Was the sound of Friday Nights, 7pm BBC 2 always watched as a family when my Dad was alive, when I heard it a few weeks ago proper brought me to tears but it was happy memories, and then the exotic places, like Luesanne, Oslo, Rome,,places I could only dream of as a child/teenager
Always remember watching Daley Thompson win Gold in Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. I was only 13 and Mum and Dad let me stay up to watch him get the gold. I remember crying when they played the National Anthem.
Cricket is my favourite sport, so I like the theme by Booker T and the MGs. Grew up watching it on TV and now nearly 53. You might be interested to discover that the cricketer Harold Larwood, who played in the Bodyline series of 1932-33, had the nickname Lol!
Unfortunately, Mark, this nostalgic Athletics theme is spoilt by a horrible ending. In the key of Bb major, I think that the penultimate chord is an augmented one, which makes it very sinister. Which is why I turned the sound off!
Just started humming this to myself in the car. It’s 2019. Funny how these things stick in your head! Also really funny how the BBC was still using such a 60s Lounge pop composition even into the 90s! I love that they kept it, though. What a great theme.
BBC Radio Derby still use this for the Sportscene shows (Derby County and Burton Albion coverage), been the theme tune of my sporting life, absolutely love it!
always had this on my Walkman running out of the Normanton End so I could make it back to Osmaston Road were I lived to watch centre goals extra.. memories
Always my dream to go to the Bislett Games in Oslo. I remember the glory athletics night in the 80’s. Well this year the dream comes true off to the Bislett games next week- will be sure to listen to this tune on the way
Because the BBC is now run by twats who are more interested in woke politics and their own bank balance than quality programming like they used to be in the ratings war of the 70’s/80’s and 90’s!!!!
Bravo MITOGEN, great work uploading this! There was a tune in my head inexplicably, and so I ended up finding a great UA-cam playlist of sports themes and found THIS and it's that tune in my head!! Thank you all!!
This really takes me back to watching Athletics in the 90's. The BBC haven't changed the Wimbledon theme over the years but they changed the Athletics one. I don't get that decision, especially as the current theme they now use is so dull.
Totally agree!!! This BBC Athletics theme tune will have none that will come near! Today's people who are in charge have NO clue about what sounds good from what doesn't. This tune, gives you that feel good factor and makes you want to look forward to what will be on. The Current theme tune and ones before the current one are and were dull, agreed again. When you look back at these old theme tunes, the Ski Sunday's, Cricket's Soca Limbo (not sure if that is current still), BBC Golf's theme tune, Sportsnight, Grandstand absolute theme tune golds!! When this current lot look back in 20 to 30 years time at what they chose for theme tunes in the 2010/20's, they will realise what a bunch of......... BLEEP BLEEP and F..... BLEEPS they were!!!! lol
Ohy, just hearing this fabulous theme brings back some excitement athletics memories. Much better than the crappy Diamond League theme tune they use now.
Once again the BBC have got rid of a tune that just shouted ATHLETICS. Other sports also had themes that you totally associated with them. The rot set it when the original Grandstand theme was replaced. The swelling opening and singing strings were probably deemed 'too old school'. Gradually all the iconic tunes have been modified or replaced. I always preferred the original military Match of the Day tune to the one we have today.
Used to give you shivers and you knew there was gonna be excitement when you heard this tune Ron Pickering etc and all the great athletes of the time putting thereselves on offer running against each other not ducking each other and they was going for the clock at the proper iconic athletic stadiums
Why the BBC dropped this tune for the trash athletic tune they have now is beyond belief. The BBC should have kept this, the same way they’ve kept the Cricket, MOTD, Ski Sunday tunes. Showing my age now. I’m 50. I remember this tune as a kid watching Coe n Ovett break records, seemed like every week. Then Cram n Said Aoita n the sprinters. Great memories. Amazing how music can get u emotional like this n I’m not even an emotional kinda guy.
I remember this theme tune when growing up, but the ending frightened me, which is why I couldn't bear to listen and would turn it off. I am musical and notice certain chords are more pleasant than others. Aged 53 in June!
Was the sound of Friday Nights, 7pm BBC 2 always watched as a family when my Dad was alive, when I heard it a few weeks ago proper brought me to tears but it was happy memories, and then the exotic places, like Luesanne, Oslo, Rome,,places I could only dream of as a child/teenager
Always remember watching Daley Thompson win Gold in Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. I was only 13 and Mum and Dad let me stay up to watch him get the gold. I remember crying when they played the National Anthem.
Teary eyed listening to this. So many memories. When athletics was fun to watch as a child. The cricket theme (carribean style) makes me so happy lol.
The cricket theme was “soul limbo” by Booker T and the MG’s!!!!
Cricket is my favourite sport, so I like the theme by Booker T and the MGs. Grew up watching it on TV and now nearly 53. You might be interested to discover that the cricketer Harold Larwood, who played in the Bodyline series of 1932-33, had the nickname Lol!
Great, nostalgic theme tune. Why the BBC felt the need to drop it is beyond me.
Exactly why change it
It’s fucking shite compared to this! Northern soul classic without being one!!!!
