Photo by Wikimedia Commons, CC by 2.0
Sports shows on British television today don’t really make much of an effort with their music. Much of it feels flat and forgettable, but it wasn’t always like that. Music was not a mere accessory to sports programmes back in the days. Rather, it was a part of the magic that made shows feel even more special.
Below, we countdown our top five most iconic British sporting TV theme tunes.
6. Sky Sports Super Sunday Intro 2001/02
This tune only lasted a season, but it’s one of the most memorable Premier League intros we have had from Sky Sports. Ronan Keating’s Lovin’ Each Day might feel a bit of an odd choice for a football programme, but it’s light, sets the mood, and doesn’t take too much away from the actual show.
Maybe it’s just nostalgia clouding the judgment. By any measure, it’s a bang-average early 2000s pop tune, but it brings back memories of Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelrooy as soon as you hear it.
5. Ski Sunday
This might be an odd one if you are not familiar with this incredible theme. After all, skiing is not one of the most popular sports in the UK. But Ski Sunday’s theme tune, ‘Pop Looks Bach’ by Sam Fonteyn, is so good that many people know the music better than the programme.
The falling strings and organ, with the brass, flute and timpani punching through, give you that rush of speeding downhill.
The tune has stuck with the show since day one and doubled as the BBC’s Winter Olympics music until 2006. Today’s version keeps the spirit of the original but adds a touch of modern rhythm in the background.
4. BBC Cricket theme
This rattling, upbeat R&B number is called ‘Soul Limbo’ and is the title track from the seventh studio album brought out by American band Booker T. & the M.G.’s. It was first released in 1968 and was adopted by BBC TV for its cricket coverage and then later for Test Match Special. It’s a bit quirky but has come to define watching cricket and features a marimba solo by Terry Manning and a cowbell performed by Isaac Hayes.
3. BBC Wimbledon theme
Another instantly-recognisable tune which immediately transports the listener into the posh world of strawberries and cream and summer afternoons and evenings watching the world’s best players battle it out on the famous green grass in south London.
The BBC’s opening theme music for Wimbledon, which has been used on TV and radio, was composed by Keith Mansfield and is titled “Light and Tuneful”. It does sound a little outdated now but it’s so traditional it would be a surprise if it’s ever dispensed with for something much more modern and trendy.
2. Formula 1 (Fleetwood Mac – The Chain)
Even though it’s no longer used for the F1 coverage on TV now, many people still associate Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ with the motorsport. The instrumental section of the song was used as the theme tune for both the BBC and Channel 4’s television coverage from as far back as 1978, just a year after the song was released on the band’s huge and critically-acclaimed album Rumours.
The BBC itself described the theme as a “screaming crescendo of guitars” which “gets your heart racing and conjures something daring to flutter in your chest”. A bit like a 100mph-plus car when entering corners and jostling for positions on the home straight then.
1. Match Of The Day
It had to be? Even non-football fans will know the familiar ditty from hearing just the first beat. The soundtrack to many a Saturday night, the current Match Of The Day music has been used since 1970 and was first composed by Barry Stoller. Apparently, his brief back then when coming up with the theme was to record a fanfare representing glory and success.
I think it’s fair to say he achieved it as he managed to create one of the best-loved and one of the most iconic TV theme tunes ever.
