Highly Likely - Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads (Theme)

[@MrKumbah]

This song reminds me of when I was growing up in the seventies, knocking about with my mates, buying fruit salads and blackjacks from the corner shop and my mum washing my hair in Vosene shampoo over the sink whilst this tune played on the telly in the background , lovely memories .

[@abbiezercoppe]

There's a Dr. Who fanzine called Vworp Vworp. Issue 4 had a cover picture of John Pertwee riding a Chopper bicycle being chased by aliens on Space Hoppers. It was the most 70's thing I'd ever seen until I read this comment.

[@danw5525]

And look what we are now. A degenerate cesspit within a police state.

[@carlscarlet]

@@abbiezercoppe The best reply to a great comment that I've read

[@axelseaton8420]

4 for a penny!

[@eddieg66]

Vosene over the sink with burning eyes. I would go back in a heart beat to they years. Iam 55 now and everything is crap

[@yacinekadri9110]

The older you get the more you understand this song

[@Talisman09]

What age did you learn English?

[@HaPpY_Me]

I was just saying this, I was only a kid when occasionally I was allowed to watch the likely lads, not even in double digits. I'm now in my 50's and it resonates so much

[@Mascro1977]

​@@Talisman09when did you?

[@clivestuarteardley6049]

Absolutely true.

[@TheRedDevil-1968]

Correct.

[@deanchapman9200]

Watch the programme most days on that's TV I was born in 1974 takes me back so much. Wish we could turn back time

[@bald.metalhead.biker67]

It truly does make sense as you get older. It takes me back to a happier time when your whole life was in front of me. Now 70 years old the words "tomorrow's nearly over, the days went bye so fast, the only thing to look forward to, is the past" rings so true it brings a tear to my eye. Thanks for putting this out there.

[@nigelheath7048]

I'm 65 and feel exactly the same, and also get a little emotional.

[@annegurney5166]

This song always gives me a lump in my throat, I loved Terry and Bob and remember Bob saying " I used to think we had forever, now I'm not so sure"....so true!!

[@paulwilliams8389]

That was a great song as well - used for the movie.

[@grettasteinmetz9309]

Great show. I wish we cud do it all again. 70's and 80's were great

[@LittlePinkPiggy1]

When I was a kid in the 70s this song used to make me cry. Still makes me feel sad but I really don't know why exactly.....

[@Ashworth6]

Probably because its full of truth. The lyrics seem to resonate more and more with me as I get older.

[@doctordolittle1684]

Carolyn, it's what one calls nostalgia and i'm a grown man and it makes myself sad also. Somewhat better times within our lives. Have a nice day.

[@johnbarry1965]

I remember watching this when i was about seven and not realising how perfect my life was then, the line "Its the only thing to look forward to - the past" really does resonate now !!!

[@Brownalebelly]

@Mark L What a nasty comment to make. You really need to take a good long look at yourself.

[@martinda7446]

Me too. The wonder of music. Direct emotional connection.

[@garypeacock5919]

Best TV theme tune ever. RIP Brigit.

[@alanwyatt]

Good to see I'm not the only one affected by this song. I remember my dad watching it. He would have been the same age as the characters (though not the actors). If only we could go back in time to visit.

[@neilsailing]

It brings a tear to the eye.........the only thing to look forward to is the past......that's so true..sob.

[@bald.metalhead.biker67]

Me too, 50+ years later it seems even then it brought tears to my eyes. My late friend and I used to sing this and wonder if we would ever look back when we were older and reflect on our friendship...we did. RIP Nigel my mate

[@bruceli9094]

"The BEST way to predict the future, is the created it" - Abe Lincoln

[@stevenstorer921]

I don't look like Bob but my brother Dave who died a couple of years ago was the the spit of Terry,(James Bolam.) As a couple of northern lads our attitudes were like these two, we were both different but right in our own ways. As the post earlier said, this song gives me a lump in my throat but to be honest it's not particularly since our Dave went on on his carefree way., When I was a kid in the 70's with no worries other the rain water coming through the holes in my shoes, we watched this tv show with 'me Dad and though young I felt the poignancy of this tune...unfortunately even more so now.

