Doctor Who (1963) - Original Theme music video

From "Doctor Who - The Beginning Collection (1963)" Disc 1
The original full-length theme music, with original 1963 title sequence visual elements.
Composed by Ron Grainer, realized by Delia Derbyshire of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

[@PassiveSmoking]

The work that went into making this thing is unbelievable. No synths, no sequencers, just some wave generators, magnetic tape, razor blades and splicing tape.

[@MadFuckinTastic]

YUP! All made by Delia Derbyshire

[@tetsiga45XxX]

Are you serious? How did they even?!

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

tetsiga45XxX Ingenuity triumphs over small budget. :)

[@andygozzo72]

not just Delia, dont forget Dick Mills and Brian Hodgson 😉

[@tracyyy99]

...and many many hours...a masterpeice.

[@anarchicpancake2840]

new themes: we are going on a adventure kiddo! the original theme: s p o o k y

[@herrmajor2310]

Original was Doctor Who. That was the whole point, the mystery of it all as reflected in the theme here.

[@anarchicpancake2840]

@Donnell Okafor aren't we all mentally?

[@badlaamaurukehu]

Who actually created the theme tune because I distinctly recall videos on thistube claiming it was some random woman with no other researchable records? Later I rewatched the originals and there were no "woman" credits? Is this revisionism simply antogonistic or simply selfish, or simply envious, or simply yes.

[@badlaamaurukehu]

?

[@badlaamaurukehu]

...Fleshlight Doctor

[@thestilldrifter1661]

It's amazing how far ahead of it's time this theme was!

[@MeroDN]

Yeah, music made with a computer in the 60s? Impossible!

Actually, it was not made with a computer in the 60s. It was made with analog electronic synthesizers. Digital synthesizers didn't really enter the music scene until 1979 with the Fairlight CMI.

[@markrotondella4689]

yeah this wasn't but evidently turning did it in 1951 www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-26/researchers-restore-first-ever-computer-music-recording/7878014

[@Oxmustube]

I used to think so until I saw Forbidden Planet (1956). First fully electronic soundtrack ever. But for tv, absolutely.

[@BetamaxFlippy]

It was actually made using individual oscillators, an altered loop of electric harp and full-on tape splicing and joining

[@splintercast8092]

I can only imagine what it must have been like to hear such a ground-breaking piece of music for the first time in 1963.

[@susanvaughan-schiele210]

I saw it as a young child of 5. The music still gives me goosebumps. I used to hide behind the sofa when the daleks came on.

[@rw8733]

I will join you behind the sofa. 😅

[@Commander_Shepard.]

@@rw8733 WTF

[@duncankimball]

It was amazing. It's why I love electronic music.

[@Vandetta333]

Traumatizing. I was a kid and it creeped me out. Still does.

[@andrew23947]

The greatest television theme of all time

[@SonicVineyard]

+andrew baker most iconic.....certainly

[@klein2042]

Are you related to Tom Baker?

[@pinchopaxtonsgreatestminds9591]

You could probably include movie themes as well.

[@youtubeviewer7030]

no but just imagine if i was

[@horatiobumbleton-smythe9427]

created by a woman, a legend called delia derbyshire.

[@suelingchang5153]

Anyone who could create futuristic sounds in 1963 (way before modern keyboards) is just pure genius !

[@lilwerner1518]

@Jeremy Grigson keep it in your pants jeremy

[@JoeCool90]

@Jeremy Grigson siiiiiiiiiiimp alert

[@JoeCool90]

@Jeremy Grigson and you’re proud of this?

[@JoeCool90]

@Jeremy Grigson I can give you 5 problems with that in an instant

[@david6420]

​@@Gibdo88bro simp means cringe

[@gleroyTullySAEHEYKID]

When Grainer first heard it, he was so amazed by her (Delia Derbyshire) rendering of his theme that he asked "Did I really write this?" to which Derbyshire replied "Most of it". Grainer attempted to get her a co-composer credit, but the attempt was prevented by the BBC bureaucracy, which then preferred to keep the members of the workshop anonymous.

[@ahill8198]

Not exactly. If I understand correctly, Dick Mills was the sound engineer who actually set up the machines and spliced the tape in the Radiophonic Workshop and he did get a credit in the closing titles - but of course Delia Derbyshire should have had one too for the arrangement (perhaps concept is the better word). I am so old that I can remember watching the first episode and being amazed by this music and the opening graphics too.

[@TeeJayDeluxe]

I totally agree. It’s her piece. She made it what it was the others were incidental. Dick Mills got a credit? Pfff. He was an assistant

[@DavetheRaveDinkum]

All the arguements of who made techno, was it ze germans or was it detroit, nope it was her ❤️👏💯

[@ashjose7973]

@@TeeJayDeluxe you don't need to praise one without putting the other down Dick mills did his part

[@TeeJayDeluxe]

@@ashjose7973 Nahh

[@TheOrientalNightFish]

I love how the original theme has a chilling edge to it. It seems to express the character of the show: a little eerie, a little scary, themes of mystery and the impossible, yet it has a sense of benign determination to it too.

