Devil's Gallop
Encyclopedia
"Devil's Galop" is a piece of light music
composed by Charles Williams
. It became famous as the theme tune to the radio serial Dick Barton - Special Agent
. The name "galop" of the title refers to the galop
dance as opposed to a horse's gallop.
, The Goodies
, the Goon Show (the original theme music for which is called 'Goons Gallop' and is reminiscent of Devil's Galop). Monty Python
used this theme throughout its run on television including the famous The Spanish Inquisition
sketch.
The theme has been featured recently in Mitchell and Webb
's The Surprising Adventures of Sir Digby Chicken-Caesar sketches, and the 30 Rock
episode "Tracy Does Conan
". The song was also used in the CITV children's show ZZZap!
and was the theme song of the character 'Tricky Dicky'.
Light music
Light music is a generic term applied to a mainly British musical style of "light" orchestral music, which originated in the 19th century and had its heyday during the early to mid part of the 20th century, although arguably it lasts to the present day....
composed by Charles Williams
Charles Williams (composer)
Charles Williams was a British composer and conductor, contributing music to over 50 films...
. It became famous as the theme tune to the radio serial Dick Barton - Special Agent
Dick Barton
Dick Barton - Special Agent was a popular radio programme on the BBC Light Programme. Between 1946 to 1951 it aired at 6.45 each weekday evening and at its peak it had an audience of 15 million listeners. Despite popular belief, it was not actually the BBC's first daily serial...
. The name "galop" of the title refers to the galop
Galop
In dance, the galop, named after the fastest running gait of a horse , a shortened version of the original term galoppade, is a lively country dance, introduced in the late 1820s to Parisian society by the Duchesse de Berry and popular in Vienna, Berlin and London...
dance as opposed to a horse's gallop.
In popular culture
It has since been used in a number of productions, often to give a sense of dramatic urgency to a chase scene. As well as being the theme for the BBC Light Programme's serial Dick Barton, other appearances include Dad's ArmyDad's Army
Dad's Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard during the Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and broadcast on BBC television between 1968 and 1977. The series ran for 9 series and 80 episodes in total, plus a radio series, a feature film and a stage show...
, The Goodies
The Goodies
The Goodies are a trio of British comedians who created, wrote, and starred in a surreal British television comedy series called The Goodies during the 1970s and early 1980s combining sketches and situation comedy.-Honours:All three Goodies now have OBEs...
, the Goon Show (the original theme music for which is called 'Goons Gallop' and is reminiscent of Devil's Galop). Monty Python
Monty Python
Monty Python was a British surreal comedy group who created their influential Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series...
used this theme throughout its run on television including the famous The Spanish Inquisition
The Spanish Inquisition (Monty Python)
"The Spanish Inquisition" is a series of sketches in Monty Python's Flying Circus, Series 2 Episode 2, first broadcast 22 September 1970, parodying the real-life Spanish Inquisition. This episode is itself entitled "The Spanish Inquisition"...
sketch.
The theme has been featured recently in Mitchell and Webb
Mitchell and Webb
Mitchell and Webb are a British comedy double act, comprising David Mitchell and Robert Webb . They are best known for starring in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show....
's The Surprising Adventures of Sir Digby Chicken-Caesar sketches, and the 30 Rock
30 Rock
30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
episode "Tracy Does Conan
Tracy Does Conan
"Tracy Does Conan" is the seventh episode of NBC's first season of 30 Rock. It was written by the series' creator and executive producer, Tina Fey and it was directed by one of the season's supervising producers, Adam Bernstein. It first aired on December 7, 2006 in the United States and November...
". The song was also used in the CITV children's show ZZZap!
ZZZap!
Zzzap was a British children's television comedy programme. The concept of the show was a giant comic that has been brought to life. The show ran from 8 January 1993 until 21 September 2001, and was produced by The Media Merchants and Meridian Broadcasting...
and was the theme song of the character 'Tricky Dicky'.