The Songwriter Forum - songwriting reviews, tips and chat
Songwriter Forum => Competitions => Topic started by: MichaelA on October 28, 2020, 10:53:04 AM
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This thread is designed to launch the next songwriting challenge, one which has been knocked about on here as an idea for a couple of weeks. It is...
‘The TV Theme Challenge’
Most of us will have seen the entertaining thread http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=17899.0 (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=17899.0)- started by Rich @cowparsleyman (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21308) - where forum members shared their favourite TV theme tunes, many of them now golden oldies. I’m sure it inspired a few here to try YouTubing old episodes of the likes of ‘Stingray’, ‘Mission Impossible’, ‘X-Files’, ‘The Sweeney’ ...well the list just goes on. The thread certainly struck a nostalgic nerve and showed our fond memories of TV Shows from the past, much as we are all nostalgic about music from certain former eras.
So building on that little bubble of enthusiasm that temporarily lit up the forum, (amazing, yes it did!) the challenge is this:
‘Imagine that a favourite TV Show of yours from the past is being remade. You are commissioned to write and record the theme tune for it.
You can
a) write a completely original new track or
b) rework an existing theme tune however you want’
The deadline is end of Wednesday 9th December. This gives you six weeks to complete, but you are welcome to put out your song any time before then in the Finished Songs section.
Collaborations are welcome. You can comment here if you are looking for a buddy for this one.
To placate those of us who like the fun of a competition, there will be a vote for the best song. But to also encourage everyone to join in you can opt-out your song from the vote if competitions is not your thing. The main thing is to encourage songwriting and music creation, and to give a few of us who enter something in common to have a chat about.
Tell us here if you are in - and I will start a list of participants. Cheers and good luck with your creations.
EDIT: sorry I forgot some people had already said they’d do this when@pompeyjazz (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20269) was testing the water on this. So..
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS SO FAR
@pompeyjazz (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20269)
@PaulAds (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20253)
@kafla (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=6905)
@MichaelA (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21274)
@adamfarr (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20124)
@PeteS (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=22588) (‘probably’)
@CaliaMoko (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19928) collab with @PaulAds (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20253)
Room for lots more, roll up, roll up!
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I am in 😀
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Good stuff - I might be able to do a colab as well as my individual effort if anyone needs or wants!
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Services for putting wordings to tunings to the highest bidder... translation, in English, I may be open to providing lyrics for a collab.
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Fabulous idea for a challenge - More or less finished :) :) :)
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I will attempt this challenge as a collaboration with @PaulAds (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20253) for a theme song intended for a TV show that doesn't exist. And if anyone knows a likely place for me to pitch it.... ;) ;D
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Great @CaliaMoko (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19928) , I will add you to the list in the first post. Any others joining yet? 8)
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Fabulous idea for a challenge - More or less finished :) :) :)
I am consulting the rule book. You might be disqualified for speeding @pompeyjazz (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20269)! ;)
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I was going to sit this one out as I am working on a lot of things at the moment, however, given what is about to be announced today, what the hell else am I going to do with my time! I'll still make it a tentative yes though as the other stuff has to take priority!
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Just chatting with a couple of the entrants and it seems folk would like a bit more time for this.
So you now have over Christmas to finish up, or even decide to freshly join. The new deadline is December 31st.
But if you are in a Tier 3 COVID UK restriction zone you must stay socially distanced from your instruments, at least two metres. Sanitise your DAW before and after each use. No singing indoors. Collaborations will only be allowed if you have formed an approved ‘social bubble’ with your collaborator. Apart from that, please feel free to join. ;)
If you’ve completed your song/theme tune already, please feel free to post and maybe we will get the party started! Stick ‘em in Finished Songs as usual.
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Vicki @CaliaMoko (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19928) and I might have cooked something up...
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Vicki @CaliaMoko (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19928) and I might have cooked something up...
Yes, I believe we do, and I think it's not far from being done....
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There's a documentary on BBC4 next Friday about tv themes
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000pz1b
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OK - Here we go then..... I'll kick off with the first submission for the TV theme challenge. I has absolutely no idea what I was going to do for this one so it started off with juts some doodling with some synths. I got a kind of picture in my head that it would suit a fictional 80's TV series set in Florida where our two cop heroes battled to keep the streets clean from the grips of the South American drugs cartel. There's loads of fast cars, powder blue suits with big shoulders and white powder floating around.
