Johnny's Theme

"Johnny's Theme" began life as "Toot Sweet", a pop instrumental composed in 1959 by Paul Anka and recorded by Tutti's Trumpets. It was released on Disney's Buena Vista label as the B-side to The Camarata Strings' single "Lost In a Fog"."Toot Sweet (It's Really Love)". B1. F-356 (Buena Vista Records). 1959. (Title as printed on the 45's [http://images.45cat.com/the-camarata-strings-toot-sweet-its-really-love-buena-vista.jpg label]; Anka published the lyrics in March 1959.)

"Tutti" Camarata, who was Annette Funicello's producer at the time, asked Anka to write some songs for Funicello's first album to follow her work on The Mickey Mouse Club. Anka added lyrics to "Toot Sweet" and published them under the title "It's Really Love",{{cite web|last1=Conradt|first1=Stacy|title=11 TV Theme Songs That Secretly Have Lyrics|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/31167/11-tv-theme-songs-secretly-have-lyrics|website=Mental Floss|access-date=26 April 2015|date=2012-07-11}} and the song was released as part of Annette Sings Anka. He recorded his own version of "It's Really Love" that same year for the French film Faibles Femmes; it was released on seven-inch EPs in France, Italy and Spain."Faibles Femmes (It's Really Love)". A1. ABC 45.9807 (ABC-Paramount). 1959.{{indent|3}}"Faibles Femmes (It's Really Love)". A1. SCMQ 1198 (Columbia Records). 1959.{{indent|3}}"Amor Sincero (It's Really Love)". B2. HP-9706 (Hispavox). 1959.

When Johnny Carson, a fan of jazz music, was preparing to take over as the permanent host of The Tonight Show starting in October 1962, he recognized that he would need a theme song.{{cite web|author=Myers, Marc|url=http://www.jazzwax.com/2014/01/tonight-show-theme-evolution.html|title=Tonight Show Theme: Evolution|website=JazzWax|date=January 7, 2014|access-date=November 4, 2014|author-link=Marc Myers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104115115/http://www.jazzwax.com/2014/01/tonight-show-theme-evolution.html|archive-date=November 4, 2014|url-status=dead}} Carson and Anka had worked together in England on the television special An Evening with Paul Anka in 1961;{{sfn|Cox|2002|p=192}} when they happened to meet up again in New York City the following year, Carson manager Al Bruno mentioned needing a theme.

Anka created a new instrumental arrangement for "It's Really Love" and sent a demo to Carson and Ed McMahon, who were in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, making preparations for the show. McMahon said "it was the first time either one of us heard [the song]—and magic."

{{Infobox song

| name = Johnny's Theme (The Tonight Show Theme)

| cover = Johnny's_Theme_sleeve.png

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = The Tonight Show Band

| album = The Tonight Show Band

| B-side = Skyliner

| released = 1986

| format =

| recorded = August 5–7, 1986

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = {{Duration|m=1|s=17}}

| label = Amherst

| writer = Paul Anka, Johnny Carson{{cite web|last=Ellerbee|first=Bobby|url=http://www.dixieswing.com/vol31.pdf|title=How Johnny Carson's Tonight Show Theme Came About|journal=The Great Escape!|volume=31|page=3|access-date=November 4, 2014}}

| producer = {{unbulleted list|Jeff Tyzik|Allen Vizzutti{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-tonight-show-band-vol-1-mw0000649756/credits|title=The Tonight Show Band, Vol. 1: Credits|website=AllMusic|access-date=April 26, 2015}}}}

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

| misc = {{Audio sample

| type = single

| file = Johnny's Theme sample.ogg

}}

}}

Shortly after sending the demo, Anka received a telephone call and was told that Tonight Show bandleader Skitch Henderson was angry because Carson wanted to use a theme song written by a "20-year-old kid."{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0501/24/lkl.01.html|title=Transcripts: Larry King Live Interview with Ed McMahon, Doc Severinsen|website=CNN|date=January 24, 2005|access-date=November 5, 2014|postscript=. The lyrics were never used for The Tonight Show.}} Anka said he then offered to let Carson write and publish new lyrics in order to claim a songwriter's credit along with half of the royalties every time the song was played which would earn each man an average of about {{dollarsign|USD}}200,000 per year. Orange Coast estimated in 1999 that "Johnny's Theme" had been played more than 1,400,000 times.{{cite web|last=Rice|first=Darcy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rAQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36|title=He wrote that one, too?|magazine=Orange Coast|date=March 1999|volume=25|number=3|page=36|access-date=April 24, 2020|postscript=. "In 1962, [Anka] wrote the theme song for The Tonight Show, which has been performed more than 1,400,000 times." (The article does not clarify where performed or by whom; Carson's tenure comprised 4,531 broadcast episodes.)}}

