George Martin - Theme One (Original Version)

[britishlionvideo]

super!

[dlamiss]

@entraildivider

I Should have added IMFO-Hope that clarifies my remark for you in order for you not to need to make any more smart arsed comments about my original post

Cheers

[Lighthazzles]

Though not a Londoner myself, for some unfathomable reason, this evokes

the essence of 60s London to me. Maybe because I always associated this

with TV themes like General Hospital etc from being a kid - I suppose I had

a good ear for music way back then, lol. Fantastic tune.

[dlamiss]

Magic Fly Space

Fanfare for the common man ELP

& House of the king Focus

the only three instrumentals better than this

[losttango]

And there was me thinking this was written by Van der Graaf Generator. I'm learning a lot of new things today....

[FrankieSmileShow]

I love that song and every interpretation of it! One I really like is this one: v=Lnq8EttUmr4 by a band called Bigelf. Its a bit less grandiose but has its charm.

[heyro1]

openeing of radio. lovely early 70s

[heyro1]

this is the first version and the correct one. whos the nacy who dont know.. this theme is spot on.. love it

[GianniALBORE]

Complimenti:È stupenda in entrambe le versioni

[Ryuuzaky126]

Oh God, this is sooooo amazing!

[homeworldmusic]

I thought this was a Van Der Graaf Generator original...gee, the things you learn after 30 years!

[tigranvartanovitch]

This is quality stuff.

[ScottVDLL]

Where can I buy this?

[MaxwellTurn]

This version still send shivers down my spine!

[MaxwellTurn]

There is another version of this great tune to be found on a gramophone record ( as in 12" of plastic ) featuring the music of George Martin.

The album goes by the title of " By George! "

The version on this one has a sound effect of walking from the orchestral studio in the one containing the organ before the theme starts. ( Probably Abbey Road )

[mddbassdude727]

theres many things that u can dislike... i can understand a song.. or a game... but not this :'( this is just beauty. im not saying this in opinion im saying this in fact...

[bufonoise]

The fifth beatle !

[lukyluc64]

Veramente supenda.... musica senza età. Bravissimo a chi l'ha inserita

[john111257]

great tune...

[lelander2112]

check out how you can play most of this melody on the black keys

So cool, such an excellent groove

the decending string lines throughout play well against the uplifting horns

[RockHistoryTube]

Listen to the BIGELF studio cover of this masterpiece!!!

Visit my vids.

[nostalgiarules]

A Google search will find the original version as used on Radio One. It can be found and downloaded from beemp3.com.

[airscrew1]

@nostalgiarules I've got the original on an album called Sound Gallery. This version here is not it!

[nostalgiarules]

@airscrew1 : I agree,even the other one by markh5682 isn't the original. I'm pretty sure the one I downloaded from beemp3 is the one that was played on Radio 1.

[linesync]

In those Dim & Distant Days, BBC Radios 1 & 2 opened up together at 5.30am, then went their separate ways at 7am, so this was actually the BBC Radio 2 opening theme, also carried on Radio Ones's 247 metres.Just a little historical radio pedantic anoraking ! Excellent theme, though ! Heard it on Radio Caroline a few days ago; there's delicious irony :-)

[sliderman7]

I downloaded a version from itunes which plays 16db below 0db, very poor! I found that if you play it in mono that the tpt harmony part recedes . The phasing also sounds stronger if you roll off a little bass as well.

[redecaraibas]

Seems to be Ringo in the drums!!!!

[sliderman7]

There is another mix if this on itunes which is clearer but the track plays back quietly, I guess to match up up with orchestral music on the same album. Great music, full of optimism, I used to wake up to this as well.

[MrRoGill]

You are so right. This version differs from the original, especially the ending. Way back in the summer of 72, I'd left my transistor on when I fell asleep and woke up in the early hours with this tune (the other version). George Martin at his very best!! Some say there is a bit of Strawberry Fields in it. But when I first heard it, it reminded of Ennio Morricone's "The Strong" track from The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, with those similar conversing trumpets at the end.

[apleasantsymmetry]

This was also covered by Fireballet- 70's progressive rock group from the United States.

[keithc1977]

The original and best......

[BowTieGuyUK2000]

You are correct. After the intro the trumpets are double tracked, when the original used a single piccolo trumpet. Shame!!!!

[Jakewr]

I like this version better!

[DIGBYDIGB]

BEEN TRYING TO FIND THIS MUSIC FOR 30 YEARS!THANKS

[respectthelogic]

i could do with some of that over me

[ReubenCondie]

This is not the version used by Radio One. George made two versions. This was the orchestral performance, the other, used by Radio One, is an electronic performance which is a much tighter production and more effective phasing. This version is the one that can be performed by an orchestra, live.

[ReubenCondie]

This certainly is not the original recording. The original was a better production with better phasing and a bigger orchestra. I have a copy of the original myself.

[SAHBfan]

@ReubenCondie

If you have the original,please post it :-)

[MrHenthorn2]

agreed

[wolfeline]

Great! A composition never to forget. Sir George Martin!