[@bhavanijayant526]

Chilling?

[@chrisa0001]

It’s the white noise in the background. It sound like aliens whispering.

[@9ks9ks]

Yes! Yes! Yes! You got it right!

[@particlecloud]

It is near impssible to convey the effect this had at the time. Our worlds were very limited in those days. I was 5 y.o. This was novel, atmospheric, scary, fascinating, and more... just briliant stuff for those days. Now 66, I have never forgotten it.

[@neonlemurs4865]

If I turned my TV on in 1963 and saw this playing for the first time I would be so fucking scared. Edit: I'm also guessing this could've been some's first introduction to electronic music too.

[@heatherwilliams7288]

Spelgrym Me too!

[@taggett666]

Your God Damn right you would

[@ender7278]

May were.

[@AlexS-sc3gb]

OH NO ALIENS ARE TAKING OVER THE TELEVISION!

[@grummanf-14tomcat8]

You know, it really is a rather eerie and creepy intro, just perfect for the show.

[@TheEx3rgj]

I was behind the sofa while this music was playing back in 63.

[@MondySpartan]

you must be older now

[@TheEx3rgj]

yeh just a bit.

[@mic7able]

So was I! Looking for change.....

[@rw8733]

We ALL were!

[@stevetheduck1425]

I was sitting on the floor in front of the fire, Dad serving in the shop, Mum knitting, older sister upstairs ignoring it, younger brother probably asleep, and I was frozen to the spot. 'Roctod.. OHO?'

[@odinson99m]

Nearly 60 years and the first theme is absolutely perfect.

[@Shadowiann_]

now it has been 60 years

[@satan3959]

Yup, it's proof that you don't have to go all out with instruments to make a good tune. Sometimes the minimalist approach to music is the best approach.

[@TEACHERDIMI5]

@@satan3959minimalist? the instruments and effects used for this theme are more sophisticated than many modern ones. It was a genius creation. I suggest you to watch the video of the making of the theme

[@adventuresinbasicreality219]

Imagine if they brought it back it would be iconic

[@LuxuryLenoxLuditoryLuthorLob]

​@@adventuresinbasicreality219 I'd love to see that

[@robjones2408]

Delia Derbyshire was an overlooked genius. This soundtrack laid down the roots for electronica and Techno music, but she never got the recognition she deserved. Along with the Bond and Star Wars themes, it is one of the most memorable pieces of music recorded. An astonishing piece that has remained timeless.

[@passerby6168]

You might also be interested in the inspiration for the Star Wars soundtrack - The Planets, pre-1920, by Gustav Holst.

[@SamuelBlack84]

Women weren't allowed to have credit for any work they did back in the day, which is why she went unknown for years

[@satan3959]

And the thing is, she had a very minimalist approach to electronic music as well. She never relied heavily on synthesizers, like a lot of electronic musicians have, which even includes legends like Jarre and Vangelis.

[@blackburdy5261]

@@SamuelBlack84well it was more to do with the fact that she was part of the bbc radiophonic workshop, so the credit would have gone to them collectively, not her personally. that was the policy, and many of the composers were not credited individually.

[@Samhalta]

@@satan3959 There weren't many synths at the time. I think she stopped making as much music when they became widespread, she didn't really like them.

[@tymbusrobins6105]

This is THE best version of the theme tune. Haunting, mysterious, scary, perfection.

[@rw8733]

They should never have changed it.

[@Warp75]

Yeah timeless

[@SofaKingShit]

Freaked me out back in the early 70's when l was five years old. I loved the show but it was indeed absolutely terrifying, and l only got to see a few shows before my parents tired of not being able to get me to sleep on the nights I'd watched it. Especially that episode where the guy started to metamorphose into yellowish goo and couldn't sleep for fear of contagion of the dreadful condition through the TV that night. Occasionally l still have to start drinking before breakfast to help me through the ordeal. Then it's somehow comforting to listen to the theme later that afternoon. Hic.

[@kahkah1986]

Exactly, bc it doesn't have identifiable instruments

[@Nosiu]

and some lighter tunes to sort of comfort you in the meantime.

[@cosmobane6995]

Back when The Doctor was still a mysterious being with no explained origin.This theme clearly symbolize a mysterious yet benign and powerful force of cosmos

[@rw8733]

And no political correctness!

[@klop4228]

@@rw8733 I dunno, back in the day it was not unprogressive. Just a lot less 'politically correct' than now because it was over half a century ago.

[@darthvader5514]

@Ace Johnston ye

[@sillygoose635]

still is.

[@JEEEVANJOHN]

Stevie tell that to chibbs

[@heatherjasper97]

This sounds so mysterious while the new theme song sounds more adventurous.

[@mrfrogbutt1]

***** The classic themes are superior

[@heatherjasper97]

I know! It's so catchy.

[@ChandlerTV100]

+heatherjasper97 That's the difference of Classic and New.

[@azurerainbow4637]

+heatherjasper97 It sounds so mysterious because The Doctor's origins were a mystery until his 2nd incarnation.

[@AiOinc1]

This was the pilot episode theme, nobody knew what to expect of it. Plus this is where the who part of doctor who came from, the mystery.

