Whistful and haunting tune, with a slightly downbeat tone. It was in keeping with the plots, which often ended in a ragged and unsatisfactory way, without any happy ending - as police work so often does.
Was always haunted by these closing credits of this great show, (which unfortunately at the time I was too young for, but reruns showed me the business). The famous opening was "let's go get the bastards", but the closing was suitably more thoughtful and downbeat and ... sad. It's like the closing was dare I say ... trying to cry? Summed up great show completely. Only one other show did that if I recall, The Gentle Touch. Or am I mistaken?
@kevintheshedend1976....good point, well made. I'm only too aware of how the police operated in those times and was on the receiving end of some of the attributes you mention.
I was, however, referring to tv shows of the day, and how they reminded me of a mostly happy youth!
aaah the good old days, when the average copper was a corrupt, violent, belligerent, dysfunctional, racist thug with a licence to do what the fuck he liked, whenever he liked.
Anyone who thinks they were 'happy' days weren't there.
Brilliant T.V show though, and the best theme tune ever
My reward for coming home late from night school was to watch The Professionals followed by The Sweeney. Two of my favourite hours for the whole week. Lots of purposeful violence inflicted on arseholes who deserved it. It was a winning combination. What do we get these days? The Bill! which makes a laughing stock of the English police force. Strewth Gov!
I used to run home from the Girl Guides in South London to watch this on a monday night-always looked forward to Jack and George -thought the Sweeney was the best thing on the box-now I realise it was !
The best part was this closing theme-I have never forgotten it- and this is the first time I've heard it since I was a kid ,and I live on the other side of the world now.
No other piece of music is as nostalgic as this for me. I'm straight back into the 70s every time I hear it.
I hate the way that it's invariably talked over most times on the current re-runs, with irrelevant announcements. If the TV presenter who does that is reading this:
Hard action start theme to get the viewers in the mood and a stark sombre ending theme to often the grim conclusions the detectives have to deal with as the story concludes about real life Britain.
Its great.I remember coming home from midweek football match and my mum would always be watching the sweeney,my dad was nights.It was never long before you heard this tune,happy days.It does capture the times and brings back the memories.
The Harry South Big Band played a full set at the BBC, it was broadcasted on the radio around 1974~5, which included the Sweeney themes, as well as classics such as Pedals and Clusters. One of the best sessions I ever heard.
I love this show and I REALLY LOVE the Ford Consul that they drove. Perhaps Ford will make a car like the old Granadas used to be. The theme for The Sweeney seems to be so fitting for the 70s from what I remember of that decade... Thank you so much posting.
I can always remember being allowed to stay up the extra hour to watch this (on a school night!) This music always signified it was time for bed. Happy days. This was series was a trail blazer in terms of it's gritty realism and set the standard that few have been able to follow!
Yer, right. Now the Police have been told to not use the words 'Christian name' when asking for your personel details and to take off their shoes when entering your house. PC tosh!!! Give me some whisky.
Rarely has a theme tune SO encapsulated what the prigramme was about. The opening theme setting the scene for a hard edged, innovative drama, the likes of which had NEVER been aired in the UK before. And then the wistful, melancholy closing theme, bringing the viewer to the realistation that it's a tough, bleak world for Regan and Carter. Just perfect and always captures that spirit of the 7os so well.
@manclion LIKEWISE i could stop up and watch it till the end ,it has had a lifelong influence on me not to trust too many too much, and always go with your gut instinct.
The closing theme really shows why The Sweeney is in a class of its own; after the fireworks of the opening credits and a rollercoaster ride as the plot plays out, this poignant close brings us right down to the reality of a hard, unforgiving world. God bless you, Jack Regan, how we miss your no-nonsense, non-bullshit, non-PC world!
Remember watching this as a tenager back in the 70s. Great to see it back as a regular slot on ITV4. I come over all nostalgic when I hear the end credits, makes me long for a bygone era when the only thing that was of importance was:
I agree. We all used to sit down every thursday for Top of the Pops, (and listen every sunday night to the charts). Ah, the uncomplicated life!!. At least cars are a hell of a lot more reliable today (even if the all look the same)
The aching melancholia of these closing credits! Something to do with the sepia-tinted stills and resignation of the theme tune, combining to create a genuine sense of loss at the end of each episode. Or am I getting carried away?
I love this version of the theme tune. I got some episodes on dvd, I love watching it over. Cops back in the 70's were really tough, we need a few Regans and Carters on our streets today,, and maybe those mark 1 Granada's hehe. Thanks for posting this.
