American Top 40 Closing Theme ("Dark Disco", 1979-84)

Well, I had this video pulled down, but now it's back up again. After all, this Media Preservation Foundation doesn't own the rights to this theme. TM Studios (the original composer) and Premiere Radio Networks (through their ownership of everything classic AT40) do. And if they ask me to pull it down, I will.
Here it is, the song everybody's been looking for. The "Dark Disco" closing theme to American Top 40, used from October 1979 to mid-January 1984. This was composed by TM Productions, now known as TM Studios and owned by Westwood One.
Fun Fact: At one point, this was going to be the opening theme as well.
Special thanks to Kevin Antonio Walker, who has purchased this from Media Preservation Foundation and has given me permission to upload this track. If you'd like to purchase this track, or any others, then please go to www.jingles.org. All rights reserved, no copyright infringement intended.

[@加藤久人-u3z]

青春そのものです☺️ 素晴らしい音楽を提供して頂きました‼️ 感謝の気持ちで､いっぱいです☺️ ありがとう､アメリカントップ40 ケイシーケイサム‼️

[@LogoMan7777]

Translation: "Youth itself ☺ You provided us with great music! I am full of gratitude ☺ thank you american top 40 Casey Kasum!!" I'm sure Casey would say it was no problem at all.

[@randallsredman1333]

Whoever designed this Jingle did an awesome job

[@randallsredman1333]

Casey's Top 40 Jingles too

[@ScoopNemeth]

Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars...AND keep your radio tuned in right where it is!!!

[@princeallen6940]

Yes I love it,I still listen to American top 40 on iheartradio

[@crlaw75]

Casey did that to promote the station's listening loyality.

[@marceloromero9244]

"Keep reaching for the Stars" Rest In Peace Casey Kasem. "Dark Disco" was the opening and closing theme from American Top 40, between November 1979 to mid-1984. It was awesome and great! Thanks for posting to these.

[@P00katube]

September 15, 1979 through 1984

[@donmccullen1973]

@@P00katube January 1984 is when they cut off Dark Disco and then some for all new package of jingles and instrumental beds.

[@raymondmalcuit8361]

Leave It To Casey.

[@cleejackson7875]

This is tied with "Shuckatoom" (1975-'84) as my favorite classic AT40 theme. It's about darn time it came online.

[@P00katube]

Shukatoom was 1975-79 Dark Disco was September 15, 1979- April 1984

[@LogoMan7777]

@@P00katube January 1984

[@fordman2698]

I like the saxophone bridge. I didn't think that style of saxophone came into fashion until the late-80s or early-90s. Maybe this was what inspired AC artists to start using saxophones in their music.

[@BolsaChicaRadio]

The beginning electric guitar vamps & rudiments from :22 to :51, are VERY, VERY KIN to the "Tragedy/Bee Gees" song, from that same year, of 1979...just in case anyone wanted to know. Who knows, maybe good old Barry Gibb, will pull this listing down! HA! BCRadio

[@RageTVHTX]

it sure does sound like Tragedy

[@darlenebattle3005]

I doubt Barry would do that.

[@加藤久人-u3z]

この曲を聴くと､色々な思い出が頭に浮かびます！

[@richardsechrist]

You're awesome Greg! Thanks to you and Kevin

[@kennethhuang371]

You’re listening to Casey Kasem’s American Top 40” on 96.1 WSRS WORCESTER KENNETH A HUANG 7/25/2022.

[@ArmHeavySoCal]

I can still hear the classic closing theme song 🎵 from late 1979 until early 1984. It was supposed to be on Sirius XM 80's on 8 (Until it replaced by the big 80's with former MTV VJ'S.).

[@P00katube]

September 15, 1984 until February 1984. Notice the "Tragedy" guitar riff

[@LogoMan7777]

I think you mean September 15, 1979 until January 1984.

[@jeffmarks1996]

awesome jingle

[@donmccullen1973]

Well actually January 1984. The JAM Creative package came into use mid January 1984, after the CVD fill in show.

[@richardsechrist]

CVD?

[@RJSchex]

Specifically, the new theme package came into use on January 14, 1984. Casey mentioned it during the show's opening.

[@donmccullen1973]

And here is that show from American Top40 (KZbin user) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXnMmX-bpZd0gtE

[@radiodude1976]

CVD = Charlie Van Dyke, guest host

[@福田元昭-o4o]

日本語で申し訳ありません。このClosing Themeの公開を心待ちにしていました。公開、ありがとうございます。"Dark Disco"というタイトルなのですね。 Bee GeesのTRAGEDYに似た部分がありますね。

[@LogoMan7777]

Let me translate that for you: "I am sorry in Japanese. I was looking forward to the release of this Closing Theme. Thank you for publishing. It is the title "Dark Disco". There is a part similar to TRAGEDY of Bee Gees." Well, I'm not sure if "Dark Disco" is the actual title, but it does seem to fit. As for the Bee Gees comparison, I can see where that comes from.

[@福田元昭-o4o]

再び日本語で申し訳ありません。早速の翻訳と返信、ありがとうございます。"Dark Disco"がthe actual titleかは不確かなのですね。でも fitしたtitleだと私も思います。 Bee GeesのTRAGEDYに似た部分Ｇｒｅｇさんもお解りなのですね。

[@LogoMan7777]

@@福田元昭-o4o Translation: "I am sorry again in Japanese. Thank you for your immediate translation and reply. Whether "Dark Disco" is the actual title is uncertain. But I also think that title was fit. It is understandable part Greg that is similar to TRAGEDY of Bee Gees." I'm guessing the guitar bridge?

