Dionne Warwick sings "Solid Gold...Slowly" - 4/12/1981

[@victorlatimer1009]

This rendition of this particular song has stayed in my memory for all of these years, Dionne Warwick you're a magnificent electrifying amazing mesmerizing soulful beautiful singer! Wishing you blessings and everything 💐 beautiful!!!

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

Thank you so much for your beautiful words about my theme song and about wonderful Dionne. I will be sure to pass along your message to her!

[@jasonburger3533]

@@bigeyezzzzzzz I do not mean to "but iin," but I find his description of Dionne Warwick to be spot on!!! She was especially mesmerizing in this particular video. I find her to be especially exquisite in this arrangement.🙂 "Solid Gold" would not have been complete without this theme. It is amazing how fast you and Dean Pitchford put this musical masterpiece together. Composers and lyricists are very special to our planet Earth ant life as we know it.

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

@@jasonburger3533 🎶💙🤗💙🎶

[@jasonburger3533]

@@bigeyezzzzzzz Thank you for your colorful response!!! I am sorry that I made some typos in the previous message. I noticed that. I noticed that you have changed the airdate for this slow "Solid Gold" version from April 25, 1981 to April 12, 1981. Thank you for the clarification!!!!!!!!!! Whatever the airdate, this was the best version that Dionne Warwick had done on camera during the show. That 1985 on camera appearance of her singing the theme on the show is a treat as well. However, for the length and depth, this version of your theme, Michael, takes the cake. This is the definitive Dionne version!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for the upload!!! It is a gem.

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

@@jasonburger3533 Many thanks!!

[@cbreez40]

I'm just glad generations other than her own finally recognize the POWERHOUSE ms Warwick was,, she was a songwriters dream

[@Nikray]

What's clear is Dionne was and is pure class!!

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

@tvfan23 Thanks very much for your very kind comments. I think, because I wrote the theme especially for Dionne, she had a nice connection with it and it made a lot of sense for her to do it on the show. She also did it this way in her live act for years....way back when.

[@mbotman]

Again, an amazing vocal experience. I would have been 13 when this aired originally. I used to imagine singing this in my act when I used to sing. So many professional singers LOVE Dionne. It is a shame they don't play her on the radio stations anymore.... (No Streisand, either). The big companies that own the stations now have made sure everybody plays the same stuff YUCK**! I will never forget those days of my youth. I will love Dionne forever. Thanks Michael for your contibutions!

[@mbotman]

This is a fabulous version of the theme song. Yes, I remember Dionne doing this in 1986 when she came to Indianapolis. And what a lovely dress she wore! She was certainly "all the rage" in her day; and how I LOVED her...still Do! She will always be my favorite singer. Thanks bigeyezzzzzzz!!!!!!

[@shawnking616]

Wonder if she still has this gown Do yall ever wonder if they keep there wardrobe from back in there old days ???

[@vinniemystery563]

I loved when she sung the ending theme it was Solid Gold !!!

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

@edadam Thanks so much for your kind comments. I still remember it as if it was yesterday when I first sat down at Dionne's piano to show her the theme I'd composed (with lyrics by Dean Pitchford)!

[@r.higgins212]

Dionne is stunning. Pure class act.

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

@randy77tx Thanks so much for your very kind comments regarding this slow arrangement that I did of my theme for Solid Gold. I also did a full-orchestra arrangement of this slow version, which Dionne did for several years in her live act.

[@singingmanmd]

bigeyezzzzzzz Bigeyezzz I so love Dionne. She is my favorite singer of all times!!! I love her delivering. Can u please tell me in detail how it was arranging this with her bc Dionne has the best technique ever. She can do anything with her voice. Was that the case when you worked with her?

[@mikematichich]

I love the slow version too. I remember Dionne did the slow version on the Tonight show as well.

[@dommenkosi]

SHE IS BEAUTIFUL !

[@alwaysdusty]

Flawless.

[@cleejackson7875]

Dionne should have put that song in her album "No Night So Long" (1980) or her 1981 live album. It would have been very fitting, regardless of the arrangement.

[@jasonburger3533]

I agree fully. This was worthy of being part of a full studio album. Maybe she could add it to a compilation album that could feature this live version.

