Sports TV programme themes can be iconic. If it’s good, you can tell with just one note what programme it is and what you’re in store for. They exhibit an almost pavlovian response in us. They’re 60 second clips that we grow up with – they evoke nostalgia, and the best ones are musical classics in their own right.
In a very particular order…
8. A Question of Sport – BBC
The 80s one obviously – the new one sounds like it’s been recorded underwater. It’s catchy, up tempo, and you’re just waiting for Bill Beaumont and Emelyn Hughes to pop up. The full version has a weird synth / sax middle eight before heading back to more familiar territory with the crowd noise and that incredible catchy main riff.
7. London Marathon – BBC
I love this track, it’s actually called ‘The Trap’ and was originally slated to be the soundtrack to the Oliver Reed film of the same name. It’s an iconic soundtrack that only really gets an airing once a year for the London Marathon, but really encapsulates the epic race around the city. What a great track to run to!
6. Ski Sunday – BBC
Sam Fonteyn’s “Pop Looks Bach” – the theme for “Ski Sunday” – is a proper tune. I can just imagine skiing down a mountain, weaving through the trees with this in my head. Since I can’t ski, this track will be the closest I’ll get. Also, definitely has ‘it’s Sunday… back to school tomorrow’ vibes about it.
5. Test Match Special – BBC
You’ll know this one with just the first note. All the way from Memphis to Trent Bridge: Booker T. & the M.G.’s ‘Soul Limbo’, released on STAX records in 1968 and the soundtrack to summer cricket. Featuring Isaac Hayes on cowbell, the tune famously and annoyingly remixed by Mr. Roy in the 90s under the name of ‘Saved’. At least it was funny the first time you heard it anyway. As a side note, Mr. Roy’s “Something About U (Deerstalker Dub)” is a proper house classic.
4. Bullseye – ITV
Yes, it’s not a sports programme as such, but it is one of the best TV theme tunes ever. Instantly conjuring up everyone’s favourite beer swilling, darts throwing, animated bovine and drab 80s couples competing for a hostess trolley, Hotpoint washing machine – or an Austin Metro if they were really lucky. Simply one of TV’s best programmes, and one that I could watch for hours. Also has massive Sunday evening ‘school the next day’ vibes.
3. Match of the Day – BBC
Not being the biggest football fan, this was usually a harbinger of me turning over, but not till this excellent theme tune had played out in full. For some reason I always sang ‘My Old Man’s a Dustman’ in my head over the top, seems to work. Originally composed by Barry Stoller for the programme, his only brief was to ‘write something good’. I think he smashed it.
2. Formula One – BBC
It took me years to connect the dots between the Formula One theme tune and Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’. The fairly drab first half of ‘The Chain’ shockingly morphs into that bass-heavy, adrenaline-filled crescendo that both racing fans and music fans love. Also sounded amazing at 4am sometime in early 2000s when James Lavelle used to play it at Fabric.
1. Grandstand – BBC
Well what else would be at number one? Composed by the incredible Keith Mansfield in 1976 as part of KPM’s 1173 album called ‘Solid Gold’, this track personified sport for a generation and was the soundtrack to every Saturday morning. Combined with a montage of sporting events with the obligatory sync’d punch of a boxing match or skier falling over when the ‘BONG’ hits. Pure Joy. Do check out everything Keith Mansfield has produced, the guy is a genius.
