Department S Theme (Intro & Outro)

Aired an ATV for 1 season, March 1969 to March 1970. Theme by Edwin Astley.

[@michaelmccrory2220]

The 60's and 70's detective TV shows had the greatest theme tunes.

[@pblackburn13]

They sure did.

[@foreverblueclassics]

And the TV announcer didn't talk over the credits, allowing you to enjoy these classic themes. This is one of the very best!

[@michaelmccrory2220]

@@foreverblueclassics All you needed was to hear the first few seconds and you know what programme Definitely a golden era of excellent shows and theme music.

[@foreverblueclassics]

@@michaelmccrory2220 Yes, 'The Avengers', 'Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)', 'The Baron', 'The Persuaders', 'The Protectors', 'Journey to the Unknown', 'The Champions', 'The Adventurer' etc, plus this one - all classics.

[@michaelmccrory2220]

@@foreverblueclassics Even the children's programmes had good theme music, such as Follyfoot Farm and Black Beauty to name a few.

[@flashtheoriginal]

Im 55 and as a lad in the late 1960s this theme tune gave me goose bumps. It still does today. I loved these classy ITC shows: The Baron, The Persuaders, Department S, The Saint, Man In A Suitcase, The Avengers, Randall & Hopkirk (deceased), The Champions, Danger Man, The Prisoner (exceptional) and The Protectors. Also, bear in mind The Adventurer - forgotten by many but a classic theme tune by John Barry. Top top top production values.

[@britnews]

Me too! That tune was unbeatable but all the shows you mentioned were a real treat for the nipper I was in those days

[@paulwilson5940]

The Sweeny from the 70's had a great theme tune

[@pyewackett5]

I have most of those on dvd. Like the 'Strange Report ' too : )

[@Makeyourselfbig]

Couldn't agree more. Loved them all.

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

@Flashtheoriginal I agree with you.

[@yvonfem]

All the good series had class signature tunes this being one of the best it still rocks today

[@yvonfem]

They just don't make them like they use to

[@Willsey]

Modern shows just dont have themes this good

[@JazzFunk22]

This is some good shit 👌

[@MrEab2010]

Peter Wyngarde, unsung hero of the 60's. They called him Sir Low Grade but compared to today Lew's shows were high-style.

[@briane5706]

Brilliant series with another iconic opening titles with a great theme.

[@markaudette7016]

When TV was quality and not fake reality and shitty talent shows.

[@michaelord988]

Agreed

[@elfpimp1]

@@michaelord988 I second that..

[@richardscally694]

YES.!!

[@andrewford2783]

RIP Peter...... There was no-one quite like him on the TV.... a true one-off. I was so envious of Jason King's champagne lifestyle. With all those glamourous women...... He knew how to party!

[@robertbiggins3693]

Best theme tunes from 60s and 70s. by far

[@michaelmccrory2220]

Sometimes I would just watch shows like these just to hear the theme tune, Dept S, Jason King, The Persuaders.

[@silentnight6237]

Same. A treat for my ears.

[@djeokeekndgewijwownd6014]

Great theme to a great programme that gave the world Jason King. RIP Peter Wyngarde (Jason King) Classic times from that golden era, really enjoyed this....ahh the memories. Brilliant theme tune.... remember watching this as a kid.... geeeze i'm 54 next bithday !!

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

They don't create great TV theme songs anymore! Listen to this classic from the mid-1960's!

[@ewaf88]

They don't know how to

[@MrLesliegreen]

Yes, you are quite right, and they certainly don't make the likes of these types of programmes anymore. Which is a shame.

[@Joyce14916]

they certainly dont

[@seansands424]

Use to be on HTV and ATV in the mid 60,s

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

@@seansands424 It aired in Canada in 69. Short season played through twice and then axed

[@thomaschacko6320]

I'm a great fan of "Department S"! And like so many of you, it begins with the theme music! Something else that's remarkable for its time: the boss was African, Sir Curtis Seretse, played by Dennis Alaba Peters. You should all read Robert Sellers's book, "Cult TV: The Golden Age of ITC." And then raise a toast to Lord Lew Grade, and to Peter Wyngarde. RIP, both. They don't make classy shows like these anymore!

