute medley includes Rule Britannia, Danny Boy, Scotland the Brave, Men of Harlech and What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor. * The Navy Lark; a popular comedy about the Senior Service ran from 1959 to 1977. It was set aboard the HMS Troughtbridge. The cast included Leslie Phillips and Jon Pertwee. The theme was played by Tommy Reilly and composed by Reilly/Moody. * Desert Island Discs By The Sleepy Lagoon by the London Symphony Orchestra * Down Your Way Beginning in March 1962 presented by Franklin Englemann, from 1972 to 1987 it was compered by Brian "Johnners" Johnston. The Horseguards - Whitehall by the Queens Hall Light Orchestra * Archers; Barwick Green recorded by Sidney Torch & His Orchestra 1951. * Sailing By (prior to late shipping forecast) written by Ronald Binge and performed by The Perry Gamer Orchestra |
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