[@drcjjones]

This theme always blows me away. My father was an electronics technician and an audiophile and we lived in England for a few years in the late 60s. I can’t imagine how awestruck he must’ve been, as an American, to turn on the “telly” and hear this theme pouring out of the speakers. I’m quite certain there was nothing like it in American media at the time.

[@jackbluehq6653]

I love this version because it actually feels like a real sci fi theme Theres no identifiable instrument to be heard, just really unsettling but also equally engangings hums and sounds that sounds like music, but not any music from earth This is how i would imagine a theme from the tardis would be like Mysterious, unsettling and intriguing

[@reduxmidasbrother7679]

I mean Star Trek had a similar vibe but Doctor Who far surpassed it in my opinion.

[@cat-jm3vu]

He must have felt like the doctor discovering something completely new

[@cat-jm3vu]

​@@jackbluehq6653yes, I do love music like this, bringing intrigue with authentic instruments

[@GiulioLuzzardi-xf1xo]

Forbidden planet movie. Orson welles Radio shows. The Shadow radio series, Flash Gordon series, Super-man 1940s cartoon, Felix the cat cartoon. 1930s and a bit before. " We can dream it for you wholesale" movie is a must see / hear. Keep on searching for these "Maverick" sound pioneers cos they were "Far -out"!!

[@davidgray4648]

The original you might say and the best. R.i.p Delia Derbyshire, William Hartnell, Peter Cushing, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Nicholas Courtney. Splendid fellows all of them.

[@romansotelo7240]

Don't forget John Hurt.

[@manchild3479]

well said.

[@phallca]

@@romansotelo7240 Peter Cushing played him as well in one of the movies.

[@nickice7009]

Genius

[@BradBrassman]

Who was the first doctor in the Five Doctors?

[@wonkydude1]

Hard to imagine what this would have sounded like in 1963.

[@mortified776]

+wonkydude1 Yeah I've always wondered that too! Especially considering that in 1963 virtually no-one outside of experimental circles would have heard electronic music of any sort before.

[@DoktorKoch]

52 years ago!!! wow...the mind boggles!

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

+wonkydude1 It was the most amazing sound & visuals I had ever come across at that point, though, I was very young. It is amazing how it grabbed you despite the 1960`s technology involved in your living room at that time. :)

[@darryshan]

+Maxwell's Demon Well, that wouldn't last long, what with Pink Floyd coming along not long after :P

[@kentmere100]

+wonkydude1 bloody frightening when you are 7! then the bastard daleks appeared a week later.still get nightmares!

[@ForestKicks]

Four and a half decades on and this is STILL the best version. What a piece of music and what an achievement from Delia et al to realise it. Absolutely seminal.

[@timrosswood4259]

In my opinion this is the second best.

[@timrosswood4259]

@@CricketEngland Just because you don't agree with me, it doesn't mean that you know more about music than i do. I already know the full history behind this piece of music.

[@timrosswood4259]

@@CricketEngland There must have been a misunderstanding. You are allowed to have your opinion, i just said you don't automatically know more about music because you don't agree with me. And my opinion on what the best one is is not relevant to my original comment.

[@timrosswood4259]

@@CricketEngland I'm so sorry if it offends you so much. Just relax, it's not the end of the world.

[@timrosswood4259]

@@CricketEngland Yes, people can agree with my statement without the knowledge of what i think is the best. It's not that hard to grasp.

[@gozerthegozarian9500]

Delia Derbyshire went at this like a mad scientist and the result is pure genius!

[@rrock2025]

Your comment is pure genius!

[@gozerthegozarian9500]

@@rrock2025 Oh, thank you!

[@CamilleonProductions]

This is, by far, my favourite version of the theme - especially this version with none of the sound effects that were added later. Somehow it just gets me so excited like no other version of the theme does, whenever I hear it all my troubles melt away.

[@mrblobby7864]

I like this theme but my favorite is the 80s theme.dunno why

[@Ichijoe2112]

Boss Qasim The example given is the ULTIMATE Version, of the Theme. The 80's Davidson / Baker Era is, but a pale second. And if nu-Who would ever get One thing right it would be to fall back on this [The Hartnell version] again!

[@merseydave1]

This Original and best always sends me into the time vortex of the hole Dr Who concept....It makes feel part of it, like you all my issues fall away and I'm with "The sculptress of none mainstream sound" The Late Great Delia Derbyshire!

[@therestorationofdrwho1865]

Where can you find the version without the other effects?

[@diamondwarrior2003]

The Restoration of Dr Who i'd imagine if you bought them

[@VegetaSoup]

I love how they kept to it, only tweaking it sound wise. It really is kind of timeless, in my opinion. Love it to bits.

[@dusty6299]

and they added a little more to it in modern who. after tu tuuu tu tu tuuuu theres a tu tu tuuu tu tu tu. oh wait. never mind.

[@ender7278]

Starting in the 80s, almost every version of theme has been new from the ground up. Sure it's the same tune, but I think it'd be ridiculous for any show to change opening themes (looking at you, anime).

