This is a great speech/song/poem read by Jon Pertwee to the Doctor Who theme. "I cross the void beyond the mind, the empty space that circles time, I see where others stumble blind, to seek a truth they'll never find. Eternal wizards are my kind, I am THE DOCTOR!" I'm not sure these are the exact opening words, due to the static in my copy, but this really is a fun bit of Dr. Who history!
I thought it was 'Eternal Wisdom', but I LOVE this song!
The sheer reverence that Pertwee puts into "I am THE DOCTOR" made me, a newcommer to Whodom(?) giddy.
Did he ever get to do this on Top of the Pops?
I always find it incredibly moving, despite the fact that the words don't really stand up to close scrutiny. I too think it's 'eternal wisdom is my guide' which would have me asking who the arrogant ******* thinks he is, were it not for the fact that we KNOW who he thinks he is...
I _thought_ I had this on my computer somewhere...many apologies to whatever website I nicked it from, but I've no idea which it is, so I can't give any credit to whatever poor fool sat through it dozens of times with a pause button trying to work out what on Earth the Doctor's saying.
I cross the void beyond the mind
The empty space that circles Time
I see where others stumble blind
To seek a truth they never find
Eternal wisdom is my guide
I am... The Doctor!
Through cosmic waste the TARDIS flies
The taste the secret source of life
A presence science can't deny
Exists within, outside, behind
The latitude of human minds
I am... The Doctor!
My voyage bisects the course of time
"Who knows," you say, but are you right?
Who searches deep to find the light
And glows so darkly in the night
Toward that point, I guide my flight
As fingers move to end mankind
Metallic teeth begin to grind
With sword of truth, I turn to fight
The satanic powers of the night
Is your faith before your mind?
Know me... Am I... The Doctor?
He should have made a video to go with this!
Well, as a relative newbie, I'm only qualified to discus the New Who songs, but it seems to me they deserve a thread- perhaps with general score discussion as well, if anyone feels like it. This is a thread for anything song or music related- lyrics discussion, album version vs. televised version, general thoughts, etc.
With a new Christmas Special close at hand and, potentially, a new song, I've been going through a retrospective of the fantastic songs New Who has already given us:
Song For Ten - I'd probably rank this as third favorite of the New Who songs, despite it's being absolutely excellent. It's catchy, and captures the feeling of being a new, fresh start, and a slightly melancholy tribute to the old at the same time. I had a thought just recently about the final verse: Obviously, it's intended to reflect the events of Doomsday (Well I woke up today/and you're on the other side/our time may never come again/but if you can still dream/close your eyes and you'll see/that you can see me now and then)- reflecting Rose, being trapped on the 'other side' and only being able to see the Doctor in her dreams... but I wonder if, in the context of Christmas Invasion and a song for the newly regenerated Doctor, these lyrics also work with a double meaning? Sort of a farewell from the Eccleston portion of the Doctor's personality/mind? "Well I woke up today/and you're on the other side (Well, the regeneration is over, and you've kept on going, but I'm gone) /our time may never come again (The man you knew is gone, and he's not coming back...) /but if you can still dream (but with an open mind...) /close your eyes and you'll see/that you can see me now and then (You may just see a little bit of the 'old me,' the me you knew, in this new face.)" What do you think?
My Love Don't Roam - Probably my second favorite of the series- it's catchy, fun, has a classic Tom Jones sound to it, and it's a little more generic- just a fun, general Doctor-themed song that you don't have to think so much as feel.
Put The Devil In Me - This song doesn't do much for me... it's kind of fluff, no real content... and that's the album version. Used to hearing that, the on-screen performance was even more jarring- between the strangest New York accent I've ever heard and a genuine lack of singing talent... this one was pretty painful.
The Stowaway - Above and beyond my favorite song that the new series has come up with, this has a fun nautical sound to it, evocative, sad-and-happy-at-the-same-time story, creative lyrics, and an excellent vocalist. I can't say enough good things about it... so... I won't try. :-)
The biggest questions remaining to us are: (S5/S6 RUMOR SPOILERS)
What will the 2008 Christmas Special give us? Something with a more traditional, 'olden' sound to it, due to it's being set in the past? Something that sound more like a classic carol than a modern hit?
Will there be a 'song for 11' in 2009/2010? If the Doctor is an older, more eccentric type, will this song possibly trend towards a more classical sound as well? Or will the end of '08 signal the end of the songs? I, for one, await the answers with great anticipation...
Anyone here familiar with the songs of the Old Who that might like to expand the discussion? Such as "The Ballad of the Last Chance Saloon"...
Er... guess not.
You couldn't possibly expect DISCUSSION of The Ballard of the Last Chance Saloon. Mass suicides, perhaps, but not discussion...
Alright, have to agree with your verdict on 'Put the Devil in Me'. Murray Gold is the greatest composer in human history (admittedly it took me a while to come to this conclusion...and it may not be entirely divorced from the fact his music happens to be attached to all the greatest moments of my life) but THAT was godawful.
And I don't remember us getting a song in The Next Doctor 
And your (quite understandable) belief that the next Doc'd be an older type is similarly...over-optimistic
Yeah, that was a little crushing, in retrospect... :-)
There were three songs in the stage version of Doctor Who - The Ultimate Adventure.
Do you count Courtney Pine's jazz in Silver Nemesis?
What about Kameleon's song in The Kings' Demons? 
I love that song!
And then there's the fact episode three of the Sixth Doctor audio Doctor Who and the Pirates is a highly enjoyable Gilbert and Sullivan musical...
Really? I'm going to have to find that one...!
[Continued from the Planet of the Ood page.]
"This is Gallifey: our childhood, our home" is the music playing while the Master burns, is it? That doesn't exactly seem appropriate. Beautiful piece though, very majestic, powerfully rendered. But now I have no idea what the Master's theme sounds like; I can only hear his fingers tapping on the table.
And I agree with you about Martha's theme, although I described it as bittersweet.
There is one other piece of music I hear a lot that I'd be interested in knowing the name of (I don't have any of the CDs). You can hear it during the Doctor's slow motion walk through the firey wreckage on the Titanic; it also plays when he goes back to pick up Caecilius (sp?) from Pompeii. Another powerful theme that pops up often.
