Howards' Way - the classic jazzy end credits!

[oldaliu]

Those were the days! Unlike the crap we have these days...............

[Lilbizkit]

Somebody's nicked my bloody boat!

[sentineldg8]

please please help where can i buy a copy of this tune on a cd

[Meanmanmartin2007]

I recently acquired the single release of the theme tune and am quite into the b-side which I believe is called "Variation on a theme from Howards Way". Anybody know which version I'm talking about and whether or not its used in the TV series?

[MAD4DS]

@Meanmanmartin2007 Leave it with me, I will definitely find out by the end of the week ;)

[Meanmanmartin2007]

@MAD4DS Thanks for your help.

[converse91970]

Never forget the character Jack Rolfe singing Stevie Wonder's "I've just called to say I love you", staggering drunk by the quayside. That fella was a good actor!

[TRIGMASTER06]

Twat talking over the end credits!

[2100Rose]

@TRIGMASTER06 I know that's bloody anoyning when they do that

[philproductions2210]

Simon May did a great arrangement there. Got this on audio disc, but good to see the combination with pictures too, here!

[bobblueeyes]

bed time! school tomorrow. teeth brushed and bed. lol haha

[WrappaHD]

THIS SHOULD HAVE 1 MILLION VIEWS

never mind

[chrisniss91]

this meant bedtime for me, love this theme tune though

[cheekymonkeybanana]

OMG I am turning into Polly Urquhart!!!!

[MegaPablo333]

I do wish those wretched continuity announcers would keep quiet while good music plays.

[Borusa1976]

@MegaPablo333 Why I got the series on DVD so I can enjoy it without them 8-)

[nzpowderhound]

Has there since been a theme song as good..........???? Not in my humble opinion!

[TheDavidjoy]

@nzpowderhound No there has not! right on my friend.

[biggles709]

Excellent Tune and excellent boat , i often see the Sealine 285 called Sea Gypsy pottering along the Thames.

I believe its moored in Wargrave ,Henley (Val Whatt mariine) I’m dying to ask chap for look round her.

[DJgaZman]

Hey wait, isn't Ken Masters in Street Fighter?!!?!



[007therealjamesbond]

Hey look 2 people must mean "DIS I LIKE"

[dtrover]

This brings back such great memories! Sunday nights - bath time - bed and school on Monday! Those days seem so long ago! Thanks for posting and bringing it all back! I do feel old though!!

[rocksoliddude1]

the "somebody's nicked my bloody boat" enlightens the mood before the actual music

[module90]

Love this music, can't stop playing this clip. It is such an uplifting theme which matches perfectly the action in the end credits.Absolutely marvellous!!

[jukechst]

Love the Music, Trash it is, Dallas is was not.....

[igglepickles]

I LIVE IN SOUTHAMPTON AND WAS THERE TODAY

IT'S JUST THE SAME

WELL ALLMOST

[CHANNELMICHAEL]

HAHA! 1:56 "BBC Pebble Mill" - As far away from the coast you can get.

[bigbird540]

Pity they did not use a Sunseeker in the end credits , instead of that grey piece of junk !!!!

[damonbower1]

Used to love spending the summers in lower swanwick at the top of the Hamble (tarrent) watching the filming got some great photos and a trip out on barracuda before she sank of bembridge ledge even got my little westerly 21 in a few shots those were the days

[remotewall]

you just got to love the theme to this show, i had almost forgotten it  until i finally got a personal computer and caught it up with it again..the show ran in australia for a couple of years and dropped out of sight but now i have it again, top theme song.

[Mr123Pauli]

Hope he got his boat back! Hate it when someone nicks my bloody boat....

[Mr123Pauli]

always brings back that sunday night feeling of being told to go and have my shower and that I have school in the morning....

[firefighterno1]

@Mr123Pauli me too! this theme tune marked the end of sunday night and time for bath then bed... niiiiice way to go though....funky chuuune

[drrrink00]

programme was utter shite butjust how funky is that saxophone?? simon may what a musical genius. eanother brilliant theme tune from a classic era for themes...

