Grange Hill theme tune (1990)

Written by Peter Moss, apparently while listening to Lover to Fall by Scritti Politti. Good taste, that man. This theme tune was used from 1990 until the final series in 2008 when it was replaced by a mildly remixed Chicken Man.

[@mhl8396]

The safe feeling of being at home after school.

[@adamh2900]

That implies that school wasn't a safe place

[@mhl8396]

@@adamh2900 As an 80's child I hated school. Hearing that music reminds me of being at home after school.

[@STEJTHEGREATEST]

@@adamh2900 Is that any surprise, given the sheer amount of common, immoral kids there????? And in American schools, they never know who might have a gun!!!!

[@randomgame1322]

@@adamh2900 we get it. You weren't bullied.

[@ZedEditz31z]

@MHL83 Oh yeah especially in School Days

[@davidmorrison5472]

The most 90's sound ever, just takes you straight back to it

[@VanielDeeform]

Not really 90’s in sound at all. Most things were still massively 1980’s this early in the decade.

[@thequietestengine]

right up there with 'It'll be alright on the night's' iconic theme

[@ajs41]

@@VanielDeeform It's a very early 90s / late 80s sound. 1988 to 1990 or thereabouts.

[@citizenhal]

@@ajs41 It's fundementally similar to Lover to Fall by Scritti Politti from 1985, the song that directly inspired this. It's like a fusion of mid-80s with some later synths. So evocative!

[@ajs41]

@@citizenhal Agree 100%. I love Cupid and Psyche 85 by Scritti Politti. I think this theme tune and its style of music is, in a funny sort of way, what I would call "deliberately unsophisticated". That isn't an insult, it's praise. It works on a different level to more intellectual compositions, like the original Grange Hill music.

[@nikobellic2086]

Absolute banger play it at my funeral

[@nikobellic2086]

i want to get lowered into my hole with this tune blasting

[@mezza8170]

Lol

[@user-br3bw7wr2l]

Lmao

[@reillydon]

Hahahahaha howling 🤣🤣🤣

[@cscan780]

Lol!!

[@emilioschmidt6050]

School days :-(

[@kxrlymiau]

:c

[@JLongbow]

I know many people will say that the "chicken man" is the definitive Grange Hill theme. But for many, including me, it's this version, which was the theme for far, far longer than the original was. I tear up a little hearing it. It really speaks to me. It makes me think that in those years, on the edge of adulthood, anything was possible. Sadly, it wasn't for me. Not like it should have been. I took my foot off the gas in my middle years at secondary school. I only realised my mistake during my last two years. My grades weren't as good as they could have been, but nowhere near as bad as they would have been had I not pulled myself together. I have a good career these days. But I can't help but wonder what might have been, had I just fulfilled the potential which my teachers always said I had. Story of my life; "7/10, could do better. See me" written in red in the margin. Man, I wish I'd listened. Any school age folk reading this: don't make my mistake. Seize that opportunity with both hands. Don't let it slip away. The gift of a free, world class education is priceless. Take it for all its worth. Don't be left with regrets and might-have-beens.

[@graemebaker]

shame we don't have world class education

[@grahamfairbrother2089]

depends on what era you grew up in determines your grange hill theme, for me it would be this theme, however for my mother it would be the original theme as thats the one she associated with grange hill

[@ikilleddeath]

Here's the thing. They wrote that on everyone's paper who didn't get 100 percent. Can't have you feeling good about yourself can they? God forbid you developed some self esteem

[@SpaceSkeletonDragon]

Jesus fucking Christ you're depressing

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

@@grahamfairbrother2089 me too with this theme tune

[@eagbplayz851]

The school days intro music

[@Unavailablesorry709]

Not anymore:(

[@aaronbowen9962]

@@Unavailablesorry709 Fuck copyright

[@Numberonesambatukamfan]

@@Unavailablesorry709 F

[@ethanrogers3528]

Well😔

[@bluemoonwolf5438]

So sad the new one just dosent give me that feel thst this one has

[@YourLocalGP]

We could only watch Grange Hill when my mum wasn't in the room, as she thought it was a bad influence. Tbf I learnt about most drugs and controversy from GH and Byker Grove.