[@jacksugden8190]

Grew up in the 1950’s school was all over by 1972, showing my age.

[@mauriceosullivan6832]

Your alright Jack,, year I was born 1972.

[@Zx-ln1lk]

This words in this song are bloody brilliant the only thing is to look forward is the past---a brilliant program to

[@neilwalsh4058]

As I've got older, I've become more like Terry. Happy to hang on to the life I've grown up with and not flitting from one thing to another in a vain attempt to impress people who are as shallow as a puddle.

[@irene-jb7jc]

People were so different in them days .

[@thewomble1509]

THOSE days.

[@terryroberts505]

How true this song is. Has the years pass and you get older

[@bs3739]

A true classic,still brilliant today & the theme tune is perfection too.

[@donnafairburn6691]

I absolutely adore this song as it makes me think of my younger days

[@trevorpettingill4871]

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WORLD MEANWHILE A MESS

[@nicedog1]

Great song. Unfortunatley, along with the theme tunes from 'World in Action' and 'Panorama', it reminds me of time for bed with school in the morning.

[@riboid]

nicedog1 haha. Me too. In fact everyone tune that was on at night reminds me of bedtime when my friends were still out playing.

[@MonkeyHunch1]

I like a nice dog but time for bed fella :) JK!

[@philgraham5341]

Aki Saki no that was the theme for Weekend World. World in Action theme used to scare the hell out of me

[@tonykemp3432]

Weekend world was on Sunday lunchtime with Bryan Walden.... If my memory serves me right

[@nicedog1]

Tony Kemp Yes it was.

[@lordsmithy364]

Loved this programme and the theme tune.

[@stevehelm8767]

From a time when Britain really was great. When people looked out for each other and no one was ever offended. Our world had now changed for the worse. Oh for the 1970s, if only we knew then how or world would unravel.

[@davidpoetry1491]

yes. hard to forget about the illegality of homosexuality though, or the political and economic unrest evidenced by the fact that there were more emigrants leaving Britain than there were immigrants coming into Britain, or the rising number of domestic violence cases leading to the inception of women's refuge centres, or just the general enmity towards anyone who wasn't white. apart from that though, a great decade for a great nation. oops, my mistake, homosexuality was legal by the time the 70s rolled around. my bad. I take it all back.

[@thewomble1509]

@@davidpoetry1491 And your point is, your'e gay? Why should anyone care?

[@jaredmaloney]

@@davidpoetry1491 "The general enmity towards anyone who wasn't white". You obviously didn't live in the 1970s and are just trying to make yourself look superior by your supposedly refined sensitivity. The 1970s were a time when friendships often crossed racial lines and people were coming together across racial divides. You can see this in many bands that grew out of the era, like Culture Club and the Specials.

[@davidpoetry1491]

@@jaredmaloney I 100% agree with you. Anyone who is bold and brave enough that they're willing to look past skin colour in favour of bonhomie should be awarded the Nobel Prize for doing something that 5 year olds do without even having to think about it.

[@dompicksley3900]

Sung by the great Tony Rivers, of Tony Rivers & The Castaways fame and Harmony Grass. One of many belting theme tunes from 70s TV shows.

[@YeOldeFootballChannel]

And written by Mike Hugg, member of Manfred Mann.

[@bobbydazzler1780]

Thanks for posting I’ve never heard the song fully and it’s very interesting. We all look back to happier innocent times as younger people but it’s really our youth that we miss. Seemingly endless horizons with full energy and enthusiasm and zero baggage. As Alan Whicker once said “It’s funny when you get older, even nostalgia isn’t what it used to be”. The past is always bitter sweet but nice to revisit from time to time and this song brings back so many happy memories.

