Sporty Type - Complete World of Sport theme

The original version of possibly the greatest TV theme of all time, the "World of Sport" theme. Called "Sporty Type" and composed by Don Harper in 1968, it was performed by his own orchestra (credited as "The Don Jackson Orchestra"). What makes this different from the broadcast theme is the three note fanfare opener, and the start of the second subject, which is played once by the flutes and double bass only (at 0:51), before the muted trumpets join the repeat. It is such a great melody it can easily handle being repeated twice. A later recording by Harper's "Homo Electronicus", released in 1973 and a re-recording of the TV theme for LWT in 1981 are both pale imitations.

[johnboy]

That brings back soooo many happy happy memories of Saturday afternoons in the 1970s when I was a young 'un, sitting with my gran as she watched her beloved horse racing, then the wrestling, the football results and then burgers and chips for tea, rounded off by Doctor Who, then back home to my mum and dad. Miss you, Gran. I know you're in heaven and I hope to see you there and we'll watch World of Sport together again ❤❤❤

[johnrider]

Its enough too bring a tear to your eye,

[ads]

Oh yes, Saturdays are just not the same as back in the day! At Nan & Grandad's after the madness of Tiswas along came this magisterial bombastic theme with flying planes trailing "Dickie Davies" could only mean it was ITV's World Of Sport, a low budget but highly entertaining afternoon's sport from the "ITV Seven" from Chepstow, Roaring grannies flailing handbags at Giant Haystacks (Boooo!) as Big Daddy (Hooray!!) clambers into the ring, this was Grandad's time, along with his racing pages from The Sun took control of the telly as we often slowly ended up out in the sunny garden as Droning tones of the 13.30 at Doncaster galloped along or the sound of cheering, a bell ringing slammed canvas with a chorus of "Easy! Easy! Easy!" would echo out of the house. Later when we got home would we see Dickie Davies along with the busy typists behind would run out the footie scores slowly you would hear the back end theme tune getting louder as Dickie wished us a nice weekend cut to horses flogging themselves to the finishing post being followed alongside with an ambulance and an ITV Citroen DS Estate with cameraman on top chasing along too, you knew very soon Basil Brush would be on, then a scary dose of Doctor Who before teatime. Just for one Saturday I would dearly love to go through all that again! 🙂

[ithewonder]

Ahhh the brilliant Saturdays in the 70's, perfect time to be a kid

[speakfreeley]

Always reminds me of that aeroplane intro with those banners attached & trailing behind them

[markward]

Happy Days!! This fabulous theme takes me back to those wonderful carefree Saturday afternoons enjoying my teens ❤️

[edwardburek]

What a magic tune. ITV would do well to revive that World Of Sport logo - as well as World Of Sport itself.

[msg]

Many thanks for posting this and the information in the description.

[cardiffguy]

This version including the three notes was used for a time on WOS. They later changed it to the shorter version. (without the three notes).

[johnallan]

Yes those were the days 12.30 world of sport happy memories

[stephengraham]

Gratestxtmsport theme tune of all time

[SpecialK]

Interestingly the sheet music I have of this lists the composer as Don Jackson, though it is an alternative name he went by.

[Wellibob]

As good as Grandstand theme was.. This was better. Superb.

[chrishibberd]

Wrestling, football classifieds and a fry up with my nan and grandad. Halycon days.

[pb]

Great tune. But not the greatest TV theme of all time.