Monday, February 26, 2018

Movie and TV Themes - #MusicMovesMe

Happy dance - I'm the spotlight dancer on today's edition of #MusicMoves Me!

But, first, a confession.

I picked as my theme "theme songs of movie or TV shows".  But last week, I realized the "something" in my subconscious that had caused me to think of that theme.

I have a friend who lives in Brooklyn, a man heavily involved in music in his retirement.  I've known him for almost 50 years.  He's a moderator on a Facebook group I belong to, and don't pay enough attention to, because I've been trying to limit my online time.

But I was subconsciously paying attention to him - because, for the last several weeks, he's been posting daily TV theme shows at the beginning of each day.

"Gulp" I think I plagiarized my friend, sort of.  I didn't mean to.  Honest!  But it's true - there are so many great TV and movie themes out there.

I hope you all had as much fun thinking of your post today as I did.

So, with that in mind, shall we begin?  I should have created a You Tube playlist, but I know a couple of my regular readers have trouble with them, so I have posted individual videos.


Let's start with the rousing theme song of the movie "The Magnificent Seven" from 1960, composed by Elmer Bernstein, who received an Oscar nomination.  Just thinking of the famous actors who starred in this movie - Steve McQueen, Yul Brenner, Charles Bronson....  how can you not be ready for adventure after listening to this?  (And some of my readers may even remember the use of this theme in Marlboro cigarette commercials, back when it was legal to advertise cigarettes on TV in the United States).

Interested in more information?  You can find some here.



John Williams really knows how to write movie themes (Star Wars, anyone?).  Here is the theme from Jurassic Park, which, for me, was an instant earworm.


And, speaking of John Williams, the first few notes of this movie theme from "Jaws" must be the most recognizable notes in history, next to the opening of Beethovan's Fifth Symphony.

Switching to other favorites of my childhood,I am going to take some liberties here.  Yes, I am aware that the song "Moon River" (written by Henry Mancini with lyrics by the incomparable Johnny Mercer) was not the theme of the 1961 movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's".  But I am going to include it, anyway.

Now that you are all relaxed and asleep, it's time for some James Bond music.  This was a hard one, picking between A View to a Kill, Goldfinger, and this one, by Paul McCartney and Wings - Live and Let Die.  "Live and Let Die" won out.

But "Goldfinger" was close, and I am going to feature it, too.
"Goldfinger" as sung by Shirley Bassey.  Pure 60's, and yes, I owned the 45.

A favorite of mine when I was going to college - Isaac Hayes and the theme from "Shaft" from 1971.

One last movie theme - Chariots of Fire by Vangelis.  Last week I promised you an Olympic theme song of many countries, and this is it.

Turning to TV shows, there are so many to choose from, and I only have so much room on my blog.

My first choice is The Sopranos theme song.  The song and the group have an interesting history.  Here in the United States this British band is known as A3, while in Great Britain they can use their true name, Alabama 3.



Next, I switch to a classic United States TV show that ran from 1959 to 1965, to be exact.  The show starred a young Clint Eastwood, and the theme song sung by Frankie Laine:  Rawhide.

I can't mention Rawhide without mentioning another Western theme song, one that became a hit, covered by many artists including Johnny Cash - Bonanza.  This program lasted 14 seasons on TV, and was a pioneering (no pun intended) TV show in many ways.


Although many think the Ventures performed the original theme song to the hit TV show (now in its second incarnation) Hawaii 5-O, it was actually performed on the original 60's show by the CBS Orchestra.

Miami Vice, composed and performed by Jan Hammer.  This is NOT the original version from the TV show but...heck, I love the music.

I will close with the theme for a long running TV show of the 80's and early 90's - Thank You for Being a Friend, the theme of Golden Girls.

Thank YOU for being my musical friend.

And so, there you have it.  I ran a little long this week, but it was my theme, and I could do what I wanted.  Thank you for singing or listening along!

Join the 4Mers every week for some great music (even when I'm not the spotlight dancer).