[@ianbanks-jones2250]

So true. I wish I could shout this at so many people.

[@alangiles2763]

When you are young there is always tomorrow and it might be better than today. Years later you know that isn't true and how many more tomorrows will there be anyway?

[@nigelcartwright5986]

Reruns now on That's TV. Just as good (if not better as the world has moved on), than before. Brilliant comedy.

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

What an anthem of youth. Remembering this as a kid watching Bob, Terry & Thelma. Fantastic. JG.

[@aidanamson8568]

This is such a true sad song, love it though. Reminds me of all the changes in the world. " what became of the people we used to be". I wonder what did happen? Some cruel and nasty people in the world.

[@humblebum59]

They were always there, we just didn’t know it. Bloody internet spoiled the innocence.

[@narinderdhanjal221]

I have this fab song in my vinyl collection and it always makes smile and shed a tear at the same time whenever I play it. A beautiful song and one that is timeless.🎸👍⭐️💜

[@Dawkins_YT]

Good people sadly come to an end.. R.I.P Rodney Bewes

[@Joetheawesome60]

I'm only 17 and I love this show better then any show on the BBC at the moment love watching the episodes on GOLD

[@tcaudiobooks737]

+Joetheawesome60 I can totally relate, I'm only fucking 63 and I LOVE this show!

[@flatleythebard]

+Hank Ward I'm SO much younger than you at 51 but I totally, like, like this. Thumbs, like, up.

[@Joetheawesome60]

+Hank Ward I'm happy someone agrees with me

[@mikehunt2366]

I think you're gay you said tell your dad

[@Joetheawesome60]

Mike Hunt what are you even on about

[@RFED2O]

THERE WAS A TIME ⏲️ WHEN TIME NEVER MATTERED !!! but now every golden second matters

[@shearershearer]

Heard Tony Rivers sing this live at the weekend..........could have cried!

[@ellee3727]

What lovely lyrics, love this show and Terry ❤

[@martinlanders1623]

Love these comments. This song reminds me of a close friend who has now left us. We were sit in the Grey Horse pub in Darlington supping broon ale and I said to him hey we're just like the likely lads sat here putting the world to rights... He said you're fucking Rodney Bews then I'm the funny one...

[@itsoundzok]

I love this tune and it brings back great memories. Thanks for posting.

[@RFED2O]

The kids of today have got absolutely no chance and no clue as to how we grew up....WE HAD THE GREATEST DAYS,i wouldn't change one hour of it...fxxk the money i blew !! We never got tired yet we never needed sleep...and still !! We worked hard sorry grafted and sweated for our money and we played hard

[@billybonce1]

Great show, still watch it. I grew up in the 70s not far from Newcastle. Loads of memories. But none of the lads were from Newcastle. The song is CLASS.

[@allenomalley4014]

Neither was you from Newcastle! Actors play roles that’s why it is called acting Me I weren’t either East London but the tune and the changes had the same feel 👍

[@billybonce1]

@@allenomalley4014 I live 14 miles from Newcastle. I have been to Newcastle more times in my 57 years than I care to remember.i was at Malcolm Macdonald's debut when I was 6. James bolam was born in Sunderland. Rodney bewes was born in Yorkshire. However the auf wiedersehen Pet lads from Newcastle have a different accent. Ps Kevin Whately is from hexam in Northumberland. Still love the likely lads though.

[@neilchuckbarnard857]

I was born in 1977, I turn 48 this year. I wasn't born when this was first shown. And yet, I'm starting to yearn for a time that wasn't mine. 😢

[@vintageniftys7791]

We're like 2 peas in a pod! I'm the same age and I too have developed this feeling. I take it you watched it on That's TV last night and you looked up the theme tune to hear that melanchonic chorus! Tugs at the heart strings...

