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MUSIC | |
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MUSIC | |
Der derr derrr, der derr derrrr... Surely the catchiest theme tune of the 70s?
| OPENING MUSIC | The original theme tune used at the start of the show was 40 seconds long and was written by Harry South. |
| CLOSING MUSIC | The tune used at the end of the show was similar, but much slower and sounds really quite moody. |
| These two original 40 second pieces have never been commercially released, but there are many repoductions that have been made available (see various compilations below). | |
| SWEENEY RINGTONE | If your mobile phone can use Midi files as ringtones, then download this little number. (You will need some way of connecting your phone to your PC - either by cable, bluetooth, infared, etc). |
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"SHUT IT! The Music Of The Sweeney"
Santuary, CD/2LP, 2001 & 2006 Released in 2001 by Sanctuary and then again in 2006 with 4 more tracks, this is the essential Sweeney soundtrack compilation. It features the long versions of the opening/closing music, loads of the funky library music used throughout the series, and is peppered with dialogue and classic lines between tracks. Compiled by the authors of the Sweeney Official Companion book and with extensive sleevenotes. Fantastic! |
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"This Is Cult Fiction"
Virgin, CD/Cassette, 1995 A recording of The Sweeney theme tune can be found on the "This Is Cult Fiction" compilation - it's not the original recording - but it does sound similar. |
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"The A To Z of British TV Themes Volume 3"
Play It Again, CD, 1996, Cat no. PLAY 010 This compilation claims to contain the original version of the theme tune, but it's not exactly true in The Sweeney's case. Although it's remarkably similar, it's actually the Harry South re-recording from the 70s as featured on the Shut It compilation. It contains some mad guitar work half way through, and for this reason it's a must listen. The track time is 2.41. The Play It Again website has more details. |
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There's another version on: "50 CLASSIC TV THEMES" - a Hallmark double CD, with no orchestral credit. Though it's definitely a cover by some orchestra from the seventies. Sweeney is part of a medley ('Softly Softly', 'Dixon' & 'Z Cars' are the others) but it lasts over two minutes in itself. The middle part is a curious attempt to sound like the end titles! Cat number is HALMARK 330432. Thanks to Geoff at Play It Again for this info. |
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There's an orchestral version on "ITV Themes" by The London Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Stanley Black), which sounds fabulous. It was released by Pickwick in 1988, and contains other gems such as 'The Professionals', 'The Bill', 'The A Team', 'BlockBusters' and 'Saint & Greavsie'. The catalogue number for the cassette version is: HSC 3247. |
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There's another orchestral version contained on "Top TV Themes" played by The Malcolm Lockyer Orchestra. Side 1, Track 6 is listed as "The Sweeney (Reagan's Theme) (South)", complete with the incorrect spelling of 'Regan'. Thanks to John Bain for this. |
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"50 Popular TV Themes" features yet another orchestral tribute. It's a Pickwick double
album from 1977, and recorded by The Bruce Baxter Orchestra. The catalogue number is: 50DA 315 Thanks to Tony Brown for this. |