As previously noted, many TV theme songs over the years have been instrumentals. One of the most memorable of such instrumental themes is Henry Mancini’s theme for the TV series Peter Gunn. It’s the one with that walking electric guitar line that just reels you in and then punches you the face with those brass hits. It’s a good one.
Peter Gunn was about a private detective by the same name, played by Craig Stevens. The show ran for three seasons (the first two on NBC and the third on ABC) from September 22, 1958 through September 18, 1961. The series was developed and had most episodes directed by Blake Edwards.
RCA Victor Records released “Peter Gunn” as a single in January of 1959. It got all the way to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won Mr. Mancini two Grammy Awards (Album of the Year and Best Instrumental Arrangement).
As to the Peter Gunn theme, here’s what Henry Mancini had to say about it:
“The Peter Gunn title theme actually derives more from rock and roll than from jazz. I used guitar and piano in unison, playing what is known in music as an ostinato, which means obstinate. It was sustained throughout the piece, giving it a sinister effect, with some frightened saxophone sounds and some shouting brass. The piece has one chord throughout and a super-simple top line.”
Henry Mancini wrote a lot of famous songs for a lot of famous movies and television shows. You probably remember tunes like “Moon River” (from Breakfast at Tiffany’s), “Days of Wine and Roses” (from Days of Wine and Roses), “Baby Elephant Walk” (from Hatari!), “Charade” (from Charade), “Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet” (from Romeo and Juliet), “Love Story” (from Love Story), and, of course, “The Pink Panther Theme” (from The Pink Panther). (Also from The Pink Panther, “It Had Better Be Tonight (Meglio Stasera),” a personal favorite.) Over the course of his long and illustrious career, Henry Mancini was nominated for 72 Grammy Awards and won 20. He was also nominated for 18 Academy Awards and won four. He was simply one of the most outstanding composers of the 20th century. He passed away in 1990, age 70.
And here’s your daily bonus video of the day, the opening credits from Peter Gunn, music by Henry Mancini.