My mom loves cop shows, especially from this era, since this is when she was a teen. She even said, she wishes she was in Britain just so she could watch this show and listen to the beautiful theme.
I think it was probably a reflective thing. The series producers may have wanted to convey the fact that the policemans lot (especially CID, etc) was not a happy one - broken marriages, boozing, drugs, violence, etc. - Just a thought....
THis melancholy version of the theme was always my fav. As an arranger and performer of music, i really rate this. Its actually got a Bossa Nova feel to it, which is usually quite laid back but positive, very clever music writing this!!!
as for the show itself, look what we have nowadays, the bill! enough said eh!
Yeh, it takes you right back there listening, dont you think, the power of music in ilm and TV eh!
Have a look at the PRISONER, there are a few interesting clips on here about how they selected the music to the opening titles. Some great composers got knocked back, but Ron Grainers theme was deff the right choice.
#Thanks for taking time to reply and happy listening.
Hats off...the Bossa Nova thing is a great spot...
was a great idea to have the reflective version to close.
Minder played an unusual card by playing an instrumental version to open the show and then the classic dennis vocal to close...which we all fuckin loved sooooo much.
I can't even listen to the end theme to Minder without chuckling about the 'Little Britain' skit of a tiny Waterman sitting on the big, big chair offering to 'write the feem toon, sing the feem toon...' for various new program ideas. Anyone catch that ridiculous new version of 'Minder'. Truly the golden age of T.V. has gone. (IMHO)...lol
I love the end credits, it sort of sums up the whole genre.Jack and George knew they were pissing against the wind, but they still did it.
One of my pet hates is people badmouthing an era, whether it is the '70's or whatever, it was of that time!! Morris Marinas looked great in the mid 70's period, why do people slag them off now. Like curly perms or velvet jackets, it was of the time. Rant over. :-)
Dead on there mate. The music clearly reflects the fact that they didnt always get their man, TV and TV music contain nowhere near the Skill and artistic integrity of this era!
True! It's definitely got that, "Well, we win some we lose some, but life goes on " feel to it. It's very nostalgic, but also kind of uplifting, too. Love it.
Well said Barbaross below. always loved the sad closing theme as a kid. still a joy to watch now after all these years. "We're the Sweeney, son....and we haven't had any dinner!"
So different to the starting/title music with it's punchy aggressiveness, the ending music is and thoughtfully and retrospective...makes you think about the episode you have just watched i suppose, the 80's where strange...but good at times.
classic British cop series and lovely to see that old THAMES TELEVISION ident at the end. wonderful 1970's show and yes - the 70's were amazing. im glad i grew up in this era. its all gone weird now.
It's the same theme, just played at a slower tempo! This gives it a relaxed, mellow sound, more appropriate to the show's closing than the fast-attack version which launches each episode.
I do love the this ending more than the starting.
MrPorkpie81 1 month ago
Prefer the closing theme to the opening theme.
johnalexanderberry 2 months ago
the closing theme was always a sad memory but thanks for post
mrdee11091 5 months ago
Good music.
thegeezerdan 5 months ago
even as a child hearing this theme... and then watching it as an adult ....
it's perfect as a contrast to the opening .......it's a theme in my life .....and yours too i suspect .....
"Some you win ...some you lose "............
ravensmead 6 months ago
Whistful and haunting tune, with a slightly downbeat tone. It was in keeping with the plots, which often ended in a ragged and unsatisfactory way, without any happy ending - as police work so often does.
tolgug 9 months ago
The closing credits make me feel more nostalgic about the 1970's that the opening theme!, takes me back!
Loverboy19691 9 months ago 3
Comment removed
terrycharnley 10 months ago
Was always haunted by these closing credits of this great show, (which unfortunately at the time I was too young for, but reruns showed me the business). The famous opening was "let's go get the bastards", but the closing was suitably more thoughtful and downbeat and ... sad. It's like the closing was dare I say ... trying to cry? Summed up great show completely. Only one other show did that if I recall, The Gentle Touch. Or am I mistaken?
terrycharnley 10 months ago
Comment removed
terrycharnley 10 months ago
Blimey, an episode with the Thames Television ident at the end,that hasn't been ruined by FremantleMedia
DaveyC95 11 months ago 2
@kevintheshedend1976....good point, well made. I'm only too aware of how the police operated in those times and was on the receiving end of some of the attributes you mention.
I was, however, referring to tv shows of the day, and how they reminded me of a mostly happy youth!
halfamp 1 year ago
aaah the good old days, when the average copper was a corrupt, violent, belligerent, dysfunctional, racist thug with a licence to do what the fuck he liked, whenever he liked.