The Head 4M'er is XmasDolly.  Her co-4Mers are:  Callie of JAmerican Spice, and ♥Stacy of Stacy Uncorked♥   And last but certainly not least, Cathy from Curious as a Cathy.

16 comments:

  1. I am still listening to one of my favorites, Moon River. I always loved it- but still remember when my cousin sang it for his bride the night of their wedding (along with a song he wrote decades before that made it to#1 in upstate NY (and # 10 in NYC) - long before he knew he'd marry a Barbara...
    Thanks for the memories.

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  2. Great choices, I almost chose The Sopranos too :) And I love Moon River, I am going to be singing it all day :)

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  3. Wow, great songs and themes. You can not go wrong with any of them. We both picked "Live and Let Die"-LOL. Great job. Thanks for it.

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  4. Wow, they are all good ones....I loved Miami Vice! and the music...

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  5. So many memories! Now I have Thank You For Being A Friend stuck in my head!

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  6. Alana,

    Congrats on being this week's Spotlight Dancer, girl! I loved your theme suggestion and you certainly pulled out movie and TV theme mewsic today. I remember most if not all of your films or TV shows. Miami Vice totally rocked the 80s, didn't it? I think every woman had a crush on Don Johnson. :) Thanks for sharing the dance floor with me today. Have a tunetastic week!!!

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  7. Oh my gosh, this was the bestest theme ever! I had so much fun, but I always say.."Oh yeah, I remember that! I could've picked that one or that one or that... DANG!!! BWAHAHAHAHA CONGRATS AGAIN GIRLFRIEND! I hope you get picked again REAL SOON! hahaha ROCK ON GIRLFRIEND... loved each one of yours.. and oh yes, thank you so much for your prayers for our friend & conductor.. COLETTE (Callie)!!!

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  8. You have some great themes today! we copy catted on the Bonanza theme.

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  9. Thanks for your prayers... sorry I almost forgot! I'm sure Callie appreciates all! Big Hugs... you're a good person my friend!

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  10. I LOVE Moon River and Chariots of Fire always gets me motivated - loved your choices Alana :)

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  11. I love all of them!! On hikes I always would sing Rawhide to get everyone going. Of course I never knew the words except the first few.

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  12. These are great! I always like the sight of all the flamingoes running in the open for "Miami Vice."

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  13. Such a fun fun theme Alana!! So glad you chose it. I had fun putting my post together. And there are just so so many great ones to choose!
    As for your post: EXCELLENT choices! I liked so many of them. My favorite in your Movies picks is, well, I have two favorites: "Live & Let Die" and "Shaft". I was thinking about picking Shaft but just didn't have enough time. It's definitely an interesting film to explore. Gotta love that Issac Hayes voice! Every time I hear the Shaft theme song, I'm taken right back to the 70s, my most loved era.

    Re: the Magnificent Seven: when I heard the theme song, recognized it from TV. Didn't the series Dallas use that music as their theme song? I think it was Dallas. It was one of those 80s prime-time dramas.

    I'm very familiar with the music from Chariots of Fire and have always associated it with empowerment but I have never seen the movie! I need to make a point of seeing that. Hopefully Netflix has it.

    For your TV picks, my ultimate fav is The Sopranos. I was hooked on that show and every Sunday night I would crank up the TV as loud as it would go when the intro and theme song started. I love it!
    I also was in love with the show Bonanza. Watched that all the time -- and in reruns too. :) I always enjoyed the intro.
    Miami Vice is quintessential 80s all the way. Love those flamingos!
    And who doesn't love The Golden Girls?! That's such a wonderful theme song. Timeless. The song and the show. My Mom still watches it regularly. It's funny: when she stays at my house, I'll go in and check on her during the night and inevitably she'll be up watching The Golden Girls! :)

    Super Excellent theme and post Alana. I loved it! Thanks for being our Spotlight Dancer. You knocked it out of the park with this one...

    Have a great week. Geez, it's half over already!

    Michele at Angels Bark

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  14. Congrats on your Spotlight Dance! And I loved your theme choice - as well as your song/theme choices! ;)

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  15. Just making my way around. Lots of good themes here.

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