[@simonhunter83]

Yip, me too. Great kids television tho. If that makes any sense

[@JayJay-nc7pr]

This reminds of being in secondary school from 2000-2007! I never thought I’d miss school but boy those really were the days, proper teachers who cared a lot, chips after school, sneaky cigarettes we would get 16/17 year olds to buy for us, now I’m 30 I wish I could go back in time and do it all again

[@ryanmcnamara7553]

Don’t forget fingering

[@arneshpal7702]

School Days is a game

[@Nottimlawl]

Them:About the show Me:Uhhh MDICKIE'S School days old background music

[@thedumbanimator25]

me too this makes us feel like we are a kid in 90's and doing fun in school and memorizing the good times of school every time i listen to this

[@nikobellic2008]

Same! Haha!

[@thtboulzay]

Who’s here from School Days?

[@samueldyke5745]

ahh the soundtrack to my school years at the old comp, man those were the days, coming home from school to watch a programme about school lol

[@MrRickster83]

Samuel Dyke 😏 ha

[@user-br3bw7wr2l]

😂😂😂

[@ladyrider260]

It only took me nearly 30 years and reading that to figure how ridiculous that sounds! On the flip side, the series dealt with relatable topics, so I think it was a comfort of sorts to know we weren’t the only ones....

[@nikobellic2086]

Lmao ive never thought of it like that before

[@CheechWizard22]

Those synthesized horns are so triumphant

[@yoyogalla]

Legend of a theme

[@oufc29]

Dam right its a lengend and the first theme

[@stephenmcconnell1000]

It wasn't the first theme- Grange Hill began in '78 and the first theme was a track called 'Chicken Man' which began as a piece of library music for the panel game 'Give Us A Clue'.

[@tommagic100]

yes most defo

[@lecheflani]

School Days..

[@TheHBSOURCE]

This digs up some serious nostalgia for me as a 80/90’s kid.

[@Rockdude300782]

Take me !!! back reminds me of times as kid when it was safe to play outside after school.. kids were kids and the country still had some pride.

[@76trombones419]

Childhood memories! Cried like a girl when it ended 9 years ago and the dross kids watch now doesn't compare to Grange Hill, Byker Grove etc!! Miss them both!

[@JoesZone2]

I always loved this tune!! :) Some tunes do things to you inside bringing out powerful or forgotten feelings and memories. This is one of them

[@rachaelboakes329]

I remember watching this on Children BBC on BBC 1 I am 31 I grew up In The 90s I was born in the 80s

[@apexianbrother]

Reminds me of the days in school when my teacher suplexed me into a table

[@arneshpal7702]

💀😅

[@ronaldmcdonald8303]

Oh the memories, this was all before the difficulties in my life when I turned 13. Happier times, great TV and great music!

[@pippahobbs151]

Gosh I was In my teen years use love geting home for this bbc 1 for 20min after newround my god it feels like yesterday I was watching this I'm now 42 Yr old 😂🤣😆

[@mariaaaa853]

old theme of School Days game

[@_chiko320]

Yuh

[@AshrielBackup]

Old School Days theme for the MDickie game if you were wondering.

[@kitty-alice1384]

Ah, those were the days! I never used to run until I heard this, then I would become an athlete to get the best spot in front of the TV! 🤣 Happy New year to you all ❤️

[@canny_linguist]

Came here because the theme tune has been playing in my head for a solid week. Ooft the nostalgia feels.

[@lisarichards9199]

Used to love coming home from school and watch this

[@-Jere]

Man I miss the old school days theme song :(

[@fennecfox7334]

Yea me to this one is better:[

[@bluemoonwolf5438]

Yeah the new one dosent give me the feel this one has

[@Kevin_A]

Same

[@nikobellic2008]

same!

[@ohjoshua67]

Due to copyright, Mat Dickie changed the theme song. So he wouldn’t get Copyrighted by Grange Hill.

[@monsantogmo505]

Gosh a way to bring it all back. I remember this TV show, what a classic! I miss the 90's so much.

[@fraserkatie]

How funky was this in the noughties! Ahhhhhh my childhood reborn!!!!!!! Love it!!!!!

[@seblewis6275]

For me this is the theme being secondary school between 93 and 98. I know a lot of people it's the original.

[@matte4562]

Seb Lewis same here. I was 02-07 and this theme is more nostalgic for me

[@BAGHEAD1995]

Seb Lewis 100% with you there!

[@willlovesgaz]

totally agree, i drifted in and out of watching it 88-89 - i think the chicken man theme made it seem a bit of a joke (no offence), but when this was the theme i took more notice of it and started watching it all the time 😁😁😁

[@MrBendixxx]

92-97 and this theme is the one I prefer.