[@neilchuckbarnard857]

@vintageniftys7791 Peas we be! 🤣 Yes, listened to the tune as well and felt that melancholy. Its must be something in the water.

[@mikey76710]

Memories of a bloody fantastic programme brought me here

[@andrewdock7288]

So incredibly sad 😔 it's about many peoples lives and how it turned out to be so awful. When it was such a joy as a child so many find this out when they grow older.

[@oxonlad1]

One of the great TV show theme tunes. Mike Hugg must have had a thing about nostalgia, his 1972 song 'Blue Suede Shoes Again' was very similar. It's worth a listen and is available on youtube.

[@garypaul9143]

It always gets me the words r superb so touching ah the 70.s the best decade ever

[@smithpm81]

takes me back to the early 70s, fantastic times

[@darkangelw8472]

My first English bf introduced me to the British sitcoms, reminds me about how much I love this country and its culture & it keeps me grounded

[@debrascott1927]

Mike Hugg from the Manfred’s still performs this song in the Manfred’s tour, along with all the big hits from Manfred Mann, make it a must if the Manfred’s tour near you, they do all their hits have both singers Paul Jones and his replacement Mike D,Abo, Tom Mcguiness, Mike Hugg and Mike Vickers still in the band performing, vocals on this track was Tony Rivers.

[@quietman2672]

The best one liner in history. Terry in the dock in “ Conduct Unbecoming. “ and as me mother said at the time , you can’t by powdered egg with a George Medal!!!” 😂😂😂brilliant!!

[@KingoRichie1990]

Makes me all teary.

[@fivetoes]

Danny Richardson , and me brother

[@bluesmachine1006]

RIP Rodney. I'll miss you immensely :(

[@edwardwatson5259]

Snap !

[@Fulham1968]

Timeless classic. 70 s song at its best.

[@spangles365]

Reminds me of a great era with bands like Lindisfarne, Stealers Wheel, McGuiness Flint, Fairweather, and Gallagher and Lyle great days and great music.

[@Mark-mw1pf]

Fantastic

[@GUFGUY]

Yuo missed out Manfred Mann , who Mike Hugg played with.

[@RobertHull-en1fe]

Whatever happened too all the lazzies

[@garypeacock5919]

Totally agree, when you listen to all the manufactured shite produced now. How lucky were we to grow up and listen to amazing music in that era.

[@mick6370]

My favourite TV comedy show best tune full of nostalgia, sadness but happy memories.

[@francisbernard3593]

Carolyn, same here. The end credits got to me with the knocked down houses. Great song/program

[@greymorris9006]

My good friend John Hurley used to sing this song when we were very young in the Air Force. Such great memories.

[@roryatkins3326]

how i love this song i was a 70s kid. reminds me of all my mates back then

[@Seasider70]

Most evocative tv theme of the seventies

[@valeriesmith9255]

I go to an open mic night every Thursday night at my local. There's an old guy there who sings and tells stories about singing on TV theme tunes and writing tunes for cliff Richards biggest tunes etc.... and you think - yeah, of course you did mate.... Tony Rivers!!!! He's my old dude mate at my local and all the stories are true

[@robertlong2288]

Best years iv my life 70s

[@stephenhunt1087]

Yes, hanging out with your mates, staying out all day, good times!!!!

[@youngathon]

Allright kidder. I'd offer you a beer but I've only got 8 cans ! - ha

[@mick6370]

Not far wrong it was 6 cans 😁

[@SANDSCORCHER]

🤣👍🏻

[@illaveyoubutler3588]

Greatest sitcom spin off ever

[@davehales2249]

my god so many memories with this tune at one point when you were a kid in Ireland,,you weren't allowed to watch it at one point when you were a kid ,but when you got a bit older you were,, I still find the program funny, probably a generation thing , The likely lads I'm reminiscing over but this tune needs to be covered

[@marklennon3066]

love this song

[@kwisnothere]

Great song from a great classic show... dunno why it wasn't a much bigger hit in the 70s, it only got to about no.35 or something like that.

