The theme from 'Barney Miller' starts off with a memorably funky bass line by Chuck Berghofer. We see a view of New York City from a distance. Then this sort of grimy city keyboard jumps in with some drums. At 0:11, a sweet electric guitar from, supposedly (I was not able to completely verify it), Dan Ferguson, kicks up the funk. I especially love that lick from 0:14 - 0:16 or so. During this visual part of the intro, Barney Miller walks up some steps and laughs at something funny another cop tells him.
Some fairly typical TV theme horns arrive at 0:23 to remind us that we are supposed to be watching a TV show and not just sitting around grooving on the bass and guitar. By now, the visual aspect of the show's intro is introducing us to the rest of the cast. The character of Barney Miller was played by a true New Yorker, Hal Linden. He also hosted Animals, Animals, Animals, a children's show that had a great, and very 70s, theme song.
Yes! One of my all-time favorite TV theme songs and shows.
ReplyDeleteDoh! I need to check on comments more often! Thanks for your comment, B!
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