The experimental electronic theme song composed for Doctor Who's 1963 premiere was named "best television sci-fi theme tune" Monday in an enthusiastic, if unscientific, fan vote.
According to the BBC, the website Total Sci-Fi hosted the poll that put the iconic Who theme on top of a 10-show list. Chasing the Time Lord were (in order) Red Dwarf, The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Trek, Thunderbirds, The Twilight Zone, Battlestar Galactica, Quantum Leap and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Written by Ron Grainer (also the composer of The Prisoner's theme), Doctor Who's opening music was arranged and produced by electronic music pioneer Delia Derbyshire. The theme underwent several remixes over the show's 45-year history (above), and fans of the program and electronic music enjoy producing and offering their own remixes at sites like Whomix.
Popular musicians often put their own spin on the classic theme, including violinist Nigel Kennedy (above), the experimental ArcAttack and every Ecstasy addict's favorite group, Orbital.
But the most unusual version might have originated from one of the show's stars. Jon Pertwee, Doctor No. 3, narrated a version of the theme during his early '70s run as The Doctor.
As for the online poll, it's open to some debate. For example, how many U.S. fans could whistle the Red Dwarf theme? Which Star Trek theme are they using for the list? The original series? Next Generation? That disastrous Enterprise ballad? And, does the fact that the hosting URL for the poll is "dwscifi.com" give Doctor Who a leg up?
See also:
