Da-da-da-dat-dat-da-da-da

April 3, 2017 2:08 PM

The CBS-Turner networks NCAA theme song: A "diminutive masterpiece of auditory branding genius?" If you've watched any of the NCAA men's tournament (the 2017 version of which ends tonight) over the past quarter century, you've heard the CBS March Madness earworm jingle in some form of the other. The current arrangement comes to you via Trevor Rabin, a South African-born musician who was once the guitarist for and the brains-behind-"90125"-era Yes. The original, 1993 tourney version came from Bob Christianson, the "John Williams of TV Sports," who came up with it in a basement studio in Manhattan. It stayed intact through 2003. Then there were other arrangements. For comparative purposes, here's the 1987-1992 theme.

For use in a future Wikipedia entry, probably:

"James Kellaris, a composer and professor of marketing at the University of Cincinnati who studies the influence of music on consumers, noted that the presto tempo of 168 beats per minute in Christianson’s tune is consistent with a human heart rate during exercise. The percussive groove also lends an impression of forward motion. 'The theme clearly evokes excitement and motion, such as a person running,” Kellaris wrote in an email.'"

NOTICE: THIS SONG IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH ONE SHINING MOMENT.

posted by raysmj (8 comments total)

The CBS theme is so much more upbeat and positive when compared to FOX Sports' "gladiators marching into the Coliseum" theme.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]

That's an amazing theme, but nothing will ever top the best sports music ever written
posted by hobgadling at 3:04 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]

Back in the dark ages, when CBS controlled every game and parceled out the early rounds on a regional basis, I would always add these lyrics when they played the jingle to signal an upcoming "scores of other games in progress" chyron: "These are the games that you can't see!"
posted by HillbillyInBC at 3:08 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]

Dang, came in to post Roundall Rock, and hobgadling beat me to it.

I worked for John Tesh for a couple years. He said he's made more from that piece than any other thing in his career.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 3:33 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]

1976 had the CBS/NBA theme I loved. The graphics made it as good as the music.

That being said, I'm not sure I can stop seeing the image of John Tesh mime-dribbling a basketball. Even typing that comes across as wrong.

Of course a grandaddy of all themes has nothing to do with CBS. /derail
posted by datawrangler at 4:16 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]

here's the 1987-1992 theme.

Beeee-lieve it not, I'm walking on air...
posted by kurumi at 5:10 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]

All jokes aside, this is the best sports music ever written.
posted by rocket88 at 7:29 AM on April 4, 2017

I work at CBS sports and have done every minute of March Madness (and currently am flying back from Phoenix). This music is what I hear when I'm half awake and trying to fall back asleep.

When you listen, you should imagine me sitting in front of a lighting console saying "ok, it's been x days, can anyone tell me what this graphics package has that relates to basketball?"
posted by nevercalm at 9:58 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]