Dad's Army Theme on Piano

Vintage comedy now on BBC2 with Dad's Army. This tune was etched onto my brain when I was very young. I still don't see the relevance of the A21 other than it rhymes with 'gun'.
Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler
If you think old England's done
We are the boys who will stop your little game
We are the boys who will make you think again
So who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler
If you think old England's done
Mr Brown goes off to town on the A21
Then he comes home each evening
And he's ready with his gun
So who do you think.....

[@Andi090386]

"Put that light out, put it out put it out PUT IT OUT! Don't you know an enmy plane will see that for miles around!"

[@alexsmyth17]

“Don’t panic!”

[@WolfieRich1]

"I'm in charge here, and I ask you to keep your hands off my Privates"

[@xm1193]

I love that bass chord progression on “if you think ‘ole England’s done”

[@paulwwells]

Thanks for your comment. If you mean the second occurrence of those words then - yes - it's a lovely example of contrary motion.

[@andrehuysfromaalterinfland1896]

Superb! We also had Dad's Army on the Flemish TV, and the whole series was repeated several times.

[@Andi090386]

RIP John Le Mesurier (Sgt Wilson) RIP James Beck (Private Walker) RIP Arnold Ridley (Private Godfrey) RIP Arthur Lowe (Captain Mainwaring) RIP John Laurie (Private Frazer) RIP Janet Davis (Mrs Pike) RIP Edward Sinclair (Verger Maurice)

[@peterrraklliproductions2020]

And Clive Dunn, Bill Pertwee, Frank Williams, and Ian Lavender.

[@rhianjones1319]

The Dad’s Army theme tune is one of the best songs in television history

[@paulwwells]

I agree. And I believe it was written by the creator of the series who clearly had a lot resting on this theme mirroring the period in which the sitcom is set.

[@265hemi7]

🇬🇧

[@Andi090386]

RIP Clive Dunn (Lance Coporal Jones) you will be greatly missed. For all of Jones's classic lines espcially "Don't panic Mr Mainwaring, don't panic!"

[@murraysimon627]

There's a verse that's missing from the theme which sheds light on the whole A21 thing. Mr Brown goes off to town on the 8.21 But he comes home each evening And he's ready with his gun, So watch out Mr Hitler 'Cos you've met your match in us If you think you can beat us We're afraid you've missed the bus So who do you think you are kidding.....

[@paulwwells]

@chrismumford True. It is amazing when you think how many comedies have come and gone since.

[@MrHeathums1985]

I’m from America, I just recently finished watching it on Britbox. I love the show, and such a catchy theme song.

[@paulwwells]

Thank you. It's interesting that you have noticed that the theme is pivotal in setting the mood of the period. This was like a second nation anthem to an entire viewing generation in the UK. Even more incredible when you think that it was retro when it was written.

[@TheDramaKings]

Beautiful...

[@whoaholic]

lordy, personally before I learned how to play it I thought it would be the first sign of madness trying to play something this complicated!

[@paulwwells]

@Andersondic I just answered a similar point on my Ski Sunday video. At the time I didn't think anyone would take much notice, but I now realise that a lot of musicians watch my arrangements and for that reason I now avoid using the transpose function.

[@Andi090386]

@Shangas "Don't be nasty.... Uncle Arthur" "Yes Frank what is it, I'm rather busy at the moment!" "Uncle Arthur there's some man calling me a stupid boy, but I'm not a stupid boy, am I Uncle Arthur, tell him Uncle Arthur, tell him I'm not a stupid boy!" "Oh Frank, just ignore him, now get on Parade before Captain Manwarning comes in!" "I say chaps, you mind awfully falling in please, there's a good chap now!"

[@paulwwells]

Ah yes. That makes sense now. Thanks.

[@xDeepPurpleDreamx]

Wow, this is really cool! I'd love to learn this Thank you for uploading :)

[@Vegas_small_timer]

Fantastic. Sounds great. Well played.

[@jmasters24]

OMG! I've had this stuck in my head for like EVER !

[@NeilThePlant]

I have to say, that's better than the real thing. Genius.

[@Vodaph0ne]

BRAVO! BRAVO! ENCORE! ENCORE!