[@DanMoreton128]

94 to 99 for me, even though I hated school most of the time, I couldn't wait to get home and watch the fictional happenings of this school lol

[@terinasargeant138]

😭😭😭😭oh just the sound of this brings back memories of being a kid/ teenager. Such good times in the late 80s early 90s. TV was great then. A "Friday teatime feel good it's the weekend" vibe

[@Richtea88able]

Grange Hill may be the only tv show to have two banging theme tunes.

[@BRUMAICANGYAL87]

oh my God I remember this theme tune thank god for the 1990's

[@jaysam5927]

Love this theme music

[@Dragnet5]

B̤̈r̤̈ṳ̈m̤̈ä̤ï̤c̤̈ä̤n̤̈ gуαl87 90s was an interesting time

[@kpgrammaraudits1908]

1990s

[@BRUMAICANGYAL87]

@@Dragnet5 couldn't agree more

[@scmtuk3662]

One thing I find disappointing about Grange Hill or how it's treated, is that, as far as the media is concerned, Grange Hill ran from 1978 - 1989. Every time Grange Hill is mentioned, it's always accompanied by the 1978-1989 theme tune (Chicken Man by Alan Hawkshaw). This theme is basically forgotten completely. The original tune only lasted 11 years. This tune lasted 18 years. But not only that. Any time there's some kind of celebrity version of a show, with former Grange Hill cast, it's 99% of the time, the cast from 1978-1989. Hardly anyone from 1990 onwards is ever referenced. You all remember Todd Carty, George Armstrong, Terry Sue-Patt, Susan Tully, Erkan Mustafa, Alison Bettles, etc. But why do you never see Charlotte McDonagh (Lisa West), John Joseph (Ian Hudson), Emma Pierson (Becky Radcliffe), Kacey Barnfield (Maddie Gilks), Daniella Fray (Emma Bolton), appearing on some kind of celebrity edition of a game show or,.... well ever? The same thing can apply to what is now known as "Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!" (originally known as "Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends", then later, just "Thomas & Friends"),. For 21 years, between 1991 and 2012, the series in the UK was narrated by Michael Angelis, for a total of 336 episodes. Ringo Starr by comparison, narrated 52 episodes between 1984 and 1986. So, why is it that someone who narrated 52 episodes (out of a total of around 530 episodes), is always remembered, yet the narrator who provided the narration for around 63% of all episodes.... no one mentions. Likewise. Post-1990 Grange Hill is virtually forgotten, except for a few major storylines.

[@madmurdock100]

That's because from 1990, Grange Hill became crap. The best era will ALWAYS be 1978-1989. The fact that they mention more about that era than any other speaks volumes of the quality of Grange Hill during that time. Get over it. The same answer applies to Thomas the Tank Engine

[@scmtuk3662]

@@madmurdock100 Actually, 1990 - 2002 weren't that bad from what I remember. It was 2003 - 2008 that it _really_ went downhill.

[@Analoguebubblebath89]

Cause it’s Ringo baby! Peace and Love, Peace and Love

[@elimb6071]

It's because the original era was by far the best. Actors, characters, theme. It's why those are the times everyone goes back to.

[@graemebaker]

Two things - TV is run by people in their 40s, and post-1990 Grange Hill was tosh.

[@rumelali6306]

Masterpiece..that music still rings in my ear ..

[@carysbailey3800]

One British TV's best soundtracks !!

[@tsangpogorge]

Never watched the show but always loved the theme tune.

[@nealmceneaney3771]

This made school sound like a super fun place. The original made it sound like you might get your head kicked in

[@jamesibz]

Haha yeah

[@Hulk2k6]

New Decade, (Not so) New Attutudes

[@yusuftary1553]

hahahaha

[@richieadam2234]

I remember this so well!!! It's as if I'm back at school right now in Spring 1991 in my dark green tracksuit with all my friends. It is so sweet and sad as well, to think it was all thirty years ago. Happy, happy times, thank you so much for trip back in time!!

[@leeevans2904]

Bit sad this but everytime I hear this tears happen as I wish I was back at home with my mother who I lost 20 years ago

[@grahamfairbrother2089]

so many memories, the TV show that i watched as a youngster and my mother also watched when she was at that age, its a shame it came to an end as it spanned several generations and would still be relevant today

[@anthonywalker2360]

Even the programs had tunes. The 90s

[@stephenmcconnell1000]

Was at secondary school from 1988 - 1994; THE Grange Hill theme for any kid back then, just like how the late 70s-80s theme was definitive for kids of those times too... hearing this takes me straight back to thoughts of worrying about Biology and English homework, then trying to get it done on the school bus the next morning

[@mattcrooke8321]

Stephen O'Donnell I started in 1988 the same as you, and this wasn't the theme then, it was still the old one until about 1990.