[Jamie839]

For anybody that wants to know, this track is called "Barracuda" and is available to buy on iTunes and other mp3 websites (hmv, 7digital etc), it's part of the Simon May Collection.

[ldlmedia]

Can't believe how Simon May got away with so many key and tempo changes yet the music still works. Fantastic!

[123farringdon]

Brings back memories from long ago. Good fun programme and a really excellent theme tune - cleverly written and complicated.

[supernickybarmby]

timeless,hated bloody sunday night's though :)

[deanos102]

Brilliant theme tune !

[firefighterno1]

tuuuuuuuuuune great programme amazing theme

[TheHarecat]

I remeber th blue blazers with the gold buttons, deck shoes and caps ...and the women! Shoulder pads or what! After much soul searching ,cogent political argument and discussion, common sense with the aforesaid would often prevail, following, a steel toecap up the jockstrap which would sort out he odd disagreement here and there as we partook of a dozen or so pints of that manly Homoerotic brew known in those days as "Harp".

[thephrophet]

Love this program, remember it well

[berlinmitte10117]

This music goes well with the speedboat bouncing across the waves

[alcockell]

Has anyone ripped and put up the 3rd version of the end credits? IIRC, it was another arrangement of this one - visuals had, IIRC, the Flying Fish and Ken Masters' speedboat...

I think it was used on series 4.

[alcockell]

WHoops - this was it..

[sword4thelord]

It's like a fusion of the opening theme with Cagney & Lacey lol!

[derek161156]

Dont think you will ever get a tune like this again

[xl37]

what an uplifting tune..wish i was back there

[martinandclare]

i love this theme music, it's a real gem. i always think of it on my way over the solent, en route to sandown.

[danielezy]

ok....i admit it....i did too, lol.

[culttelevision]

This is actually called 'Barracuda' and was recorded in 1986 for the album 'Simon's Way' which contained many bits of incidental music from Howards' Way. If you can track it down (on CD) this track sounds amazing in full resolution stereo.

[mocyoung]

@culttelevision

Good news all Howards Way Fans--- I have this on HQ CD / MP3 - PM me for a copy ;)

[sbyrne1]

Did anyone get up and dance when this tune came on if you were on your own? I know all you grown ups did!

[aljc100]

What do you mean 'did'?! I still do!!

[Markjuk]

The BBC could and should bring back Howard's Way as Sunday entertainment. It would be great to see a new series produced of this classic series featuring most original cast members, Stephen yardley, Kate O'Mara, Jan Harvey, Susan Gilmore and other surviving cast members.

[tigerboytony]

Wouldn't have the same scope mate. TV is dead these days, Howards Way just wouldn't fit into the Sunday night slot, like it used too. The majority of households don't even watch BBC1 anymore, the load of crap it offers.

[Boyatsea]

Sure. Heh. Twat. :)

[alcockell]

@tigerboytony However, I wonder how many people who are on pay-TV solutions are using it to watch BBC output? Seeing that they might be watching UKTV.. mostly owned by BBC Worldwide...

Or watching an old BBC series on another channel...

Don't diss the Beeb that readily.. they did some fantastic stuff...

;-)

[toadieisgod]

could be tried as a mini series to round up loose ends

[2100Rose]

It was not until it came onto UK Gold on Sky when I gave it a good go . Could not get enough of it . Took until series three for this version of the music to come . This alone made it worth watching

[alcockell]

@2100Rose , Being a Freeview-only person, I bought the DVD box set...

[col227]

I used to do exactly the same

[col227]

I used to do exactly the same...

[retrogem]

juliet bravo? classic!

[2100Rose]

The Start version remaind the same throughout . Three different versions of the end . The first one was okay . Could not stand that vocalised version on series two . This version wich began on the outplay form series three is absolute classic . Only one problem . It is not long enough .

[hullabaloo250]

What a great tune, a fab reminder of Sunday evening tv in the 80s...

[TeddyPud]

I always wanted to be Jan Harvey ... But it never worked out!!!!!

[alanthomas123]

I loved the closing credits to Howards Way, i always wanted to be the owner of the Sealine Ambassador ripping past the slow sailing boat...lol

[jonvgar]

"Somebody's nicked my bloody boat!" has to be one of the best closing lines ever.

