It’s no secret I love British comedy. I was devouring Monty Python’s Flying Circus while schoolmates were still hooked on Happy Days. Sometimes I’ll find myself thinking of a favorite Britcom and how much I love its particular theme song. So it just seemed obvious I should figure out MY TOP FIVE BRITISH COMEDY THEME SONGS. As always, these are not the best or most popular, just my personal Top Five list. Yours may (and probably should) differ.
5) GOOD NEIGHBORS (UK Title: The Good Life). No words to this theme song just a jaunty little tune with a roughly animated bird flying around a flower, for the most part. Of course, it’s a great show and an all-time fave and, I’ll be honest, when that bird momentarily looks at the camera, mouth agape – man, that just gets me every time.
4) FATHER’S DAY. No, you’ve probably never heard of it. I can find very little mention of it online, aside from an entry on imdb.com, but I really like this mid-80s family comedy headed by John Alderton (No, Honestly). Plus the theme song was written by Glenn Tillbrook and Chris Difford of the band Squeeze and sung by 80s pop idol Paul Young. [It’s not on YouTube but I did find an extended play of the tune at this fan site.]
3) THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. It’s just a quick bit with an astronaut flying through the show title but it’s accompanied by Journey of the Sorcerer – an instrumental tune from the 1974 Eagles’ album One of These Nights (a fact to which I was completely oblivious when UNC-TV first aired the series in 1982 – despite my being a huge fan of the band).
2) ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE. Galapagos tortoises and Eric Idle – what could they possibly have in common? Being part of one of the greatest British comedy opening themes of all time! Idle’s words, which may sum up Victor Meldrew’s life, juxtaposed (or more aptly “enhanced”) by the tortoises’ sluggish movements is near perfection.
1) RED DWARF. Not a doubt in my mind this is my favorite Britcom theme song. Granted the open theme is instrumental but the closing theme has lyrics that describe Lister’s dreams of Fiji. I’ve found myself singing this ditty when no one is around (primarily because no one wants to be around when I sing) and I think it’s just wonderful.
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