Unexpectedly Encountering TV Themes in Other Contexts

[Satchmo Distel]

The theme to "It's A Knockout" - "Bean Bag" by Herb Alpert - is quoted in "UK Mambo" on the Cubanisimo album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kOe97dlOFc

I assume it's a Cuban melody that's been around for ages and both Alpert's and the Cubanisimo's composers knew of it

[slackster]

Over the years a fair few visitors to Brisbane Rd have done a double-take when hearing Orient run out to what they initially think is the It’s A Knockout Theme (it is, of course, Herp’s Tijuana Taxi). Though the IAKO theme wouldn’t be inappropriate considering the crap football more usually played by our slapstick heroes.

[Patrick Thistle]

Mrs Thistle learned a song in Sunday School that was set to the Match of the Day theme. Occasionally I make her sing it when we're watching Match of the Day together.

[wittoner]

Over the years a fair few visitors to Brisbane Rd have done a double-take when hearing Orient run out to what they initially think is the It’s A Knockout Theme (it is, of course, Herp’s Tijuana Taxi). Though the IAKO theme wouldn’t be inappropriate considering the crap football more usually played by our slapstick heroes.

Similarly, I always wondered why Everton ran out to the theme from Z Cars until I discovered that it's an old Liverpool folk song called "Johnny Todd"

[treibeis]

Many western Germans of a certain age, upon hearing "La Donna È Mobile", will always, always, sing, "Oh, wie verführerisch / Sind Choco Crossies", as it was used to advertised chocolate-coated cornflake cakes for decades.

[elguapo4]

Mrs Thistle learned a song in Sunday School that was set to the Match of the Day theme. Occasionally I make her sing it when we're watching Match of the Day together.

I'm sure she's delighted she passed that little nugget of information on to you

[Mr Cogito]

Similarly, I always wondered why Everton ran out to the theme from Z Cars until I discovered that it's an old Liverpool folk song called "Johnny Todd"

Being the theme from Liverpool (notionally Kirkby) set Z-Cars is surely enough though?

[Gangster Octopus]

A couple of weeks ago I was mildly surprised to hear two different versions of the Filmnn theme on the same day. Both going by the proper name of I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free...

[adams house cat]

Years ago, many years ago, I was at a friend's house when some people put on a porn movie. There was a couple getting on famously with the theme to "Sale Of The Century" playing.

[Mr Cogito]

Years ago, many years ago, I was at a friend's house when some people put on a porn movie. There was a couple getting on famously with the theme to "Sale Of The Century" playing.

All the way from Norwich...the sex people?

[Stumpy Pepys]

Years ago, many years ago, I was at a friend's house when some people put on a porn movie. There was a couple getting on famously with the theme to "Sale Of The Century" playing.

Was Peter Fenn's organ featured?

[Ray de Galles]

I was walking across the Piazza del Popolo in Rome this morning with my wife when I commented on how much nicer the busker playing something classical was compared to the guitarist murdering Metallica songs the day before.

Then I realised I recognised the piece that they were playing, which was the theme from ‘Our Tune’.

Yes, I know it’s actually ‘Love Them from Romeo & Juliet’.

[ursus arctos]

Six Nations hasn't started already, has it?

[Ray de Galles]

Ha, no. My wife and I enjoyed it so much on the visit for the 6N eighteen months ago that we’ve brought our classics/history nerd children for a short half term break (the middle one having got off the plane from a school trip to Greece the night before we left).

I’ve timed it terribly though, Roma played CSKA in the CL the night before we got here and Lazio host Inter on Monday night while we fly back Sunday evening. Might manage a Serie D game Sunday lunchtime at best.

[ursus arctos]

Hmmmm

Rugby Roma (an old time power now in Serie B) are at home Sunday at 14:30.

They play in a Barbarians kit (though their socks match)

Unione Roma Capitolina, who are the current Serie A team that plays in the Flamino, is also at home at the same time (their reserve team are Rugby Roma's opponents)

[G-Man]

Many western Germans of a certain age, upon hearing "La Donna È Mobile", will always, always, sing, "Oh, wie verführerisch / Sind Choco Crossies", as it was used to advertised chocolate-coated cornflake cakes for decades.

Oh yes. There are many others. See also "Colonel Bogey March" for small-bottled bitters Underberg. When I hear it, I automatically sing, at least in my head, "Komm doch, mit auf den Underberg". The jingle went out of its way to highlight how vile the stuff tastes. But it's good for your heart, they say.

[Ray de Galles]

Hmmmm

Rugby Roma (an old time power now in Serie B) are at home Sunday at 14:30.

They play in a Barbarians kit (though their socks match)

Unione Roma Capitolina, who are the current Serie A team that plays in the Flamino, is also at home at the same time (their reserve team are Rugby Roma's opponents)

Ah, I had spotted a Lazio Rugby fixture on Saturday afternoon (though it looks like a day trip to Ostia has scuppered that) but not the other games. I’ll check them out, though might have to end up at SFF Atletico v Flaminia Civita Castellana in the football as it’s close to the airport for our early evening flight home.

[Benjm]

Many western Germans of a certain age, upon hearing "La Donna È Mobile", will always, always, sing, "Oh, wie verführerisch / Sind Choco Crossies", as it was used to advertised chocolate-coated cornflake cakes for decades.

O Sole Mio is the runaway winner for this in the UK.

[Satchmo Distel]

A couple of weeks ago I was mildly surprised to hear two different versions of the Filmnn theme on the same day. Both going by the proper name of I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Wish...eel_to_Be_Free

Gospel feel therefore adaptable to Civil Rights causes.

[ursus arctos]

Ostia Antica is absolutely ace, and should be a hit with classical inclined youth.

Contemporary Ostia not so much, though the beach shouldn’t be as much of a mess as it is in the summer.

[Ray de Galles]

Oh, it’s definitely the old school one.

[Toby Gymshorts]

Years ago, many years ago, I was at a friend's house when some people put on a porn movie. There was a couple getting on famously with the theme to "Sale Of The Century" playing.

A woman I used to work with - in her 50's, and not exactly prim and proper, but certainly looked like she wouldn't get involved in anything smutty, thank you very much - once declared at work that she'd like a ringtone suggestion for her new work phone. I - not entirely seriously - suggested Herb Alpert's Spanish Flea. The response (to an office stunned into silence)?

"Oh, no, not that. Every time I hear it, it reminds me of a porn film I once watched, and it was playing as a woman was doing a man with a strap-on cock".

Altered my opinion of the song and the person, that*.

*For the record, I think she's ace, and she's listed as a reference on my CV.

[Satchmo Distel]

I think what makes "Bean Bag" (It's A Knockout Theme) so effective is that it kicks straight into the hook, no messing. Total ear candy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH37n8u_VcM

It's really a mambo and, as per the OP, surely stolen from some uncredited and unpaid Cuban.