Perhaps we should rename this thread "Music of Doctor Who"?
I'm going to have to find that one...!
Yeah, do. It's one of the handful of Big Finishes that's actually FUN. And 'I am the very model of a Gallifreyan Buccaneer' is priceless...
"This is Gallifey: our childhood, our home" is the music playing while the Master burns, is it? That doesn't exactly seem appropriate.
Oh, I don't see why not. All the poor Master wanted was a new Gallifrey in the heavens. (And he'd've got it too, if it wasn't for that meddling Doctor...)
"And I agree with you about Martha's theme, although I described it as bittersweet." - Mandy
Excellent description, yes!
"There is one other piece of music I hear a lot that I'd be interested in knowing the name of (I don't have any of the CDs). You can hear it during the Doctor's slow motion walk through the firey wreckage on the Titanic; it also plays when he goes back to pick up Caecilius (sp?) from Pompeii. Another powerful theme that pops up often." - Mandy
Not sure about that one. Maybe it's on the Series 4, I don't have that yet... but I don't think it's on the 1 or 3. It doesn't sound familiar. Unless anyone else can correct me?
"Perhaps we should rename this thread "Music of Doctor Who"?" - Mandy
Works for me... anyone here that can do that? :-)
No problem.
Speaking of songs, though...that Song for Ten isn't exactly accurate, is it? 'And I'll come running back to you/Cos I folowed my star/And that's what you are' - assuming this is addressed to Rose (as opposed to Jackie or Mickey-the-Idiot) it doesn't exactly explain why the Tenth Doctor made repeated attempts to get the hell away from her by trapping her in a parallel universe against her will.
Men!
But that way after the song! And you can hardly blame him for the first separation. As for dumping her on the beach, that was just to avoid having to say "those words" to her.
And you can hardly blame him for the first separation.
I SO can.
Not, obviously, for the being-snatched-from-the-brink-of-the-Void-by-daddy stuff - ohhhhhhhh, the tragedy of That Wall and ohhhhhhhhhhh, the tragedy of That Beach, and ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh the sheer romanticism of burning up of a star to say goodbye...
...but let's not forget that FIVE MINUTES EARLIER the sonuvadalek was sneaking up behind her and sticking a magic-yellow-teleporter thing round her neck to convey her to Pete's World against her clearly and vociferously expressed wishes. Who the HELL does he think he is? And then he has the cheek to spend the next couple of years wailing 'My life is over, bury me now' before encountering Rose again, dumping her against her will on that bloody beach again, and then starting to wail 'My life is over, bury me now' all over again in The Next Doctor...
As for dumping her on the beach, that was just to avoid having to say "those words" to her.
My point exactly. MEN!
...but let's not forget that FIVE MINUTES EARLIER the sonuvadalek was sneaking up behind her and sticking a magic-yellow-teleporter thing round her neck
Well, okay, that is pretty indefensible. Even moreso when you remember he picked up TWO mass-cancellers. Who did he think the other one was for?
"Who the HELL does he think he is?" - Emily
Did you really just ask that question? ;-) He's the Doctor! The Tennant-at-the-time-hadn't-even-betrayed-us-Doctor! :-)
Well, he's bloody well betrayed us NOW. And for a Time Lord, such things are by definition retroactive, echoing back down his timeline. Viz, he was ALWAYS a filthy traitor, from the moment he started adorably 'new teeth'ing us. (And the fact he betrayed Rose in Doomsday (AND Journey's End) merely proves it.)
Hmmm. Fair enough. Well, perhaps since he's already well-rooted in his traitorousness, they can find a way to spin him into all of the supposed-to-happen-in-between-the-next-few-regeneration-bad-guys that ought to be coming up soon? Seems like he's the Doctor who's 'corruption' the fans would resent the least at this point... well, the only one who's name doesn't start with 'Colin Baker,' at least... ;-)
Oh, and there are MORE crazy lyrics in Song For Ten - 'I wish today was just like every other day, cos today has been the best day, everything I've ever dreamed' - now don't get me wrong, that would certainly apply to ME watching The Christmas Invasion, but which bit of it was THE DOCTOR so keen on? Dying in agony? Breaking Rose's heart? Getting a hand chopped off? Seeing an entire planet traumatised? Destroying a good woman (and the Web of Time with her)? Watching the slaughter of a fleeing foe?
Um, getting Rose to smile at him when she saw his new digs? And he did seem to enjoy Christmas dinner.
And if I was the Doctor, enjoying Christmas dinner with JACKIE TYLER would be more terrifying than anything else that happened that day. The ultimate proof that I was an utterly different person. That the best of me - the big-eared Northern git - was well and truly dead.
Well, remember the second verse, which seems to apply to Doomsday, so maybe that's what he's referring to as the best... ummm... never mind. ;-)
*Outraged glare* I hope you're not implying what I THINK you're implying! Just because the Doc spends his lives dumping Rose in parallel universes, locking her up with Daleks, and abandoning her to starve to death on grotty spaceships while flirting with every man, woman and tree to cross his path does NOT mean that he doesn't love her very, VERY much!
Well! Murray Gold is doing the music for Season Five/Thirty-One/One/Whatever the hell they're calling it this week.
Good for him.
Though given that ABOSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ELSE is brand spanking new, it's a BIT of a surprise...
Yes, I'm happy about that, too. Everyone loves his music, except the critics, but who likes what they like anyway?
FROM END OF TIME:
“Polly, polly, polly, polly”
Yeah, thanks for that previously unnoticed distraction....
The polly-polly is starting to grow on me now. Not sure why since that particular stretch of music is way over the top. You'd think the Doctor was ascending to Heaven accompanied by a chorus of angels the way it carries on.
Murray's not exactly noted for having a light touch with his soundtracks, but lately I haven't been finding anything memorable about them. The last piece of music that engaged me was the opening sequence to The Next Doctor.
Is it Murray or the audio people who think everyone has a super-duper surround system? I think the problem is in the mix, not the music...
that particular stretch of music is way over the top. You'd think the Doctor was ascending to Heaven accompanied by a chorus of angels the way it carries on.
And why should our Sweet Prince not have choirs of angels singing him to his rest?