[@dilzappa]

IT REACHED 35 APRIL 1973 AND SPENT 4 WEEKS IN THE TOP 50.IT WOULD HAVE PEAKED HIGHER,BUT FOR THE 34 SINGLES OUT-SELLING IT!

[@ianpoole1861]

Great memories , and happy times ,if we could only travel back in time and escape the misery. of the world today

[@Simonmaude-xk2uh]

i loved the program and the song seem so much more poignant since i got older

[@deneberry9406]

Yeah, I think I know exactly what you mean: "Tomorrow's almost over, the day went by so fast, the only thing to look forward to..... the past!" Very melancholy.

[@johnwolf3096]

It's when you suddenly start understanding the meaning behind the lyrics that it gets frightening

[@flyinglizard3079]

There's a great line in the feature length movie: "...in the chocolate box of life, the top layer's already gone, and someone's pinched the Orange Cream from the bottom"...... exactly how I feel about life.

[@1061andy]

The only thing to look forward to, the past...

[@nigelheath7048]

I'm nearly 65, always liked the song but never really paid attention to the lyrics, but that particular one is so poignant

[@alistairmeen6440]

I love this programme back in the day

[@StephenAllcroft]

Ian La Frenais always seemed to make sure that the sig tune matched the programme. In this case it was a perfect match. You tube is telling me to listen to Joe Fagan next..

[@bobsherunkle1]

Many thanks for this. I've never heard the complete version before, and good to find out who the actual singer was - Tony Rivers, it all makes sense now.

[@antrivers46]

My Dad 😊

[@bobsherunkle1]

@@antrivers46 Anthony, thanks for this. I confess I knew of your Dad only by name as lead singer of the Castaways, but the history on craftweb has given me an idea of all the other stuff he's done. BTW 30 years ago I worked for a while with Pete Swettenham, who of course was in the Castaways before the formation of Grapefruit. Another thing I didn't know until looking at craftweb was that Grapefruit's use of C'mon Marianne can be traced back to the Castaways. All goes to show how important people like your Dad were in the evolution of UK 60s rock.

[@LisaSargent03]

I still have this album. Wrote all over it because I was a kid back then, lol.

[@brianwoods2395]

Its such a beautiful song. ..what was the album ?

[@LisaSargent03]

@@brianwoods2395 BBC comedy theme tunes

[@brianwoods2395]

@@LisaSargent03 Thankyou....That has got to be the speedeast reply ever....thanks again..

[@LisaSargent03]

@@brianwoods2395 I hope you manage to find it.

[@boilerroombob]

This song speaks to and for the many of a bygone age......x

[@tfSmudge]

Whatever happened to you, whatever happened to the BBC... Classic theme!

[@clivestuarteardley6049]

A legendary tune from the 70s popular television series ❤

[@TinajaneOxnam-w3l]

I just watched the Likely lads on Dvd. Love the theme.

[@thefunniestvalentine9654]

As an American I don’t know anything about the show but what I can say is I love the cover by snuff

[@Seasider70]

Best seventies British theme.

[@alastairbrand5821]

I agree. And whenever I hear it I can still see the scenes from the opening credits. Hear it, and I go back nearly 50 years.

[@Eltonlaleham]

I agree and this wa stop television not like the shit we get today

[@nicklive66]

BTW, Thanks for taking the time and trouble to post this.

[@bluelady4183]

70s were the best on 📺 not like the shit now!!!!

[@sammortimer9165]

The 70's was certainly a golden age for British comedy just off the top of my head there was this, Dad's Army, Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, Rising Damp, Steptoe and Son and Porridge

[@grittsy]

you should try being in Oz. No satire & no pommy shows coming out . Such despair.