[@xenowarrior282]

@@ender7278 Except anime has lyrics in their openings, which usually has story related meanings. Why would the same (or slightly changed) opening fit for the show if the story has changed?

[@ender7278]

@@xenowarrior282 Does iconography mean nothing to you?

[@xenowarrior282]

@@ender7278 I mean, anime makes use of it as well, to again, have story significance that relates to the arc/story thats going on. So what's your point again?

[@ThailandDantotherescue]

Timeless... this theme never gets old

[@themechbuilder6171]

the tardis!

[@thedestiny326]

The real timeless child I would say

[@rw8733]

I'm back hiding behind the sofa .

[@jlw184]

Your stupid boring comment gets 327 likes?

[@toonlinkunknown7667]

Scary, makes you feel uneasy, gives you the chills, and you have no idea what you are about to watch.

[@fluffymacaw933]

You are now entering, the twilight zone

[@phallca]

Scary? I'll tell you what's scary. Bloody Daleks that can float up the stairs, you used to be safe up there when they couldn't levitate!

[@toonlinkunknown7667]

@@phallca Yeah that was scary, but very cool when I first saw that as a kid.

[@phallca]

@@toonlinkunknown7667 Hate to admit it but I saw the first ever episode when it first came out lol.

[@Catsgotobattle]

Yea I agree

[@AndrewChapman]

I loved it when they reused this original title sequence to open the 50th anniversary special "The Day of the Doctor".

[@azurerainbow4637]

Andrew Chapman It was fitting that they did put the original title sequence at the beginning of the 50th anniversary special ''The Day of The Doctor'',to honor the character originally played by William Hartnell and all his successors.

[@leewhitworth9142]

azure rainbow IKR. I was expecting a massive, awesome score for the 50th but when this played I smiled and applauded. Excellent touch, I must say.

[@AndrewChapman]

bagshitass For what?

[@AndrewChapman]

bagshitass I can't seem to find it anywhere on KZbin. Sorry.

[@vortexfilms1313]

+bagshitass The title sequence is on dailymotion

[@tommyw.9424]

This makes me sad and happy, happy because of its awesome sound, and sad because it reminds me of the missing episodes.

[@jannahm1788]

Yea, I was legitimately saddened when I first heard about that :(. It's a shame so many were lost.

[@jannahm1788]

Turtle, the BBC used to wipe the old tapes that contained the old shows. That included some of the very early episodes of Doctor Who, mostly from the First and Second Doctors.

[@jannahm1788]

I guess so.

[@tommyw.9424]

There are many more classic who episodes remaining than there are on netflix, there's actually tons but for some reason there's practically nothing on netflix.

[@jannahm1788]

Tommy Wegman Especially Canadian Netflix -_-.

[@o0long2be30]

0:15 Doctor Oho

[@doctorwhohayranklasikseri1580]

:D

[@tropican5554]

+Lord Four Heads If you look at it closely, I think in order to make it morph into the logo, they just turned it backwards and superimposed it over the logo, look at the O in Who

[@regularflurfy8174]

Every time! Every time!

[@aladdin1991]

Cant be unseen...

[@karinahunt7737]

HA OH MT GOD did not notice at first

[@obiwanshinobi5098]

Some tunes are just timeless. This is one of them. Still sounds futuristic today!

[@danielsellers8707]

In the 1950s the BBC was still 'stiff upper lip' and was strongly against the new music of the rock & roll era - and then they made this!

[@jarjarcinemavideos280]

Even the theme tune would scare people, it's slow, haunting, continuous. It's a really high pitched alien voice, played over a deep stomping, tapping sound. A true and forever masterpiece.

[@vashna3799]

The 46 dislikes were from everyone who didn't know doctor who existed before 2005.

[@uitimatebrandon]

indeed

[@NachoSeniore]

I think they're the Daleks.

[@phantomgames5404]

Nacho Cerda Vásquez lol i think your right

[@maxx8541]

True story bro.

[@lordofrims]

hades games about the daleks?

[@Poita]

The original is the best. Delia should be on the back of fivers ;)

[@davidmckay106]

The only piece of music that still sounds like the future GOD BLESS DELIA DERBYSHIRE 🙏🙏🙏

[@HIJBAS]

Do We OOooOO

[@johnsanders186]

Some say Kraftwerk are the pioneers of modern electro/dance music (i've seen them live & they are cool) but long before them...there was Delia Derbyshire... legend :D

[@MondySpartan]

In fact Delia Derbyshire is the real god of electronic music

[@morningcoffeecat2271]

TehMondasianSpartan Goddess*

[@rw8733]

So, so true. And she really didn't get the credit she deserved.

[@hexyko4850]

There were other pioneers but she was one of the first women in electronic music, along with Suzanne Ciani and a few others.

[@pinoypizza]

The very original rendition of the Who theme is very subdued, mysterious and weird. Fitting the beginning of the show and the original Doctor.

[@MondySpartan]

I hope the show will return to its mysterious roots

[@FeonaLeeJones]

Just watched Delia Derbyshire’s documentary. So fascinating how she came up with the music and wasn’t given full credit.

