This was the theme song fir WPIX 11 Action News with Bill Jorgesen and Steve Bosh when I was a kid. When I first saw an old WPIX clip and this theme music came on, I got chills as I sang along to a tune I hadn't heard for 30 years - yet remembered perfectly! Hahaha! The moment was pure nostalgic joy and brought me to tears of laughter. Finding the full song is fantastic.
@gjnelson70 I was blown away a little when I heard the other lyrics to this song. For years, WPVI here in Philly only played the first verse for when the news was going off. They still do.
If Action News is so much a part of Philadelphia and has been crushing 3 and 10 for over 40 years, then why do they even bother? The way I see it, 6 will be number 1 in Philly forever, so 3 and 10 might as well give up, at least in news.
Yup, this song and the Rocky theme song speak the language of Philadelphia for decades. This news theme was actually spread all across the country in the early to mid 70s and was widely used until about the late 80s, by which time Channel 6 in Phila was (is) the only station still using it. Not surprising since it originated there. Philly pride.
Dance, dance, dance, dance, get up and let's dance, get up and disco! Get up and let's dance! Dance, dance, dance, dance, get up and let's dance, get up and dance! Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance --- everybody dance!
Buffalo's WKBW still uses this theme (without the vocal parts) for its newscast. Brings back memories of Irv Weinstein, Rick Azar, Tom Jolls, blazebusters, and pistol packin' punks.
I grew up in Toronto watching the WKBW news team. All too often it started off with: arson in Tonawanda or some other suburb in Buffalo. It was a firebug's dream city.
Wow.... I grew up in Philly, and listening to this reminds me of how pumped i would get to listen to the latest cop killings, double knife-stabbing homicides, and local sports failures that dotted my childhood. Philly is a broke down slum. I only hope that one day I can return to a city that inspires hope, joy and brotherly love, like the original philly used to do.
I am 43. I grew up with Action News, I loved and cried over Jim O'Brien. I love Jim Gardner today. This theme song brings me back to lazy summer nights listening to the phillies and then Action News.
I don't know of any other news themes that have the following that this one does. It is hands down the number one most favorite news theme across the country and there are only two stations that use it anymore....
This version of the closing theme was used during the time Larry Kane was anchoring Action News i think. I wished that someone would post an action news broadcast from the pre Jim Gardner era so we can find out if that is really true.
Hey guys... this score was used by many news openers throughout the country. I've heard it from Raleigh/Durham, NC, Philly (of course), Buffalo, Jonesboro, AR, and a few others. I really miss local news programming having unique opening credits with music like this.
If you're in southern Ontario, you might have picked up WKBW's broadcast from Buffalo... this is also their longtime news them. (It went away from 2003-2008 but it's back now.)
Whew! That song STILL packs a punch to this day! Another station that I remembered that used this package was TV station KAMR-TV 4 in Amarillo, Texas.
I think there was a time when just about every market had a station using this (mostly early 70s) case in point, I grew up where WLOS, Asheville, NC and WRDW, Augusta, Ga. used it, but it had cycled through by 76 or 77.. I think it has a timeless nature and I know the Philly folks would be lost without it ...
I was born and raised in the Buffalo/ Niagara Falls NY Area I am 36 years old and I dont remember them using this song. But thart was because I was born in 1973 so they changed their opeaning an closing songs when I was growing up. But I did grow up watch Tom Jolls, Rick Azar, Irv Weinstein,ect. As far as this song goes they brought it back for the opeaning and closing music for AM Buffalo Morning Show with Linda Pelligrino and Jon Sommers. By the way I am still living in Buffalo!!
WPVI didn't use this particular cut, per se. But rather, a slightly shorter cut that only utilized (still utilizes) the first vocal verse of the song before cutting to the end of it for the news announcer's closing.
Actually, JHand, they have various length versions of the end theme ready for use, depending on how much time they have to fill. Some days, it's just the last 8 bars or so, but occasionally, on a slow news day, they may use the vocal version. You can find examples of the different versions posed here on YouTube.
I cried when JIMBO died. They rythmn of the city will still live with this intro music. Don't you remember hearing, "Fire in South Philly injures several," but "Tonight's big story"........ I have lived in South Carolina since the late 70's, but still enjoy the kickback.
Actually, WKBW TV's Eyewitness News in Buffalo has used it as long as WPVI has, with a little "break" from 03-08. And, a lot of Action News' Innovations during the 70's and 80's were adopted from Eyewitness News' Top Anchor from WKBW, Irv Weinstein.
Yes it is. Some time ago, I used a program called Mixcraft to speed the theme up somewhat and changed its pitch to sound similar to when MCTYW was first heard on WPVI.
