The Saint (Edwin Astley song)
"The Saint" is a theme tune for The Saint composed first as a whistled melody by author Leslie Charteris himself, before being expanded by Edwin Astley 1962, and later Brian Dee, Irving Martin, and Orbital in television and film versions.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Orbital version
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"The Saint" is a 1997 single by Orbital, taken from the soundtrack to the film of the same name. The track is an updated version of Edwin Astley's theme music from the 1960s TV series The Saint and plays over a scene towards the end of the film. Orbital's arrangement alters the piece from waltz time to common time and places the melody on top of a driving electronica rhythm.
The B-side, "The Sinner", is an original composition developing elements of Orbital's arrangement from the A-side.
"The Saint" was one of Orbital's biggest hit singles. It reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, equalling their highest ever placing in that chart achieved by "Satan Live". Despite its success, it is not included on any of Orbital's retrospective albums, though it did appear on some reissues of their 1996 album In Sides. It was included in Orbital's live set during Lollapalooza 1997 and that year's Phoenix Festival but has not been played live since.
Versions
- The Eliminators 1966
- Laurel Aitken 1963
- The Les Reed Brass 1962
- Roland Shaw And His Orchestra 1966
- Tommy McCook 1969
References
- ^ Anna Gough-Yates, Bill Osgerby, Anna Gough Yates Action TV: Tough-Guys, Smooth Operators and Foxy Chicks 2013 1136358722 Page 198 - "Composed by Edwin Astley, the theme to The Saint (like that to The Avengers) uses swinging big band sounds and rhythms to set the tone for the series and its debonair hero. Played after the opening teaser of each episode, the theme ..."
- ^ Kristopher Spencer Film and Television Scores, 1950-1979: A Critical Survey 0786452285 2008 - Page 58 - -"Edwin Astley, who went on to score Secret Agent and The Saint, contributed music, along with Leroy Holmes, Sidney Shaw and Harry Booth."
- ^ Vincent Terrace Crime Fighting Heroes of Television: Over 10,000 Facts 2002 Page 144 "Edwin Astley composed the theme, "The Saint."
- ^ Wesley Alan Britton Spy Television 0275981630 2004 Page 113 "The Saint became even more involved with espionage when Ian Ogilvy took over the part in the 1970s. Demonstrating his unique versatility, Leslie Charteris himself composed the signature whistled title melody for The Saint, the same tune later expanded by Edwin Astley, Brain Dee, 1rving Martin, and Orbital in television and film versions of the"
- ^ Lukas Kendall Film Score Monthly Volume 7 - 2002 Page 30 - "Secret Agent EDWIN ASTLEY Score on Collectables CD, paired with The Saint."
- ^ James Chapman Saints and Avengers: British Adventure Series of the 1960s 2002-1860647545 Page 116 - "Like all long-running, successful television series, The Saint has its own specific set of narrative codes and ... and a kaleidoscope of figures fighting in silhouette, guns and target motifs, accompanied by Edwin Astley's television theme tune. "
- ^ Francesco Adinolfi Mondo Exotica: Sounds, Visions, Obsessions of the Cocktail 2008 0822389088 "Edwin Astley also composed the soundtrack to The Saint, a series that aired in the United Kingdom in black and white from 1962 to 1965, and in color from 1966 to 1969. The music was suave and sophisticated like the lead character Simon ..."