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I am loving this one Pomps!
That 80s vibe down to perfection; 80s syths and arps everywhere. Those 80s synth horns have a real classic 80s drama 'Long Good Friday' vibe about them. Loving the obligatory final car chase exit too.
There's so much going on in here and sometimes that won't work together but you've amanged to weave your magic and get it all to click. It's like a time travelling theme tune; 80s synth, 70s rock ballad guitar solo, more modern sounding Dubstep style drums and I think there was even some 90s dance track whistle blows thrown in around the 2:40 mark.
I really like the background perc on this that you can hear most clearly in the intro. Is that a loop or did you midi rogramme yourself?
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Most excellent!
Brass in super...as are those keys and the drum sounds are perfect for the era.
Enjoyed the screaming OTT guitar solo too...took me by surprise and was just what the tune needed to lift it.
Rolled-up jacket sleeves, chinos and sneakers...reminded me of an old arcade game I used to play a lot called Chase HQ...I was regularly on the tail of The Idaho Slasher after a call from Nancy. Those were the days.
A brilliantly conceived and executed piece of nostalgia.
Also, sadly, as one comedian said...
"I think we can now congratulate drugs on winning the war on drugs"
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Great stuff @pompeyjazz (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20269), great 80s synths and brass. Even the kitchen sink sounded great as I’m sure you threw that in as well. ;) I think your heroes will get those evil Miami Mice under control in no time with this kick ass theme tune.
Did you realise your mic caught the sound of a passing police car when you were recording. You might want to edit that...
That dual panned guitaring in the middle was a real treat, keeping the energy levels up big time. I think you probably had too much fun creating this cacophonous monster!
(BTW anyone else reading this, you can post your submissions in this thread, or in Finished Songs, or both! Cheers.)
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Thanks all - That's what you get living next to a busy road - Blimmin mikes pick up all the background noise :)
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Hi John @pompeyjazz (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20269), yeah I don't like being picky with a mate, so sorry. But I really loved your recent song 'My Treasure' that you did with Ce Mz - aka Cheat Code. But those background noises from your busy road did spoil it a bit. You need to sort that out really.
I enhanced the noises a little with EQ - so you'll be able to hear what some of us with more sensitive ears than you are picking up...
https://soundcloud.com/michael-a-duffy/my-treasure/s-T7eP5DzKUro (https://soundcloud.com/michael-a-duffy/my-treasure/s-T7eP5DzKUro)
Just trying to be helpful, as that song would be great if recorded properly. All the best! ;)
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Ah ! @MichaelA (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21274) You nearly nailed it. The only omission was the noise from my 5 18 year old lad student neighbours who seem to play five a side footy in the house ;D ;D ;D
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Yeah John, sorry I missed them, but I had to edit something out. I also missed Radio Solent playing in the background with your songs on a loop! ;)
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Is there anybody else still trying to complete this. The Deadline is the end of the month.
I have to admit I lost a bit of enthusiasm for this one, mainly because I failed to come up with anything I really liked. In the end I just spent a couple of hours on a theme tune that would suit a cheesy Daytime TV Detective programme. It would have to have a very low budget, so that they'd consider buying my tune for about a tenner! :D
Anyhow, seeing as I said I'd join in here it is, although I don't think I'll be leaving it up for long! ;) I promise to try harder next time!!!
https://soundcloud.com/michael-a-duffy/detective-daytime/s-UZVLhPQ6MeB (https://soundcloud.com/michael-a-duffy/detective-daytime/s-UZVLhPQ6MeB)
Good luck to anyone still hoping to complete on this.
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Ah ! @MichaelA (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=21274) - I saw that one, it was on at 3pm on weekday afternoons on ITV a few years ago. I think it's being repeated on Dave. The "recorder" part reminded me of Z-Cars in some ways, which is probably not one of your favorite songs ;D ;D What's the detectives name ? Toffeeman ? Well put together Michael and I really could imagine it fitting the brief. I've just finished watching the BBC series about TV music which has been fascinating
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I think this fits the bill nicely...the percussion is cool and it has a nice air of mystery to it...which is quite appropriate, as these challenges remain a mystery to most forumites :) It did make me think "Plump middle-aged lady successfully investigates pretend crime in picture postcard English village that probably never really existed"
Well done on getting this together and out there...I think this one will definitely make the top ten!