[@stephenmcconnell1000]

I didn't say it was used in 1988. I said that I was at secondary school from 1988 and this was the theme I remember from between the dates of 1988 and 1994.

[@DeepScreenAnalysis]

Wasn't Susan Tully in this, who played the teenage scrubber on EastEnders? Grange Hill was sixth form college for actors going onto EastEnders university ;-)

[@unfriendme8236]

School Days Mdickie

[@ThomsonAirwaysFs]

Old 1950's/60's glass buildings, crafty cigarettes, wagging lessons and a time where technology was good but not so good it consumed peoples lives is associated with this soundtrack. I'm glad my generation was the last to experience a proper 'gritty' school environment just as your typical traditional 'comp' school was in the 70's/80's and 90's.

[@Dave-rm1mb]

I was born in 1980 and so I remember the glass/wood buildings. It's amazing how run down they look today. At the time, they were considered modern even 30 years after they were built.

[@Jalkoth]

When I went to secondary school in 2006 the building was exactly the same it was insanely old then when I left hey had to knock it down shame it was a great looking building

[@trewens]

I don't know, man. We were all quite bit safer in school after the Blair government put up fences and mandated locking the gates etc, in response to Dunblane.

[@Officialjacobplays]

who all miss school days? like if ya do

[@StarrySkys]

Missed this toon ;-; found it in school days

[@mezza8170]

Ikr

[@matte4562]

Maybe you should go back

[@karatebuff]

It's really staggering how this theme really brings about overtones for me of being at Secondary School from 1991 to 1995 It's uncanny really going from doing science in the morning to french on Wednesday then English in the afternoon It brings it all back!!

[@grahamrawlins1543]

I know right I am 32 this year where has the time gone lol 😂

[@Danno1983]

The Original is beta

[@LIVERNIL723]

Similar; 1989-1994. This was a New Era to bring in new kids and place more emphasis on Matthew, Clarke, Tegs, Justine Etc. Mr Robson become Senior Lol :-D :-)

[@robertpotts8103]

When I was old enough like 5 I remember coming home from school and watching this awesome show, always loved this theme tune, just wished they bring Grange Hill back for another season

[@eleanorhogan8643]

Am I the only one who thinks that this was like Eastenders for children?

[@utterutternutter]

I love that it was this same theme tune for the whole of the 90s. It reminds me of getting home and just feeling totally relaxed in front of the TV.

[@craigevans7028]

Still listening in the year 2022 💃

[@Retrofordguy]

I dont know why but I've just randomly starting thinking about this tune

[@mobrown7594]

The nostalgia is too much ahhhhh love it

[@DJSmad82]

I remember this ❤

[@johnmellor932]

Watching Grange Hill when I was in Primary made me terrified of Secondary school lol. 87-92 This theme really takes me back.

[@fraserkatie]

Tv themes got so pop and rock in those days whatever they were!!!!

[@Hulk2k6]

I know. Take the High Road got a sexy guitar version this Year, Beverly Hills 90210 always had a kickass theme. Neighbours and Home and Away got Jazzy remakes in 1992 and 1995 respectively.

[@Jay23660]

Who is here from school days

[@keiferfindysz6115]

me

[@Whymesomuch0.-]

Me

[@leejones8582]

Takes me back to my childhood.

[@user-ru4kb2ri1b]

school days original theme

[@ADF86123]

Ladies and gentlemen welcome to a big bang of early 90's UK sound wrapped into one theme.

[@andreww1978]

I'll be humming this for weeks now!! It is funny how just listening to the first few seconds of this theme tune has brought back so many memories from around 1980's-1995 (when I watched it). Wow Thank Crunchie for KZbin eh.

[@Damontable]

Still better than most music released today.

[@TheConsettonian1987]

This theme tune of Grange Hill brings back the memories of childhood and teenage years.

[@joshhayes5218]

The genius of Peter Moss

[@unusedsn]

BBC had the best theme tunes.

[@mikejamesporter]

Used to love watching the back end of this at my mates house after school!

[@koniellmarc9450]

I obsessed with this song because it's groovy

[@cassandrakiew-smith1565]

This song itself brings a smile to my face 🤩🤩🤩

[@Kasier2]

Best theme of grange hill.

[@Zerbey]

I'm old enough to remember when Grange Hill got the makeover and the new theme tune, it was never quite as good afterwards. Still, happy memories.