[@chargermopar]

I always liked how the black characters in British shows tended to be of a higher class.

[@peterfreeman6677]

It was in some ways ahead of its time. I'd like to see all of these episodes again.

[@Willsey]

I thought the same. The boss was black. For the late 60s that was ground breaking. Ahead of its time

[@porks8318]

One of the greatest theme tunes ever, and the opening titles were simply stunning. It was a great series, great in every way.

[@JazzFunk22]

The GOAT of all tv theme tunes....🎶🎶🎼....👑...🎧

[@TheDreamDebut]

I've never seen this in colour before :-) Still to my mind the greatest TV theme tune ever! I used to beg to stay up to hear it before I had to go to bed!

[@000Angus000]

I was transfixed by the theme from Callan - from my bedroom. Year before I got to see the show itself. :-)

[@arliebascas5610]

R.I.P Jason you were the best. Great theme to a great programme that gave the world Jason King.

[@LR-ee2uu]

Wonderful Wonderful Musicians. I salute every one of you 💯 👏

[@richardmartins1541]

Joel fabiani had the look of James bond what a gorgeous man he was and rosemary Nicholls her eyes was amazing like Elizabeth Taylor 😍

[@JazzFunk22]

Joel Fabiani was one cool son of a gun ...👑...📓

[@robharding4028]

Some wonderful theme music from the 60's & 70's . and they still sound great, Maybe the current stuff just does not cut it

[@d.duleyvictor5751]

RIP Peter Wyngarde (Jason King) R.I.P Jason you were the best. Classic times from that golden era, really enjoyed this....ahh the memories.

[@MegaDeansy]

Oh wow - as soon as I hear this music I'm 9 years old again and all excited about being allowed to stay up late so I could watch this !. Of course it helped that it was shown on a Friday-night so there was no school to worry about the next day - but it WAS my mum being dangerous as I had to be up at 5am to go swimming up at the commonwealth-pool (Edinburgh) as one of our neighbours worked there and he would take me in with him so I could spend all-dsy there for free !!. And because of 'Department S/Peter Wyngarde' I've had a droopy moustache as soon as I could grow one !

[@josephstanton4872]

Yet another theme that had me hooked immediately! I was waiting for another episode of the champions when this happened instead, my disappointment faded immediately!😊

[@Nualchemist]

An unforgettable theme since my childhood.

[@annaritaranalli1791]

One of my fav 📺 shows togheter cold case and the persuaders

[@bryanpalmer9660]

Used to watch this show on New. Zealand tv in the early 70s-likrd both the show and the theme music

[@nigelh4617]

Edwin Astley. Composer. Legend.

[@briane5706]

Edwin Astley, once Pete Townshend’s father-in-law.

[@hendersonmohammad1487]

Great theme to a great programme that gave the world Jason King. Edwin Astley! Provided an exile rating theme, he should have been knighted!

[@davidpoulton2860]

We had the first colour TV in Portsmouth, that was in 1967. I was 11 in 1969 and watch the show with my Grandma Constance. Shame it only had one season. Peter Wyngarde was fab as Jason King. It was first broadcast on BBC2 in colour. Not shown on TV in UK for years. It should have a rerun in 2022.

[@alejandrodrakeford7761]

Classic times from that golden era, really enjoyed this....ahh the memories. Brilliant theme tune.... remember watching this as a kid.... geeeze i'm 54 next bithday !!

[@scarfhs1]

Great theme to a great programme that gave the world Jason King.

[@yaptzexue5606]

Classic times from that golden era, really enjoyed this....ahh the memories. Great theme to a great programme that gave the world Jason King. Brilliant theme tune.... remember watching this as a kid.... geeeze i'm 54 next bithday !!

[@Laceykat66]

Rosemary Nicols was a very underrated actress. She was on par with Diana Rigg in how she handled herself.

[@kevindouglas8652]

So was Sue Lloyd.

[@michaelord988]

Agreed

[@michaeljames4904]

No. Nichols was the ne plus ultra of demure while Mrs Peel was assertive.

[@Laceykat66]

@@michaeljames4904 I agree though she was "assertive" in the first episode.

