This is nice, but I'm with the folks who are looking for an earllier theme. The one I'm thinking of ran in 1975, '76, and perhaps '77 and '78. In other words, the late Barbara Walters-Jim Hartz era and perhaps beyond. I'll try my best to represent the music below.
Dum de DUM
DUHHHHHHMM de dum
Dum dum de dum
De dum
The most distinguishing feature was the long, wailing note to start the second line. That theme was the background music of my later grade school years.
Now, for the big money: You wouldn't happen to have another Ray Ellis composition for TheToday Show, "This is Today" -- the one they had to stop using because it sounded too much like "Day by Day" from "Godspell?" In particular, the cool jazz version they used to run the full closing credits on Fridays? I've been looking for a version of that for years!
Made me think a bit of classic Sesame Street at the start (I suppose late 70s,, early 80s Sesame Street - certainly fits in the time frame!) Wish they could use this today - even if it were just for Friday intros or something!
Back when you needed an entire orchestra to do the theme music (Today Show and the Tonight Show with Doc Severenson & the NBC Orchestra). Nowadays, you get a band or a DJ to throw something together and that is called a theme song.
What the Hell happened to television from say 1992 to the current times? Why is network television soooo low grade, so stupid? When will television be this GOOD again?
@frlumpe If it's the one similar to this theme then that's the theme they used from the early 80's until the mid 80's. I think it was introduced around the time Bryant Gumbel joined "Today" . I have that theme, but it's on a disc.
They sometimes play it when they show a "Today Show" anniversary or a past anchor stops by.
Can anyone find/post the Today Show theme song that came before this one? They were both written by Ray Ellis, but the earlier theme was forced off the air due to a copyright lawsuit. Someone had posted it a couple years ago but it has since disappeared. I miss it--even if it was somewhat "dour"!
I really like this music. I also like the re-vamped version used around the time Bryant Gumbel came to the show. I think that version lasted from around 1982-1987. It had more of a jazzy sax to it along with guitar.
They been using the same theme for like 23 years now. This theme makes the Today Show feel more relaxed. They need to bring this back but update it a little, and cut the show to about 2 hours. It should be 7-9 am and get rid of Kathie Lee and Hoda. Hell even Meredith.
Thanks so much for posting this. My all time favorite theme. I've been looking for a nice clean version of the extended ending version they used to use on Fridays when they'd run the full credits.
By far the best theme TODAY ever had......it's a damn shame they aren't smart enough over at NBC to resurrect this for use as it's a classic! Come to think of it, it's probably good they aren't using this theme as the TODAY is so godawful to watch.
Wow! It's KPRC Local 2 Houston!
ZaneBTV 4 days ago
Bring back J. Fred Muggs, the Today Show's Chipanzee !
TrappedIn1968 6 days ago
Wow! So that's what I've been missing being a youngin...but seriously, I like that theme. They should do this once a year. It's so catchy!
citygurl104 3 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This is nice, but I'm with the folks who are looking for an earllier theme. The one I'm thinking of ran in 1975, '76, and perhaps '77 and '78. In other words, the late Barbara Walters-Jim Hartz era and perhaps beyond. I'll try my best to represent the music below.
Dum de DUM
DUHHHHHHMM de dum
Dum dum de dum
De dum
The most distinguishing feature was the long, wailing note to start the second line. That theme was the background music of my later grade school years.
CollegeBoy80s 1 month ago
Comment removed
CollegeBoy80s 1 month ago
The birthday is in a few days
Nobienify 1 month ago
Now, for the big money: You wouldn't happen to have another Ray Ellis composition for TheToday Show, "This is Today" -- the one they had to stop using because it sounded too much like "Day by Day" from "Godspell?" In particular, the cool jazz version they used to run the full closing credits on Fridays? I've been looking for a version of that for years!
TXPAScot 2 months ago
idk why but theres just something about 80s and 90s music that makes me wanna kill myself
zonanboy 3 months ago
Made me think a bit of classic Sesame Street at the start (I suppose late 70s,, early 80s Sesame Street - certainly fits in the time frame!) Wish they could use this today - even if it were just for Friday intros or something!
grapesofwraith1066 3 months ago
Magandang Umaga, Po Theme (1989-1995)
lianlaspinas 3 months ago
Back when you needed an entire orchestra to do the theme music (Today Show and the Tonight Show with Doc Severenson & the NBC Orchestra). Nowadays, you get a band or a DJ to throw something together and that is called a theme song.
JAldrich73 4 months ago
Sort of sounds like the old school GMA theme.
snootzie78 5 months ago
What the Hell happened to television from say 1992 to the current times? Why is network television soooo low grade, so stupid? When will television be this GOOD again?
jaworskij 5 months ago
lol look at Gene Shallit!
gna610 5 months ago
Screw Modern NBC, I want this back!
23Daant 6 months ago
holy shit what happened to nbc
sinktoob 6 months ago
mennonites in trouble??... hmmmm..
irish89055 6 months ago
There was a "jazzy" sort of opening for the Today Show that play for years -- anyone have access to that?
frlumpe 6 months ago
@frlumpe If it's the one similar to this theme then that's the theme they used from the early 80's until the mid 80's. I think it was introduced around the time Bryant Gumbel joined "Today" . I have that theme, but it's on a disc.
They sometimes play it when they show a "Today Show" anniversary or a past anchor stops by.
coolwafferman 5 months ago
Do you have the current one of this?
nintendogmaster 7 months ago
sounds like something Family guy would make lol
JeremiahP3 1 year ago
Can anyone find/post the Today Show theme song that came before this one? They were both written by Ray Ellis, but the earlier theme was forced off the air due to a copyright lawsuit. Someone had posted it a couple years ago but it has since disappeared. I miss it--even if it was somewhat "dour"!
brmnyc 1 year ago
sounds like something off of sesame street for some odd reason...
mjtheman23 1 year ago
I Believe This Was NBC News' Today Video Open From Wednesday Morning, February 7, 1979.
radiodj1520 1 year ago
Anyone got the theme that preceded this one??
I have not seen or heard that one since the 70's.
A much more dour song but screams the today show circa 1977 or so.
alau18 1 year ago
and.. hey.. anyone remember that special theme they used at Christmas ... it had jingle bells in it ..
joebradio 1 year ago
@joebradio I LOVED that one !
kxx46 1 year ago
A great blast from the past. I remember hearing this in the morning getting ready to go to high school.
keithmc1963 1 year ago 5
@keithmc1963 I miss those days.
jimbobubbadj 1 month ago
Breakfast music !
PupuTheClown 1 year ago 3
I really like this music. I also like the re-vamped version used around the time Bryant Gumbel came to the show. I think that version lasted from around 1982-1987. It had more of a jazzy sax to it along with guitar.
They been using the same theme for like 23 years now. This theme makes the Today Show feel more relaxed. They need to bring this back but update it a little, and cut the show to about 2 hours. It should be 7-9 am and get rid of Kathie Lee and Hoda. Hell even Meredith.
coolwafferman 1 year ago 2
Thanks so much for posting this. My all time favorite theme. I've been looking for a nice clean version of the extended ending version they used to use on Fridays when they'd run the full credits.
TVSeriesFinalecom 1 year ago
Comment removed
irish89055 1 year ago
Nice! and thanks for the cred... ;-) appreciate it!
musicom67 1 year ago
love the theme
gshow1970 1 year ago
By far the best theme TODAY ever had......it's a damn shame they aren't smart enough over at NBC to resurrect this for use as it's a classic! Come to think of it, it's probably good they aren't using this theme as the TODAY is so godawful to watch.
tcbluecollarguy1 1 year ago