[Nobel200]

Pure 1980s confidence..big shoulderpads and big hair combined with olde english charm!

[49ironic]

Great memories of better times,a true classic,thanks for posting this.

[j0andc0]

One of the great T.V themes for sure. 5/5.

[Rootsfran]

The Speedboat at the end is a Sealine Ambassador, Sea Gypsy was in a right sorry state and up for sale in Poole last time I saw her, hope somebody bought her and cleaned her up a bit.

[Andyjzr]

Ah, I have great memories of that theme coming on the TV, brillers, thanks for posting!! :)

[Jamie839]

Can I still win that laptop?

[0MoD]

nope i got the last one lol

[soapfunclassics]

The Isle of Wight Needles is in one of the backgrounds

[sundaeg1rl]

I think this was on the B-side of the single

[putthetellyon1]

I guess they were trying to Americanise the show with this theme. It's very Knots Landing meets early QVC! Quite good all the same lol

[0MoD]

LOL joyriding a boat?

[c0011y5383]

This music reminds me when I pressured a girl into taking a crash course on driving my speed boat so I could water ski. I recall her shooting off out of control, narrowly missing a stone pier, several sand bars and exiting the bay racing off out to sea. Thank God the RAF Sea King spotted her with in an hour speeding 15 miles east of Dornoch (Scotland) towards the Baltic sea some where.

[4FunkSake]

lol somebody nicked yer bloody boat :-)

[dbexperience]

Thats a timeless bit of music right there.

[Glennsalt]

I always thought it should of been Ken Masters on the Speedboat in the closing credits.Soooo his scene

[alcockell]

Later series...

[k9maxie]

Sunday evenings were never the same after this series ended!!

Great version of the theme tune.

[593OLYMPUS]

Nice to see this again - I always liked how the speeboat manouvered so close round the yacht towards the end! I can almost see the grin on the 2 actors driving it as they pass the Needles rocks!

And yes - the 80's were quite simply the best.

Thanks 4 the upload.

[nyc999]

There were so many great 80s shows you would watch just for the music. Howard's Way was cutting edge BBC 80s drama down to the (now dated) fashion. It was a microstudy of Thatcherism.

[dmpcornwall]

The inspiration for Fry and Laurie's classic "John and Peter" sketches...

"The entire leisure market in the Uttoxeter catchment area goes to the winner. No questions asked."

[kealyc]

Brilliant idea they had, to jazz up those end credits. I wonder if it boosted the ratings at all. Must have contributed.

[AndrewJM70]

It never ceases to amaze me how a song can be changed by a remix -this is an awesome version of what is basically a bland song; check out the bit in a different key around 0:46

[593OLYMPUS]

Agreed Andrew, the change in pace of the theme music from 46 seconds onwards is good, and again when the speedboat powers round the yacht.

[sighmoon]

Howards Way was dire, but I thought the Barracuda was so fantastic, I watched it every week on the off chance it would be featured.

[k60ela]

you cant beat the good old days. now TV is just crap and lewd

[dbexperience]

Very pleasant indeed.

[feelOlucky]

Hopefully Juliet Bravo can locate the stolen boat.

[kensington25]

Great theme. Best ever :) 5*

[orangetopaz4]

the best soap themetune EVER!

[Tomj2110]

Why was it shown on a Sunday?

[alcockell]

@Tomj2110 , Sunday was a key day in

the TV schedules for drama back then.

Entertainment and gameshows filled

Saturdays.

IIRC, Bergerac, Agatha Christie adaptations,

even I Claudius aired on those schedules...

[insomnia80s]

i love this show and the song, was 5 when i started watching it so many memories!!!!!!!!!!

[BenAdams1983]

It was taken by Emma who was frustrated with the lack of love and attention she was getting from her boyfriend Tom Howard, as he still spent a lot of time with his ex-wife Jan.Would be nice to see Howards Way 20 years on, Leo Howard inherited the yard from Tom in Series 6, also Abby's children would now be in their late teens be nice to see whats been going on. The boat taken was Orkadian, Barracuda is the one in the titles and credits though.

