David Lowe Breaks Down His Iconic BBC News Theme

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[@ScottishLawnGuy]

He should be given a Knighthood for creating this one piece alone. It will be used for decades to come. Absolutely iconic and timeless.

[@dirtysolarremix]

💯💜👍

[@johnbaptist2707]

I have the same thought.

[@FriedEggSarnie]

Genuinely should be the national anthem. We don't need lyrics. We just dance.

[@adamthorntonillustration9281]

Ha haaaa!! That's a bonkers idea and really made me laugh 😂 And yet, I wholeheartedly agree! 😁

[@paulnantulya]

Hands down, the UK's greatest soft power export is that news theme. Straight up iconic

[@allankempson6951]

I love the BBC News theme, it's got to be one of the most distinguishing things that the BBC has. Shame we don't often get the full theme on the BBC News channel.

[@simonsaysrewind]

I downloaded the 13 minutes version yesterday... so epic.

[@Mcnamara2]

@@simonsaysrewind could you share me the link bro

[@capdantibe]

It's available on KZbin , mate ! Cheers !

[@Randolph_]

It helped that the beep changes its pitch on the last ten seconds of the music. The anticipation will forever feel intense 😎

[@shortie_2023]

I love this theme. I remember it was played in a nightclub and everyone was really dancing to it.

[@MoyaBrennan6825]

It’s a straight fucking banger

[@DewMan001]

​@@MoyaBrennan6825münecat was spot on!

[@lorrainekresch7075]

My husband & I (Americans) were vacationing in England, & I was standing in our hotel room, TV on, and heard the BBC news theme. Never forgot it; sought it on KZbin, & was amazed to see all the posts Don't ever change, BBC.

[@gigbgrannychannel8879]

I worked in broadcast TV here in Australia for over 25 years. I have heard many news and programme themes in that time. I was in Sydney for the 2000 Olympics and at our accommodation we had cable TV feeds of all the international broadcasters. It was there I "discovered" David Lowe's masterpiece, in a transportable "Donga" hut on the site of an old lunatic asylum. I was glued to the BBC News channel just for the theme, the intros, playouts, fillers until top of the clock, etc. The edited montage to accompany the music was also exceptional work. As an editor myself, I imagine it would have been very satisfying to work on. Well done David Lowe and the BBC. The world's best news theme without a doubt.

[@Axehand]

The only thing that comes close to the BBC tune is the old school ABC news trumpet number, truly epic

[@RaymondHng]

@@Axehand John Williams' _The Mission Suite_ (all four movements) for _NBC Nightly News_ , _Today_ , and _Meet the Press_ is still iconic. The 8-minute-41-second recording is on KZbin as "John Williams - The Mission Suite Movements 1-4"

[@marnanel]

@@Axehanddo you have a link?

[@mohdjavedbaig6217]

An example of simplicity. This is s iconic theme. Goosebumps garunteed. Love from 🇮🇳

[@madjamie69]

A modern day masterpiece

[@ispy1980]

Love the BBC News Theme! It gets your attention, gets your heart racing to see what is going on in the world. Absolutely brilliant!

[@colinthomson7518]

i love when the String chords come in, gives me Goosebumps . great theme.

[@coolstuff8925]

Oh my...what a honest, true story...he's almost agasp at how simple his own idea was. And how cool they all just said yes, at the BBC group first meeting with David. Wow! So inspirational. Great stuff.

[@davecorry7723]

I worked in the BBC Singapore office in early 2000 when, when this music was promulgated to overseas branches. But in Singapore, those, "Pips," are a registered trademark of a small gaming company, who held-out for a fat cheque. BBC didn't play ball, so this music is still legally banned in Singapore, and BBC News Singapore have an alternate theme.

[@kylosun]

No way! Great bit of knowledge

[@winnethepooh7986]

This music was formally adopted and broadcasted on 25/Oct/1999. 24 years nearly gone..still loving it!!

[@tostyjoost]

as a tunes and jingle producer, i have to say this was ICONIC

[@crazyleader91]

I love the theme, the story behind it and how it has captured the attention on social media, especially tiktok. David is a legend

[@winnethepooh7986]

Thank you David....This piece of work will be one of the gold standards used by musicians. 🙏

[@ajc4477]

It's the best news theme ever and will always sound contemporary - it's also a bloody good piece of music.

[@clayongunzelle9555]

I was lost when he said it needed more drama then I heard the drums 🤣

[@beemer1200s]

This has been just a brilliant piece of music. It shouts BBC News. It’s timeless so after 24 years it’s so fresh please BBC don’t change it any time soon. Like the amazing balloon shots between programs, they should bring it back!

[@TV-xl8tu]

the more is simple the more i like it... im listening to it almost daily when im working.

[@kevinprior3549]

So this is the guy that does the music for BBC News programs. The beep a second tune!

[@AtulButte]

Whenever or wherever I travel in the world, this tune and the BBC World news re-situates me into what’s happening right now, and how everything is going to be ok

[@yutonge1258]

I love the BBC News theme it has to be the most iconic theme than other news outlets out there. They are my reason why I emailed the composer to get the packages composed for the Beebs. 👍👍

[@muturikanini9513]

Well done Sir,,this is my current ringtone 🤣 from Nairobi, Kenya.

[@janosnoll6830]

Give the man a gold medal!

[@Saddlebag_Lawyer]

Think me crazy, I love this music so much that sometimes I listen to it to claim my mind ❤

[@Jake-gq7ci]

Gives me Goosebumps! Childhood memories of the Pips being the time to leave the house to catch school bus. Brilliant re-vamp🫶

[@miemcintosh5247]

David Lowe is more than a guest in my hone. He is family. We all dance to his BBC beats before getting serious abt the news. Haitians live for a perfect beat. He is out news star.

