Dallas Aftershow: The Best Primetime Soap Theme Ever?
- Thread starter Jabari Lamar
- Start date
- Copy link Copy link
Billy Wall
Telly Talk Dream Maker
Definitely the best daytime soap theme ever.
Luke_Krebbs_Ewing
Telly Talk Champion
The Dallas theme music is one of the greatest TV tunes of all time.
In my opinion it's sits in joint first place with the BBC's Doctor Who theme music.
In my opinion it's sits in joint first place with the BBC's Doctor Who theme music.
DallasFanForever
Telly Talk Supreme
One of the most iconic themes ever. Nothing will ever come close to it. Even people who weren’t necessarily fans of the show know what that song means and where it’s from.
Sarah
Moderator Emerita
I don't understand the use of 'daytime' soap in relation to the thread, but either way, no theme tune in the history of television comes close to it. It literally gives me the chills every time. I've always said if I was in a coma, this would get me out of it and (honestly), I want it blasted at my funeral.
Jock Og
Telly Talk TV Fanatic
When Jerrold Immel created the tune he did so to compliment the mini-series at first, not knowing for sure if CBS would pick it up for a seasonal series. Of course over the years we have all held the theme tune in high regard. Jerrold certainly didn't disappoint, more often than not with all his season variations . Imho there will be nothing quite like it, ever again.
The Southfork Rodeo is underway. Sue Ellen discusses J.R. with his new lover, Mandy Winger, (a scene from season 8; 'The Dream Season', DVD-9, 1985 - '86):
Sue Ellen: "Mandy, I know J.R. every which way there is to know him and he's never going to change. Never! He's going to use you, like he uses all the others and then he is going to walk out on you, never to come back."
Mandy: "You really want me out of his life. Don't you?"
Sue Ellen: "Not for the reasons you think. I don't want him back. Mandy, I'm telling you this for your own good because J.R. destroys every woman, he goes to bed with. It's by the grace of God that he didn't destroy me. Don't let him do it to you!"
Mandy becomes emotional: "Thanks for the advice. You'll forgive me if I don't take it because you don't know what the hell you're talking about."
Sue Ellen: "Isn't it strange how the mistress always thinks she's smarter than the wife. If she's so smart, why is she the mistress?"
The Southfork Rodeo is underway. Sue Ellen discusses J.R. with his new lover, Mandy Winger, (a scene from season 8; 'The Dream Season', DVD-9, 1985 - '86):
Sue Ellen: "Mandy, I know J.R. every which way there is to know him and he's never going to change. Never! He's going to use you, like he uses all the others and then he is going to walk out on you, never to come back."
Mandy: "You really want me out of his life. Don't you?"
Sue Ellen: "Not for the reasons you think. I don't want him back. Mandy, I'm telling you this for your own good because J.R. destroys every woman, he goes to bed with. It's by the grace of God that he didn't destroy me. Don't let him do it to you!"
Mandy becomes emotional: "Thanks for the advice. You'll forgive me if I don't take it because you don't know what the hell you're talking about."
Sue Ellen: "Isn't it strange how the mistress always thinks she's smarter than the wife. If she's so smart, why is she the mistress?"
Angela Channing
Telly Talk Veteran
As much as I love Dallas and think overall it was the best prime time soap opera ever and I loved it's theme tune, however, I think the theme of Falcon Crest and that of The Colbys was better.
Luke_Krebbs_Ewing
Telly Talk Champion
You've obviously had far too much mulled wine!!
Yeah both those two shows have great theme tunes but for me the Dallas theme is in a class of it's own . It'll always be number one!
Lastkidpicked
Telly Talk Dream Maker
@Jabari Lamar
Thank you for uploading this, and please thank your brother for us.
I especially liked when he discussed the split screen during the opening. He did a nice job of pointing out that in the later years, the left and right splits would stop and the middle split would stay in motion. Very cool observation!
Thank you for uploading this, and please thank your brother for us.
I especially liked when he discussed the split screen during the opening. He did a nice job of pointing out that in the later years, the left and right splits would stop and the middle split would stay in motion. Very cool observation!
Falcon Crest was good. especially the 3rd/4th seasons when it was extended, but it's no Dallas. I think it was definitely the best prime-time soap theme. Other than Falcon Crest, none of the others come close, IMO.