[toadieisgod]

you should write a revamped version,an updated series.

Im well up for that to happen

[BenAdams1983]

Also in addition, it was brand new from his own design, he'd been away and they had finished it off for him and he had come down to see it go into the water for the first time.

[Bungle79]

Why was his crappy little boat nicked? Surely there were better boats in the yard!

[DJgaZman]

Probably cos it was shit, he must have thought it was the least likely to be nicked, lol!

[thekaratechop]

And the yacht in this is called Barracuda of Tarrant - and is currently for sale at a price of circa £37k

[thekaratechop]

My brother lives in Bursledon where this was filmed. You can see the Mermaid Boat yard from the road and it is still there now - even though it isnt the Mermaid yard in real life. The pub in the series the Jolly Sailor is real and is very welcoming

[brianbarr1]

Really amazing arrangement by Simon May. Sends shivers down my spine. I have the original single also featured here and this end orchestration is so much better -- everything thrown in! Kitchen sink as well!!. End title sequence also brilliant with the cut to the helicopter shot of the yacht tracking over the sail at 1:03 and disappearing of shot.

[queenrach]

I cant remember what time this was on, but for some reason I can remember getting a wee knock on the head and being told to go to bed when this tune is playing..on some days I might have been allowed to stay up to watch Juliet Bravo

[destructivedandy]

Hehe brilliant. I think it was 8 til 9 on a sunday night wasnt it?

[culttelevision]

This was the best version of the end theme from 1986 . It's called 'Barracuda'. There was a slighty less funky version that ended the first series in 1985 with less funky bass and acoustic drums instead of the electronic drums used on this version.

[GreenBaize777]

Someone's nicked my bladdy boat ! LOL. Excellent post, brought back many memories. Thanks.

[toadieisgod]

The tempo change at 1:03 is just awesome.

What a theme tune and what a show.

Doubt a series would work now,so many major actors arent here sadly, but a one off reunion and round up storyline would be great

[howardsway86]

I think the BBC should make a one-off reunion aswell - especially as the series still has such a following.  Perhaps we could start a Youtube petition?

[toadieisgod]

Thinking of which Characters could return for the reunion without recasting.We're left with:

Jan Howard

Ken Masters

Avril Rolfe

Leo Howard

Lynne Howard

Abby Urquhart

Gerald Urquhart

Polly Urquhart

Where could the story go from there?Perhaps we could submit a storyline

[Rosiemoore]

YES !!! Hey Simon May has a website so lets all petition him there !!! ;)

[Markjuk]

@howardsway86 I also agree with a one off trilogy to round off the series for good. Would be great to find out what happened to Jan Howard Kate Harvey, Laura Wilde, Ken Masters, Gerald and Polly Urquhart and Sir Edward Frere (all respective actors are still alive!) It is just a shame that no one with the BBC or any independent production company has the balls to actually look into doing this.

[missclaret]

@howardsway86 count me in, howards way should be repeated, hell heartbeat, onedin line etc are always being repeated so why not the fab howards way!!

[hullabaloo250]

@missclaret  All seasons of Howards Way are available to buy very cheaply on dvd from Amazon UK. well worth the money to see this fab show again :-)

[Applemask]

@howardsway86 Without Maurice Colbourne?

[trojanphil]

bring back Howard's Way....I want that speed boat! Great tune, Simon May on form!

[KMAY67]

I was an extra in this show when they launched the Baraccuda in Southampton

[garymonc]

excellent

[cillaaanderson]

loved this, well cool

[jane1975]

I even liked the Jazzy version, thanks for sharing the 80's with us.

[memoir4you]

one of the best dramas of the Eighties, tingles a chill down my spine this jazzy theme credits.Coming from a time when quality stuff was made.Really nice to hear what soe people have written about this top series,too.

[firefighterno1]

how 'kin funky is this ?

[dabbleduck]

one of the best ever tv theme tunes....

[zofolkie]

Having ridden past the needles in a sealine ambassador just like Ken I love watching this, brings back memories.