[@paulwwells]

@WKerryUK Thanks. I'm sure there's something extra in the sound when you can see music being played.

[@ryanbrownnew]

brilliant you have great soul and swing

[@greenmanalishi100]

Great, tune well played indeed, many thanks.

[@actyourage04]

fantastic! Thats made my day! Marc

[@paulwwells]

Thanks

[@n136h]

Brilliant

[@demon27dan]

Yes, as the previous poster says, the lyric is 'Mr. Brown goes off to town on the 8:21', the time of his train.

[@paulwwells]

As usual I started figuring it out without bothering to check what key it should be in. I played it in C - with the piano transposed up about 3 semitones. Without checking - I think the original was in F. Almost everything which was played with real brass instruments was in either F or Bb

[@Vodaph0ne]

Ironically it was so well played I didn't even notice the difference!

[@billydale9991]

Love it!

[@Distillation1]

Thats what i call Talent, you should go on Britains Got Talent :)

[@eJasminde]

Oh this is great, I am so learning it ;-)

[@paulwwells]

Thank you Rich. And thanks for favouriting my videos.

[@paulwwells]

I normally mute the TV when the adverts come on - so I haven't heard this, but strangely enough I did see some arrows in the Dad's Army style last night.

[@EireGoon]

Oh yes please!

[@paulwwells]

You're right it is sad. It's sad because it has a gentle determination about it meant to uplift the spirit under very testing circumstances.

[@JustB3NJI]

Fooking epic!

[@tenderheart17]

lol... 'Dad's Army' was one of my favourite Brit -coms as a kid : ) I grew up on a steady diet of British shows.

[@crazydavedisco]

awsome

[@crazypianolady]

Love it. You're very talented. I think I must have watched the funniest episode just last week. It involved a chimp costume...!

[@tompowell4095]

that is the best ever good playing

[@afgdrbhyz]

your the best damn you're like one of those mad piano players in the dark banging the piano lol

[@WolfieRich1]

Good god you are awesome.

[@TJNorton]

Just used this to learn from as i have to play it on harmonica at a funeral on friday ... THANKYOU for posting ... Bless :-)

[@paulwwells]

HI - You are welcome - I played this at my Dad's funeral almost three years ago to the day.

[@TJNorton]

Wow really! Thats strange since i got a call asking me to play this at a funeral ... We just never know what gigs were going to get do we? Sorry to hear that you lost your dad ... Bless x

[@paulwwells]

TJ Norton Thank you. I bet this song gets played a lot at funerals. There are lots of dads who would have enjoyed the show in the 1970s. I didn't know I was going to be playing it until hours before.

[@doggies2]

thankyou

[@paulwwells]

That's a very good suggestion. Yes I've added that to my list.

[@miahillier4914]

great playing

[@lutenantsweedpertasa]

Don’t panic Mr Mannering, don’t panic!

[@paulwwells]

:) Yes - brilliant memories.

[@paulwwells]

Thanks. Just here on KZbin.

[@lordluffington2351]

‘Don’t tell him your name pike’

[@itsLaika]

I'll try and remember my music days. erm, the trills are very smooth :)

[@paulbienek601]

Ha ha brilliant...I've been cobbling a version together on the 5 sting banjo I can save this to my phone and get it ingrained! Best regards Paul

[@mecha101]

My dad sings this song because of the war

[@Andi090386]

@DaBeesNees100 Thank you, somone who has actually looked it up. The amount of people on here that think it's A21 & not 8:21 .... it drives me crazy. For those who still think it's A21, here is the line from the theme tune. "Mr Brown goes off to Town on the 8:21, but he comes home each evening & is ready with his gun!" Look it please people.

[@fjbh101]

put that ruddy light out!

[@paulwwells]

OK - good idea :)

[@DarkSpectral96]

really cool i can play that a little bit like that lol

[@Cssquarepants]

thanks

[@paulwwells]

Thank you, and thanks for favouriting :)

[@Andi090386]

@davidjohan99 Well they do use a train in one of the espisodes. Frazer comes back to Warminton on Sea & gets Talking to Cpatain Mainwarning's Brother.

[@paulwwells]

Jon, thanks for your comment :) The original has so many twiddly bits - but that was the style - that it's not possible to fit them all in.