Anyone who thinks they were 'happy' days weren't there.
Brilliant T.V show though, and the best theme tune ever
kevintheshedend1976 1 year ago
@kevintheshedend1976 I was there,they were happy days compared to now.Police power has increased 10 fold.just count the cctv cameras in your town!
DMK748 1 year ago
Fantastic, happy days, when coppers didn't have to be pc. No pun intended!
halfamp 1 year ago
Jack Regan and Gene Hunt. What a team that would be!
cbak12sg 1 year ago
YOU CAN'T BEAT CLASSIC BRITISH TV
thefranksterboy 1 year ago
Best 70's Police Drama R.I.P John Thaw
thefranksterboy 1 year ago
My reward for coming home late from night school was to watch The Professionals followed by The Sweeney. Two of my favourite hours for the whole week. Lots of purposeful violence inflicted on arseholes who deserved it. It was a winning combination. What do we get these days? The Bill! which makes a laughing stock of the English police force. Strewth Gov!
chimetrooper 1 year ago
Got one thing to say to all you nonces. Shat it!
gallimead 1 year ago
I used to run home from the Girl Guides in South London to watch this on a monday night-always looked forward to Jack and George -thought the Sweeney was the best thing on the box-now I realise it was !
The best part was this closing theme-I have never forgotten it- and this is the first time I've heard it since I was a kid ,and I live on the other side of the world now.
Nothing comes close in my books
roslin45 1 year ago
No other piece of music is as nostalgic as this for me. I'm straight back into the 70s every time I hear it.
I hate the way that it's invariably talked over most times on the current re-runs, with irrelevant announcements. If the TV presenter who does that is reading this:
Shut it !
cielobuio 1 year ago
The best theme of all time to the best show of all time. The light and dark of the same theme has never been bettered.
djh29971 1 year ago
Hard action start theme to get the viewers in the mood and a stark sombre ending theme to often the grim conclusions the detectives have to deal with as the story concludes about real life Britain.
webboffin 1 year ago
They don't make TV shows like this any more.
maninthestreet01 1 year ago 5
@maninthestreet01 You're right there
thefranksterboy 1 year ago
From a still serving London Cop- Jack and George. You were the best
stonesfordf 1 year ago 3
Just the best ever.
hamstermanvideo 1 year ago
Loved it to bits these things no matter how you try very hard to repeat
jovanystevepritchard 1 year ago
Its great.I remember coming home from midweek football match and my mum would always be watching the sweeney,my dad was nights.It was never long before you heard this tune,happy days.It does capture the times and brings back the memories.
welshcourtland 1 year ago
Beautiful!!! Memories of a great TV show, Best Of British.
2bsure 1 year ago
The Harry South Big Band played a full set at the BBC, it was broadcasted on the radio around 1974~5, which included the Sweeney themes, as well as classics such as Pedals and Clusters. One of the best sessions I ever heard.
I wonder if the Beeb have a copy?
drhoneytongue 1 year ago
I love this show and I REALLY LOVE the Ford Consul that they drove. Perhaps Ford will make a car like the old Granadas used to be. The theme for The Sweeney seems to be so fitting for the 70s from what I remember of that decade... Thank you so much posting.
cosworth6nut 1 year ago
I can always remember being allowed to stay up the extra hour to watch this (on a school night!) This music always signified it was time for bed. Happy days. This was series was a trail blazer in terms of it's gritty realism and set the standard that few have been able to follow!
russcut 1 year ago 3
What made this unique was that you never knew if the crims would get away at the end of each episode.Great stuff.
fifthof 1 year ago
Yes, you did, they went down till Armageddon, sunshine!
niacom8 1 year ago
Yer, right. Now the Police have been told to not use the words 'Christian name' when asking for your personel details and to take off their shoes when entering your house. PC tosh!!! Give me some whisky.
shafarevich 1 year ago
I loved watching the Sweeney as a kid. Thanks for the posting. Some of the comments made me laugh. Yeh, I remember those power cuts...
SpyMomUK 2 years ago
Comment removed
HUEYHOG 2 years ago
Rarely has a theme tune SO encapsulated what the prigramme was about. The opening theme setting the scene for a hard edged, innovative drama, the likes of which had NEVER been aired in the UK before. And then the wistful, melancholy closing theme, bringing the viewer to the realistation that it's a tough, bleak world for Regan and Carter. Just perfect and always captures that spirit of the 7os so well.
martley1 2 years ago 36
@martley1 and you can sing "the sweeney, the sweeney" over the top of it.