There was an 80s TV theme website that had that version of the theme uploaded for a while, but it does not seem to be operating anymoire, dunno. If I find that site, I'll put up the URL for everyone.
Those are some sick drums
mufasa20 1 week ago
@mufasa20 Yea, I know.
JHand04 1 week ago
Was WPVI a Capital Cities station? WKBW was. They used the same music in the different TV markets in which they had a station.
Trivia: Dave Roberts was known in Buffalo as Dave Thomas. And his son is David Boreanaz.
Poltr1 1 month ago
@Poltr1 Yes it was, from 1971 on up to 1996, when the Walt Disney Company purchased Capital Cities.
JHand04 1 month ago
@Poltr1 P.S.,
That is, if I am correct...
JHand04 1 month ago
This was the theme song fir WPIX 11 Action News with Bill Jorgesen and Steve Bosh when I was a kid. When I first saw an old WPIX clip and this theme music came on, I got chills as I sang along to a tune I hadn't heard for 30 years - yet remembered perfectly! Hahaha! The moment was pure nostalgic joy and brought me to tears of laughter. Finding the full song is fantastic.
gjnelson70 2 months ago
@gjnelson70 I was blown away a little when I heard the other lyrics to this song. For years, WPVI here in Philly only played the first verse for when the news was going off. They still do.
JHand04 2 months ago
Comment removed
bjgawron14 4 months ago
Now if only the news of the day could be as good as this theme song!
OneOfManyAmericans 5 months ago
I wanna grow a mustache and eat a cheesesteak now.
nholt 6 months ago
If Action News is so much a part of Philadelphia and has been crushing 3 and 10 for over 40 years, then why do they even bother? The way I see it, 6 will be number 1 in Philly forever, so 3 and 10 might as well give up, at least in news.
godgundam10 6 months ago
Yup, this song and the Rocky theme song speak the language of Philadelphia for decades. This news theme was actually spread all across the country in the early to mid 70s and was widely used until about the late 80s, by which time Channel 6 in Phila was (is) the only station still using it. Not surprising since it originated there. Philly pride.
glenstegner 6 months ago
@glenstegner Not true WKBW in Buffalo is using it as well.
donmccullen 5 months ago
I was soooo curious about this song for all these years! A really nice piece of music, and I remember singing this when I was 5.
Aestros909 7 months ago
Dance, dance, dance, dance, get up and let's dance, get up and disco! Get up and let's dance! Dance, dance, dance, dance, get up and let's dance, get up and dance! Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance --- everybody dance!
ElectricPirates 8 months ago
WNEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1Morey 10 months ago 4
Very nice theme song, so sweet for news! Thanks for the upload. Frédéric, FRANCE.
FrederickNetwork 1 year ago
Action News. Delaware Valley's leading news program. With Jim Gardner, Keith Russell, and Cecily Tynan.
halfthefunhouse 1 year ago 3
V.1 is the old Ten Eyewitness news theme from 1976 to 1980
jmramos0109 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this! It really brings back good memories.
LorraineinFL 1 year ago
Wow, I didn't know there were lyrics! How 70's! Super!
Colortiniz 1 year ago 2
@Colortiniz You bet!
JHand04 1 year ago
@Colortiniz awesome i never knew this had lyrics all i know there was just the instrumental sting on WKBW Channel 7 in Buffalo New York ...
Fieldsfangirl28 1 year ago
Does anyone know if that soaring harmonizing voice is that of the great Gleni Rutherford Tai, of PAMS of Dallas fame?
KeepMyMusicAlive 1 year ago
Since Network Ten's turning 45 this year, I hope they will revive this for Ten News at 5.
jmramos0109 1 year ago
like i said i never heard of those ppl in down under
jamallugo 2 years ago
nah never heard of those ppl from down under
jamallugo 2 years ago
Buffalo's WKBW still uses this theme (without the vocal parts) for its newscast. Brings back memories of Irv Weinstein, Rick Azar, Tom Jolls, blazebusters, and pistol packin' punks.
Poltr1 2 years ago 2
@Poltr1
I grew up in Toronto watching the WKBW news team. All too often it started off with: arson in Tonawanda or some other suburb in Buffalo. It was a firebug's dream city.
42959 1 year ago
@42959 : I think Irv Weinstein -- or one of his writers -- loved alliteration. How many times did he say "blaze busters" or "pistol packin' punks"?
Poltr1 1 month ago
why the heck u want David Johnson back for?
jamallugo 2 years ago
Remember that he led 10 Eyewitness News to No.1 in Melbourne for several years?