The song was retired along with Carson in 1992;{{sfn|Kerley|2013|p=99}} his iteration of The Tonight Show was called "the last widely public big-band forum."{{cite news|last=Woodard|first=Josef|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-07-16-vl-3595-story.html|title=SOUNDS AROUND TOWN: Big-Band Lifeline ...|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 16, 1992|access-date=April 26, 2015}} Incoming bandleader Branford Marsalis composed a more "funky" theme for successor Jay Leno because "a swing tune doesn't reflect Jay at all [and] jazz doesn't come to mind either."{{cite journal|last=Waldron|first=Clarence|title=Branford Marsalis and Jay Leno Give Tonight Show New Humor and New Sound|volume=82|issue=9|page=57|journal=Jet|date=June 22, 1992}}

Henry Mancini and his orchestra recorded a {{duration|m=2|s=44}} arrangement of "Johnny's Theme" in 1972 for the German EP Theme from Nicholas and Alexandra."Johnny's Theme (Theme from the 'Tonight Show')". B2. LSP 4630 (APRS-6426) (RCA Victor). 1972. A version also appeared as part of Mancini's 2010 compilation Big Screen, Little Screen.Big Screen, Little Screen. 7 (CD). {{ASIN|B00004LMRK}} (RCA Records). 2010. Paul Anka produced a recording by Top Brass for Buddah Records in 1973."Johnny's Theme". A1. BDA-364 (BDAS-364-A) (Buddah). 1973. Lawrence Welk and his orchestra performed the song for their 1976 album Nadia's Theme."Johnny's Theme". B1. R-8165 (Ranwood). 1976.

Doc Severinsen and the band recorded "Johnny's Theme" and 12 other tracks for their album The Tonight Show Band, released in 1986.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-tonight-show-band-vol-1-mw0000649756|title=The Tonight Show Band, Vol. 1: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards|website=AllMusic|access-date=November 4, 2014}} Amherst Records also released the track as a single, titled "Johnny's Theme (The Tonight Show Theme)","Johnny's Theme (The Tonight Show Theme)" is the single's title as printed on the 45's [http://assets.rootsvinylguide.com/pictures/the-tonight-show-band-johnny-carson-s-theme-45-rpm-white-label-promo-record_8388252 label]. At least two [http://ep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-85769506338114/severinsen-doc-45-signed-autograph-picture-sleeve-tonight-show-band-1986-theme-11.gif surviving] [http://assets.rootsvinylguide.com/pictures/the-tonight-show-band-johnny-carson-s-theme-45-rpm-white-label-promo-record_8388232 copies] of the accompanying picture sleeve used the title "The Tonight Show Theme (Johnny's Theme)". which debuted at #27 on the Radio & Records Jazz Top 30 chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/80s/86/RR-1986-10-17-OCR-Page-0074.pdf|title=Radio & Records National Airplay: Jazz|magazine=Radio & Records|via=AmericanRadioHistory.com|date=October 17, 1986|access-date=April 26, 2015}} The song has been released on compilations of television themes,Television's Greatest Hits Vol. 1: 50s & 60s. 64. {{asin|B000000GOI}} (Tee Vee Toons). 1985.{{indent|3}}Television's Greatest Themes, Vol. 13. 14. {{asin|B00F48YZIG}} (TV Tunesters). 2013. the 1995 compilation 25 Years of Chrysalis Music,25 Years of Chrysalis Music. 11 (CD). {{asin|B006VDJI6C}} (Chrysalis). 1995. and The Very Best of Doc Severinsen (1998).The Very Best of Doc Severinsen. 16 (CD). {{asin|B000001O7A}} (Amherst). 1998.

"Johnny's Theme" earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Performance,{{cite web|last=Moleski|first=Linda|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-01-31.pdf|title=Grass Route|magazine=Billboard|volume=99|issue=5|page=63|date=January 31, 1987|access-date=April 27, 2015}} losing to "Top Gun Anthem" at the awards presentation in 1987. The Tonight Show Band was honored for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band.{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=&title=&year=1986&genre=All|title=Winners (1986)|website=Grammy.com|access-date=April 27, 2015}}

In 2005, Doc Severinsen, Carson's bandleader starting in 1967,{{cite news|last=Severo|first=Richard|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/03/arts/music/03henderson.html|title=Skitch Henderson, 87, Tonight Show Bandleader, Dies|work=The New York Times|date=November 3, 2005|access-date=April 28, 2015}} said the song worked so well because it was "accessible. People could understand what it was, and it was associated with Johnny." Larry King called it "one of the most familiar themes in American television history." Paul Anka said the song was played for only a short time each night, "but everybody knows it. Simplicity is indeed royal."{{sfn|Cox|2002|p=193}}