Last edited:
Jock Og
Telly Talk TV Fanatic
The FALCON CREST theme tune is very octane and provides a powerful vibe, like DALLAS. Bill Conti created a wonderful piece of opening music for the wine saga. Alas it is not just enough to take honours, from the 'Big D'. THE COLBYS would be in a very deserving bronze ranking. I'm splitting hairs between DYNASTY and KNOTS LANDING, for my fourth and fifth ranking. KL was the best written show, of them all but with my taste has to settle for fifth.
.
Lance and his new girlfriend Lorraine Prescott arrive at the Falcon Crest mansion. They are eventually greeted or the lack of it, by Angela. Mrs. Channing isn't over the moon because Lance has hooked up with Richard's stepdaughter. Chao-Li and FC attorney Greg Reardon are in the foyer, when the loved up pair land in, (a scene from season 4, 1984 - '85):
Chao-Li: "Your grandmother is not to be disturbed!"
Lance and Greg are just about to start a full blown fight. Chao-Li separates them. Angela hearing all the commotion appears, from the second storey.
Angela with a face like thunder looks down her nose, at Lorraine and Lance: "Now stop that and listen to me! You're not welcome here Lance Cumson and neither is that little tramp that is with you."
Lance: "You leave her out of this."
Angela: "She is out of it and so are you!"
.
Lance and his new girlfriend Lorraine Prescott arrive at the Falcon Crest mansion. They are eventually greeted or the lack of it, by Angela. Mrs. Channing isn't over the moon because Lance has hooked up with Richard's stepdaughter. Chao-Li and FC attorney Greg Reardon are in the foyer, when the loved up pair land in, (a scene from season 4, 1984 - '85):
Chao-Li: "Your grandmother is not to be disturbed!"
Lance and Greg are just about to start a full blown fight. Chao-Li separates them. Angela hearing all the commotion appears, from the second storey.
Angela with a face like thunder looks down her nose, at Lorraine and Lance: "Now stop that and listen to me! You're not welcome here Lance Cumson and neither is that little tramp that is with you."
Lance: "You leave her out of this."
Angela: "She is out of it and so are you!"
Angela Channing
Telly Talk Veteran
I think Falcon Crest's theme had more drama and had more of an epic quality to it which I think fit better with the show. The Dallas theme was great but it had more of a jaunty and light feel to it which I didn't think fit the show quite as well. The Colbys, although I wasn't a great fan of the show, had a great theme. Loved how the first bars were the same as Dynasty, showing the connection with that show, before going into a really great tune.
The absolute best prime time soap theme ever though was the UK show Crossroads. Such a clever piece of music. It starts with one tune, then switches to another before both tunes are played simultaneously and then we hear the 2 tunes separately again. Both tunes are memorable and each one represents a road that crosses the other which is reflects the title of the show.
The absolute best prime time soap theme ever though was the UK show Crossroads. Such a clever piece of music. It starts with one tune, then switches to another before both tunes are played simultaneously and then we hear the 2 tunes separately again. Both tunes are memorable and each one represents a road that crosses the other which is reflects the title of the show.
DallasFanForever
Telly Talk Supreme
I respect that. For me it’s the Dallas theme first of course but the truth is I love all of the prime time soap themes from back then.
The Dynasty theme is a close second for me. I think it really fit the show and what they were trying to convey. I feel it was perfect, as I feel the Dallas theme was for that show.
Maybe it’s me but The Colbys and FC themes sound quite similar in the very beginning, but then that obviously changes as they progress a little. The Colbys theme has always reminded me of what a theme from a big 80’s action movie would sound like. It feels like a cross between the Indiana Jones and Back to the Future themes to me. I feel it’s actually highly underrated compared to the others.
Laurie Marr
Telly Talk Well-Known Member
Dallas seems the least complex theme of the soaps as it doesn’t have a middle eight bars (or bridge/chorus) unlike it’s competitors. It appears to be the same melody repeated. But listen closer. The tv version of the theme starts in the key of Bb then moves up a semitone to the key of C - then for the last run through the key change is a perfect interval from C to F. It’s such a simple but powerful and well executed piece of melody writing by Immel.