If he doesn't come back, I'll stick with the Mal Walden/Helen Kapalos tandem to bring back the golden days of Ten News
jmramos0109 2 years ago 3
Wow.... I grew up in Philly, and listening to this reminds me of how pumped i would get to listen to the latest cop killings, double knife-stabbing homicides, and local sports failures that dotted my childhood. Philly is a broke down slum. I only hope that one day I can return to a city that inspires hope, joy and brotherly love, like the original philly used to do.
sambophilly 2 years ago
They did. I grew up in the San Francisco Area.
frankd1965 2 years ago
KTVU-2 in Oakland, California played this from 1971 to 1974. They had The 10o'Clock news and The Tuck/Fortner report.
frankd1965 2 years ago 2
@frankd1965:
Just curious friend: Is the "Tuck" that you are referring to, by chance, named Michael Tuck?
JHand04 2 years ago
It was Michael Tuck and Jim Fortner. KTVU was cashing in on NBC's "The Huntley, Brinkley Report"
frankd1965 2 years ago
Yeah okay. It was just that Tuck looked familiar--he was a reporter for WCAU-TV here in Philadelphia for a time.
JHand04 2 years ago
@frankd1965 I thought Michael Tuck was in San Diego or maybe Seattle!
LorraineinFL 1 year ago
If Ten used this tune today in Melbourne's ATV-10, I WANT DAVID JOHNSON BACK, AND THIS TIME HELEN KAPALOS WOULD BE HIS CO-PRESENTER
jmramos0109 2 years ago
WKBW TV Cahhnel 7 Evewitness News. 1971 to 2003. 2008 to Present! I get siked hearing as a 35 year old just as I did as a 5 year old in1979.
JRG1120 2 years ago
Legendary! I want to go back to Philly now!
maryland109 2 years ago 3
I am 43. I grew up with Action News, I loved and cried over Jim O'Brien. I love Jim Gardner today. This theme song brings me back to lazy summer nights listening to the phillies and then Action News.
rjasin123 2 years ago 4
Brick Tamland, Ron Burgandy, Brian Fantana, and Jim Gardner WPVI RULES!!
Trp009 2 years ago
Lol Pittsburgh. No one talks about my city like that! Anchorman lol
Trp009 2 years ago
i like it ;)
bravoguy30 2 years ago
I don't know of any other news themes that have the following that this one does. It is hands down the number one most favorite news theme across the country and there are only two stations that use it anymore....
jkminnich 2 years ago 4
I wish WNEP would go back to this original "Move Closer..." instead of using the stupid remix they have now!
tpirrules19a 2 years ago 2
I agree. I love it. When I was a little kid they used to always have it on and I loved it.. I wish you can call talk back 16 to go back to it.
cherberrie 2 years ago
CBS 5 in Syracuse used this Al Ham tune back in 1973 in promos (Now WTVH, back then WHEN TV5).
mrbe5a1r 2 years ago
I feel ya, Julius121081. I been waiting for that ever since you referred me to the video with larry (and the late john lennon doing the weather).
JHand04 2 years ago
Comment removed
Julius121081 2 years ago
Let's hope someone can finally clear this up for everyone.
Julius121081 2 years ago
This version of the closing theme was used during the time Larry Kane was anchoring Action News i think. I wished that someone would post an action news broadcast from the pre Jim Gardner era so we can find out if that is really true.
Julius121081 2 years ago
This is a very catchy news theme. I wish one of the Pittsburgh stations would carry it as did WPXI.
rt3393 2 years ago 3
Too bad Pittsburgh gargles my balls
wetwilly02469 2 years ago
LMAO! That's probably one ot he funniest things I've ever heard! I'm gonna have to steal that one!
jerlv9 2 years ago
just a bad ass song
kief0120 2 years ago 2
Nothing says Philly like cheesesteaks, Tastykakes and ACTION NEWS!
OKNewshawk 2 years ago 20
dont forget the eggles
richie5335 2 years ago
@OKNewshawk
and ITALIAN SAUSAGE :D
cowboyzsuk81 1 year ago
6ABC Action News is truly the leader in local news in the delaware valley.
Julius121081 2 years ago 2
PHILLY! WE DA BEST! good song
MegazoneEX 2 years ago 2
Philly Action News Rocks!!! Thanks!!!! Awesome Theme
fcoac 2 years ago 2
Great theme. Too bad the quality of local news programs in Philly sucks.
jjazz22 2 years ago 3
Hey guys... this score was used by many news openers throughout the country. I've heard it from Raleigh/Durham, NC, Philly (of course), Buffalo, Jonesboro, AR, and a few others. I really miss local news programming having unique opening credits with music like this.
youngdad 2 years ago 2
I wonder if any Canadian TV stations used this theme music for their local TV newscasts...
mrceleb2006 2 years ago
hey Mr. Celeb,
If you're in southern Ontario, you might have picked up WKBW's broadcast from Buffalo... this is also their longtime news them. (It went away from 2003-2008 but it's back now.)