Um...I should never have watched him do Hamlet. Still...maybe it's only anyone-who-has-ever-been-in-Torchwood who gets eternal blackness? Maybe there IS a heaven for cats and Doctors and things...?
Is it Murray or the audio people who think everyone has a super-duper surround system? I think the problem is in the mix, not the music...
Should this not have OCCURRED to the producers of Who sometime during the last five years...?
Murray's not exactly noted for having a light touch with his soundtracks, but lately I haven't been finding anything memorable about them. The last piece of music that engaged me was the opening sequence to The Next Doctor.
I take that back. I was listening to End of Time earlier while doing a jigsaw on my computer (sorry, Emily, but Who episodes only get my undivided attention a couple of times) and one piece of music did jump out at me (aside from polly-polly). I like all that head shaking music. It's catchy.
I was listening to End of Time earlier while doing a jigsaw on my computer (sorry, Emily, but Who episodes only get my undivided attention a couple of times)
'Sorry' isn't quite good enough, sunshine!
I expect your ritually-disembowled corpse on my desk by Monday.
MORE SPOILERS FOR END OF TIME:
And I found another piece of music to enjoy (before losing my innards): the bit that was playing while the Master was blasting Rassilon. It had a very powerful feeling. Not as majestic as the Doctor's regeneration music, but still good.
TWO Doctor Who proms to come in July...that's odd. Why take a year's break and then have two at once...um, I mean, wonderful news! I practically wore out my computer playing it again and again on the BBC Who site till it occurred to me that buying the Season 1&2/3/4 CDs would ensure I got a lot more Who-y goodness and a lot less inferior classical music by lesser composers that the Doctor ALLEGEDLY listens to in the TARDIS...
I love Eleven's new adventure music; it's much better than Ten's. Very high-energy and slightly chorusy.
It's lovely, but I dunno about BETTER than Ten's. (But then Ten's music generally had all that Tennanty goodness attached to it, so I may be prejudiced...)
Great piece of music when Eleven's playing football in The Lodger.
I love the music for Series 5; it sounds like they've revamped the entire soundscape. But have they thrown it ALL out? I haven't heard the Doctor's theme once this year or anything very familiar.
Great piece of music when Eleven's playing football in The Lodger.
Really? I was too busy goggling at the fact I was ENJOYING FOOTBALL for the first time in my life to notice (not that I've got anything against football, in particular - I just hate, loathe and despise ALL sports).
I love the music for Series 5; it sounds like they've revamped the entire soundscape. But have they thrown it ALL out? I haven't heard the Doctor's theme once this year or anything very familiar.
Again, I just hadn't noticed...I generally have to hear music several times before it really hits me (well, except for Elgar's Cello Concerto). Why the hell would they make poor Murray Gold compose everything from scratch? Is THAT where all the budget went?
Incidentally, the new theme music has got less offensive with repeated listenings, but it's hardly gonna make my Top Ten Opening Credits.
The music during the scene where the Doctor is stumbling away from the pensioners and hides in a butcher's freezer (Amy's Choice) is oddly over-dramatic. Good, I like it, but a bit epic for the action.
If you ever felt the need to have all the different versions of th e"Doctor Who" opening theme music, well, here you go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J_3rsEwYVE&feature=player_embedded
Ever notice how certain versions of the theme tune almost sound like they're about to morph into the Imperial March from Star Wars?
Just the theme from the '97 telemove.
I'm hooked on this video. If I could figure out how to download an MP3 of it, I'd put it on my iPod.
Does anyone recall ever hearing the theme heard just after the 2nd Doctor's theme? The guy who made this video refer's to it as the "Delaware" theme, but I can't say I've heard it on any of my DVDs.
Is the last theme after Matt Smith's theme from "Totally Doctor Who"?
Is this the Delaware music that's on the Carnival of Monsters DVD? It was an intended replacement that thankfully got vetoed but was still accidental broadcast on one of the episodes.
God, that was a bizarre piece of time-travel. I fast-forwarded through all the emotions I had at the time (including an embarrassing amount of love and excitement for the telemovie).
It was also a reminder that however little I love the current version, it could be - and was - a LOT worse. But how I miss those faces!
It was Doctor Who Confidential rather than Totally Doctor Who, Mike.
I'd forgotten how awful Tom's second opening was and I was surprised to find myself liking McCoy's theme. I think I'd have to go with the telemovie for being the best.
It's interesting how much space the new series takes up when it's only 20% of Who.
The TELEMOVIE is the best? Are you kidding me, Mandy? I have it as a tie for last, with the Colin Baker "Trial of Time Lord" theme and the aborted "Delaware" theme.
Speaking of Delaware, I should have checked Wikipedia before I posted:
"In 1972, there was an attempt by Brian Hodgson and Paddy Kingsland, with Delia Derbyshire acting as producer, to modernise the theme tune using the Radiophonic Workshop's modular "Delaware" synthesiser (named after the Workshop's location at Delaware Road). The "Delaware" arrangement, which had a distinct Jew's harp sound, was not well received by BBC executives and was abandoned. The master tapes were given to a fan at the 1983 Longleat celebrations by Hodgson and were never returned. The episodes that used it were redubbed with the old Derbyshire arrangement, but lacking the repeated notes at the beginning of the music. However, the Delaware version was accidentally left on some episodes which were sold to Australia, and survives today in this form. (The complete version of this arrangement of the music is included as an extra on the DVD release of Carnival of Monsters; it is also included on the CD release Doctor Who at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop: Volume 2: New Beginnings 1970-1980.)"
I have to admit, Emily, that the Matt Smith theme is growing on me. It took me until just recently to realize that the new opening graphics are a hint about this season's storyline (something violent is going to happen to the TARDIS).
You want some nostalgia over faces, you have to watch the Orbital remix of the theme that was done for the 40th anniversary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMMxOWUffEU
I like it. It has a throbbing intensity that appeals to me.
Hmmm...quite a bizarre little montage but hearing them all like that I must conclude a couple things-
1) The original version had a real sense of mysteriousness about that, over the course of the classic series, eroded to be a dumb excuse to pander to modern technology.
2) Whoever thought the "Trial" theme was good enough clearly needed new meds.