[@josephtisdale5262]

WLVI-TV segued the rwo on the air while showing its 'target test card (bull's eye pattern).

[@josephtisdale5262]

I am using this as background music in a show being done at Avatar's Central Day Program in WARWICK, RI.

[@darlenebattle3005]

Me. Greg, could you please make a one hour loop of the song? Always loved it. Never knew Its nane so i nicknamed it "Reap the Benefits"! Thanks for posting!!

[@LogoMan7777]

Not really good at making loops. Although, I could start over at each "Tragedy" guitar solo for a while.

[@mattalbrecht7471]

Cool. Know where to find the opening jingle? I've always loved jingles...

[@RJSchex]

Now, all that's left to find is a full, clean copy of the 1984-87 opening theme. (Either version; only the intro differs AFAIK.)

[@donmccullen1973]

I prefer 1985...but I would want both. Touch base with JAM Creative at jingles.com

[@RandallRedman-sq2hk]

I wonder if WIXX Hot Hits 101 Green Bay remembers this from American Top 40 when it was on Sunday Nights.

[@martinmoore2468]

I like it!

[@randallredman1317]

Ryan can we go back to the Old Pop Music 40

[@randallredman1317]

Buddy you know Casey was my Sunday Nights. Casey's Top 40 on WMGV until they changed to Louie Louie - Ryan I hope what is WVBO goes back to being WOSH (AM1490) still has the same call letters - do they have the ability to return FM to WOSH FM Magic 104 Oshkosh/Fox Valley

[@richardsechrist]

I did not know about the fun fact either. Speaking of fun facts... Is the logo posted here one that was used for the show? The only two logos I know about are the one with the Uncle Sam hat from the 70's and the logo from most of the 80's (including Shadoe's) with the two stars

[@LogoMan7777]

This was used on album covers from the 70s, including one from 1979, so I assume it's accurate.

[@CoCotheTurtle]

@Darla Fanbridge That is ironic, as everyone knows Uncle Sam hated disco.

[@gsnfan]

AT 40 is 50 today!

[@alfonsogreen2722]

I love this 1 also. Thanx

[@RJSchex]

Full-length version here, as heard on the closing of the 1981 year-end countdown.

[@LogoMan7777]

Without Casey talking over it?

[@RJSchex]

Casey was talking over it, giving the usual closing credits . The 1981 year-end countdown (and a few other special shows during the era) used the full-length version heard here. Regular shows used an edited-down version; circa March, 1982, a longer edit was used, with the jazz sax section added. Also used 1979-82 as the hour-opening jingle, with only a high-hat playing after the horn intro. (During 1983, both this and the 1982 jingle were used as hour openers interchangeably.)

[@facebook51ify]

The full theme was on the week ending Saturday, December 22, 1979.

[@VBaskin2010]

Now that's something that Sid and Marty Krofft might produce for The Krofft SuperStar Hour!

[@randallsredman1333]

Why they cut them off I'll never understand

[@myusernameissoobnoxiouslyl1466]

Does anyone have the disco end hour song played between 1978 and 79?

[@josephtisdale5262]

Yes. They uploaded Shockatoon by MFSB, the group responsible for TSOP.

[@charismusicgroup4967]

I've had this theme bed for years...This one sounds like it's in a low bit rate.

[@LogoMan7777]

The original WAV file was 1411 kbps and over 31K+ KB. The highest Audacity would let me go for MP3 was 320kbps. And I believe MP3 is the only way I could get it to Windows Movie Maker.

[@josephtisdale5262]

I heard this at the Showcase Cinemas coming out of A Wonderful Day In The neighborhood. It was in another auditorium.

[@patg343]

always a complainer..

[@LogoMan7777]

@patg343 The complainer, in this case, is Shannon Lynn

[@josephtisdale5262]

They used this to end a 2018 movie that flopped, seven TV stations reported .

[@LogoMan7777]

Which one?

[@rachelplows3001]

Where is the opening from 84-87?

[@LogoMan7777]

I don't know

[@jessiehenry5405]

0:22-0:51

[@jessiehenry5405]

2:11

[@annastasia4403]

It does kind of have a dark disco sound

[@jessiehenry5405]

Until Next Week Keep Your Feet On The Ground Keep Reaching For The Stars And Keep On Banning Those Bad Kids From Have A Boy Or Girlfriend

[@LogoMan7777]

I think you mean "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars".

[@CoCotheTurtle]

@@LogoMan7777 No, I think she's referring to all of those long distance dedications that had the theme of, "Dear Casey, I met a great guy at summer camp. He helped me "grow up," and now I don't think we'll ever see each other again. Can you please play "Summer (The First Time)" for Greg in Lake Winnepesauke? Thank you!"

[@tcarman]

Copyright infringement claim submitted. Thank you.

[@LogoMan7777]

I'd like to see something in writing from TM Studios giving you that authority.

[@JeffreyKirk]

​@@LogoMan7777 TM Studios wouldn't care. Neither would Jim Kirk (the actual composer).

[@LogoMan7777]

@@JeffreyKirk And are you a relative of Jim's? Because if you are, and you say it's OK to post this, then great. Thank you.

[@JeffreyKirk]

@@LogoMan7777 By the way, here's a little more information on my dad. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_R._Kirk