Doctor Who theme

March 13th, 2005

I was slightly disappointed to visit the BBC’s site for Doctor Who and find that it doesn’t appear to have a clip of the most evocative theme tune in BBC history: neither the latest revamped version nor the original.

As I’m manfully resisting the temptation to find a torrent of the leaked first episode, I’ve only heard the snatches of the new theme that play beneath the teasers. In truth, I was just as interested in finding a decent version of the original as I was in hearing the new version in full. Google came to the rescue, taking me to Aggedor’s Audio Collection which may not have the new theme but which does have MP3s of several other variants, from the theme for 1963′s original series to Scream of the Shalka, the web-based cartoon the BBC published in 2003. There’s also a link to a very informative essay by Mark Ayres describing the evolution of the theme over the years.

For what it’s worth, I still like the original theme best of all…

[Edited to update link to Aggedor's Audio Collection, which does now include the latest variant on the theme. jr 6 June 2005]

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14 Responses to “Doctor Who theme”

  1. Ray Girvan Says:
    March 14th, 2005 at 11:54

    I admit to sheer geekiness here – I’ve got a tape of Dr Who themes. My favourite is the Dominic Glynn version; it has a very modern, hard-edged and percussive flavour.

  2. Simon Says:
    March 17th, 2005 at 05:57

    For those wondering, the 2005 theme most resembles the 1974 one. I can’t stand the annoying loop at the end which goes on for even longer than the 1974 version. Stylistically it’s fine.

    I think the film score version for the TV-movie is probably my favourite

  3. matt Says:
    March 30th, 2005 at 10:46

    http://www.clivebanks.co.uk/Dr%20Who%20themes.htm has the Eccleston theme from the opening credits.

  4. John Says:
    March 31st, 2005 at 00:03

    Thanks for the pointer. My first reaction to the new theme is that it sounds a bit muddy, what with all those violins smothering the basic sound of what I think of as the theme proper. In fairness, it’s still way too new for me to form a proper opinion.

    Happily, we’re now going to have a second season to get used to it.

    Sadly, the news ticker at the BBC News site is reporting that Christopher Eccleston has quit after just the one season. There’s no actual news story to link to right now – the news is only showing up on their front page ticker with a “more soon…” tag at the moment.

  5. Grae Says:
    May 4th, 2005 at 15:16




    Considering the original was made in 1963?? it has to be the best by far, so much ahead of its day.
    I think the 2005 version is pretty good to.

  6. John Says:
    May 4th, 2005 at 23:50

    The 1963 theme has the huge advantage of being much longer, which helps a lot. I’m torn between the original (because it is the original) and the Pertwee era tune (because he was the Doctor I grew up on.)

    The new version’s orchestral element seemed a bit tacked on at first, but now I’m used to it I like it a lot. But it’s hard to divide my feeling for the theme from my feeling for the show, which is proving slightly uneven but generally terrific. I felt sorry for a Dalek last Saturday, for goodness’ sake!

  7. Grae Says:
    May 5th, 2005 at 16:39

    Aye, I love any Dalek episode, and it certainly gave it a new twist to actually like the dalek :)
    Was reading up on the composer for the original theme, she comes from Coventry, a few mins drive in Cov from where I live, Delia Derbyshire, even had a play about her running in Glasgow.
    Got to give hats off for her, for the original.
    The new theme if it was longer, would be suitable for a film, with the orchestra involved and all. It’s a shame they have’nt released it for the series as a full blown score 2 minues long.

    BTW, the 1980 score was 2 mins long, comparable to the original score, from the late Tom Baker series to Peter Davison.

  8. Anonymous Says:
    June 5th, 2005 at 22:32

    i luv doctor who 4 ev@ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  9. Jessi Says:
    September 4th, 2005 at 09:13

    If anyone still checks this, could they please tell me the name of the song in the 2005 Doctor Who with Christoper E. In it, I would like the female vocalist singing.

    I’m sure everyone knows what I mean, in the Episode: Rose as the doctor leaves, a woman starts to sing. Any idea where I can find the song?

  10. John Says:
    September 4th, 2005 at 11:21

    Sorry, I can’t remember the song and as I don’t have a recording of the episode to hand I can’t refresh my memory.

  11. aaron Says:
    November 21st, 2005 at 22:20

    the new one is great. its upbeat

  12. pizza Says:
    June 3rd, 2006 at 13:47

    i like the fourth doctor theme tune but i created one on the make your own doctor who theme tune and i recon it would of been amazing for the fourth doctors intro i even recon tom baker would like it.

  13. Joshua Says:
    June 7th, 2006 at 08:54

    I think I know which song you mean out of “Rose”. It’s used on the menu for the “Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways” DVD and I’m happy to give you a copy.

  14. SEVERUS SNAPE Says:
    August 1st, 2007 at 06:42

    I BEEN WATCHING DOCTOR WHO 1963