3) The telemovie theme is not that bad (the rest of the telemovie however....)
4) Out of the three versions used in the current series I'd say the current one is the best at capturing the spirit and feel of new Who.
Very nice Second Ever Doctor Who Prom yesterday. Though I think I preferred the original one - cos it WAS original, whereas now Daleks taking over the Albert Hall is just so passe. Plus I've only heard Season 5/31 twice, so its music hasn't had so much chance to worm its way into my soul.
Anyway, interesting that Moffat says in the Programme Notes: 'When I first took this job, the first question I asked (well, if you don’t count screaming "What have I done?" out of my bedroom window all night) was "Is Murray staying?".' That man has a WEIRD sense of priorities.
"Is Murray staying?".' That man has a WEIRD sense of priorities.
Oh, I don't know. I'd say Murray's music has added as much to the series as any of the actors. Some say it's overemotional, derivative (whatever that means), and too much for a TV show, but I love it. New Who would definitely be less without it.
Murray's music IS wonderful- sadly the audio mixers decide to crank it to ear-aplitting levels quite frequently. The music needs to be subtly added to underpin a scene- not to swamp dialogue....
I typically watch Who on my computer where that doesn't seem to be a problem. Perhaps my sound card sorts it out.
I do remember the music in the later Old Who eps being overwhelming. I couldn't hear half what Sylvester was saying.
I thought it was just my out of date TV that caused the volume problem.
"Is Murray staying?".' That man has a WEIRD sense of priorities.
Oh, I don't know. I'd say Murray's music has added as much to the series as any of the actors.
You're joking.
I mean, wonderful music, no question about it, but...as much as THE DOCTORS????????!!!!!!!!
The Moff's first thought SHOULD have been 'How can I make Tennant stay?' and/or 'How can I make Eccleston come back?' followed by the fifty million ideas he's had for Who since he was three (or whatever) exploding in his brain, he should NOT have been QUITE so fussed about acquiring his very own Devil In Me-type songs.
I thought it was just my out of date TV that caused the volume problem.
Nah, it's so common there was actually a comedy sketch about it a few years back - I think (NB: I have a VERY bad memory) the Companion was saying she couldn't hear a thing the Doctor was saying due to the music, him responding that it didn't matter, it had already been covered by the trailers/Confidential/Totally Doctor Who/newspaper spoilers, etc...
I mean, wonderful music, no question about it, but...as much as THE DOCTORS????????!!!!!!!!
Yes, all right, maybe I am exaggerating a little, but can you imagine that scene where Tennant slow-motion walks through the wreckage of the burning Titanic without that score? Or the wonderful Gallifrey-the-majestic music? Or Martha's bittersweet theme? Or even polly-polly-polly?
Great. We got Nyssa in the Polly section and polly-polly-polly in the music section.
What polly-polly-polly anyway?
Just before Ten regenerates into Eleven, the background choir - for reasons I'll never understand - sings what sounds totally like "Polly-polly-polly ..." It totally ruined the mood for me ... so I came onto Nitcentral and grumbled about it and have now ruined it for everyone else as well. 
Yes, all right, maybe I am exaggerating a little
A little?
A LITTLE?
Admit it! You'd roast Murray Gold over a slow fire and EAT him if that would buy us five more minutes of Ecclestonian or Tennanty goodness! Who wouldn't!
What? What are you all looking at me like that for...?
but can you imagine that scene where Tennant slow-motion walks through the wreckage of the burning Titanic without that score?
It's David ******* Tennant. In a tux. Walking in slow-motion through the wreckage of the burning Titanic. I'm sure I'd've coped. (Alright, so I definitely wouldn't have swooned to QUITE such an extent...)
Or the wonderful Gallifrey-the-majestic music? Or Martha's bittersweet theme?
Those are bloody marvellous, I can't deny it. To be honest, the only thought that softened the announcement that Martha would return in Season 4/30 when I was still celebrating seeing the back of her was 'Oh well, at least we'll get to hear THAT music again.'
Just before Ten regenerates into Eleven, the background choir - for reasons I'll never understand - sings what sounds totally like "Polly-polly-polly ..." It totally ruined the mood for me ... so I came onto Nitcentral and grumbled about it and have now ruined it for everyone else as well.
Let me guess...YOU were the LAV-A-TOR-Y culprit too? That really DID ruin my life...
Hey, I totally adore Murray's music. It's not my fault if he keeps putting weird lyrics into it!
(Yeah, OK, it's my fault that I then come and tell everyone about it, but why should I giggle alone?!)
It's not polly-polly-polly!! It's vale-vale-vale (pronounced vah-lay) - as in Vale Decem, the title of the piece, which translates to "Farewell Ten".
*sniffles*
But I take no responsibility for mis-hearing the lyrics. Even watching the DW Proms this evening, re-winding that song about fifteen times, reading the subtitles of the lyrics, and listening to that gorgeous singing voice (who'd have thought it was a man?!), it still sounded like polly-polly-polly to me.
Vale Decem, the title of the piece, which translates to "Farewell Ten".
*sniffles*
*Sniffles too*
it still sounded like polly-polly-polly to me.
Yes, it did to me too, AND I KNOW EXACTLY WHO'S TO BLAME.
Well, watching the Prom was more fun than listening to it on the radio - I finally got to see why everyone was inexplicably and repeatedly cheering in the middle of the music...though what kind of sickos would cheer at nine REGENERATION scenes? (Even at the Colin-to-McCoy one, given how dreadful it looks?) Still, at least the BBC have finally acknowledged there WERE previous Doctors - in the last Prom they could barely bring themselves to admit the existence of ECCY.
Lovely to see more of Matt Smith, though his claim that Pandorica Opens included 'every enemy the Doctor's ever faced' shows him to be No True Fan.
And, to be brutally honest, all those clips of Season 5/31 were just less thrilling than the last Prom's clips of Tennanty goodness.
Oh, and cutting it down to an hour was, of course, sheer blasphemy.
I wonder how Matt felt when the biggest scream of the night was reserved for footage of Tennant rather than him appearing live?