[@michaeljames4904]

@@Laceykat66 Have you seen the one episode where she wears a blonde wig for a disguise? Jason’s quite right to comment that it suits her. I never got the short hair thing, though, mindful of Steed’s post-Peel companion S did suffer from Avengers Syndrome. A special department of Interpol not having the resources to field more than three people meaning that someone regularly got busted/recognised by whoever they ended up chasing. How anyone might not end up loving the show with King’s proclivity for leaping into any tear-up to then get knocked out is a mystery deeper than any they investigated.

[@sampoole5465]

Im 17 and this is my favourite show

[@annabellasarafaraone4147]

Berman and Spooner an Insurmountable duo, with boundless imagination.

[@markstevenfall]

With memory often comes emotion; ah - those were the best of times, my friend...🙂👍🙏🇬🇧

[@doudkaylac.3047]

Classic times from that golden era, really enjoyed this....ahh the memories. Another good spy series with a great theme song. Brilliant theme tune.... remember watching this as a kid.... geeeze i'm 54 next bithday !!

[@edwardandrews1381]

Brilliant theme tune.... remember watching this as a kid.... geeeze i'm 54 next bithday !!

[@bumble1612]

Classic times from that golden era, really enjoyed this....ahh the memories.

[@oo0Spyder0oo]

This and The Persuaders theme, awesome. So many more too, rare to hear any great themes anymore.

[@Philipwaltho]

yes great grew up watching this a true classic

[@JazzFunk22]

Used to watch it with my Dad he would always say that Joel Fabiani is one smooth sun of a gun ...🤭...👑...📓

[@fokjock]

RIP Peter Wyngarde (Jason King)

[@steffanhoffmann8937]

Suave or what?!

[@eddiewillers1]

"Made on location and at Associated British Elstree Studios, England." Says it all...

[@davidchamberlain5425]

Where did all these wonderful themes go🤔🤔

[@franckieparis16]

ça me rappelle tant de souvenirs, quand j'étais adolescent :(

[@bob-sb2zu]

Ted Astley's music ,Peter Wyngarde & Rosemary Nicols ! doesn't get better than this👍

[@JazzFunk22]

Joel Fabiani was the real OG.......👑📓👑..🤭

[@robharding4028]

Ted. you were Legend ! god bless you man.

[@thompsonglenn2252]

I used to love this program

[@dogbaby1]

One of the best from an era of great TV themes. Quality music which still sounds fresh. The programmes were pretty cool too!

[@briscoethecollie1510]

Never seen this show but it's always being talked about but never repeated, looks and sounds amazing.

[@richardmartins1541]

One of my favourite childhood shows and the theme tune was dope and Peter wyngarde RIP as Jason King and he had his own series in the 70s

[@tonyrobinson362]

R.I.P Jason you were the best.

[@richardcochrane1966]

Can't believe this show only got one series...

[@johnchurch4705]

Something to do with Lou Grade trying to crack the American 🇺🇸 market, that’s why most of the lead actors were American 🇺🇸. The only ITC series that had several seasons was The Saint.

[@silentnight6237]

​ Also the Zoo Gang ran for only six episodes. R & H Deceased only 26. Both gems.

[@johnchurch4705]

@@silentnight6237 have the Zoo gang on dvd 📀, great theme by Wings.

[@silentnight6237]

@@johnchurch4705 Wonderful. They don't make em like that any more.

[@mandolinic]

Edwin Astley wrote some great TV themes in the 1960s, but this one is my favourite.

[@nazaholicable]

Great theme tune and logo. Great show. I'm sure Marc Cain would agree.

[@foleyartist62]

Brilliant. One of best TV signature themes excepting perhaps The Persuaders.

[@andyhowlett2231]

Great theme, this. I loved the old ITC shows.

[@scrmepal]

Back in 1969, people would of said this theme tune was "groovy".

[@JSDesignHK]

Back in 1969, people would have - and they did - say the theme was groovy.

[@Laceykat66]

Why don't we have "organization" shows like this on anymore? The airwaves were flooded with them at this time. Now, unless it is a law & order style procedural you are sunk.

[@w.hartnell-lives-on-while-6073]

Thanks for this, another great theme tune to a great program, I used to watch with my Dad. If you do not mind, I will add to my page for others to see. :)

[@steffanhoffmann8937]

60s theme tunes.... Unbettered

[@motneyhill7375]

Gosh this takes me back. Jason King reminds me of my first girlfriend in the 70s.