[@renwei4628]

This intro paired with reporters cut shows humanity!

[@AstrobumTV]

Me explaining to my mom what a rave party is without coming off like a hardcore raver

[@thellers]

This is a true masterpiece.

[@IIII2IIII]

David Lowe is absolutely brilliant. I love the simple E to D resolve in his other version too. Thank you for posting this very informative video.

[@reysaj]

Kudos to David Lowe, the legend behind the great BBC News theme.

[@javkimmy]

Mr Lowe’s theme is the definition of iconic.

[@truenorth3010]

I've been searching for a clear version of this original for two decades it feels like :D But finding this was even better! Thank you for making and sharing this! This was part of my youth in my twenties watching the first BBC World TV programs with this sound as the ICONIC intermission - it's never left me since. :) Loved his approach and explanation, and it's a true hit that you truly recognize from the very first instant you hear it! :) Thank you again! - All the best.

[@adrianmlridgewayarcmlramll1965]

Fantastic David! Have been listening to your work here in Bermuda everyday since you started !!! Amazing ideas and great to see the man behind it all!!! Blessings! Adrian in Bermuda 🙏🏻🌺😊😊😊

[@raajac2720]

GM MR David lowe sir,i am from India,i am fan of your bbc theme music,how beautiful presentation that love every music lover. Long live sir.

[@sukhrajssehgal7210]

It's my go to music for everytime I'm in need to motivation!

[@raajac2720]

Mr Lowe you're awesome,the score of music is incredibly brilliance of mind full.

[@prosperbwealth]

Very iconic beat with beautiful strings ❤

[@ucenigma]

Very interesting interview. I just stumbled onto this theme and am amazed. I love it so much!

[@Muzammil.S]

Living legend.

[@AliAhmedddddddd]

Ghana, India, Canada, New zealand, America, UK, UAE....heard this iconic tune across all countries

[@TyCollage]

Absolutely beautiful

[@clemensquinones4863]

I love your music Sir David... Its legendary 😍 I bought a CD of your music way back yr 2000

[@alecgwemende2386]

Absolutely impressively iconic.

[@thellers]

Masterpiece. Absolutely iconic on so many levels. I adore this piece of music.

[@jinglesbluecat]

Brilliant work - it's timeless and cannot be beaten. If the BBC ever drops this they are doomed ! The David Lowe theme I still miss is Radio 4's PM - wish I had a stereo copy of that !

[@user-bg2it5kf9q]

Absolutely Fantastic. Simply Great.

[@taxsi]

ahh talented, gifted people... he nailed it at the moment he thought the pip idea as the base of the theme...

[@elisabethj.v.beardsell9853]

Love this version of the news intro! Sheer genius😊

[@MoreMsthanthat]

Legendary

[@jannatali8130]

Absolutely a brilliant work. 🔥

[@marillehulswit1114]

❤ my workout song as I'm nearing the end ...❤❤❤

[@kitkatkate561]

Love this interview

[@Clark_Kent_ZA]

So it was always meant to be a dance beat.

[@avabasta1123]

ce mec est génial

[@therainbowelephantofficial9510]

BBC World News has that countdown but here in the United States where I live, I only get 15 or 30 seconds but never a 60 or 90 second countdown

[@benpye6854]

I seem to remember that they have adverts on the US version?

[@therainbowelephantofficial9510]

@@benpye6854 The US version has adverts before the countdown

[@Galactipod]

@@benpye6854 American stations add adverts to the provided World Service signal

[@yasminx16]

Genius

[@jacksugden8190]

There’s a new sequence music on the way that’s been issued around April/May 2024, unsure whether it’s in use as yet.

[@AbhinavKumarSahai]

From #Diana 's death to the pure #EIIR 'S DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT #ThisisBBCWORLD INSPIRED BY #BBC radio #DAVIDLOWE

[@djsherz]

This guy knows how to compose a memorable theme! I loved this one of his from the early 90s, it was for a educational video, a maths course hosted by Carol Vorderman. 30 years later it's still in my head. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2q0f4FsgNGrg9E

[@dedomenici]

This is up there with Angelo Badalamenti explaining how he and David Lynch came up with the Twin Peaks theme: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m17IopqolMyhas0

[@adamiotime]

Also iconic!

[@jennifersandys8473]

The sound of pips, beats too good.

[@PJJBOSSVLOG]

Wowwwww

[@marnanel]

It's gonna be on the radio, it's gonna be on TV, it's gonna be in Scotland…

[@drakedrones]

When dumpster trucks reverse they have that pip sound

[@editorkmanikhemmusicprod]

SHOW US YOUR SCREEN!!!!!! LOL

[@cheedevulan8547]

The bbc news theme is the best jingle ever!

[@pleasantsville]

Ashley Keno brought me here

[@freevent28]

Just imagine your own rushed idea impacted so many millions. Only top artist or scientist do that.

[@straighterthanaruler]

1:40

[@weblegion]

Just found this interview after listening to the re-make of the BBC News Theme. : kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3POi3eaj6eneas

[@sporkfindus4777]

It'll never be as good as George Fenton's themes

[@walkerbfa3298]

Who let hjm cook ?

[@bitlikethat]

I like his work and all that but get disappointed whenever I find a video of him explaining the bbc news music and always using the same example

[@JohnGottschalk]

It seems that's just the story, there isn't more to it than that.

[@ATHOLE52]

Genius