DarthTJM 2 years ago 2
I once lived in southern Ontario, but I haven't been a resident there since 1978.
mrceleb2006 2 years ago
Whew! That song STILL packs a punch to this day! Another station that I remembered that used this package was TV station KAMR-TV 4 in Amarillo, Texas.
AlbieGray 2 years ago
news theme w/words, yikes!!!
wiedep 2 years ago
I think there was a time when just about every market had a station using this (mostly early 70s) case in point, I grew up where WLOS, Asheville, NC and WRDW, Augusta, Ga. used it, but it had cycled through by 76 or 77.. I think it has a timeless nature and I know the Philly folks would be lost without it ...
joebradio 2 years ago
"Action News. Delaware Valley's Leading News Program. With Jim Gardener, Cecliy Tyran With the weather, And Gary Papa."
UniqueRON814 3 years ago 8
WSB here in Atlanta used it back in the '70s. I wish they would bring it back.
mcmlxxiv 3 years ago
I was born and raised in the Buffalo/ Niagara Falls NY Area I am 36 years old and I dont remember them using this song. But thart was because I was born in 1973 so they changed their opeaning an closing songs when I was growing up. But I did grow up watch Tom Jolls, Rick Azar, Irv Weinstein,ect. As far as this song goes they brought it back for the opeaning and closing music for AM Buffalo Morning Show with Linda Pelligrino and Jon Sommers. By the way I am still living in Buffalo!!
MoccaPrincess22373 3 years ago
How long did WPVI used this version of the theme song as the closing theme to the action news broadcasts before they changed it to the current one?
Julius121081 3 years ago
WPVI didn't use this particular cut, per se. But rather, a slightly shorter cut that only utilized (still utilizes) the first vocal verse of the song before cutting to the end of it for the news announcer's closing.
JHand04 3 years ago
I just sent you a video which may clear up some confusion as to which version of the closing theme was played.
Julius121081 3 years ago
Actually, JHand, they have various length versions of the end theme ready for use, depending on how much time they have to fill. Some days, it's just the last 8 bars or so, but occasionally, on a slow news day, they may use the vocal version. You can find examples of the different versions posed here on YouTube.
OKNewshawk 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
Julius121081 3 years ago
I cried when JIMBO died. They rythmn of the city will still live with this intro music. Don't you remember hearing, "Fire in South Philly injures several," but "Tonight's big story"........ I have lived in South Carolina since the late 70's, but still enjoy the kickback.
scaiken 3 years ago
Philadelphia's theme song!!!!
djwash5 3 years ago 14
This has been flagged as spam show
Actually, WKBW TV's Eyewitness News in Buffalo has used it as long as WPVI has, with a little "break" from 03-08. And, a lot of Action News' Innovations during the 70's and 80's were adopted from Eyewitness News' Top Anchor from WKBW, Irv Weinstein.
bjgawron14 4 months ago
"Topping tonight's Eyewitness News"
We love Irv Weinstein
streetcarjay 3 years ago 2
If you've lived in Buffalo since 1970, this is all the theme to our "Eyewitness News" on WKBW-TV Channel 7.
They just brought it back too!
tmq1384 3 years ago 6
I grew up in South Jersey and have a wife from Buffalo, where the identical theme is an institution there as well! So I love it for both reasons!
DesiluTrek 3 years ago 3
This should be the new internet phenomenon. PhillyRolling
coolgeek2751 3 years ago 2
Sounds so 70's!!! I love it! Action News with Jim Gardner!
phillygrl69 3 years ago 4
Doesn't this sound like it is being played at a slightly faster speed?
HN22NL2 3 years ago 2
Yes it is. Some time ago, I used a program called Mixcraft to speed the theme up somewhat and changed its pitch to sound similar to when MCTYW was first heard on WPVI.
There was an 80s TV theme website that had that version of the theme uploaded for a while, but it does not seem to be operating anymoire, dunno. If I find that site, I'll put up the URL for everyone.
JHand04 3 years ago
@HN22NL2 I think it does.
mratfauver 1 year ago
Action News with Jim Gardner.
nanlisa 3 years ago 2
I grew up listening to this theme song (I'm from Trenton and lived in the Delaware Valley til I was 24) and only now do I know who sings the song...
Skinnyd4 3 years ago 2
Ain't it da truth though?
JHand04 3 years ago
ACTION NEWS. Delaware Valley's leading news program!
djwash5 3 years ago 4