[@tsteigh]

Sing it Dionne. 🇺🇸💪👉👸👍👍. Solid Gold 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

@DionnesDiscography Wow, I'm glad this version of my theme made such a positive impact on you! For me, it was one of the most memorable moments of the entire run of the show. Dionne also did this version in her live act...I used to love going to see her perform it wherever in the world she may have been. She doesn't do it anymore, but I still enjoy seeing her....she is truly the best-of-the-best!!

[@bravespear7]

@DionnesDiscography OMG! So do I I remember ever note and riff too. Dionne does that. There is no one who sings like her and I've been waiting since I first heard Walk On Bye when I was 13.

[@scudder99]

I return to your channel frequently just for a dose of Dionne and some great memories. Thank you.

[@edadam]

Michael, thanks for sharing! This is an excellent tribute to the beauty of Dionne's voice. I'd read that Dionne chose you to be musical director. Solid Gold was one of my favorite TV shows, especially the first season and 85-86.

[@Lazyeyewitness]

This is a great arrangement. Dionne's voice is brilliant

[@DionnesDiscography]

I haven't seen this clip since it first aired in '80-81, but i had it on cassette for a few years before I lost it. You have no idea the joy it gave me to watch this Mr. Miller. I remembered even note, every riff in her voice, and Dionne seemed to have so much fun singing it. She was firing on all pistons vocally. Definitely one of her BEST performances on the show..that 1st season was really the BEST season ever. Your arrangement was superb. This clip is a treasure..and in such great quality!

[@missyelle2749]

Ms Dionne was a staple in our home. Thank you for upload 💜

[@dousola]

Brilliant performance.

[@ralphlampkinjr.7325]

Fantastic loved this version for decades ago Mr. Miller. Congratulations on posting these

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

Thank you so much - I’m glad you enjoy the slow version I did for Dionne of my Solid Gold theme!

[@michaelddowdy-benivamonde2502]

Thank You For Allowing me & my band to being a part of The Solid Gold Family! So Much Great Fun, Music & Memories!

[@danilomorcilla3714]

So elegant.....unequalled!

[@scudder99]

Wow! This is a find. Thank you !!!!

[@jlusk999]

Dionne's long notes transcend music---it's like the singing equivalent of an impossible Michael Jordan circus shot. Just a feat of physical impossibility!

[@jonathanbateman5533]

It’s so hard to believe that this show is turning 40 soon. I was born exactly ten weeks after the show premiered, and I feel like I’m reliving my childhood again. I love Dionne’s 1986 theme that I got on a TV theme soundtrack, but seeing this, took my breath away. Don’t know if it was her voice, or mix of her vocals and lyrics that was so beautifully put together. I really wish this slow to fast version was available on a sound format (that and every seasons different version). The theme was right, music does have magic!! 😎🤩💃🏿

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

Jonathan Bateman Thank you for your very beautiful and kind words about the Solid Gold Theme, which I composed. We did many versions of it but this version was never released anywhere (except here on KZbin)!

[@jonathanbateman5533]

bigeyezzzzzzz Mr. Miller. It is an honor to say thank you to the man who wrote such an amazing song. 1985 or 1986, was the earliest versions I remember of dancing (and wanting to be one of the dancers) when I was a toddler. The mix of your song, and the format of the show paved the way to not only art of dance and performing. I live in London now, but recently came across the show in my mind. When I officially turn 40 next year, I’m gonna celebrate it “Solid Gold” style, LOL! Not sure how, but I will. Also I think it is to this show, that paved the way on my love of music, and how it has affect me in my growing up, and to this day. From the bottom of my heart Michal, thank you for the years in music!!

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

Jonathan Bateman Wow! I had no idea that our show, and my theme, had such an impact on anyone. How cool to hear your story, and I am so glad that Solid Gold brought a whole lot of positivity to your life! Thanks again for reaching out, and keep on dancing! And happy birthday to you next year!

[@jasonburger3533]

@@bigeyezzzzzzz Thank goodness for KZbin!!! It is an online jukebox without the quarters. Wonderful theme. Wonderful version.