[@rosibunni2246]

It's really disappointing how she got no money from this, and no full credit.

[@profd65]

@Samuel Black I don't know that it had anything to do with her being a woman. She was an employee of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, and the workshop's membership was anonymous at that time. I don't know why the BBC had it that way.

[@jaysmith2858]

She wasn't given an on screen credit until "The day of the doctor", which was broadcast in 2013.

[@andydawson5587]

@Samuel Black yawn...

[@marcociarleglio]

I know her work from absolute genius with dick and dom

[@andrewmyers5874]

The greatest piece of electronic music in the history of music. Mysterious, remorseless, compelling. Must have heard it ten thousand times and I never get sick of it. Delia Derbyshire was a genius.

[@rw8733]

Can't beat this. Bring it back.

[@KuperSpyronicStudios]

rest in peace, William Hartnell

[@morganmorris4285]

Kuper Spyronic and the 2nd doctor 😢

[@aidanmercer9422]

Morgan Morris And the 3rd doctor.

[@morganmorris4285]

It's a shame

[@BetamaxFlippy]

and Delia Derbyshire

[@TimBuhrs]

The war doctor got there before him :(

[@LesterLeapsIn1]

The greatest theme of them all, in my opinion. No idea why they can't use this for the new series.

[@savagesurvivalist859]

I totally agree I think the new theme sucks

[@LazyHubbStudios]

I absolutely LOVE, the 7th Doctors intro and the 80's intro

[@xiLegendaryGamingx]

I like it, but it is way too dated

[@MirroredReality]

iLegendaryGaming | FIFA 15, Minecraft, GTA 5 and More! It'd be like the modern version with a touch of the classic

[@Friend-]

I love this version, but I also love seeing how they change up and reinterpret the theme through the years, just like they change around the Doctor himself! I love This and the season 8 theme are my favorites!

[@mr.bunnywabbit2048]

97 people liked this so much that they turned their computers upside down and liked it again.

[@bricegraham8256]

Cleaver

[@rw8733]

Australian likes.

[@bonbonsly1316]

People from the parallel dimensions

[@SStupendous]

@@bonbonsly1316 Rose perhaps

[@AnnoyingBastsardonSteam]

I travelled from 2021 in my Tardis to say the current number is 300

[@zenjon7892]

It's an imutable fact: the British make the best television

[@SlurpeeTheUnholy]

All rise for the anthem of the universe!

[@MondySpartan]

The anthem of Whovians

[@janiebarker2687]

Slurpee the Unholy ❤

[@MrDalek2150]

*multiverse

[@tobiastinter955]

as much as i love this series the anthem of the universe at least to me will always be this m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJDHhqB6d8ujbM0 Greetings from germany Dr. Who, the greatest show ever created

[@ninetheninth]

Dun dun dun Dun dun dun Dun dun dun Dun dun dun, Dun dun dun Dun dun dun Dun dun dun Dun dun dun, Didly-dun Didly-dun Didly-dun Dun dun, Dun dun Didly-dun Didly-dun Didly-dun Oo-Eeee-Ooo, Oo-Eeee-Ooo Oo-Eeee-Ooo, Bingle-Bong Eeee-Ooo

[@TisTheDamnStickSeason]

Those who know modernish musical history and history of the development of the synthesizer/electronic music will understand that this piece of music was phenomenally ahead of its time

[@NeoDragonCount]

Man, hyperspace always looks so freaky...

[@oliver7710]

It's actually the time vortex :P

[@michaelsteinberg3272]

Oliver P It's from Family Guy Star wars 😅

[@Usagi1992]

shame on you, LOL

[@brianchandler428]

This comment should have been used for the 4th doctor into lol

[@lionocyborg6030]

Brian Chandler Nah, the third doctor as he is better. Just as good as William Hartnell in fact. (Family Guy only used the fourth one as while Tom is good, he's overrated)

[@julianaylor4351]

Delia Derbyshire an unsung genius of early electronic music...the original theme is terrifying. ❤

[@TheWeepingCorpse]

Haunting. It's far better than recent versions.

[@Zvox]

that's because delia derbyshire is a bad ass

[@willemoranje]

because its the original and thats always better :)

[@edgarmothart]

i couldnt agree more

[@eddiespeight8103]

It's a matter of personality, the first Doctor was really quite dark and brooding. The more optimistic themes will seem out of place during Hartnell's era and vice versa.

[@TheKevinGHutton]

Every time you see the comments on an old song or piece of music you can guarantee someone will be saying it's so much better than anything from today. It's so predictable.

[@robcarmichael1508]

I could listen to this loop over and over and never get bored of it.

[@rw8733]

So true. Brilliant 👏

[@manchild3479]

it is the bass line.

[@robinoftheelves]

Same with Grenier’s theme from the shoe “The Prisoner” as well

[@manchild3479]

I do..................................................

[@RealCesyB]

Master moment

[@AiOinc1]

Fun fact, the video effects were accomplished by pointing a camera at it's own monitor and recording the feedback.