[stokeymart]

what a great show and a great part of the world! No programmes like this any more, which is a shame! And sadly many of the people associated with the show no longer around, but I understand theres a fan club that holds reunions and stuff?

[SebCrawford]

Marti Webb anyone?

[kealyc]

"Somebodies nicked my bloody boat!" It's Somebody's nicked ...", as it is an abbreviation of "Somebody has nicked ..."

[DJgaZman]

"Somebody's nicked my bloody boat!"

LOL XD

[suziemufc]

LOL!

Gripping stuff! XD

[jacktar696969]

Season 4 now available on DVD

[jamiebrighton1981]

Brilliant! Wasn't it wierd how long credits went on for back in the day! Now you would be lucky to get 15 seconds!

[tigerboytony]

Do you have this theme as an MP3 file, minus the voiceover of course?

[TheEvilCaptain]

Never mind who shot JR! Who nicked his bloody boat!!!

[lizbeth3220]

Excellent show and great song sung by Marti Webb. Evokes fantastic memories of my move to Hampshire in the early eighties. Went to the areas they did the filming of Howards Way. Fantastic lovely hot summer days, with the gorgeous blue sea and the yachts and the whole sailing fraternity. Wonderful memories. I still enjoy the whole amazing experience every summer here in wonderful Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Thank you Howards Way. Brilliant. 10+

[chashley1806]

Superb! Brings back many happy childhood memories of watching this excellent show!

Pity they don't make such high-quality TV shows nowadays!

[missmostess]

Genius!! Even better than the opening credits!!

[primeval22]

That is awesome, I'm so glad you kept the bit at the beginning to show the suspense.

"Somebodies nicked my bloody boat!"

[rduk2000]

Absolutely brilliant, a joy to watch, thanks. A nice reminder of the days when the BBC made good shows. And a good example of how the closing credit sequence could be used to great artistic effect, unlike nowadays when credits on BBC1 have to last about 12 seconds and conform to a uniform style so the picture can be shrunk to a tiny box in the corner and the annoucer can talk all over them. The morons running BBC1 nowadays could learn so much about proper telly by watching clips like this.

[ipodsock]

Just so.. god... damn... FUNKY, remind me of cold winter Sunday evenings throughout childhood, thanks uploader!!!

Check out the appreciation page on facebook!

[toadieisgod]

Greatest tv theme ever!Cheers mate.

[Futuremouse]

Lol - cheers for this. How could I have forgotten that key change!

[nightfire620]

Good old Jack Rolfe!

[newagent]

Can't wait for the happy-hardcore remix.

[Rosiemoore]

Oh wow just imagine !!!! LEts do it !!!!!!!

[pinkpitbull]

love it!

[destructivedandy]

Just beautiful, you couldnt think a perfect theme could be topped but he did with this souped up version. Takes me back to the 80s and childhood

[Rosiemoore]

Amen to that !!!

[milkybarnick]

How could a programme so tedious have such a wonderful theme tune?

[evie1887]

Brilliant! Takes me back. Happy Days!

[topline1000]

fantastic show... still watch it every day.. this was a proper soap. thanx for this. still sounds good after all these years. good old jack rolf. what a star man. and you cant feel sorry for ken masters. bring it back.

[WABBIT8]

Forgot to ask: anyone know where i can get a copy of this tune? My original copy from the eighties is in a sorry state.

[WABBIT8]

I still can't believe the guy who wrote this beautiful tune is the same guy who wrote that dire peice of music for Eastenders! Hate that tune, but love this!

[MsStephanieRogers]

How about some Kate O'Mara scenes. LOL!

[CityMinx]

Thank you so much for uploading this video. I used to watch Howards Way in my teens and this was my favourite version of the theme song. This version incidentally is also known as Barracuda (after the Howards' yacht).

[howardsway86]

Thanks! Yes, this version was called "Barracuda" - after the yacht Tom Howard built. There were various incidental themes used throughout the series, such as "Frere", "Abby's Theme" and my personal favourite..."The Tarrant Set" :)

[chrisniss91]

love this music

[bjtc99]

Nice one! More please....