[@paulwwells]

Thanks Marc.

[@dalekfay]

Its 8:21 it refers to him catching a train to go to work, as many people would have done in the 40's

[@Andi090386]

@callmeshane303 It's 8:21 as in the Bus time. Look it up on the Dad's Army Website.

[@paulwwells]

Thank you. And you are correct, with only a couple of exceptions everything on this channel is played by ear. I can read music but it seems like hard work.

[@BehindFlyingCheese]

Thanks, i will send you a link if and when its done :)

[@paulwwells]

@jassboyfin well spotted. Your are correct it is transposed up 3 semitones. I guessed wrong when I was working it out and only realised just before recording.

[@paulwwells]

Yes. Please go ahead.

[@paulwwells]

@TigerAmongstMen Hi - thanks for all your comments

[@paulwwells]

I'm hoping to get a chance to play with the software to create scores in the next couple of days

[@eleanortrill6323]

That was dead good

[@JasonJason210]

Very good Sergeant Wilson. Ahem.

[@tonny130369]

ik vind dat je super speelt...groetjes uit holland

[@paulwwells]

Hi Robklugkist - Thanks for this suggestion, yes I'm considering doing this because there are a lot of people asking.

[@oldkiesel]

This is perfect, exactly the way a professional band pianist would perform it. I presume that's what you are.

[@paulwwells]

@Nathan62554 Thanks. There is a tutorial - please click the on-screen link

[@keany06]

@chrismumford With the exeption of only fools and horses :)

[@Andi090386]

@davidjohan99 I belive the 8:21 was a train, but we will never know. I have put the words on here, so it's easy to sing along.

[@paulwwells]

@davidjohan99 Thanks. Please see the full comment history about the 8:21

[@1mkfangirl]

Idk y but this also reminds me of the wallace and gromit theme tune either way I love it :)

[@daverobertocarlos]

DON'T TELL HIM PIKE

[@paulwwells]

It almost certainly is the early signs of going bonkers in my case

[@Andi090386]

@Shangas Mum said it's not very nice, putting Cold steel up em, I asked here waht it meant & she just told me to as Uncle Arthur.

[@Rockingham76]

@chrismumford I'm 14 and i think it's great

[@fwwryh7862]

I think the A21 is a local road in an area near the coast.

[@paulwwells]

I think you're probably right about this - given that pronunciation is taken seriously, deliberately so to make it sound old, so the singer would not be permitted to drop the T at the end of eight. So off to town is off to London? Mr Brown did have a long commute.

[@SomePineapples]

Love it :D ! Would there be any chance of getting the music for this ?

[@EireGoon]

Ditto :)

[@paulwwells]

Hi Doggles. Well it doesn't exist as a piano grade. If I was to guess roughly what level of difficulty it is I'd guess about grade 3.

[@Andi090386]

Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler? If you think we're on the run We are the boys who will stop your little game We are the boys who will make you think again 'cause who do you think your are kidding Mr Hitler? If you think old Englands's done Mr Bown goes off to town on the 8:21 But he comes home each evening & is ready with his gun So Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler if you think old England's done?!

[@animesis]

p.s. i can only think the A21 is a reference to a road, im not sure if your in the UK but there are various road types depending on size etc and they are letter by this A road B road (maybe just A and B lol) and then numbered i often wonder about the A21, it seems a bit random to me

[@paulwwells]

Hi Rock Hopper - I didn't play it from sheet music, so I don't know if any is available.

[@northernanorak]

Yeah I always thought it was 8.21, presumably a train.

[@gerladiant]

Brilliant, could not be better , just wish I could play like that, what other sites are you on please.

[@cameronsrailwayuniversestu9520]

It's the road from London to Hastings

[@paulwwells]

Please go ahead

[@gcf7175]

Your dad seems like he was pretty cool.

[@paulwwells]

Thank you. Yes he was. Very kind of you to say so.

[@paddy327k3]

Great this video reminds me of so many good times but, you were a bit hard hitting on the keys. :D

[@paulwwells]

That's fine, yes, please go ahead and use it. If possible please make a reference back to this source. Good luck with your animation course.

[@paulwwells]

There's a video on this channel of my son playing Dr Who