[@tankmchavocproductions6907]

Thats so cool

[@lizardlover9941]

Makes sense, now that I think abt it. I’ve seen the effect before, messing around with my phone.

[@jaygrannell858]

Still the best intro to any scifi series ever.

[@nielsagenielsen8104]

Nothing wrong with the newer versions, but this is classic. Never get tired of it.

[@novajohansson3194]

The bass riff is straight up metal

[@fyodorurnov6028]

Mm! It was also a major influence on Pink Floyd (Eg shine on you crazy diamond part 2).

[@DamienAlexander]

Written by Ron Grainer and recorded by Delia Derbyshire at the BBC Radiophonic workshops. This was in the days well before synthesisers and multi-tracking, so a very laborious method of creating the sounds was used in which each sound was individually produced and individually edited in sequence (using sticky tape). To make the three components of the track, the bass, the treble and the white noise, each had to go on a separate tape recorder (because no multi-tracking!), and all three machines then played and mixed down to the final product. According to a KZbinr, I never watched the show, but got curious

[@janiebarker2687]

DFFUSE Thats Right ❤ This should be pinned top comment 💯

[@denniswolf3616]

this version is the coolest its way ahead of its time its the grandfather of trance music before any one knew what trance or dub step was

[@robinsss]

the device used was a synthesizer

[@borbetomagus]

Here's a segment with Delia Derbyshire and assistant Dick Mills describing how the track was created -- /watch?v=xkIEkLww3lg Some additional videos related to Delia Derbyshire you might find of interest -- /watch?v=n2dvGQ32q8g -- Delia Derbyshire - The Delian Mode /watch?v=FqUCoLZNAhc -- Absolute Genius - Delia Derbyshire Another related article -- www.effectrode.com/knowledge-base/making-of-the-doctor-who-theme-music/ Composer Ron Grainer later arranged his composition for the 1980 compilation "The Exciting Television Music Of Ron Grainer" -- /watch?v=t1SZs4xudf8 Given other compositions from the period, that arrangement (outside of the rhythmic parts) seems probable -- /watch?v=ITSCKucnr-Y /watch?v=6LJiJvKkm4M /watch?v=47IoIwyxd8M It's too bad that Delia Derbyshire didn't receive a share of the royalties, given her inventive arrangement. You might also enjoy one of the first electronic recordings (to my understanding) Song of the Second Moon (1957) by Tom Dissevelt & Kid Baltan (Dick Raaymakers) /watch?v=bVl2_MSwmSA Another recording you might enjoy is André Popp (and engineer Pierre Fantosme) 1957 recording 'La Polka du Colonel' -- /watch?v=hxHE9zxtqIc

[@AndrewClancyJazz]

@@robinsss sorry but this predates synthesisers at the Radiophonic Workshop. Delia Derbyshire was not that keen on synths when they were beginning to be used in later years.

[@IanJTaylor]

Could you imagine listening to that in 1963? Surely that would have blown your mind! Amazing, truly amazing!

[@fernandogurrea804]

Así era, yo tenía 7 y Dr. Who era imperdible, realmente fantástico

[@grahamjohns2978]

Especially if on acid in the 60’s

[@IanJTaylor]

@@grahamjohns2978 I'm trying to imagine watching Doctor Who on shrooms!

[@danskmacabre]

Such a surreal, beautiful piece of music.. and yeah, kinda creepy.

[@HauntedASMR]

I'm not a Dr. Who fan by any definition, but damn this is an epic title sequence. It doesn't feel old, unlike so many other shows of the same era.

[@leftyzappa]

By your statement, you are a Doctor Who fan. :D

[@HauntedASMR]

@@leftyzappa yesn't

[@leftyzappa]

@@HauntedASMR hahaha

[@Bruh-zx2mc]

The Whovian equivalent of an egg

[@johnbloh4289]

This gives me nostalgia, even though I never watched this show

[@johnbloh4289]

Is that weird?

[@AlejandroSilva-mr7yy]

+John Robert Bloh no, I feel it to, and I just started watching the series in February

[@colinwood1023]

I remember this from reruns back in the late 60s i would be 5 or 6 carnt the old ones can not stand the new Doctor

[@raydarable]

+Alejandro Silva Funny, I started watching in February as well.

[@heatherwilliams4741]

Really?

[@nicktroisi6347]

0:01 love that theme

[@imagdaleno04]

The 43 dislikes were from the daleks.

[@imagdaleno04]

Thanks :)

[@burzevski]

U mean 44 Ah Dosen't Matter Me Commenting in 2014

[@imagdaleno04]

Actually when i commented "The 43 dislikes were from the daleks" that was when there was 43 dislikes but i guess you missed that.

[@faiq4208]

Its 45

[@imagdaleno04]

Like i said, when i commented it was 43 but now it's 45 so. Yeah.

[@garyhosty]

The First. The Best. Delia was a genius.

[@ClarkeMarek]

25 Cybermen, 30 Daleks, 12 Autons, 10 Sontarans, and the Master disliked this song. :)

[@GetRekt-bw6pu]

Along with 16 Weeping Angels.

