Classic TV Theme: The Outer Limits (two versions)

While it only ran a season and a half, 'Outer Limits' was a series that influenced tv science-fiction for decades. It's regarded as second only to 'The Twilight Zone' in the realm of classic tv speculative fiction, and some would rate it higher. Dominic Frontiere composed the music and since he was also a production exec he made sure that the scores didn't suffer from inadequate budgets. Frontiere's imaginative theme (heard in full over the closing credits) ranks among his best.

[dougrogers]

I was 6 years old and the intro alone scared the crap out of me.

[NukaShroomSoup]

I loved watching this every Saturday night as a kid. The stories were amazing and some of them were seriously scary.

[Rayburn]

I was 5 years old when this show debuted. The intro scared the shit out of me and each episode terrified me, even though i probably didn't always understand what was going on. I was scared to go to bed in the dark after watching. Yet I still chose to watch everytime.

[kso]

Second grade, autumn 1963, returning home from piano lessons . . . encamped in front of the TV, then that startling title opening music chord . . . then Vic Perrin’s narration to guide us into that remarkable world, that is The Outer Limits. Season 1’s theme music remains supreme IMHO.

[Carlito]

The original closing theme is probably Top 5 all time for me! Still fascinating to listen to after all these years!

[michaelemory]

The 1963 version and imagery have been with me since the series start. At that time these photos were the best available and seen in books we had. Music ominous, plaintive, hopeful resolution with studio lighting - they knew how to do it.

[DamnedAllTime]

Wonderful old tv show! 60 years old and still can give you the heebee geebee’s

[zitherzon]

3:08 The Second season end credits theme gets my vote all the way. A masterpiece of sadness. Those last six notes. Glorious!

[ThePeterBlood]

Harry's stuff is good but Dominic is astounding making it bombastic, mysterious, eery and living up to Vic's opening narration. That last exciting crescendo bit at the end title credits and that orchestral storm sound along the way still give me chills. I've never heard anything like it before or since.

[martyjesuscarmenmartinez]

The best intro of any sci-fi ❤the galaxy being scared me ..out of my wits ❤❤❤love the music the end theme especially

[TractorMonkeywithJL]

I worked at a TV repair shop when I was in high school in the afternoons around 1970 as part of a school work program called DCT. On Saturdays I would work all day and the boss would leave around 5:30 leaving me to close up at 6:00. Re-runs of this would be playing at closing and most of the time there were no customers that late, so I would be there by myself watching. It would be dark outside and I would sometimes get the willies listening to that theme song. lol.

[MrRossHartman]

Let's vote: which version do you like better? Always gotta go with the dramatic first version myself!

[deacondavis]

The Dominic Frontiere theme is a childhood

[JohnAlbertRigali]

I enjoy both, but Mr. Frontiere's theme music impresses me more. It still gives me goosebumps to this day!

It should be noted that the season 1 title sequence got truncated at some point.

[donwebber]

I like both season 1 and 2 music, but I do have to say Dominic’s compositions are ground breaking, absolutely genius. Whereas Harry’s are more old tried and true.

[kzinful]

No, boys and girls, it was Dominic - hands down for me. I'm biased but the opening theme and visuals pulled you in, will never be rivaled.

.." We have control

[markwschoenthal]

This show was absolute magic in its day. Of course, seeing it as a teenager then allowed me to enjoy it as I should... That, without all the jaded nightmares of today's reality.

[davemillet]

"You are about to participate in a great adventure." Perfect.

[randomvideotosee]

Why are the strings of the first version so eerie and good.

[frankfm]

Hey everyone.Don't forget to thank David Gideon for putting this on youtube for us see.