Classic BBC Radio Theme ~ In Town Tonight (Knightsbridge March)

[iwish51]

"This is LONDON" calling the world. Good old BBC.

[20callenderslady]

These old theme tunes evoke such a mixture of feelings. On the one hand there is the comforting feeling of nostalgia for times when life was so much simpler and for happy childhood memories and on the other the frustrated feeling I had as a child when actually having to listen to this and finding it all so boring and over my head.

[Londonfogey]

Ah yes....brings happy scenes of father twiddling with his pipe, mother darning some socks by the fire, the son swotting for the 11-plus at the dining table, and the eldest daughter bringing in her 'young man' just back from National Service in Malaya...

[Glenn1967ful]

I saw a fifties valve radio similar to this one at a market last week and the Knightsbridge march came to mind.

[barneyboscoe]

Carry on London,

[Glenn1967ful]

So British and so proud of this tune.

[lennon2you]

@Glenn1967ful WELL SAID //// RULE BRITTANIA

[Darwinsman]

Carry on London!

[Widgeripoo]

This brings back fond memories of my childhood in Walthamstow, East London, listening to 'In Town Tonight' on the radio.

[Glenn1967ful]

Excellent totally British to the core.

[Edwin99ization]

All so very "ENGLISH" reminds me of coming home from school on a Friday night weekend to look forward to, listening to the Radio light programme ,after tea and home work done in then lovely "Old England"

They were great times, more communal, spirited , and friendly except that for Older Boy round the Corner LOL ! good ol'Bristol good ol'England !

[Glenn1967ful]

@Edwin99ization

Indeed I always think of Standard Vanguards, valve radios and the BBC Light Programme when I hear this.

[slipbone]

I recall hearing this as background music in movie theaete newsreels when they showed something from England.

We attempted to play it in HS band.

[Glenn1967ful]

Staunchly British theme tune that reminds you of Standard Vanguards, national service, valve radios, the Coronation.

[flammasherman]

@Glenn1967ful

Yes Glenn, couldn't agree more !.It is undoubtedly a masterpiece, I never tire of hearing it, in my all time Top 10 ' tunes '.Apparently it holds another ' record ', when first used before the war on ' In Town Tonight ', the BBC were inundated with identity enquiries as to what it was called, nothing like ever the numbers again !.

[Glenn1967ful]

@flammasherman

Indeed I was in town last weekend and couldn't help but think of this tune while walking through Hyde Park.

[MrDayday58]

Used to use this as of my signature tunes on Hospital Radio 1976-1987.

[Glenn1967ful]

Very British and very rousing.

[AuntieGavioli]

@Glenn1967ful agreed!

[fatcontroller70]

thank you my friends has happy memories of listening to this

[Glenn1967ful]

A fifties radio no doubt tuned to the BBC Light Programme. This piece of music brings up images of valve radios, the early fifties and Standard Vanguards.

[davyboyism]

@Glenn1967ful as iam sure you are aware of this was the theme tune to in town to-night on a Saturday evening many a viewers highlight if you where fortunate to have

television

[Glenn1967ful]

@davyboyism

Very much of its time and a shame we don't have television and radio themes like this now. The only vintage theme that survives is Sporting Occasions that is still occasionally played at the end of Wimbledon.

[WilliamstownTim]

According to Eric Coates' son, Austin, this tune was chosen quite randomly just before the first ITT was due to be broadcast. When Coates' wife heard this introduce the programme she called to her husband asking him to identify it - he couldn't remember. When it closed the programme she called him again saying they seemed to be using it as a theme tune. 'Don't suppose it'll do it any harm' was his response. Within a fortnight the BBC had received 10,000 cards/letters requesting its name.

[charade97]

@WilliamstownTim That's a good story!

[wulfiewulff]

ahhh, and in Cape Town we listened on Sunday nights on the radio to In Town Tonight, with luminaries visiting South Africa, not realising that the format was imported from London!

[davesgcr]

Priceless !

[431516020205]

another great one, someday i hope to visit ireland and england!! thanx, mike.