BBC Radio 4 UK Theme - Original 1978 Recording [rare]

[RandomRadioJottings]

The announcer is this clip is Edgar Martin. Not strictly the "premiere" of the R4 theme as it was aired the previous week during a similar "gap" in the schedules.

[mrswheel]

Heart-warming music but does anyone remember c 1977 a medieval minuette briefly featured as a Radio 4 start-up? At its 'height' the first couple of bars preceded practically every programme.

[TSR1989LW]

@MrTUCTUC1 Well actually in the 1970's many people still didn't have a Television at home, after all they were considerably more expensive (to Produce & to Buy) back then, while co-currently many household Incomes were lower than today.

Even in the early 1990's not having a TV wasn't entirely unusual (i should know as i grew up then, & only about half my Street had one, & only half a dozen of those had more than analog).

[TSR1989LW]

Truly a Great Moment in the History of Radio, sadly one that only lasted 28 Years rather than to the present day (as it jolly well SHOULD have done i say!).

It's slightly different in Pitch than the version i grew up with, but Just as Beautiful & Moving.

God Bless this, the last Great Intro Theme, one i hope to see restored to it's rightful place (on BBC Radio IV ; )

[Oldwolf63]

this will be on my MP3 player :)

[MrTUCTUC1]

Even in 1978 the style sounded so outdated-the long pauses and the comment 'if you have a television set ...' (!)

[bobbydj01]

Oooh!! Little stickers!! Now - where did I put those.

[tequk1]

Wonderfully patronising opening introduction. I love this combination of a sweet Early One Morning; a typically imperially boastful Rule Britannia; a peaceful  Londonderry Air; the haunting Annie Laurie; and, after, a forceful Men of Harlech with Scotland the Brave; then back to Early One Morning; Rule Britannia with a shrieking Trumpet Voluntary and back once again to a triumphant Rule Britannia!

God, it makes me proud that this is my home. And forever it shall remain.

God Save the Queen!

[Trek001]

I swear the UK theme was played the other day. Great to hear this original version though!

[augustustoplady1]

Radio 4 has become a cess pit. This recording is a wonder to listen to, thank you.

[brethynda123]

Thank you, disremembrance, for preserving and for posting here a little piece of my younger years.

[woodnorton]

Nice to hear the theme for "Just before Midnight" too. And I remember the Nationwide broadcast where all the output was joined together. I did like the early Fritz Speigl/Radiophonic Workshop Radio 4 idents too

[VideoSpaceFX]

Used to listen to this on my way to work every morning. Miss it!

[silvanski]

This is the BBC. My name is Kaiser Soze

[MrBlindmans]

longeaton34 the name of the tune you seek is "Annie Laurie" a Scottish folk song written by William Douglas.

[canadianblaster09]

And now, Radio 4 will explode... :-P

[themeekwanderer]

I remember this!! Just before the radio changes on the 23urd of November. Radio was so nice in those days, so warm and homely.

[Sunflowers159]

To longeateon34 - the tune is Annie Laurie. I wasn't very often awake at that time of the morning (I'm more the nocturnal "Sailing By" type) but when I was I really enjoyed waking up to the cleverly interwoven tunes in the UK theme and was very upset when it was axed.

[lexichronicle]

the archers is neighbours who think they're too good for TV soaps. fact. :)

[longeaton34]

Wonderful, Wonderful! Oh how I miss this every morning. I remember this version in the 70's. Who can tell me what is the tune played between Londonderry Air and it's reprise?

[coxwain255]

This is how it should be! well done for finding this.

[Sanisaninja]

an age away...a better age :D

[TSR1989LW]

@Sanisaninja Well apart from the... Piles of Rubbish in the Streets / Rabid Industrial Decline /Closed Shop / Strikeitus (even among Undertakers of all things)/ NF Riots & Bell Bottoms then yes it was.

[corujao15]

Wonderful this version from 1978.

I have one CD with a version from 2006 with London Philharmonic Orchestra.I put very louder...Is Beautiful!

They must put back this theme again!

[urnungal]

Wow! I'd forgotten how badly MW used to wander off!

[agghtee]

You have to think about the quality of this station, cos:

a) their trailing a Tom Stopard play

b) they have stickers....

c) they play every single piece of music that makes you feel English.......

God bless Radio 4, its one of best births ever!

[Jumansa19]

high-quality radio .... still now.

hopefully "never" leave the longwave.

if you speak a little bit germany please try also 153 kHz , 177 kHz und 207 kHz. => "our" german high-quality radio DLF and DLR Kultur.

[antidisenstable]

This excellent!! I'm the first ever person on You Tube the view this video!! If this video is still on You Tube in 20 years time, I'll still always be the fist one who ever viewed it; I am delighted at that fact.

The BBC Radio 4 UK Theme is wonderful and it should never have been taken off the air.

I wasn't even born in 1978 and it is very special to be able to hear this.

Bring back the UK Theme!!

Long live BBC Radio 4 and long live Sailing BY and The National Anthem.

Cheers.

[BigDon62]

@antidisenstable Magnificent !!!