I too prefer season 1's score, but to be honest they both scream "seventies" to me. I loved this show as a kid, but watching it now as an adult I can see that most of the episodes are not very well written. Some very cringe-worthy. I just thought it was weird that there were so many changes to the whole show for season two, with zero explanations. Like, "What the heck happened to Professor Bergman?". Anyway, not as terrible as "The Starlost"* but I wish the writing had been a bit better. * A Canadian science fiction show from the early seventies. Here's all 16 episodes if you want to check it out: ruclips.net/video/l_Kv0VlJvNQ/видео.html
That's so funny about the origin of the main theme melody -- as a kid in my head I put the lyric "Space...nineteen ninety nine" when listening to the theme.
As a lifelong fan of the show, I always preferred season 1 over season 2 even though Derek Wadsworth gave S2 a more dynamic score, i always thought that the music of S1 was more memorable and played to the strengths of the episodes
As much as I love the music for both seasons, the music from season 1 just edges in front of season 2 for me - the main theme from season 1 instantly transports me back to my very young self planted in front of the telly in the early 70s watching something I still love to this day.
The fact that Space: 1999 gave us two incredible but different composers/soundtracks for each season means that the music is twice as good and all the more listenable... I have numerous soundtrack CDs, but most 2-disc sets filled with the same composer ends up with lots of boring "incidental music" thrown in to pad out the time. With my two Space: 1999 soundtrack CDs, one for each season, I get some FAB listenable music and none of the fluff. Thanks!
Very informative! Great to hear directly from Derek about the development of the music, and to know that I wasn’t a complete git for always hear “Space… 1999…” in my head when that theme played!
Thanks. Barry was in a universe of his own, but Derek's music was great, particularly the incidental cues. There's more going on in it than you might think at first. In terms of sophistication, it exceeded quite a lot of television scoring at the time. I'd love to have heard more TV/film music from him. He seemed like a nice and somewhat modest man... which sometimes doesn't propel you all the distance in the scoring business, unfortunately. Although perhaps he simply knew his limits. Talented guy. Thanks again. 🙂
I was shocked and dismayed by the change to the new season 2 theme at first but it grew on me. I still prefer the first season theme but I’m glad we have both.
I think that while the main season 2 theme didn’t match the majestic first season theme, the incidental music Derek created for Season 2 is excellent, and very listenable as background music on it’s own merits.
Wadsworth's music for The Day After Tomorrow is my favorite. I had recorded a TV broadcast here in the US on cassette tape and listened to it thousands of times. I have always been hoping for a release of it.
I love the music in Season 2. The Season 1 music was excellent (I still have my ancient Space:1999 LP), but I just really loved the score for the second season. The writing was better on Season 1 though.
Season 2 had it's moments but almost seems they'd gone up there for the day. Wadworths score is fabulous, yet different. I rang Barry Gray at his home in Guernsey. He was very forthcoming with information, saying he'd scored Season 1. He didn't mention Season 2. Season 2 coincided with the advent of Punk Rock which was also different.
I LOVE THE sound tracks for both seasons. Think of season one as CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH A TOUCH OF DISCO, AND SEASON TWO POP MUSIC HEADING TO 8OS SYNTH MUSIC. IN 2023 I STILL LISTEN TO BOTH SOUND TRACKS WHEN I WANT TO FEEL HAPPY OR ESCAPE THE COLD REALITIES OF THIS FUTURE. THE 70S MUSIC HITS YOUR MIND BODY AND SOUL DIFFERENT AND THE SPACE 1999 MUSIC FROM THE 70S STILL KICKS MOON CRATER AZZ. BUT I ALL WAYS WONDER WHY TANGERINE DREAM NEVER GOT A SHOT OF DOING AT LEAST ONE EPISODE SCORE BY 1975 THEY WERE THE GODS OF SPACE ROCK 🪨 MUSIC.
I prefer Season 2 and thank ypu so much for the insights on creating the music which I also prefer compared to season 2. especially the suites from Space warp, One moment of humanity and The Metamoroh. Still amazing to listen to.
omg I never noticed that 'space 1999' syllable thing in the season 2 theme! Now I can't unhear it. (honestly the opening music is literally the only thing I like about season 2).
That floored me as well! I tried singing the title to the notes and dang if it actually "scans"! I tried it with "The Day After Tomorrow" and that also scans! Why I never made the connection after all these years I'll never know, but I won't soon forget it...outside elderly dementia, of course.
With today's Bluetooth and EAR 👂 bud technology both season soundtracks really make your 👂 ears vibrate. Strange lights, space animal on the lose, Death of pyscon, return to Galos, seduction and showdown at copernicus. Dragons domain space opera lunch of the META PROBE SHIP IS BEAUTIFUL.
The best thing about Series 2 was the theme . It was in my opinion as good as the music that the great Barry Gray composed. Although I still think Space 1999 series 1 is more the Anderson style.
I much prefer the sound to Series 2 honestly. Series 1 was okay but did feel like Gray was phoning it in for most of the run despite a brilliant title theme. Series 2 has a very distinct synth sound that just fits so much better.
