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The Pink Panther Theme
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = The Pink Panther Theme
| cover = The Pink Panther Theme cover.jpg
| border = yes
| type = song
| artist = Henry Mancini
| album = The Pink Panther: Music from the Film Score Composed and Conducted by Henry Mancini
| released = 1963
| recorded = 1963
| genre = Jazz
| length = 2:40
| label = RCA Victor
| writer = Henry Mancini
| producer = Joe Reisman
| misc =
}}
"'The Pink Panther Theme'" is an instrumental composition by Henry Mancini written as the theme for the 1963 film 'The Pink Panther' and subsequently nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Score at the 37th Academy Awards but lost to the Sherman Brothers for 'Mary Poppins'. The eponymous cartoon character created for the film's opening credits by David DePatie and Friz Freleng was animated in time to the tune. The tenor saxophone solo was played by Plas Johnson.
Overview
The tune was included on the film's soundtrack album (originally issued as RCA Victor LPM/LSP-2795) and available as a single (in the United States) in 1964; the single reached the Top 10 on the U.S. 'Billboard' adult contemporary chart and won three Grammy Awards.
Various recordings of the composition appeared in the opening credits of all 'The Pink Panther' films except 'A Shot in the Dark' and 'Inspector Clouseau'. It has also been used in theatrical shorts, television cartoons, commercials and other works in which the animated Pink Panther appears.
"The Pink Panther Theme", composed in the key of E minor, is unusual for Mancini's extensive use of chromaticism.
In his autobiography 'Did They Mention the Music?', Mancini talked about how he composed the theme music:
Personnel
*Plas Johnson - tenor saxophone
*Gene Cipriano, Harry Klee, Ronny Lang, Ted Nash flute, saxophones
*Frank Beach, Conrad Gozzo, Jack Sheldon, Ray Triscari trumpets
*Karl DeKarske, Dick Nash, Jimmy Priddy trombones
*John Halliburton - bass trombone
*Al Hendrickson guitar
*Larry Bunker, Frank Flynn vibes and percussion
*Jimmy Rowles piano
*Rolly Bundock bass
*Shelly Manne drums
*Pete Jolly accordion
*Ramon Rivera - congas, percussion
Other versions
From 1976 to 1991, the theme also served as the think music for 'Safe Crackers', a pricing game featured on the American game show 'The Price Is Right'.
In the 1978 film 'Revenge of the Pink Panther', the theme, and much of the soundtrack from this entry in the series, draw heavily from the disco sound of the late 1970s. The theme itself was reworked to include a more dancy bassline, electric piano, and guitar solo. A similar treatment was given to 1983's 'Curse of the Pink Panther', where it had more synthesized instruments.
The theme was used in John McLaughlin and Al Di Meola's live version of Chick Corea's 'Short Tales of the Black Forest', from the 1981 album 'Friday Night in San Francisco'.
In the 1994 video game, 'Final Fantasy VI', the music for Zozo town. is based on the theme.
In the 1993 film 'Son of the Pink Panther', the theme was rearranged and performed by Bobby McFerrin in the opening titles. This version was unique in being the only one to be performed a cappella. The credits featured the theme in the traditional style, similar to its appearance in 'Return of the Pink Panther', with an electric keyboard bassline.
In the 1999 video game, 'Donkey Kong 64', the music for Snide H.Q. is based on the theme.
In the 2000 video game, 'Wario Land 3', the music for Vampire Wario is based on the theme.
The first episode of the 'Idol Defense Force Hummingbird' anime series makes use of a cover version of the theme in a scene where two reporters sneak into the bedroom of protagonists Satsuki and Yayoi Toreishi for a "close-up" scoop.
Actresses Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz and dance troupe and music group The Pussycat Dolls danced to the theme in the film 'Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle'.
Christophe Beck rearranged the music for the 2006 reboot, as well as its sequel, 'The Pink Panther 2' - Paul Oakenfold remixed the theme song for the 2006 film.
In 2007, saxophonist Dave Koz recorded a version for his album 'At the Movies'.
The theme was featured in the film 'The Life and Death of Peter Sellers' (2004).
The rearranged guitar version of Henry Mancini's Pink Panther theme were used from the short-lived Pink Panther and Pals series in 2010, composed by David Ricard.
Certifications
References
Category:The Pink Panther
Category:American jazz songs
Category:Compositions by Henry Mancini
Category:Songs written for films
Category:Film theme songs
Category:Animated series theme songs
Category:1960s jazz standards
Category:1963 songs
Category:1964 singles
Category:Jazz compositions in E minor
Category:RCA Records singles
Category:1960s instrumentals
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