I went onto Youtube the next morning and looked for footage of that song. Somebody had posted a translation of all the Latin lyrics, although they weren't the same lyrics that were given in the subtitles on Monday's broadcast. However, when I read the last line of translation which said: "Vale(Farewell) x 10" I stopped sniffling and burst into tears. Such a simple thing, to sing "Farewell" ten times, but it utterly broke my heart.
Having listened to the Proms mp3 torrent a couple of times now, I'm struck by how unmemorable the music for this season was. With the exception of "I am the Doctor" and "Ride of the Valkyries" (not even a Who theme), it was disappointingly boring. Perhaps it would have been better with visuals.
Now that some kind soul has made the BBC special available online, I've now seen the visuals as well. It was better, actually much better, but still lacked a certain punch (much like the season itself).
Those regenerations scenes were wonderful. Very odd to see a man singing the polly-pollies though (valle-valle-whatever).
A CD of the music from A Christmas Carol is being released in February. Are the BBC just taking the mickey? Does anyone else have a SEASONS ONE AND TWO music CD from the Good Old Days when the Corporation TO WHOM WE PAY A HEFTY LICENSE FEE didn't feel the need to wring every last penny out of the unfortunate Fan until they'd sold their home and were camped out in cardboard city?
God bless torrent sites....
Have to say, the two CDs they released for the Gaping Chasm of Despair Year (or 'The Specials' as they call it) are exceedingly disappointing. Didn't like ANY of the stuff except the variations on the tunes I already know and love. Hell, even Vale Decem completely failed to move me to tears.
I love this theme.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdYLQsGUEio&feature=endscreen&NR=1
And look at Olorin314's comment about what to do in case of real alien contact. He's one of us
So do I. It's the only really notable music to come out of Smith's reign.
*Outraged shrieks* There's LOADS of lovely stuff from the Eleventh Doctor's era!!
...Alright, so I can't actually think of any off-hand, but that's no doubt because I haven't got the Season 5 CDs yet and am REALLY REALLY BAD at spotting the background music while I'm actually WATCHING Who for the first three or four times.
The Eleventh Doctor's theme is my ringtone. It's really evocative of Doc 11- captures his manicness and grandeur perfectly.
I was surfing Youtube, I hit upon this musical piece by Ennio Morricone and all I could think was "this could be the theme of the Oncoming Storm"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV0wPBYDQ6Y
It does, doesn't it? (Although for some reason I found it impossible to set the volume at a comfortable level.)
I am actually performing that piece, conducted by the man himself, in less than a month.
But here is my favourite piece from the concert we're doing with him.... don't think it would fit into Who though...
Nice piece. Well, not everything in this universe can revolve around the good Doctor. What instrument do you play, if I may ask?
Violin and piano although in this instance I'm singing.
Well, not everything in this universe can revolve around the good Doctor.
Since WHEN!
Some fan artwork of the Doctor's many companions, along with a sweet little song. Made me realize that, when all is said and done, Doctor Who is first and foremost the story of a bunch of people having roaring good fun, even if they don't always know it at the time.
I'm not so sure - 'roaring good fun' seems to be more of a New Who kinda concept.
Some of that artwork is better than any of the so-called art we got on official Doctor Who book/video releases. Not that that's saying much. (I did consider creating an 'Art' section in Apocrypha - but there didn't seem to be any Who art worthy of the name.)
I guess. Needed the clothes to recognize half of them, although there was a really good pencil drawing of Ten + companions towards the end. Cute song, too.
I like this version of the 11th Doctor's theme. It is somehow a lot darker than the one used in the series itself. Maybe this is what he hears at night when his own personal demons come to haunt his dreams.
Oh, I much prefer the normal, cheerier version. I don't think Eleven's dreams are THAT haunted. Hell, we don't even know if he SLEEPS.
I like that Companions video, and the song, Girl From Earth, is fitting (although men did travel with the Doctor too).
I noticed that said song is specifically about Doctor Who. I guess whomever recorded it must be a loyal fan. The song has a nice rhythem.
The song was recorded by a group called "Turn left". Yep, I guess they ARE loyal fans. 
I prefer the cheerier version, too. It has a stronger melody and that's what usually attracts me to a piece of music.
The song was recorded by a group called "Turn left". Yep, I guess they ARE loyal fans
Yeah, I guess they are
Captain Jack's theme, manly, strong, action driven, heroic, perfect.
Hmm. Who did the music for Torchwood? I can't say any of it has ever impinged on my consciousness, aside from mild astonishment that the opening credits are about two seconds long.
And as for Jack's 'theme'...it's a bit TOO manly, strong, action-driven. It's not hinting at the devastating loneliness of a man who's been betrayed n'abandoned by the Doctor, is out of time, faces trillions of years of unwanted life, has to watch everyone he loves die, and is stuck in WALES...
Heros don't show that stuff to the world. They march on, tall and proud, and they do their crying on the inside. At most, you'll see them brooding while nursing a drink in some out of the way seedy bar.
And the Doctor didn't abandon him, he though he was dead.
The Doctor TOTALLY abandoned him! Born Again (the Children in Need special set between Parting of the Ways and Christmas Invasion) has the Doctor dismissing Rose's pleas to return for Captain Jack with a casual 'He's busy, rebuilding the Earth'. And even if you claim that's not canon (though how anyone CAN given that Christmas Invasion started with the TARDIS crash-landing in the Powell Estate rather than visiting the Barcelonan dogs with no noses) the Doctor admits to Jack in Utopia that he knew exactly what had happened to him, and that's why he left Jack behind.
I'm not sure who I blame most for this - Eccy or Tennant - but either way, BOTH my most beloved Doctors are in SERIOUS TROUBLE.
You are right. I shamefully spoke before I knew what I was talking about. I stand corrected and offer sincere apologies.
Btw, I DO consider the Children in Need specials as part of the canon.
Oh, I much prefer the normal, cheerier version. I don't think Eleven's dreams are THAT haunted. Hell, we don't even know if he SLEEPS.
Then maybe we could call it the Dreamlord's theme?
Speaking of the normal cheery Doctor theme, it currently has 575 likes and 5 dislikes votes on YouTube. Someone posted this comment:
The five dislikes are from the Daleks, the Cybermen, the Sontarons, the Racnoss & the Weeping Angels. The Silence disliked it, but YouTube forgot.
