The Intensity of Saved By the Bell’s theme song
By Bill Tucker
19 November 2008 24 CommentsI was watching Saved by the Bell and the theme song was like a syringe of caffeine. When was the last time you really listened to it? It’s like being on fire and running for a pool or a lake to jump into. The smoking solo, the piano slides and the excitement in the vocals.
I tried to picture what the people playing it must have looked like while they were recording it, and I just couldn’t picture real people. It’s just too bizarre of a performance.
I started doing research trying to find a picture, a video, anything, a glimpse of the real composers.
Amazon has the soundtrack for sale and the name Tom Weir is listed next to the theme song. I was shocked to see how much it’s going for. New starting $88.83 dollars and used starting at $27.99.
At the top of the page were the names of the composers. The user reviews were written by people talking about how much they loved the show, but unfortunately there was no more information leading to the composers, except for one comment which states Mark Paul Gosselaar a.k.a. Zack Morris, the main character on Saved by the Bell, as the mastermind behind the music. This was super funny considering the names of the composers were on the same page. The reviewer, Wretched Jonah(scroll down to the 4th comment), mentioned that these songs are a representation of a “departure from the song structure….” they lead to a “more ethereal, minimalistic approach to sound.” This was hilarious, and I encourage you to read his full review.
The composers of the theme were Rich Eames, Scott Gale, Michael Damian (whose birth name was Weir), and Jonathan Wolff. What do these names mean? They are some of Hollywoods elite composers. Hit movies and tv shows, these are the names you would see on the credits and never think twice about them. For example, Michael Damian is responsible for the soundtrack to “Dream a Little Dream.” 3 out of 4 of these composers have been found to be the rightful heirs to “Saved by The Bell”, but there is no information that stating that Jonathan Wolff was actually involved in this theme song.
As for Scott Gale, he is recluse. I couldn’t find one picture of him.
So no luck for me, but I still have the image in my head of these guys playing this song and it’s freaking hilarious.
One last thing. I found this video on youtube. If you play the theme song backwards, it’s another one of those “satanic message” songs.
Last 5 posts by Bill Tucker
haha this was a great article! i never thought about how catchy that song is.
that’s fucking awesome!!!!!!
wow! i never liked that show. satan’s always lurking. good work on the report!
Watch as I proceed to comment on the sound research and entertaining summary of this article. Hilarious!
This theme song is like the story to my life, I can’t believe how you’ve trashed its integrity with the whole Satan thing.
Ok, for real, this song whole article is just hilarious! The sheer amount of effort put into the research, I commend you!
i’m not at all surprised by the song being satanic when played backwards.
All hail Lord Belding! We salute you, our half-bald dark lord!
oh man. I am so glad someone did this since we were just talking about what a kickin song this is!!!! EXCELLENT article!
Haha, this article is amazing. I have seen just about every episode made and every time, I sing along. Even when I haven’t seen an episode for months…. I still randomly sing the song out loud. Very catchy, amazing, and I agree..no way real people sang this song.
Fascinating. Except that it doesn’t actually say “Satan” if you just listen to the backwards version without reading along.
Not that Saved By The Bell wasn’t an insidious tool of the forces of darkness and evil, of course.
billyt. Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
yr totally right, it’s more like a “sic” than a “satan”.
man i miss my satan, but i don’t miss that show because it was utter shit. i am impressed at the article, though, mr. tucker. time occasionally devoted to pointless things reminds me that life is meaningless unless you take some joy and interest in it. thanks, and i look forward to more of the same.
I am ALWAYS picturing in my mind, the studio musicians who perform such classics as our favorite tv theme songs, or commercials. Especially the commercials. How can one sing with such conviction and passion, songs about Jared the Galleria of Jewelers, or Andreana Furs, or Empire Carpet! I am glad to know that I am not the only one who thinks about all of this. Next, could you please research the theme song for Growing Pains?
sharing the laughter and love…
Bill Tucker Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
This is the Growing Pains theme song
It’s super creepy! That little keyboard chime at them end…whew.
Bill Tucker Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
my code didn’t work but heres the link
http://www.televisiontunes.com/Growing_Pains_-_1985.html
Haha. Great article! I love the bit about the satanic back-masking. Somehow the juxtaposition of Saved By The Bell and Lucifer just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
very nice article… it’s refreshing to bring back something so old.
i remember watching this show a good amount. it wasnt that great of a show
but when you’re really bored it had a power of sucking you in over and over.
Bill Tucker Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
i sometimes have that sucking feeling when i’m watching the “oldies” of tv. For some reason when the show Bewitched comes on, I feel like I’m going to die.
here’s the michael damian version
http://www.televisiontunes.com/Saved_by_the_Bell_-_Michael_Damon_Version.html
college years?
http://www.televisiontunes.com/Saved_by_the_Bell_-_College_Years.html
the television tunes website says that the song that we know is the scott gale version. So Scott Gale remains faceless, but we know his voice. He is the voice behind the song! Wow I never would have realized how deep into this we could get…
you’ve unearthed the hearty genius of this song…for so long it’s gone unnoticed and unappreciated, but now it’s day has come. Thanks for this enlightening article, I never quite thought about the Saved by The Bell theme song quite like this before.
Hey Bill.
Great work. I really enjoyed the article. Good work.
Man - now it’s stuck in my head! But, what’s even worse is I too am now picturing some mystical jam session where this beauty was unleashed into our collective psyche. CRAZY! Good work, Bill!
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