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Ha ha @pompeyjazz (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20269) and @PaulAds (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20253) for your amusingly sarcastic response to my offering. Makes it all worthwhile ;D. FFS Z Cars, I have mates who would kill me for ripping off Everton’s theme tune! And cheers Paul, yeah I am hoping for a top ten placing too, seeing as there have been only two entrants to date.
All taken in good spirits though, I can’t be a genius every time out don’t cha know ;D
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Oddly this one make me think more of sci-fi than detectives... It's quite interesting to see how things come out playing with melodies like this, very different to our standard fare songs... Quite cool and unique vibe really, eerily relaxing...
By the way I am still plugging away on mine - I have a complete song and have invested various physical and mental crises in it so watch this space...
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I'll throw my hat into the ring with this theme for a mini series about a detective on the Isle of Wight who solves crimes on holiday camps - called "Ticket To Ryde" staring Nigel Havers. Channel Five Daytime.
https://soundcloud.com/oooheroutons/follow-the-horizon
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And I guess there's a lot of crime in those Tier 1 Holiday camps at the moment, what will all those Pompey mushes nipping over on the Hover for a shant on the Island. Fits the bill perfectly @Morefrog Jones (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20200) and the Channel 5 remit also
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Is there a deadline for this challenge? If it's the end of January...we made it! This effort is from @PaulAds (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20253) and me.
Listen here: https://soundcloud.com/caliamoko/remembering-rock-tv-theme
This is an imaginary TV show, so if you pitch it and it gets picked up, remember--I thought of it first!!
The show is a good vs evil fantasy called Remembering Rock. The rock itself is the petrified remains of a betrothed couple who sacrificed their lives to combat evil. Main characters are a good champion and an evil demon. The good champion fought and defeated the evil demon, binding him deep within the earth (or somewhere) where he remained for a really long time. The good guy (actually a "she" called Guardian) finally relaxed her vigilance and rested. She was so exhausted by this time that she slept too long and the demon got loose. To get and keep him under control, negativity in the world needs to be conquered. People need to understand and face the traumas in their lives. That's where the rock comes in. Each episode is a person who has been "called" to the rock (the betrothed couple aren't really dead--their spirits call people to them) where they go into a trance and relive a traumatic episode from their past. The Guardian (the champion) guides this process and helps the person of the episode to face the trauma they've sublimated and find a way to release its hold over them.
An example of an episode: A man is driven by a need for financial success. He has risen fast in his company and is really good at what he does. He is not happy and his family life is superficial. His trauma is caused by his mother insisting that he not be a teacher like he wanted because it was beneath him (or her and the family expectations). After visiting Remembering Rock, naturally, he defies his mother, his family life becomes idyllic, and they all live happily ever after. Well, maybe except his mother. ;D I could go on about this, but I'll spare you... Well, except I feel compelled to tell you the demon is named Dar K’fors, and the champion is named Laweye Taynj’el.
Here's the lyric as far as we got:
Wing of yang and wing of yin
Loose the memories within;
Find the room shut deep inside;
Use the key to open wide.
Darkness reigned throughout the land till Guardian raised her hand
She bound the evil lord so deep she thought he'd never rise again
But now he's broken free once more, the binding did not hold
Her penance is eternal vigilance with two pure souls
(Sing the above three times)
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Blimey @CaliaMoko (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19928) and @PaulAds (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=20253) I'm going to have to catch that TV show, it sounds intriguing :) Great little number, got a big sixties vibe. Another great theme. Now all we need is someone to make the TV shows :)
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@CaliaMoko (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=19928), that is a very detailed imagining Vicki, I think they call the fictional genre ‘magical realism’, where fantasy characters and themes meet contemporary reality. Sounds like a neat idea for a TV series, with infinite plot possibilities. Nice rhythm section there from Paul and some interesting emphasis through the chord sequence. Catchy tune, and lyrics that neatly summarise the gist of the programme. Would definitely work as a theme tune. You just have to find a production company and a few million dollars now and the sky’s the limit. ;)