It’s music on TV for tonight. That could be theme tunes that are worthy of a play, pop songs used as themes for TV shows, or songs that have reached a wider audience after being featured in a TV show.
In the old days, the best a band could hope for would be background appearance in the Queen Vic jukebox. Now with shows like Gray’s Anatomy and The OC featuring acts like KT Tunstall and Death Cab For Cutie, TV dramas play an important role in breaking new bands and relaunching the career of established ones.
Just like in the movies, the right use of a song in a Tv show has the power to really move people. For me, two standout examples of this are Beth Neilson Chapman’s Sand and Water in ER and Hallelujah in The West Wing episode where CJ’s boyfriend got shot.
There have been some vintage tunes from the 60’s and 70’s suggested as well. Glen Miller has asked for the theme for the Six-Five special, the pioneering music show for teenagers.
That got me searching for clips online and I came across a cracker of Edinburgh Teenager Jackie Dennis who had a hit with a songs called ‘Lah Dee Dah’ back in the 60’s. It’s wonderful viewing and he comes across as a 15 year old tartan trousered Jarvis Cocker. Definitely one for our next ‘neglected Scottish gems’ show…