Jack's theme doesn't do much for me either. Too frantic and repetitive. And oddly, I don't actually remember hearing it on the show.
I have heard somewhere that a good soundtrack sets the mood in a movie (or tv program) without attracting direct attention to itself.
I've heard that too, but I like the more melodic scores. They enhance my enjoyment and I can more easily bring back those emotions when I hear them again (or hum them in the shower).
You are right. I shamefully spoke before I knew what I was talking about. I stand corrected and offer sincere apologies.
You are a shining example to all Nitcentrallers, most of whom (me included, obviously) would cut their own tongues out (or even give up Gridlock for Lent) before saying such a thing, but really, no apologies are needed. It's not surprising if your subconscious sought to protect you from the knowledge of Our Hero's EVIL TREACHERY by wiping it from your memory.
And oddly, I don't actually remember hearing it on the show.
Yeah, having wracked my brains, the only bits of Torchwood and SJA music I can actually remember are when Jack touched the Doctor's Hand and when Sarah spotted the police telephone box...i.e. when they used a few seconds of WHO music.
I have heard somewhere that a good soundtrack sets the mood in a movie (or tv program) without attracting direct attention to itself.
I've heard that too, but I like the more melodic scores. They enhance my enjoyment and I can more easily bring back those emotions when I hear them again (or hum them in the shower).
I'd go a step further and say that, after seven years of Murray Gold, music that doesn't make me cry AND drown out every word the characters are trying to say on-screen barely counts as music at all...;)
Here is another version of the 11th Doctor's theme. This one is stronger, more orchestral, more epic. I love the way it concludes at the very end, those few simple words somehow sum up the Doctor perfectly.
Isn't this the version they use on the show?
I think they use both actually, depending on the mood of the scene
Jon Pertwee's Worzel Gummage album sold more copies than 'I Am The Doctor'?! (DWM.) The human race is sick, SICK I tell you!
A medley of all the variations of Eleven's theme heard in Series 5 and 6, and A Christmas Carol. I would pay to hear a symphonic orchestra play this live. Heck, I'd even wear a tux and bow tie.
The Doctor's theme and 'I am The Doctor', metal style.
Don't give Moffat ideas. This'll be on next season.
You don't suppose Moffat, or people on his staff, read these boards, do you?
Can't. We say way too much cr*p about them for them to let it pass without comment. It's not humanly possible.
Well, I know they read Gallifrey Base whilst inhumanly not commenting ON said Base cos I remember RTG getting furious in Writer's Tale about how it made Helen Raynor cry.
I suspect Moffat must also dip in or he wouldn't have realised that ideas like the iDaleks or calling Season Five 'Series One' or calling the second half of Season Six 'Series Seven' had fallen so utterly flat he'd HAVE to give up on 'em.
This is Gallifrey, Our childhood, Our Home.
There is great nostalgia in this piece, a longing for something that can never be again, and considering that the Doctor is a time traveler, that's saying a lot.
Gareth Roberts in DWM: 'Just when nearly every other SF film or TV series had gone symphonic, Doctor Who went the other way - synthetic. I think it made everything on screen look just that little bit cheaper. Wonderful!'
DWM, re Myth Makers' Keff McCulloch video: 'He spends much of the interview apologising for the sounds he made, specifically those much-criticised drum machines - "I personally hate a lot of the stuff I did."'
Quite an interesting interview with Dudley 'King of Incidentals' Simpson in DWM:
'We were bugged by the budget 'cos they'd always leave the music 'til last. You can't ask the costume department to use tissue paper. And you can't ask the graphics people to use thin lines instead of thick ones, but you can ask the composer to write for two players instead of four.' - hang on, a minute later you're saying 'I used to get top players...They all came running, 'cos I paid them cash on the job. And good money, too...They were very lucky boys.' You can't have been THAT short of cash.
On playing students a clip of Pyramids of Mars without, then with, music: 'They couldn't believe the difference! The miracle! I mean, it really did lift the programme - give it that extra impetus when it's required. A lot of directors relied on my music. "This doesn't work," they'd say. "Help me out here! Please!" Music can make it work..."'
'My music might have been a bit corny sometimes, I know - I mean, the Master motif - but it had an impact. Jon Pertwee would say, "The Master is more powerful than I am, Dudley! And your music is to blame!"' - I didn't even notice the Master HAD a motif.
On getting sacked by JNT: 'He said that he wanted to wipe the slate clean. That's what he said. The ironic thing in my favour, of course, was that the viewing audiences dropped from 16 million to about five million. And I dare say it to you, I mean, perhaps I shouldn't, but I think the real reason was that Doctor Who no longer had a familiar sound. There was no pattern.' - Well, THAT'S an explanation I'd never thought of.
'The idea of having a theme for a particular personality always seems a bit self-conscious unless it's done extremely subtly' says some Roger Limb person I've never heard of. Well, Old Who certainly did character-themes so subtly I never even noticed they were there...
'[Dudley Simpson] was wonderful...a really consummate musician and composer, but his departure helped to keep Doctor Who fresh in the Eighties. The Doctor had changed, there was a different style, it was all very positive. The music was part of that.' - Well, if you're WRITING the Davison music maybe you find him incredibly...positive. SOME of us wanted their Who a little less fresh and a little more...Tom-Baker-ish.
Adric's theme was noticeable to the point of distraction.
They played it when Adric got blown to smithereens.
DWM's Watcher gives her/his inimitable opinion on 1983's 'Doctor Who: The Music' record: 'a suite of gurgling noises from 1972's avant-garde score for The Sea Devils (that's "avant-garde" as in "I avant-garde the faintest idea what they were thinking")'. Not to mention: '[Roger Limb] would wash away his sins with the unutterably fantastic score for The Caves of Androzani, but in order to appreciate the sheer scale of that achievement you first have to listen to the tinny, eardrum-assaulting tiddly-widdly noodling that he plastered all over Four to Doomsday and Arc of Infinity'. THIS is the kind of music review a tone-deaf person like myself really APPRECIATES.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, a special event at the Royal Albert Hall featuring music from the series performed live by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the London Philharmonic Choir, with soloists Elin Manahan Thomas, Allan Clayton and Kerry Ingram.