I only knew the Van der Graaf Generator version and thought it was an original.

Don't you feel it sounds like it was composed to VDGG? What a coincidence...

Good music is ageless!

[RockHistoryTube]

I love this tune!

George Martin is a genious!!!

Listen to my BIGELF version of "Theme one" (1996), also great! ;)

ROCK ON!!!

[martinjp1958]

A beautful melody and neat 'turnaround' chord structures. Interesting brass touches too. A master. Check out his track sans sousi[?] from John Williams 'the height below' album.

[Essendonly]

If anyone wondered who the 5th Beatle was, he is right here for all to listen. No Martin = No Beatles.

[576924]

This is NOT the original version, and I should know as I listened to Radio I right from the start in 1967 up until the late 70's.

The first 5 seconds sounds like the the original version, but from thence onwards the original version had a much superior, dynamic sound to it.

[markh5682]

Check out my other Theme one upload, which is the more electronic sounding version, that was the version used on the radio early morning broadcast more than this one.

[tristanrchrd]

@markh5682 It does not matter which arrangement you listen to, this is just great music, both arrangements bring different sounds, colours and textures to the piece, we have a copy of the 45 single that was released when this came out.... happy memories from a very different time.. :-)

[airscrew1]

@576924 I agree with you. The person who uploaded this doesn't know wtf he's talking about.

[jimbo1957]

@576924: Correct - this is the Polydor re-recording from the mid-1970s. I have both versions (the EMI version in mono on the United Artists 45 and in stereo on a Liberty LP, as well as on the EMI "Sound Gallery" CD).

[regentv980]

super light classical music,should have been released as a single

[576924]

It original version was released as a single.

[xgs724]

George Martin composed the most complex bits from Lennon/McCartney songs

without him they'd be unknown

[Beatnikzombie]

@xgs724 You're insane.  The Beatles were very famous for years before they worked with George Martin.

[Snigaty]

@Beatnikzombie um, no they weren't, George Martin produced their first single 'Please Please Me' that didn't make it in the states, the beatles were still no bodies there. And only mildly known throughout England. They were however one of if not the biggest live band in Liverpool.

[fabrikk60]

Now *this* is real music! Thoroughly European and symphonic with just enough drums & electronics added to make it modern and catchy. No guitars needed here. North Americans could learn a lot from this; pity we have no equivalent to Sir George.

[fatpizzaman]

@fabrikk60 you got it right! George is a genius! :-)

[Mincle]

@fabrikk60 You have Brian Wilson. ;)

[ScottVDLL]

@fabrikk60 there is a guitar on the track

[MrNatwill2]

@fabrikk60 George Gershwin is the closest one.

[PASJONAT51]

I was sure that it was VDGG :)

[thejbqman]

Brian Matthew on Sounds of the 60's said its widely rumoured that when George Martin completed 'A Day in the Life' (Sgt Pepper) and the Beatles had gone, he kept the orchestra in the studio and recorded this to put the time they had been paid for to good use. It has been said that it starts where Day in the Life leaves off with that cacophony of sound that only GM could produce so brilliantly. Play 'Day' to just before the long out note, then this and see for yourself.

[Glenn1967ful]

Sort of reminds me of Penny Lane for some reason. However, it will always be associated with the opening of Radio 1 in 1967.

[FyAthyRio69]

Like many below, I loved this piece. For those who don't know, George was much more than just the Beatles' producer.

I RECOGNISED this as George Martin, when I first heard it. That signature "high" trumpet (I can't remember what that instrument is called, but I'm sure someone will tell me!)

For a COMMISSIONED piece, this chart is SUPERB.

[FyAthyRio69]

p.s. I just checked out the Cozy Powell and Van Der Graff Generator versions (I'd never heard of them before) and George's original knocks them into a cocked hat!

[AragornIsStrider]

Oftentimes bias comes into play when you hear one version first, as that one will typically become your favorite.

[FyAthyRio69]

@AragornIsStrider - True. Very. But even bearing that in mind, I still found George's version to be vastly superior.

[proken58]

Notice the picture of George Martin and Paul from the early 80's (probably during a Tug Of War session). George's hair is longer than Paul's! George didn't suddenly decide to be a hippie, he was trying to make his hearing aids less prominent. He has suffered hearing loss since the late 70's, an occupational hazard of working years with rock bands like the Beatles, Jeff Beck Group, Ultravox, Cheap Trick, etc.

[JeffBeane]

@proken58

Who gives a shit?

[dippey]

This is not the original version but a re recording by George issued in 1974 on his 'Beatles To Bond & Bach' LP. Both recordings feature George playing the large pipe organ at Central Hall Westminster. Some recordings have George walking through a large creaky door with footsteps towards the organ before moving the seat then playing As Geoprge remembers the opening was quite difficult to play because the notes came out of the organ pipes about a good quarter of a second after playing the keys !

[utell12]

Is this version still available ? I seem to remember this one and prefer it to the electronic version.