[@aayanagrawal2489]

Ro to jo lo fro mo ko po to to

[@greeneyes-_-]

A few Atraxi too

[@franciscampone3687]

I saw the first Dr Who when I was 4 , 61 years ago, still a big fan, the BBC led the world in many things back then.

[@paulbromley4697]

I saw the very first episode, I was 8,we were sitting at the dinner table on Saturday night it came on at 6.30pm

[@TheFalconerNZ]

Did you watch the first episode twice as they re-aired the very first episode due to the Kennedy assassination occuring on the first airing date. I was 2 at the time so I had to wait a few years to really watch it but have been a big fan of the show since - until the Doctor became a woke female, hoping they can recover the show and make it great again soon

[@paulbromley4697]

@@TheFalconerNZ yes as they left it as a cliff hanger as they did in those days

[@yolodooper1472]

Did you watch it with your family at dinner when the episode re-aired?

[@paulbromley4697]

@@yolodooper1472 Sure did

[@bananaman2157]

Happy birthday William Hartnell!

[@cameronmeyn763]

***** One day, I shall come back. Yes, I shall come back. Until then, there must be no regrets, no tears, no anxities. Just go foward in all your beliefs, and prove to me I am not mistaken in mine. -To the man who started it all!

[@senseikensei7470]

***** Age would have gotten to him by now, he passed on long ago.

[@djco5782]

***** He'd be 107 years old now.

[@FlyingPringleJJ]

108*

[@djco5782]

Jacob Jarrett Nope. Born January 8th 1908. 107 years ago.

[@mattjohn66]

It's so incredibly good. And so eerie: it scared the hell out of me as a child.

[@rw8733]

Yes. Sends me back in time. And back behind the sofa!

[@markstephen9044]

As a kid watching the early series the theme tune always gave me feelings coming danger which attracted me. I particularly liked the cyber men and the voice of the Daleks - the daleks themselves looked silly.

[@csuszka]

the little change to a major key at 0:39 is honestly the best part of the whole franchise

[@anaveragefern]

Hold on, all of Doctor Who?

[@csuszka]

@@anaveragefern quite

[@AbsoluteAbsurd]

yep

[@thekiss2083]

Especially in the Russell T Davies era

[@leftyzappa]

Gives me chills every time.

[@LarryLeeMoniz]

So much credit goes to Delia Derbyshire for bringing Ron Grainer's theme to life. Ron himself was impressed when he first hear this recording. A masterpiece.

[@entrecontextos]

After 60 years, it's still perfect and futuristic

[@danielsellers8707]

They should bring it back for the 60th, digitally remastered!

[@robertJ14]

The first doctor really nailed the whole mysterious feeling of the doctor. Just like the companions the audience don't know who he really is but cant resist the intrigue and excitement of it all.

[@davideveson3041]

They should have always used this original recording by Delia Derbyshire instead of trying to re invent the wheel....or should I say the reel!

[@timrosswood4259]

Why?

[@anthonyperkins7556]

True. The current version is way too overdone and overpolished.

[@damian9303]

The one they used for the 10th doctor’s early run was the greatest reinvention to be honest.

[@inthegrass11]

it somehow manages to still sound futuristic, but also nostalgic, and of course a bit sinister and haunting. gives me goosebumps

[@HopeGrinage-ub9ko]

Ah. Back when tv show intro music was disturbing for no reason.

[@ITSGENDI]

Nothing comes anywhere close to replicating this masterpeice

[@nickpemberton543]

This is the version of the theme I grew up with, it still sends shivers down my spine, so eerie, it promises a scary journey into the unknown. The modern orchestral version loses all of this, with music ladled all over the programme, Dr Who has become so 'safe' & blockbusterish.

[@christopherlawley1842]

Me too.

[@Jade_holloway]

Totally agree.

[@trickish-spark3961]

I do agree that this is one of the best themes but I also think the new doctor who(9-11) are also good and so are their themes, they just attempt to bring something different, with the classic ones trying to evoke feelings of mystery and give off an almost haunted feeling, the new ones are more action packed and get you ready for danger. Both are amazing in their own rights

[@clarerobards3781]

Thanks- musical time travel for me.❤️

[@stuartjones7229]

I watched from the beginning but stopped for awhile when they were going on about recycling. I watch it for escapisim not brainwashing.

[@simo2805]

And that's where One Of These Days' Pink Floyd come from.

[@denniswolf3616]

simone costi i was thinking the same thing as you were i wonder if pink floyd did nick the song on accident or not

[@MrSpandya22]

Also Sheep from Animals - very similar bass lines.

[@trespire]

@@denniswolf3616 PF didn't nick it. It was in tribute to Dalia, apparantly they crossed paths & knew each others work.

[@stephendouglas4870]

@@trespire Is that so? It doesn't surprise me. Wonderful stuff - both, but Delia's music is the peak of SF themes.

[@martinXY]

After Dr Who was first broadcast, Delia was invited to parties with the Beatles and Pink Floyd. I saw a DarkSide of the Moon doco and Roger Waters talked about using tape loops for interesting effects for that album, too.

[@TelestoTheBesto]

Still the best version of this theme in my opinion.

