Match of The Day - Theme Music

Theme Music

The current theme tune for the series is called "Match of the Day" and was written especially for the programme in 1970 by Barry Stoller, and has become so ubiquitous in British culture that it is associated not just with the programme but football in general. It is often incorrectly labelled with the title "Offside", which was actually the name of an alternative commercially-released version in 1970, which was conducted by Mike Vickers. In May 2010, PRS for Music revealed that the Match of the Day theme tune is the most recognisable in the UK. The original theme tune to Match of the Day was written by Major Leslie Statham, the band leader of the Welsh Guards, and was entitled "Drum Majorette". This remained the theme tune from 1964 until 1970 when the current tune by Barry Stoller replaced it. At the time Major Statham wrote his original works using the pen-name 'Arnold Steck'.

The theme tune appears in popular children's party song "The Music Man" by Black Lace. Genesis honoured the programme with their song "Match of the Day" in 1977, on the Spot the Pigeon EP. In some parts of the UK the Match of the Day theme is used by some ice cream vans as opposed to the usual "Greensleeves".

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