SquishedButterfly 2 months ago
that music meant bedtime.. ha
manclion 2 years ago 4
@manclion LIKEWISE i could stop up and watch it till the end ,it has had a lifelong influence on me not to trust too many too much, and always go with your gut instinct.
BARRETBROWN 1 year ago
The closing theme really shows why The Sweeney is in a class of its own; after the fireworks of the opening credits and a rollercoaster ride as the plot plays out, this poignant close brings us right down to the reality of a hard, unforgiving world. God bless you, Jack Regan, how we miss your no-nonsense, non-bullshit, non-PC world!
magwitchthe3rd 2 years ago 63
@magwitchthe3rd Here here to that my friend
73dickie 1 year ago
@magwitchthe3rdToo True!!!!!
candelise 10 months ago
i wish i was around in those days
plane15 2 years ago 4
I agree, I have always found those credits truly tragic and infused with a bleak but thrilling melancholy, haunting and filled with lost time.
friendlyman37 2 years ago 9
best comment I have read for some time,thank you
CHANNELOMD 2 years ago 2
Remember watching this as a tenager back in the 70s. Great to see it back as a regular slot on ITV4. I come over all nostalgic when I hear the end credits, makes me long for a bygone era when the only thing that was of importance was:
Who was #1 in the charts
The size of your flares
Will there be a power cut tonight
hitchbloke 2 years ago 8
I agree. We all used to sit down every thursday for Top of the Pops, (and listen every sunday night to the charts). Ah, the uncomplicated life!!. At least cars are a hell of a lot more reliable today (even if the all look the same)
RICKD790 2 years ago
If ever there was a bit of music that reminds me of the 70's, then this it. I love it!
RICKD790 2 years ago
The aching melancholia of these closing credits! Something to do with the sepia-tinted stills and resignation of the theme tune, combining to create a genuine sense of loss at the end of each episode. Or am I getting carried away?
celestialrailroad 2 years ago 3
Spot on I reckon!
RICKD790 2 years ago
great comment, i understand what you mean.
plane15 2 years ago 2
Proper cop drama with fags booze and women but no sex scenes, no bad language or complicated story lines or fancy camera angles.
LollieSmith 2 years ago 9
to be fair there was a fair bit of profanity thrown in with The Sweeney, and all the better for it it was too
IndependentGeorge76 2 years ago
I love this version of the theme tune. I got some episodes on dvd, I love watching it over. Cops back in the 70's were really tough, we need a few Regans and Carters on our streets today,, and maybe those mark 1 Granada's hehe. Thanks for posting this.
markirish37 2 years ago 4
the original 1974 car (the gold one it a consul GT, not a granada!
rocoupe 2 years ago
takes me back towhen i was a kid, thanks, great tune.
natschavez 2 years ago 2
My mom loves cop shows, especially from this era, since this is when she was a teen. She even said, she wishes she was in Britain just so she could watch this show and listen to the beautiful theme.
hellokittycutie2003 2 years ago 2
May I thank all you people for sharing this great theme with us on Youtube
MrTCBJERRY 2 years ago 4
I think it was probably a reflective thing. The series producers may have wanted to convey the fact that the policemans lot (especially CID, etc) was not a happy one - broken marriages, boozing, drugs, violence, etc. - Just a thought....
AnEclecticMusicFan 3 years ago 2
Never really thought of it like that before but that's a good call.
chapmjx 2 years ago
Imagine being Harry South and writing a tune tht has become so Iconic and instantly recognisable, Awsome- major respect!
kodkodkod 3 years ago
THis melancholy version of the theme was always my fav. As an arranger and performer of music, i really rate this. Its actually got a Bossa Nova feel to it, which is usually quite laid back but positive, very clever music writing this!!!
as for the show itself, look what we have nowadays, the bill! enough said eh!
cheers for the post, class!
kodkodkod 3 years ago 5
Great comment - I never noticed the bossa nova feel. Well spotted.
AnEclecticMusicFan 3 years ago
Yeh, it takes you right back there listening, dont you think, the power of music in ilm and TV eh!
Have a look at the PRISONER, there are a few interesting clips on here about how they selected the music to the opening titles. Some great composers got knocked back, but Ron Grainers theme was deff the right choice.
#Thanks for taking time to reply and happy listening.
Eugene.
kodkodkod 3 years ago
Hats off...the Bossa Nova thing is a great spot...
was a great idea to have the reflective version to close.