[@carlwill981]

I was born in the 70's then in my teens and since, people think I'm strange for not liking the latest fashionable American comedy and preferring comedy from the 70's. When I was a toddler watching TV, those people I saw were going to be the people I was going to be.

[@markellis4229]

To true 👍😁

[@honeymonster5589]

Blue Lady yes quite right I was a 70s child

[@krytonsbeast]

Always loved The Likely Lads. north east at its best

[@andyjohnson7566]

i'm the same makes me feel sad, watched this in the 70s

[@standingstone777]

They don't make sitcoms like that anymore. Class act.

[@3667woof]

Brilliant theme to a brilliant series

[@Sameoldfitup]

"It is not those who can inflict the most, but those that can suffer the most who will conquer."

[@robynjones7691]

A great quote! 👍🏻

[@arthurthistlewood1225]

Just recently re-watched the show on BBC4. A brilliant exploration of 'lads' getting older together with the clash of Bob being dragged (by Thelma) into the emerging consumer capitalism set against Terry's more traditional ways.

[@thewomble1509]

Both characters re created in Auf Wiedersehen Pet. Terry was the proto Oz, Barry was Bob..............

[@RFED2O]

THE GREATEST DAYS !!

[@annabellesinger3717]

The only thing to look forward to the past, good song!

[@wilfrednewland8238]

The theme is on a cd called Magpie, which has 70's tunes, including the Magpie theme.

[@stevelamport7862]

loved these s times

[@gerrysmith1782]

A Fantastic song some emotional beautiful

[@mehmetkemal501]

Fantastic television series of the 70s

[@No_Mask]

Gotta have a bit of reminiscence and this song at this time of year..2025 here we come..good luck folks 😊

[@gusmartin2927]

Greed. Religion. Power. Has ruined a beautiful world. So very sad .

[@alanm1894]

What a brilliant series. I believe the two guys never got on, which is a real shame.

[@cassiesmith6468]

They did until they fell out over a joke. Sad because Bewes wanted to make amends.

[@andrewjohnston2850]

@@cassiesmith6468 was it not because Bewes gave an interview to the press about Bolams family

[@garypeacock5919]

My wife worked in the Theatre Royal in Glasgow in the early / mid 90's, and James Bolam appeared there, she said he was an obnoxious, self centred prick, maybe that explains some of the animosity between himself and Rodney Bewes.

[@brianphilipps5917]

Gold put the series every couple of months

[@peteralderson1483]

Rodney Bewes RIP

[@cadmeister01]

Beer, loneliness and drugs brought me here

[@katakisLives]

+cadmeister01 Substitute the beer for cider and remove the drugs and I'm here for the same reason.

[@mikehunt2366]

Good life

[@MarkTAllenby]

I hope the bastards haven't ground you down, mate.

[@Steaks652]

Keep the faith guys.

[@knigweenis7092]

Same brother

[@HydroSnips]

You say I’m a fool In a fool’s paradise Letting my life slip awa-a-y W-a-iting with my head in the clouds, Lookin’ for a sunny day. Never go back, you tell me It’s the worst thing you can do But I must go back till I find out where It is I’m going to.

[@1kozmicfrog]

Just love it!

[@kevinmcmullan1827]

RIP Rodney Bewes.

[@lynzwakeling9269]

R.I.P Rodney Bewes! xx

[@garethbramley1]

Great theme tune and programme. Only reached No.35 in the charts so never got onto Top Of The Pops.

[@ScottyBugler2005]

Definitely should’ve made it to the top. This was a very great theme. Very Beatlesesque to me

[@ScottyBugler2005]

Also sounds like it could’ve been performed by The Monkees too. Either Beatles or Monkees.

[@goonerbeau]

The theme to this TV show hits exactly the same sweet spot between melancholy and uplift, as the show it bookended. Dejection, camaraderie, longing, the early 70s: - Its theme is 'Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?' in a nutshell.

[@RCassinello]

When we all got nostalgic listening to the theme tune to a nostalgia TV show.