DWM on Doctorin' the TARDIS by the Timelords [sic]:
'The combination of glam rock, various of [sic] Who sounds and the Doctor Who theme proved an instant success' - it DID?!
'Ford [Timelord, lead singer] says he wanted to put his favourites all together - Gary Glitter, Doctor Who and the Daleks. His favourite Doctor is Jon Pertwee, and the police car admits to some attraction to that particular incarnation's Edwardian roadster, Bessie. "I'm also attracted to K9 for some reason, but I hope that it's just because he's mechanical."' - no doubt this all seemed ENTIRELY WHOLESOME at the time....
Also, said news snippet has actually driven me to YouTube to LISTEN to the...thing in question*.
Can I sue someone?
More to the point, can Delia Derbyshire/Ron Grainer/the BBC/Terry Nation's Estate sue someone? Please?
*Alright! So I snapped after 7 minutes and 47 seconds and just couldn't make it to the full 8 minutes 16 seconds. So sue ME.
*sings* "Doctor Who! The TARDIS!"
I actually had the CD on yesterday. A very 'ewww....' moment when Gary Glitter sings "do you want to touch me" and then laughs.
Talk in the War Machines is making me wonder why Who didn't use stock music more often? Let's be honest, specially-composed music was seldom THAT effective in Old Who - hardly worth squandering so much of the miniscule budget on.
Or am I just a philistine?
'McCulloch has the unfortunate but frankly largely deserved reputation as being the worst thing ever to happen to Doctor Who's incidental music, and he outdoes himself here. In particular, the dramatic orchestral stab in the middle of Professor Chronotis's "one lump or two...sugar?" joke is more or less the musical equivalent of The Talons of Weng-Chiang's giant rat.' - TARDIS Eruditorum. I have SO got to watch my shiny untouched Shada DVD sometime...
Space Helmet for a Cow:
'According to many, [Dudley] Simpson's soundtracks...provide a "cheeky counterpoint" to the on-screen action, often underplaying dramatic moments while giving the full bells and whistles treatment to, say, someone picking up a cup. His many admirers argue he was allowing the action to do the talking with the former, while playing with audience expectations on the latter. At no point has it ever been suggested he simply wasn't looking at the screen' - bless!
'Carey opted to use medieval instruments [in The Silurians] for added authenticity (or as authentic as he could get given the lack of 200 million year-old alternatives)' - yeah, isn't that a bit pointless? What's a few hundred years here and there when you're talking MILLIONS?
Sound effects guy Dick Mills: 'We gave Dudley a knob to twiddle to keep him quiet. He thought that it modified what he had heard, changing it in some way. We would turn it a bit, and he would shake his head; we'd turn it some more, and he would say, "Much better!" What we didn't dare tell him was that the knob wasn't connected to anything at all. Poor old Dudley.' - Ouch.
Come to think of it...does the Doctor strumming Clara's Tune in Hell Bent mean that we've gotta reconsider our automatic assumption that the music isn't canon?
Why automatic?
OK, MY automatic assumption that Our Heroes can't hear the stuff or they'd've commented on it by now. Especially in The Sea Devils.
OK, anyone got a clue what THIS means in practice?
Not knowing the full deal, I'd imagine releases of show music, both original and redone with new artists, and possibly being used in advertising.
Yes but as the article says the Beeb keeps tabs on its use so it is not abused or used for product that would embarrass the brand- ie a porno.
That assumes that we TRUST the BBC to protect their 'brand' and our raison d'etre.
These are the creatures who BURNT our Hartnell-and-Troughtons, inflicted TSLABYOD on us, and - when the penny FINALLY dropped that they could make a few bob out of humanity's greatest achievement - foisted the Big-Bottomed Plastic Abomination So-Called Daleks on Moffat for their filthy profiteering purposes.
For some reason I'm also tempted to mention Tom Baker underpants at this point, heaven knows WHY, what's not to love about Tom Baker underpants?
Rodney - not abused or used for product that would embarrass the brand- ie a porno
Never even thought of that possibility, but now I think it would be funny as hell.
"I heard a wheezing, groaning noise!"
Huh. It turns out that we only got Doctor Who Proms in a sneaky attempt to get us addicted to classical music. And that it failed (well, DUH).
David Bowie was approached twice, for Oliver Hawkspur in The Dark Dimension and the Master in the TVM. Bowie also told Murray Gold that he would not accept a part in the New Series.
Who the hell does he think he IS!
And Who named a Mars base after this guy?
David Bowie was approached twice, for Oliver Hawkspur in The Dark Dimension and the Master in the TVM.
Though it's worth pointing out that his name was just one of literally dozens on the not-particuarly-shortlist for the Master (check out page 95 of 'Doctor Who: Regeneration' for the full, epic litany). And the former was something claimed by Adrian Rigelsford, whose relationship to factual reality has always been open to question.
Doctorate for Delia Derbyshire!
I didn't even know they DID posthumous PhDs...
Yeah, it's not like the PhD will do her career any good.
we know that progressive rock is evil in the Doctor Who universe, seeing as the Master listens to King Crimson in Mind Of Evil and the original plan for Colony In Space was for the Doc to find some Emerson, Lake & Palmer on the IMC spaceship's entertainment console.
I really enjoyed listening to Matt's episode of "Desert Island Discs". It sounds like life could have so easily taken him in a different direction as he really didn't want to be an actor as football was his first love. I also loved his story about going to Steven Moffat's house before he accepted the role and he was asked if he had any skeletons in the cupboard? The presenter was trying to get him to reveal what he said but he wouldn't!
From the iplayer menu was also pleasantly surprised to see a link to William Hartnell's "Desert Island Discs" but it was such a shame that only 16 mins of it survives in the archives and just to add insult to injury its literally only in the last minute they start chatting about his role as the Doctor. You do really have to question who made the decision to stop the recording at that point? Still very interesting to hear Hartnell's own natural voice as I'm so used to hearing him as the Doctor.
Apparently some ••••••• cretins have voted Sherlock the best TV theme tune ever with Doctor Who coming second.
I demand we have a Second Referendum on this issue as well as on Brexit, and that Callie stop looking smug.
Neither are as good as the Game Of Thrones theme.....
