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Comment by TheOtherHobbes | Hacker News Reader

There's also a version arranged by Ron Grainer.

Whatever you're expecting, it's not this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1SZs4xudf8

It definitely wasn’t what I was expecting BUT it is what I should have expected. It has a lot more in common with other TV themes of the time. It’s also different enough to justify the legendary exchange where Grainger reportedly asked Derbyshire if that was really what he wrote. The story goes that she replied “Yes… mostly”

Worth reading his son @snakesofself's comment below that video for additional context.

As a fan of the show, and what it did to advance the art of visual storytelling, learning more (and understanding less!) about the artists just makes the whole thing more interesting and more human.

This version came out in 1980 almost 2 decades after the Derbyshire version and is trying to be hip in a 1980 way using a synth line that is clearly inspired from Derbyshire.

I remember reading the following anecdote about Grainer, repeated on Wikipedia, though neither I nor Wikipedia have a source for it: "Grainer was amazed at the resulting piece of music and when he heard it, famously asked, "Did I write that?" Derbyshire modestly replied, "Most of it." [1]

[1]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who_theme_music#:~:text....

That’s a wonderful anecdote. I would love to know what source material she had to work with… sheet music, demo tape with conventional instrumentation, just a jam session that laid out the basic themes? Probably lost in the mists of time. No, wait, TO THE TARDIS EVERYBODY!!!

I heard that one in one of the documentaries I went throught when I followed the first link yesterday. Can't remember where though. I think it was a quote from a phone conversation with Derbyshire.

A version still influenced by Delia Derbyshire's version. Being recorded in 1980 it could use a commodity synth to give it some of the flavour of the Derbyshire arrangement.

This is awesome! it would be cool if the next season plays with the theme song every episode… add this one, maybe have a mariachi version and maybe big band… :)

Oh, Radio Free Skaro uses this version on their podcasts!

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