[@TheCosmicNerdUniverse]

My favourite theme doesn't matter, they all sound awesome, stop insulting New Who/Classic Who

[@UnchainedEruption]

Thank You!

[@manofpanzer3625]

+Karl Hiramanek everyone, these tunes are the best. stop hating doctor who because its sure as hell older than your star wars or star trek series

[@UnchainedEruption]

man of panzer Older =/= better I don't know about Star Trek, but Star Wars is overrated. I am a fan myself, but I admit that only the first three movies were any good (even they weren't perfect). I still like the prequels, but they're not as good, and the new Disney movies are pathetic. There is very little good new content for Star Wars, but Doctor Who has consistently been amazing.

[@doctorgrim3334]

i agree

[@manofpanzer3625]

+Karl Hiramanek by the way doctor, the original star trek came out in 1966. so by then, classic who would've been 3 years old.

[@Au_196]

over 5 decades later, and it still is one of the most iconic sci-fi theme tunes of all time.

[@MarkGenner-xz4zu]

Happy 60th Anniversary From Doctor Who.

[@meruliouslacrimens5154]

Truely innovative when it first hit our ears and blew our minds, amazing piece of work. I loved it from the moment i first heard it and that particular version always gets the hairs on the back of my neck. Marvellous stuff.

[@andreasplosky8516]

Good memories. I don't watch the current garbage,

[@Thedarkknight27474]

It’s not garbage

[@andreasplosky8516]

@@Thedarkknight27474 You are welcome to it. Enjoy!

[@johnanthony6092]

I don't care how many versions of this theme are made, they will never better this one!

[@manchild3479]

some are as good.but this an original.

[@rw8733]

This one is the greatest.

[@jessihawkins9116]

i like the 90s remake sound so much better

[@laughercake3156]

If I had grown up in the Times this was made, the whole wobbly time vortex thing probably would he scare and interested me at the same time.

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

You have also described the feeling about the "Daleks", which in turn led to "Dalekmania". :)

[@jaxmanx]

Still ahead of its time. No show will ever succeed this ever

[@RealAadilFarooqui]

How they pulled this off is Amazing, let me remind you the year was 1963

[@v.a.993]

If outer space had sound, this is what it would sound like.

[@zelvin5147]

Easily one of Television's most well aged shows of all time

[@purplexs2506]

Was then, and remains, the best audio-visual intro to a TV series. Ever. Period.

[@aclark903]

#Hawaii50theme

[@pastcolours]

#preachit

[@Blue_Hound_2144]

@@aclark903 bad

[@Blue_Hound_2144]

Nothing beats doctor who boys don’t Ben bother

[@aclark903]

@@Blue_Hound_2144 Has COVID destroyed your sense of taste?

[@superblogervideos]

This Reminds me of a policeman walking down totters lane

[@MondySpartan]

All those time and space adventures throughout 54 years...it all started with a policeman in 76 Totters Lane

[@pyeltd.5457]

Pilot

[@autumnaxiom]

Even now, in 2019, this sounds absolutely unique. It's like the worlds they visit in the show itself - beautiful and intriguing, but mysterious, alien and at times eerie. No wonder this show became such a cult.

[@whoknowswhatevillurksinthe1682]

Happy 60th Anniversary to Dr. Who

[@rjg7112]

Don't know if Delia was on acid when she produced this track, but it's the most sublime electronic music ever.

[@Yesitsmyrealname]

It was the Sixties

[@user-oh5gm9ry7o]

One of the greatest theme tunes of all time.

[@MonotoneCreeper]

Better than the new one.

[@Thescrantondude]

Monotone it's totally different

[@LuciferXFallen290]

Definitely. The newer ones are just remixes

[@nazakatali244]

The latest one is superior, Go ahead, tell me to wash my mouth with soap

[@joecrean9546]

Thank you della debryshire you always be remembered in Coventry for such an excellent piece of music/ theme thanks 👍jx

[@DavetheRaveDinkum]

This was the official birth of electronic (techno) music ❤️

[@merseydave1]

The Original visual intro by Bernard Lodge and theme music by Delia Derbyshire ... Without Doubt, The Best!.

[@vermilliongecko]

+David Cummings Delia Derbyshire was a true pioneer. No synths were used in the making of this theme tune.

[@merseydave1]

I know!.

[@manofpanzer3625]

+The Real Vermillion 303 in my opinion, the peter howell tune sounds something out of duran duran.

[@vermilliongecko]

man of panzer It was definitely 'of an era'. Whereas I think Delia Derbyshire is timeless.

[@manofpanzer3625]

+The Real Vermillion 303 indeed good sir. indeed.

[@alexramos8019]

I'm going to make this my ring tone :)

[@Canisaureusbr]

I already did it a long time ago.

[@stephenmclaughlin3328]

When i die play this at my funeral !!!

[@esportswomen]

Delia Derbyshire. The genius behind this masterpiece. PRE synthesizers!

[@clhound]

Oh dear. It appears the LSD hasn't quite warn off yet.

[@angelaleisure7665]

This is so fantastical... i miss hearing this sound from dad and grandpa's tv