[@jasonburger3533]

@@bigeyezzzzzzz Well, maybe it could be released in its original live form on an audio format or maybe even remastered from the original live version shown here, but some do not like remastered versions, and I do think that the original is the best. I know that this had been on KZbin for a long time and would have liked to have found it sooner when I was younger and in better health. That would be a fitting tribute to a classic, classy show and singer, who had already amassed a huge stack of hits well before the early 1980s. Since vinyl records are popular again, maybe vinyl and CD versions could be released along with streaming versions for the younger fans. I prefer the external audio formats, such as vinyl, cassette, and compact disc, since liner notes and photographs are often accompanied and they are tangible, portable media formats.

[@denniswoodbury8599]

Love, Love, Love her!

[@randy77tx]

I want to say the McCoo version is the best, and I'll always love it, but this is by far the best version. I'd forgotten how haunting it was. Glad I found it. I'd been hoping someone would post it. Thanks so much. (And, yeah, wish it had the 2nd verse!)

[@psycboy]

I've seen most of the Solid Gold shows and yet this was one number that I don't remember watching/listening. Thanks for the upload!

[@tvfan23]

I have never seen this clip despite being a fan of Solid Gold for about 27 years now. Thanks so much for sharing. Is interesting that Dionne performed the theme live on the show both years she hosted but none of the other hosts ever did that I am aware of. The hosts performing a song each week was one of my favorite parts of the show, Thanks for doing such a great job on the arrangement.

[@jasonburger3533]

This is the video by Michael Miller, the musical director of "Solid Gold" of which I had referred to you on your KZbin page for the correct airdate of April 12, 1981. I have been a fan of the show since it began, but could not keep up with all 332 episodes, so without KZbin, I would have missed this spectacular performance of the iconic theme song of an iconic series.

[@matthewxerri4666]

"And in my opinion and I do respect my opinion" lol - imagine if she didn't respect her own opinion.

[@jasonburger3533]

The name of the show was "Solid Gold" and this version is absolutely Solid Gold. The slow buildup and the crescendo that led into the regular part of the theme were just masterfully done. I did watch the show, although at this point I was still in single-digit years, so I missed this when it first aired. I think this should have been recorded on an album. The "Solid Gold" theme is one of the main reasons why I had watched the show and watch the KZbin clips. That was a song, that of it were up to me, would have won all the music awards. The original version with the end credits is something else, and this rendition goes beyond that. The whole concept of the show is something lacking in modern television, in my opinion. Music variety shows surpass reality shows and have real entertainment value. This song is a winner. Thank you for the post. I was wondering the original air date. I think that it might have been April 1981, but I was wondering the exact date. The copyright on the end credits did say 1981, so that is 39 years ago. Wow. What a different time. It would be nice if these old gems were on DVD or in rerun syndication currently.

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

Many thanks for your wonderful praise for my theme song! This is Michael Miller (composer of the Solid Gold theme song, and musical director of the show). This slow version with Dionne aired on April 25, 1981, and Dionne also performed this version on the NBC Tonight Show and for her tour shows. It was such a treat to have the one-of-a-kind legend, Dionne Warwick, sing my song!!

[@jasonburger3533]

@@bigeyezzzzzzz Thank you for your response and information about the exact original airdate. I have seen the NBC Tonight Show version, which I presume aired around the same time. I had seen the end credits of the 2-hour countdown of 1979 special that was the original "Solid Gold" that aired in January 1980 before they turned it into a weekly series. There was no "Solid Gold" theme. I think they used one of the pop songs that was popular then for the close and not much of a musical intro for the opening. Having been used to the theme that you composed, without it there was a certain vacancy. Your theme certainly helped to bookend each show at the beginning and end. I often wondered and still do if the ending dance segments with the "Solid Gold" theme playing as the credits appear and then scroll were done live each week or were part of a master tape that would be different for each season of the show. I do recall Operation Prime Time, for better programming. "Solid Gold" was a show that was quality entertainment, and I think if it were brought back in a current form in more normal times from what we are currently experiencing, the ratings would be there and it would help with nostalgia for those who grew up while the original show was on. The show was a winner with every episode.