[@rogerdeacon5878]

this was a great tv series with really good actors and coolmusic....its still great :)

[@tonymontana1179]

The Interceptors!!!

[@gehanoates294]

Amazing tune. It's back on TV now

[@philipjarrett3487]

RIP Peter Wyngarde 1927-2018

[@annabellasarafaraone4147]

Edwin Astley! Provided an exellent rated theme, he should have been knighted!

[@williambabyak1094]

Let's not forget Mr. Astley's other legendary TV theme, THE SAINT.

[@Mr1967flyingv]

Best theme tune ever!

[@garethbramley1]

Timeless and terrific! The great Ted Astley.

[@krispdodedelge2996]

Classic times from that golden era, really enjoyed this....ahh the memories. Is Vic There? When TV was quality and not fake reality and shitty talent shows.

[@sararichmond8476]

Great time, still listen now. Used to like Stuart Sullivan.

[@robjones2408]

Peter Wyngarde was the last of the English Dandies. Between 1969 - 71, every male wanted to emulate his dress sense. I saw him at a film fair in London 2014 and although he was confined to a wheelchair, he was signing autographs for the many fans who wanted to meet him. He was very polite and courteous to the adoring crowd of people . RIP.

[@williambabyak1094]

I wanted to emulate Roger Moore's dress sense.

[@63mrjim]

60s / 70s the best, great times ,great memories

[@magloyd4907]

Thank you for this

[@jeffvedana5764]

The original Top gear brought me here

[@alexeimscruz2893]

I love the spoof that Top Gear did with 70s British cop shows using the Jensen Interceptor...

[@Lincolntowncoupe]

@@alexeimscruz2893 starring James Steed, Jason Clarkson, and Roger St. Hammond.

[@johnchurch4705]

And Robert Vaughan drove a series 2 Interceptor in The Protectors.

[@theonlyantony]

RIP Jason King

[@okcomiblog]

Wonderful and underated theme.

[@DerekLyons]

R.I.P Dear Peter, always loved you and pleased we met! Derek xxx

[@adriansherlockdamondark.1094]

Jason King - one of the greatest characters ever!

[@xdeliahoyt3343]

Berman and Spooner an Insurmountable duo, with boundless imagination. Classic times from that golden era, really enjoyed this....ahh the memories. Is Vic There?

[@lj036226]

For eternity ...

[@communityrags6048]

Interesting touch, putting the episode titles up first before the actual show's title...

[@MichaelAtkin-nl4ls]

Love this xxx

[@hagohistoria2916]

Increíble que no haya durado más esta gran serie.

[@dreydanromeo]

Classic times from that golden era, really enjoyed this....ahh the memories. Is Vic There? R.I.P Jason you were the best.

[@robbie007]

One of the greatest TV themes. Organ is epic with sweeping strings. Don't make themes as good as this now. Even has middle jazz section in full version.

[@TheFokker03]

Department S,fab series🙂

[@kevinallcock1946]

superb

[@hanslesolo]

What a cool theme

[@londonlore5881]

This is wonderful, but UFO’s theme might just pip it to the line! 🛸

[@Steve14ps]

RIP Peter Wyngard

[@nickforbes-warren6602]

Is Vic There?

[@markjolley3768]

Its strange thing all these shows all had the same guest stars in them !! Randall and hopkirk the prisoner the saint the avengers the baron . The champions..

[@williambabyak1094]

But, such an amazing talent pool from which to draw!

[@kevindouglas8652]

Because they were based all at the Same studio's.Avengers,Department-S ,The Saint.

[@rosedrop4959]

1 of my faves too

[@martinburke362]

From a time when Great Britain had some class alas no more

[@pedrolange6152]

klasse serie habe die dvd box auch die box von jason king :D

[@spookyboo3164]

you can see what my favorites are as a kid carnt you

[@davidsmith5523]

May I post this to my small FB group Television Treasures please?

[@luigi7112]

I'm here from Top Gear "the interceptors".

[@garyturley2435]

full series out on bluray soon

[@kevinallcock6081]

Brilliant

[@jorjibob]

RIP Peter Wyngarde.