[@STEJTHEGREATEST]

0:26 That little jingle often sends tingles up my spine!!! :D It makes me think of Running Man when the dancers are doing their dance in the dark as the neon lights of the game show studio gradually light up!!!!! :D

[@MrRickster83]

..what the frig is Running Man?

[@connorcornwall1404]

@@MrRickster83 Korean TV show,,it's pretty funny and nice to watch.

[@STEJTHEGREATEST]

@@connorcornwall1404 I meant the Arnold film!!!!!

[@connorcornwall1404]

@@STEJTHEGREATEST ohhh

[@MrHanzkk]

I allways wanted to be on this show as a kid

[@rickhardman7376]

Todays kids will never know

[@samueldyke5745]

Theyy got portaloo road ;-)

[@amysmileyreid95]

Todd Gilbey Waterloo road: shite!

[@grah84mck]

Aye the pain we had to suffer.

[@cynthiasembrano1144]

I know it

[@sillygoose635]

Todays oldies will never know

[@DazzaS83]

This was the music I grew up with for Grange Hill. If I remember rightly at some point in the 90s on a weekend, CBBC repeated Grange Hill from the beginning.

[@user-ig6oo6vk4g]

Best days of my life!....Plessington RC high school,Wirral....1997-2002....take me back! 😓🤣♥️

[@hopebgood]

There's nothing wrong with a bit of nostalgia but my posh grammar school days aren't a part of my mine.

[@robhaigh4068]

This is actually better than I remember

[@spacered]

I grew up watching Grange Hill when I was a child. I remember listening to the opening theme stuck in my head and I love that theme music.

[@billymillest1529]

Never seen the show but love the theme tune!

[@waltgilbert]

Only 30 years hence does the peculiarity of watching a programme made about school as soon as you got home from school become apparent...

[@Owen-hg3cu]

It was the original Gogglebox 😂

[@GARYRPOTTER]

If someone said this was off an early Sonic game, i would believe you 😂

[@matte4562]

gary potter fuck... can’t unhear it now lol

[@sinnsykt]

The first level in Sonic was called Grange Hill, too.

[@NarcoticDimension]

@@sinnsykt no it wasn't lol...

[@sinnsykt]

@NarcoticDimension 'twas a joke, brother.

[@NarcoticDimension]

@@sinnsykt oh right...

[@lukedaley17]

This is the Grange Hill theme I mostly remember as I was born in 1995 and was 13 years old when the final episode aired in 2008.

[@bro22114]

This song remind me of Mdickie game name school day

[@ICruz-vq1ze]

yeahhh

[@gemmadakin34]

The kids of today will never know. Xx

[@bootycheeks22]

Ok boomer

[@kershaw1983]

Awesome tune, love the program too

[@morezed4138]

Is anyone here from School Days?

[@Numberonesambatukamfan]

yes

[@morezed4138]

@cyka blyat Ayyyy nice

[@Numberonesambatukamfan]

@@morezed4138 good

[@wilkinsandwonkinsandmore1308]

Meeeeee

[@morezed4138]

@@wilkinsandwonkinsandmore1308 Nice bro!

[@leslieanntiburcio]

school days anyone?

[@jblasutavario9549]

Yes lol Mat Dickie took the tune from the show for the game.

[@MyFlippinValentine]

Got into Scritti Politti years after watching Grange Hill and realised they had influenced this theme

[@wazk8121]

Straight home after school bag in the hallway blazer on the floor Infront of the box on the sofa with a crisp packet and carton watching GH memories of 90s 🥰 WHAT A ERA

[@Kevin_A]

School days

[@reillydon]

Best version 👏🏻

[@disableddestiny2878]

well this took me back to my school years, when things were awesome in the 90's and tv was worth watching! and school was better too! if I could go back I would!

[@filthybrown]

i can't believe how nostalgic this made me feel hahaha never even really watched it

[@PsychoMadHatter2]

Mdickies school days anyone?

[@sloppystepson3830]

School Days Miss it

[@robertjamesabrogar683]

Old School Days Theme

[@victoriaaken6697]

Grange Hill started the year before I was born

[@dsfiyhureiwyhjntrk]

Reminds me of watching this early 90s on a rainy school day afternoon around 4:30pm

[@Reprogrammed_By_SEGA]

I can already see Sonic The Hedgehog running to this music. 😀

[@andrewsims9038]

Damn listening to this song makes me wonder wish I was back at school I can remember watching this programme once I return home from school back in those days 20 years ago