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

@@jasonburger3533 You seem to be a true Solid Gold Connoisseur! Thanks again for your kind words about my theme song. The reason the theme song wasn't a part of the 1979 pilot was because I didn't become involved with the show until the series began in 1980, and I didn't compose the theme song until three weeks before Episode 1 aired on Sep. 13, 1980. And to answer your other questions: the ending dance segments were done anew each week, and Dionne and I did the slow version on the Tonight Show on June 18, 1981. Keep enjoying!

[@jasonburger3533]

@@bigeyezzzzzzz As I have watched this wonderful clip from "Solid Gold" many more times, I have come to notice that Dionne Warwick appears in a different dress for the closing segment as opposed to the glittery gown that she was in for the slowed down version of the "Solid Gold" theme song. Did she have a costume change in the same episode or is the ending dance credit clip from a different episode? I had wondered previously, but did not ask. A recent commenter on this page took issue with the episode number and airdate. However, I had responded to him that the two clips might not be from the same episode and that since you were the uploader of the video to KZbin and worked prominently on the show, that your episode number and date were indeed correct. With that in mind, I wonder if Dionne had changed dresses before the episode had ended or if the two clips are from different episodes not far apart in time. If it is from two different episodes, I was wondering if you have the ending credit clip from the same episode that Dionne Warwick had sung the slow version of your wonderful theme that helped make "Solid Gold" solid good.

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

@@jasonburger3533 Hi Jason…the ending segment of this clip is from the exact same episode that the slow version of my theme was from. The simple fact is that Dionne, as she often did, wore different clothing for both segments. We taped each episode of Solid Gold in separate segments over the course of several days, so costume changes were easy!

[@donovanrobinson1843]

That Dionne had range for days and its as if she pulled it out of thin air

[@NagyZsuzsanna58]

It acts as a balm the human soul.

[@paradeorange2900]

love

[@aisensantana6765]

Thank jhud ideal show would be solid gold 2.0

[@donovanrobinson1843]

Kelly Clarkson's show is like an updated version of solid gold. The covers kelly does is exceptional

[@terrancetucker8020]

IMHO, the season 1 theme is the best version of all the themes of SG.

[@tedbravakis8848]

Looks like SEASON 1 EPISODE 29 Apr 12 1981

[@tedbravakis8848]

@@jasonburger3533 www.tv.com/shows/solid-gold/co-host-aretha-franklin-215374/

[@jasonburger3533]

​@@tedbravakis8848 Yes, you are right about that. Thanks for the link. I still have not figured out how to put a live link on KZbin.

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

@lbCharmed1 Thank you!! Oh, and you'll be pleased to know that, after much scouring around, I found Aretha's opening from this episode, and if you check back on this channel in a half-hour or so, you should see it!

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

@lbCharmed1 Ah yes, but then we would've failed at our meticulously-conceived plan of creating the mystique surrounding the now infamous "unsung 2nd verse"!!

[@createallow3126]

It feels like a James Bond theme song mixed with some Stairway to Heaven at the beginning. so good!

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

Thank you!! I am the composer (Michael Miller) and that’s a great compliment!

[@createallow3126]

@@bigeyezzzzzzz Thank you for responding! You made my day. What a fabulous composer you are!! I started watching Solid Gold when I was about nine and your amazing theme song has been perculating positivity in my mind since then! I loved the show so much!

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

Wow, that’s so wonderful to hear! It means a lot to me that my theme song and our show have meant such a great deal to you as well!

[@jasonburger3533]

​@@createallow3126 I fully agree with you. The theme song opening and closing was one of the reasons to watch "Solid Gold" no matter who the guest artists were. That theme was with each episode.

[@createallow3126]

@@jasonburger3533 And it has lived as a happy earworm in my head ever since. 😊

[@dwightfan2013]

Did Marylin MCCoo Do This Version Of This Theme Song During The 1983 - 1984 Season

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

Yes, Marilyn did sing my theme during the 1983 season. You can hear it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/goKzc4iOma2FedE

[@jasonburger3533]

@@bigeyezzzzzzz Marilyn McCoo did her version of "Solid Gold" very well, especially that long hold at the end. She also did another different "Solid Gold" version that mentions a"galaxy of stars." Michael, did you compose that version as well? It is on KZbin and is on the "Solid Gold" album that had been released by Marilyn McCoo in late 1982 or early 1983. It was on RCA Records and I do have a copy. Some of her cover songs from "Solid Gold" were included. Maybe they should have had a series of those albums!!!!!!!!!!! That would have been nice.