[moptop66]

By far the best version of them all.. Totally genius songwriting and arrangement by Sir George. Respect.

[shashi2005]

I've been searching for this for well over 30 years.

[CCVP666]

wow, you really fail at life. I found it in 5 minutes browsing the internet.

Besides, many artists made a cover of this song and out the due credits to George Martin. It is not that hard. . .

[FrankieSmileShow]

I love that song and the two covers of it that I heard from Van Der Graaf Generator and Bigelf. Its just awesome!

[kennedyflair]

I've been searching for this for years- I remembered listening to it as a kid on my transistor radio not knowing who it was by but after doing a thorough search-I found it today! Brilliant!

[billyconnearly]

My Dad loved this piece!! George is a musical genius but could never be a performer! - The Beatles performed the function of spreading awareness of his talent as well as becoming the most successful act of their generation!

[GMwoogitmaster18]

What a great theme. I love this song!

[GrannySea]

I used to keep a tranny under my pillow on all night so that I could listen to this in the mornings.....

[OasisShmoasis]

You kept a transvestite under your pillow at night?

[GrannySea]

Don't be ridiculous. We were very innocent in the 60s, a tranny was simply a slang word for transistor radio.

[OasisShmoasis]

@GrannySea

Oh - well, that would be fun too, I guess, although maybe not as much fun.

[AragornIsStrider]

No shit? LOL! Wow, I learn something new each day.

[FyAthyRio69]

@AragornIsStrider - Don't be like that! There are YOUNG PEOPLE visiting YouTube - who don't even know who the BEATLES were!!!

[AragornIsStrider]

I know, it is rather sad. But I think *most* young people know who they were, or at least heard of them.

My girlfriend didn't know about them, but she's from Thailand, so...

The cool thing is, I get to be the one to introduce her to stuff like The Beatles, Zeppelin, Star Wars, Indiana Jones etc. It sure is fun.

[FyAthyRio69]

@AragornIsStrider - Wow - coincidence! My WIFE is Thai - I retired to Thailand 7 years ago. Thailand, it's women and weather can't be beat. 24C as I type!

[StriderIsAragorn]

@ FyAth -- Haha, right on. My girl is from Hannka, right outside of Bangkok. I haven't been there yet (money issues), but hopefully I'll get there in the next couple of years.

When I do, I may not want to leave, because I'm obsessed with Asian culture and I love the rain, so I foresee myself retiring there eventually.

I'm still a 29-year-old whippersnapper, though, so I want to absorb as much of California as I can first. :)

[kotep777]

holy shit never heard this version...just the van deer graaf

[mi1964amigo]

Superb tune. Makes the hairs on my arms stand up!

[psychodamned]

The Damned used this before they came on on the MGE25 tor wonderful magestic peice of music !! Love it, yes Ive heard a different version to Vander graafs and Cozy Powells too !!

[Newstetter]

That just has to be Ringo Starr on drums. Anyone know for sure?

[mrmerino]

Thanks for posting. I like the previous commentaries about childhood's mornings so far from (my) home!.

I've never heard this original version.

I like the Van der Graaf version very much.

Best!

[pokkettz]

The version I sort-of remember was drenched in phasing, the sound of 'Rainbow Chaser' by Nirvana (not that Nirvana) and El Quo's ' Pics of Matchstick Men'. Amazing that a proper gent like Mr. Martin was the one to put together William Burroughs cut-ups with ferric tape and Bach trumpets to define Brit psychedelia.

[tubzeeee]

Thanks for posting this, it's made me very happy to hear it again, I remember waking up early before 5am just to listen to this before radio 2 started for the day. Personally better thanVan Der Graaf Generator's version. Brilliant

[BreandanMac]

What was magical about Theme One was hearing it on bad medium wave with the signal coming and going; Martin's orchestration almost builds in that sense of electronic interference to the score itself. I'm thrilled to hear it after so long and would love to hear the more electronic version (which is what I think I remember)

[regentv980]

pop classic,super

[vtripaldi]

progressive

[barontony]

Just brilliant

[grizzleguts01]

Would most appreciate it if you could post the other version of this excellent tune,

[Tuurke01]

My God......Cozy's version is not my style at all! It sounds too "poppy".

I'm starting to believe that George Martins version could have been a great song on Sgt. Pepper.........

[baruze]

Childhood Memories,!!!!!!!!!!!!!

remember waking up to it every morning in the late sixties when radio one started......1967??

I was lucky enough to have my own transistor radio in my bedroom!!

thanx for all that!!!

nice pix :-)

[Tuurke01]

This is a fantastic version. I think it's even better than the VDGG-version......

[fufufoofoo]

I agree that's better than VDGG, Have you by any chance heard the version of Cozy Powell ?

[athertonman]

This takes me back to when I was a child sitting next to my Dad in his milk wagon. From the empty night this comes belting out. Brillian!!!

[barn1ben]

Utterly absorbing. Utterly brilliant. Utterly compelling. In a word "fantastic!"