The Washington Post in 2008 said the days of the television theme song were fading into nostalgia, though they "used to abound" with or without lyrics. For example, "Anka's Tonight Show theme was inseparable from late night and Johnny Carson."{{cite news|last=Farhi|first=Paul|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-may-31-et-tvthemes31-story.html|title=Cue TV theme as it fades into sunset: Original music that has helped define shows ...|newspaper=The Washington Post|via=Los Angeles Times|date=May 31, 2008|access-date=April 28, 2015}}

"Johnny's Theme" has been included in numerous films including This Is My Life, Isn't She Great and Talk to Me.{{cite news|author=Staff|url=http://www.hollywood.com/celebrities/paul-anka-57239165|title=Paul Anka: Biography and Filmography|work=Hollywood.com|access-date=April 27, 2015}} The song has been performed live by musicians at varying skill levels from student to professional.{{cite AV media|format=video|title="Johnny's Theme" (from The Tonight Show) Spring Concert 2012|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35MJY46Komo|publisher=YouTube (Heritage Christian High School Jazz Band)|date=April 29, 2012|access-date=January 17, 2015}}{{indent|3}}{{cite AV media|format=video|title="Johnny's Theme" Concert|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyqoQEW6nks|publisher=YouTube (South Shore Conservatory Summer Music Festival)|date=May 1, 2014|access-date=January 17, 2015}} Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball coach Johnny Orr came onto the court pumping his fist as the pep band played "Johnny's Theme" before games at the Hilton Coliseum. Orr's tenure ran from 1980 to 1994.{{cite web|editor1-last=Denner|editor1-first=Andrew|editor2-last=Eastman|editor2-first=Emily|url=http://www.isualum.org/documents/filelibrary/alumni_band/newsletters/2014FallNewsletter_161941D85EE55.pdf|title=Iowa State Alumni Band Fall 2014 Newsletter|page=10|location=Ames, Iowa|year=2014|access-date=April 26, 2015}}{{indent|3}}{{cite news|last=Borzi|first=Pat|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/19/sports/ncaabasketball/iowa-states-legacy-of-fervor-and-success-is-handed-down.html|title=Iowa State's Legacy of Fervor and Success Is Handed Down|work=The New York Times|date=January 18, 2014|access-date=April 26, 2015}}

Doc Severinsen has kept the song alive on tour. His Big Band opened its shows by playing the theme in its entirety, "just to let you know who we are."{{cite news|url=http://norfolkdailynews.com/news/former-the-tonight-show-band-leader-performs-at-johnny-carson/article_7a050622-2783-11e3-89ab-001a4bcf6878.html|title=Former The Tonight Show Band Leader Performs at Johnny Carson Theatre|newspaper=Norfolk Daily News|location=Norfolk, Nebraska|date=September 27, 2013|access-date=December 6, 2014}}{{indent|3}}{{cite news|last=Darr|first=Deanna|url=http://rapidcityjournal.com/blackhillstogo/arts-music/sound-check/big-band-big-sound-severinsen-takes-tonight-show-music-on/article_64d1bae7-0869-5284-add2-e49fdc69c024.html|title=Big Band, Big Sound: Severinsen takes Tonight Show Music on the Road|newspaper=Rapid City Journal|location=Rapid City, South Dakota|date=April 4, 2014|access-date=December 6, 2014}} Severinsen and The Roots played "Johnny's Theme" during a 2015 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.{{cite web|url=http://fallontonight.tumblr.com/post/111304959425/web-exclusive-doc-severinsen-performs-the-theme|title=Doc Severinsen Performs Johnny Carson's Theme|website=Tumblr: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (official)|date=February 17, 2015|access-date=April 27, 2015}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book|last=Cox|first=Stephen|title=Here's Johnny! Thirty Years of America's Favorite Late-Night Entertainer|publisher=Cumberland House Publishing|isbn=978-1581822656|edition=paperback|year=2002}} Cited as Cox 2002.
• {{cite book|last=Kerley|first=Gary Lee|editor-last=Sickels|editor-first=Robert C.|title=100 Entertainers Who Changed America: An Encyclopedia of Pop Culture Luminaries|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2013|isbn=9781598848311}} Cited as Kerley 2013.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnny's Theme}}

Category:1959 songs

Category:Jazz songs

Category:Songs written by Paul Anka

Category:Television talk show theme songs

Category:The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson