Frank Chacksfield`s Tunesmiths - Little Red Monkey ( 1953 )

[ksaddc]

I too saw the BBC Saturday night 6 part drama series, and got scared every week. I do not believe that the music we hear is what was played on the series, same tune, but a much more scary version.

Or was I just younger then ?

[mavisll]

I was about 9 years old when I saw this series on TV in England, can't remember the story only being very frightened but still looking forward to it on Saturday nights. Never forgot the tune though.

[myepiphone]

Little Red Monkey hurling faeces,hurling faeces all over the zoo,Little Red Monkey hurling faeces is it any wonder we all smell of poo.

[witchman1]

ALmost sounds like a thermin in this song.

[BRMBug]

I have my Grandparents 78 of this. I wish I could find the movie though. It doesn't seem to exist anywhere.

[TheCoOrdinator]

The first ever Top Ten single in the UK to feature an electronic keyboard, played here by the composer Jack Jordan. The tune was originally penned as the theme tune to a BBC drama series about a Russian spy known as the Little Red Monkey. Jack had previously written the theme tune to the enormously popular post-war radio show "Have a Go", presented by Wilfred Pickles.

Lyrics, written by Stephen Gale, were later added and the song was recorded by the likes of Rosemary Clooney & Jimmy Edwards.

[GoldenOldiesOn45RPM]

@TheCoOrdinator thanks for that !

[freedom5370]

clavioline!!!

[retnuhf]

I remember this tune very well! It was the theme tune from a BBC TV drama series from the 1950's. I can't tell you much about the series because the music scared me witless, and I would tear off to bed poste haste (Mum loved the show - I wonder why?). All I ever saw was the image of three monkeys on the intro screen, which, along with the music was enough for me!

[darkhoarse820]

The lead instrument is a clavioline, which is the predecessor to the standard synthesizer. I hate synths, but I want this instrument...and this song is indeed a classic.

[bigeeezy]

how cool  is this

[chkjns]

WoW! I bet almost NONE of us know the real name of this tune we've heard our whole lives ! ! ! Frank recorded this the first year it was written ! ! ! Added this to my FC playlist of 60 songs & my 1953 playlist.

THIS song certainly earns my subscription, thought I'd done so earlier! Thanks to you & other uploaders, my 550 playlists provide over a century of the best music from around the world. 111 lists cover every year since 1900 so you listen like you've gone back in time!

[GoldenOldiesOn45RPM]

@chkjns Cheers !

[MoosicandCritters]

@chkjns This is one catchy tune! Love it!

[chkjns]

@MoosicandCritters I swear I've heard this as drama or suspense music in some horror type movie!

[MoosicandCritters]

@chkjns It rings a bell with me too! I've been trying to think where it was I've heard it, it does fit well with a suspense or horror show.

[prehistory42]

Amazed to find this, takes me back to childhood. Thank you.