....give me a moment to get my running shoes on....
The musical themes of the New Who Doctors.
My own titles, inspired by the music and the associated Doctor's personality:
Ninth, The Mourning God.
Tenth, The Regretful God.
Eleventh, The Trickster God.
Twelfth, The Grumpy God.
Thirteenth, The Brilliant God.
*Blissful sigh*
Gods, that takes me back.
In fact, for the first time I'm feeling almost as if it IS fourteen years since humanity got its raison d'etre back.
What about poor old War? He doesn't get a theme?
Nice list but JODIE!, much as I adore her, doesn't score that highly on the 'brilliant' scale (er, by the Doctor's standards not our own, obviously). She could barely cope with ANY of her adversaries even when they were Tim bloody Shaw.
What about poor old War? He doesn't get a theme?
Apparently not. Couldn't find one anyway, except for this, but I don't think it qualifies as a Doctor theme.
Nice list but JODIE!, much as I adore her, doesn't score that highly on the 'brilliant' scale
I chose brilliant for two reasons. First, that was the first thing she said right after her regeneration. Second, brilliant is the french word for bright, and this is the impression I get from Jodie, bright, happy and untroubled, unlike all of her New Who predecessors who were always carrying the darkness and regrets of the Time War with them. I found that a refreshing change of mood.
There is a group of people having a fight over the bassline of the 1980 version of the theme tune. I'm quite confused.
Awww, bless 'em...
Farewell, Sarah Jane - Full Soundtrack:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSQNgMW1_xg&feature=emb_title
Missy & Clara and Doctor - What would you die for?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOgmYJP_FvE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2cuzLzJVshx_T-Lx2TzTYyMYvUeRAPfhz33GU14G03pBv65Mn1-ZaMoYE
Listen (Poem) - Full Soundtrack:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QXrvdg4BV4
Great orchestral rendition of Doctor Who's main musical theme.
Bowties are cool.
The Story of River Song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayn0i0xKAag&feature=emb_title
Made for The Husbands of River Song rewatch.
Through Time:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4jxU7hQlc8&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0j5_C5y49Fi8Yq5UXE-A4lZw13HQhOT5tYQFLgAVXqOm2XeQHcfJODfIw
A Doctor Who music parody.
Hey Missy - Doctor Who Parody:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8dyaN4yW_0
The Oncoming Storm by Legs Nose Robinson (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Tribute):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4MPunubrnc
Nathan Evans - Wellerman (Sea Devils Version):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsj7XxXYSDw
MURRY GOLD RETURNING!
Not exactly a surprise but very happy news.
Is it though? No other composer can write for the show? Seriously, how much more of a backward step can this program take??
Starting to become a joke now.
Who deserves the best. He IS the best. The other guy was fine but it took me three years to notice that Thirteen even had a theme tune...
...Actually, make that three seasons. Obviously my subconscious is still clinging to the idea that one season = one year...
There are other "guys" (and what about those "girls" who compose huh?????).
I cannot believe that in the whole wide world only one person can compose for Doctor Who.
I cannot believe that in the whole wide world only one person can compose for Doctor Who.
I knooooooooooooow! But isn't it amazing WE GOT HIM BACK!!!
Not really. Sorry, I just think that this is another moronic attempt to win back viewers, almost none of whom are going "I'll only watch the show if Murray Gold is doing the score!".
And I actually loved Akinola's work and I believe there must be plenty of other composers out there that could have built on what those two composers did.
Not really. Sorry, I just think that this is another moronic attempt to win back viewers, almost none of whom are going "I'll only watch the show if Murray Gold is doing the score!".
I think RTG is at least as au fait with how television audiences work as you are, and won't be deluding Himself that anyone will be watching based on the composer (though mind you, Dudley Simpson credits the lack of his music for the staggering drop in viewing figures for Season Eighteen...). He obviously got Gold back cos He thinks he's the best and he IS the best, remember Moffat's 'When I first took this job, the first question I asked (well, if you don’t count screaming "What have I done?" out of my bedroom window all night) was "Is Murray staying?"'
And I actually loved Akinola's work
I loved Thirteen's theme tune when I finally noticed it and I'm sure I'll notice and love more and more as I spend the rest of my life rewatching the JODIE! Era.
I just INSTANTLY loved every bit of Murray Gold's work.
Except that godawful Devil in Me thing, obviously.
I'm with Emily here. I'm thrilled that Murray is back. His music for the show was iconic and memorable, whereas Akinola's was - in my opinion - vague, unhummable and sometimes I barely noticed it unless it was annoying me.
Of course other musicians could - and maybe should - be given a chance, but I can totally understand Rusty wanting music which he knows will be good, done by a musician who he knows understands the show.
I can totally understand Rusty wanting music which he knows will be good, done by a musician who he knows understands the show
Yeah, the viewing figures are such that Who can't afford to take too many risks at the moment.
I mean, I'm assuming a gay black Fifteen is a risk in a homophobic racist world in just the same way that a female Thirteen was a risk in a sexist world and HELL YEAH JUST GO FOR IT, but why take an unnecessary risk with the music...? (Um, assuming Murray Gold hasn't burnt out or anything over the past few years, come to think of it OH GODS maybe he's run out of tunes...)
Seriously, how much more of a backward step can this program take??
Agreed
Anyone care to speculate which 2005-era actor/character/character name/comic-strip/etc RTD (Repeat The Deja-Vu) will recycle next?
It's the Sixtieth Anniversary, people!
Bill Bailey - The Doctor Who theme reimagined as Belgian jazz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhv5GVexW2E
Whatever the hell THAT was, it was NOT Our Sacred Theme Tune.
A lifelong Who Fan, eh? Just imagine fulfilling your life's ambition of appearing in Who, only to realise you've got a cameo in The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe...
(I mean, it could've been worse, but...not MUCH worse...)
I thought a return of the Fendahl and Rutans, plus Nyssa and peri.
But specifically from 2005 maybe the slitheen and ood and Crespallion and the catkind and magpie electronics.
Francois - The Doctor Who theme reimagined as Belgian jazz.
Wasn't the Seventh Doctor a jazz fan?
Shame they didn't have subtitles when he started singing in French.