Unfortunately, Mark, this nostalgic Athletics theme is spoilt by a horrible ending. In the key of Bb major, I think that the penultimate chord is an augmented one, which makes it very sinister. Which is why I turned the sound off!
The BBC hates anything old and/or British.
Iconic bit of music.. miss those days.. brilliant and innocent all at the same time
Just started humming this to myself in the car. It’s 2019. Funny how these things stick in your head! Also really funny how the BBC was still using such a 60s Lounge pop composition even into the 90s! I love that they kept it, though. What a great theme.
The great days of David Coleman, Ron Pickering and Stuart Storey…
BBC Radio Derby still use this for the Sportscene shows (Derby County and Burton Albion coverage), been the theme tune of my sporting life, absolutely love it!
always had this on my Walkman running out of the Normanton End so I could make it back to Osmaston Road were I lived to watch centre goals extra.. memories
Always my dream to go to the Bislett Games in Oslo. I remember the glory athletics night in the 80’s. Well this year the dream comes true off to the Bislett games next week- will be sure to listen to this tune on the way
Wow, a blast from the past. I also used to watch as was a budding athlete at the time. Brought me to tears.
Fabulous theme tune so many happy memories 🎉happy days
Athletics nights on TV. So exciting!
One of the most iconic music theme's ever, why can't they bring it back?
Because the BBC is now run by twats who are more interested in woke politics and their own bank balance than quality programming like they used to be in the ratings war of the 70’s/80’s and 90’s!!!!
And they have no interest in quality catchy theme tunes like they used to either!!!!
The BBC can't stop messing up the classic theme tunes from their sports shows
Bravo MITOGEN, great work uploading this! There was a tune in my head inexplicably, and so I ended up finding a great UA-cam playlist of sports themes and found THIS and it's that tune in my head!! Thank you all!!
I love this nostalgic theme tune and I’m a athletics fan they should’ve kept this theme tune like they did with Match of the Day and Wimbledon.
When they had the F1 they had the Chain and 5 live uses it and Cricket still uses its tune
With all the classic BBC sport themes I just imagine one of the radio theatres packed out with middle aged session pro's having fun.
This really takes me back to watching Athletics in the 90's. The BBC haven't changed the Wimbledon theme over the years but they changed the Athletics one. I don't get that decision, especially as the current theme they now use is so dull.
Totally agree!!! This BBC Athletics theme tune will have none that will come near! Today's people who are in charge have NO clue about what sounds good from what doesn't. This tune, gives you that feel good factor and makes you want to look forward to what will be on.
The Current theme tune and ones before the current one are and were dull, agreed again.
When you look back at these old theme tunes, the Ski Sunday's, Cricket's Soca Limbo (not sure if that is current still), BBC Golf's theme tune, Sportsnight, Grandstand absolute theme tune golds!!
When this current lot look back in 20 to 30 years time at what they chose for theme tunes in the 2010/20's, they will realise what a bunch of......... BLEEP BLEEP and F..... BLEEPS they were!!!! lol
Classic Saturday afternoons theme
Ohy, just hearing this fabulous theme brings back some excitement athletics memories. Much better than the crappy Diamond League theme tune they use now.
Soundtrack to Saturday afternoons. Finish work then BBC Radio Derby Sportscene for the footy!
is this still used by Radio Derby ?
Once again the BBC have got rid of a tune that just shouted ATHLETICS. Other sports also had themes that you totally associated with them. The rot set it when the original Grandstand theme was replaced. The swelling opening and singing strings were probably deemed 'too old school'. Gradually all the iconic tunes have been modified or replaced. I always preferred the original military Match of the Day tune to the one we have today.
A time when bbc sport was no 1
good share had forgotten this great theme tune
Keith Mansfield - legend!
Used to give you shivers and you knew there was gonna be excitement when you heard this tune Ron Pickering etc and all the great athletes of the time putting thereselves on offer running against each other not ducking each other and they was going for the clock at the proper iconic athletic stadiums
why can't we have this music now? I always hum this when athletics is on lol
Great theme
Little Caesar's Pizza have just started to use this...
Derby County
Two words : Linford Christie!
Absolute banger, the ident was a classic too.
Why on earth did the BBC change it...
Tune!
Agreed, the Athletics theme tune the BBC have now is very weak and forgetable.
This and the golf are the best bbc intros
True
Soul Limbo, the cricket theme (Booker T and the MGs) happens to be the best BBC intro for me. Cricket is my favourite sport!
Its similar to the superstars theme
Why the BBC dropped this tune for the trash athletic tune they have now is beyond belief. The BBC should have kept this, the same way they’ve kept the Cricket, MOTD, Ski Sunday tunes. Showing my age now. I’m 50. I remember this tune as a kid watching Coe n Ovett break records, seemed like every week. Then Cram n Said Aoita n the sprinters. Great memories. Amazing how music can get u emotional like this n I’m not even an emotional kinda guy.
I remember this theme tune when growing up, but the ending frightened me, which is why I couldn't bear to listen and would turn it off. I am musical and notice certain chords are more pleasant than others. Aged 53 in June!
0:44 2020
nice theme tune.
What is the name of this piece of music please
I hate this tune because of its horrible ending and so switch the sound off!
Superb piece of music. Auntie was great in the 80s & 90s before they went far left and totally destroyed itself😅