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

@@jasonburger3533 The song that Marilyn released on her album titled “Solid Gold“ was not written by me.

[@jasonburger3533]

@@bigeyezzzzzzz I kind of thought that. Because they both have the same title, some might mistakenly think that they are one in the same, but, of course, they are not the same, despite the title of the song.

[@tsteigh]

👸👍👍

[@StephenCatalano-lh6bj]

The slow part of the song sounds James Bond 007-ish 😎

[@aznsketcher]

they didnt have the wireless earpieces that artists use nowadays. I didnt see any speakers on the stage. How did she hear herself while singing?

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

aznsketcher Hi there, this is Michael Miller (musical director and theme composer of Solid Gold). If you look at 3:16, you'll see upward facing monitors to the right and left of Dionne on the lip of the stage. There were several monitors like this placed around the stage for this purpose.

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

@bnotesounds You're very welcome! But, no, I don't have the RESPECT opener.

[@RobLives4Love]

is there a studio version of this?

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

Unfortunately, this and the slow Tonight Show performance of my Solid Gold theme song are the only versions in existence. 🤗

[@jasonburger3533]

​​​@@bigeyezzzzzzz That contributes to them being rare gems. A recording studio version would have been something special, however. That being said, Dionne often made live performances sound like recording studio performances, especially the way your musical arrangements sounded so polished and smooth, even in monoaural sound, which "Solid Gold" did not change to stereo sound, just like much of television did around the same time in 1985. This was monoaural, so in stereo it would have been a stereophonic sound that would have been something. That being said, the playback is currently on Dolby stereo sound, even on smartphones, so that might be why it sounds better to me than traditional monoaural sound. It was a wonderful idea to go with a special dramatic version of your "Solid Gold" theme song. It really is a slow version and a regular-paced version combined that gives it a dramatic effects, as exemplified in this performance.

[@bnotesounds]

Oh wow, I forgot about this one!! Thanks for posting!!! Do you have the opener with Aretha Franklin singing "Respect"?

[@jasonburger3533]

After watching this so many times, Michael, I began to wonder whose idea it had been to do this special slow version of your theme, Dionne or you or both? Just curious. The result was a beautiful extended version of your "Solid Gold" theme song.

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

Thank you for your wonderful message and, to answer your question, I am the one who came up with the idea of doing my theme song slowly, and then thankfully, Dionne loved it so much that she not only did it on this episode of a show, but also on the Tonight Show and also in her live tour for years.

[@jasonburger3533]

@@bigeyezzzzzzz That had been a wonderful idea to try that type of version of the "Solid Gold" theme and I have seen both the "Solid Gold" and "Tonight Show" versions here on KZbin and they are both excellent performances that are nearly identical in sound and presentation. Thank you for the answer to the question about how that all came to be. That rendition also helps to learn the lyrics of the first verse of the song that which was used on the show itself.

[@jonathanbateman5533]

Mr. Miller I did have a question. Would you happen to have the audio versions of your song from each year, or know how/where to find them?.

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

Hi there....I don't have MP3s of all of the versions, but I have most of the them. If you can provide your email address, I will send what I have!

[@jonathanbateman5533]

bigeyezzzzzzz EEEEE!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! BLESS YOU,!! My handle is JonBateman80 and that’s either at aol, gmail, and even Instagram 😆😇👍🏻🙏🏻 Will You Let me know when you do, and if any problem with the emails.

[@jonathanbateman5533]

bigeyezzzzzzz Hey Michael. happy Easter 🐰🐣. Just writing to see if you sent the email with the versions you found? Let me know if anything.

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

Jonathan Bateman sorry for the delay. I’ll send you a message now to your Gmail address.

[@terencejackson338]

@@bigeyezzzzzzz the song is stunning. Thank you for sharing and making it available. You are a true talent indeed. I’d love to have the song with Dionne for my collection. Do you still create music?