Theme Songs
| Theme Songs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Compilation album by | |
| Released | 1948 |
| Label | RCA Victor |
Theme Songs Played by the Bands Who Made Them Famous (or simply Theme Songs) is a various artists album of phonograph records released in 1948 by RCA Victor.
The back cover reads: "RCA Victor presents the signature songs of eight great popular bands."
Release
[edit]The album was originally issued by RCA Victor as a set of four 78-rpm phonograph records (cat. no. P-217).[1]
Later, the album was made available on 45 rpm (cat. no. WP-217) and 33⅓ rpm (cat. no. EPB 3007).
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| American Record Guide | (favorable)[2] |
| Steinway Review of Permanent Music | (favorable)[1] |
Steinway Review of Permanent Music gave a favorable review, writing: "Having a party and want big-name bands to entertain your guests? Then be sure to hear the signature tunes of Tommy Dorsey, Tex Beneke, Vaughn Monroe, Freddy Martin, Sammy Kaye, and others in RCA Victor P-217, Theme Songs."[1]
American Record Guide assessed the album as a "sure-fire hit" and continued: "These are pi[e]ces by which the orchestras introduce themselves on the air. They became signature tunes because they were a notch or two higher than their usual fare and more than a shade better as arrangements. Unreservedly recommended."[2]
Chart performance
[edit]The album reached No. 1 on Billboard's Best-Selling Popular Record Albums chart.[3]
Track listing
[edit]Set of four records (RCA Victor P-217)[5] – listed on Billboard's charts as PT-17[3]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Note(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I'm Getting Sentimental over You" (from the Samuel Goldwyn film A Song Is Born) | Ned Washington—George Bassman | (Tommy Dorsey's theme song) Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Note(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Moonlight Serenade" | Glenn Miller | (Tex Beneke's theme song) Tex Beneke and his orchestra |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Note(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1" | Arranged by Jack Fina | (Freddy Martin's theme song) Freddy Martin and his orchestra Jack Fina, pianiet |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Note(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Racing with the Moon" | Watson–Moore–Pope | (Vaughn Monroe's theme song) Vaughn Monroe and his orchestra Vocal refrain by Vaughn Monroe |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Note(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Waltz You Saved for Me" | Kahn–King–Flindt | (Wayne King's theme song) Wayne King and his orchestra |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Note(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Twilight Time" | Ram—M. & A. Nevins—Dunn | (The Three Suns theme song) The Three Suns |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Note(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Kaye's Melody" | Sammy Kaye | (Sammy Kaye's theme song) Swing and Sway With Sammy Kaye |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Note(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "My Promise to You" (Adapted from Chopin's Nocturne in D) | Ervin Drake—Jimmy Shirl | (Larry Green's theme song) Larry Green and his orchestra |
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1948) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Best-Selling Popular Record Albums[3] | 1 |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Steinway Review of Permanent Music". Steinway Review of Permanent Music. 1948. p. 10. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ^ a b "American Record Guide". 1947.
- ^ a b c "Best-Selling Popular Record Albums". Billboard. October 16, 1948. p. 33. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ^ "Billboard". January 1949.
- ^ [1][4]