Minder played an unusual card by playing an instrumental version to open the show and then the classic dennis vocal to close...which we all fuckin loved sooooo much.
olliespike2 2 years ago 2
I can't even listen to the end theme to Minder without chuckling about the 'Little Britain' skit of a tiny Waterman sitting on the big, big chair offering to 'write the feem toon, sing the feem toon...' for various new program ideas. Anyone catch that ridiculous new version of 'Minder'. Truly the golden age of T.V. has gone. (IMHO)...lol
AnEclecticMusicFan 2 years ago 2
a great moment of television.Thank you Mr Harry South
birgitas48 3 years ago
get yer trousers on, yer nicked !
bigboaby0000 3 years ago
I love the end credits, it sort of sums up the whole genre.Jack and George knew they were pissing against the wind, but they still did it.
One of my pet hates is people badmouthing an era, whether it is the '70's or whatever, it was of that time!! Morris Marinas looked great in the mid 70's period, why do people slag them off now. Like curly perms or velvet jackets, it was of the time. Rant over. :-)
Phil
filsgreen 3 years ago
Dead on there mate. The music clearly reflects the fact that they didnt always get their man, TV and TV music contain nowhere near the Skill and artistic integrity of this era!
A class act on every level!
kodkodkod 3 years ago
True! It's definitely got that, "Well, we win some we lose some, but life goes on " feel to it. It's very nostalgic, but also kind of uplifting, too. Love it.
crackerass01 2 years ago
0:35 John Thaw striking a 'catalogue man' pose for 1970s fashion.
morval99 3 years ago
70`s brit comedy and suspense... cant beat it.
dont argue either, or else ill slap you !
deadjailorrocknroll 3 years ago
"shat it" perfection.
lr2025 3 years ago
The end titles from the episode On the Run.
Voxac100b 3 years ago
Sublime. 5 stars
minutegongcoughs 3 years ago 3
Well that's all the hoods locked away. Fancy a pint Jack?
minutegongcoughs 3 years ago 4
Nice one George! We sorted them slags! I'll see you down the nuclear sub in ten minutes for beers, it's your round I believe my san....
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 3 years ago 4
i lke this ending theme also seem a sad sort of tune but i liked it thanks...
mrdee11091 3 years ago
seems we all feel the same about the end music!thought it was just me.like these end credits not the ones in the redlight district!
ajhow 3 years ago
i loved how the ending theme was always so laid back in comparison to the frantic start.
mvpowns098 3 years ago
Well said Barbaross below. always loved the sad closing theme as a kid. still a joy to watch now after all these years. "We're the Sweeney, son....and we haven't had any dinner!"
LionRock08 3 years ago
I also love the end theme.
teslashield 3 years ago
The end theme is fantastic.
wcx2 3 years ago
The end credits always matched the melancholy feel of the show.
barbarossaUK 3 years ago 2
cheers- makes a great ringtone.
wayne39 3 years ago
John Thaw God bless him.
He will never be forgoten.
BARRETBROWN 3 years ago 4
John who?...
SNEDILLIO 3 years ago
Best cop show eva love the theme and the ending theme slowed down version ov the beginin
j1o2y3c4e 3 years ago
So different to the starting/title music with it's punchy aggressiveness, the ending music is and thoughtfully and retrospective...makes you think about the episode you have just watched i suppose, the 80's where strange...but good at times.
b6gm6n 3 years ago
dont make tv like this anymore its all shite now thank god for sky
joydivision808 3 years ago 3
Brilliant programme from back when the boys got the job done.....anyone know were can get a copy/torrent the end music from?
dh300c 3 years ago
Great show this.
TheSweeney72 3 years ago
classic British cop series and lovely to see that old THAMES TELEVISION ident at the end. wonderful 1970's show and yes - the 70's were amazing. im glad i grew up in this era. its all gone weird now.
atvmidlands uk
ATVmidlands5581 3 years ago 2
I loved the closing title very melancholic brings me straight back to the 70s.
TIBBSY 3 years ago 3
The closing theme takes me back to the 70s. Its something i find very poignant.
Parmsingh1234 3 years ago 2
apb apb regan and carter been spoted in egham surrey dark knight
darren66677 3 years ago
I never liked the end theme as much as the opening, its probably just me but i just think the closing them is a bit, well, weird, sort of sad lol
maybe im whats weird
xneverwalkalonex 3 years ago
It's the same theme, just played at a slower tempo! This gives it a relaxed, mellow sound, more appropriate to the show's closing than the fast-attack version which launches each episode.
VilaRestil 3 years ago 2
Yeah I remember those closing titles from the popular TV show like yesterday, thanks.
Ashley4Movies 3 years ago
MUSTARD.
BARRETBROWN 3 years ago