The change of the theme song was a huge mistake, like Coke abandonning its logo. Made the seaosn two look like an imposter without the "official" music. The visuals in the opening were also of much lesse quality. I can understand changing some of the footage that showed actors no longer part of series but they should have kept same music and visuals for the opening. Season 2's theme could be for any TV show. Season 1 strongly identified/tied to Space 1999. Suspect it was a "not invented here" so ditched by Frieberger not realizing how valuable the theme song was. If you do staff changes, you should try to minimize other changes to provide continuity between the 2 seasons. What Frieberger did is akin to JJ Abrams who is unable to continue Star Trek or Star Wars and has to change major things in it for the sake of change (and in the process kills the franchise).
I hope everyone had a great Gerry Anderson Day, I watched 3 episodes of Space Precinct on DVD! On the subject of music in SPACE: 1999, I still think Barry Gray did the better soundtrack on Series 1, but I also think that Derek Wadsworth did a brilliant job on Series 2!
I did not like the new format of the second series It felt like main mission had shrunk to the size of a small office with no windows compared to the open expanse of the first series and it lost the unique class of the first and changed over to action instead of drama the music was ok and I still watched it
Lovely to have this of my father.......
I like Derek's Year Two score but it's definitely of its time, with a distinct 70's flavour. Barry Gray's music is just so timeless
I too prefer season 1's score, but to be honest they both scream "seventies" to me. I loved this show as a kid, but watching it now as an adult I can see that most of the episodes are not very well written. Some very cringe-worthy. I just thought it was weird that there were so many changes to the whole show for season two, with zero explanations. Like, "What the heck happened to Professor Bergman?". Anyway, not as terrible as "The Starlost"* but I wish the writing had been a bit better.
* A Canadian science fiction show from the early seventies. Here's all 16 episodes if you want to check it out: ruclips.net/video/l_Kv0VlJvNQ/видео.html
That's so funny about the origin of the main theme melody -- as a kid in my head I put the lyric "Space...nineteen ninety nine" when listening to the theme.
AH! Finally, vindication! I always thought the Year Two theme was based on the series title. Now Derek himself has said so.
As a lifelong fan of the show, I always preferred season 1 over season 2 even though Derek Wadsworth gave S2 a more dynamic score, i always thought that the music of S1 was more memorable and played to the strengths of the episodes
Season 2 had its problems, but I love Derek Wadsworth's score. It's so atmospheric.
As much as I love the music for both seasons, the music from season 1 just edges in front of season 2 for me - the main theme from season 1 instantly transports me back to my very young self planted in front of the telly in the early 70s watching something I still love to this day.
Seems like a really nice chap - I love the season 2 theme
The fact that Space: 1999 gave us two incredible but different composers/soundtracks for each season means that the music is twice as good and all the more listenable... I have numerous soundtrack CDs, but most 2-disc sets filled with the same composer ends up with lots of boring "incidental music" thrown in to pad out the time. With my two Space: 1999 soundtrack CDs, one for each season, I get some FAB listenable music and none of the fluff. Thanks!
Agree with many others here, that both themes are great in their own way.
Very informative! Great to hear directly from Derek about the development of the music, and to know that I wasn’t a complete git for always hear “Space… 1999…” in my head when that theme played!
Thanks. Barry was in a universe of his own, but Derek's music was great, particularly the incidental cues. There's more going on in it than you might think at first. In terms of sophistication, it exceeded quite a lot of television scoring at the time. I'd love to have heard more TV/film music from him. He seemed like a nice and somewhat modest man... which sometimes doesn't propel you all the distance in the scoring business, unfortunately. Although perhaps he simply knew his limits. Talented guy. Thanks again. 🙂
Season 1 will always be my fav in every respect, inc the music
I liked the year 2 music
I was shocked and dismayed by the change to the new season 2 theme at first but it grew on me. I still prefer the first season theme but I’m glad we have both.
I think that while the main season 2 theme didn’t match the majestic first season theme, the incidental music Derek created for Season 2 is excellent, and very listenable as background music on it’s own merits.
Wadsworth's music for The Day After Tomorrow is my favorite. I had recorded a TV broadcast here in the US on cassette tape and listened to it thousands of times. I have always been hoping for a release of it.
It’s available on DVD and streaming!
Barry Gray was a tough act to follow but Derek more than held his own
Derek deserves wider recognition for his work as Alan Bennett's stand-in.
I love the music in Season 2. The Season 1 music was excellent (I still have my ancient Space:1999 LP), but I just really loved the score for the second season. The writing was better on Season 1 though.
Completely agree on both points. I always liked the Season 2 introduction better.
Season 2 had it's moments but almost seems they'd gone up there for the day.
Wadworths score is fabulous, yet different. I rang Barry Gray at his home in Guernsey. He was very forthcoming with information, saying he'd scored Season 1. He didn't mention Season 2.
Season 2 coincided with the advent of Punk Rock which was also different.
I LOVE THE sound tracks for both seasons. Think of season one as CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH A TOUCH OF DISCO, AND SEASON TWO POP MUSIC HEADING TO 8OS SYNTH MUSIC. IN 2023 I STILL LISTEN TO BOTH SOUND TRACKS WHEN I WANT TO FEEL HAPPY OR ESCAPE THE COLD REALITIES OF THIS FUTURE. THE 70S MUSIC HITS YOUR MIND BODY AND SOUL DIFFERENT AND THE SPACE 1999 MUSIC FROM THE 70S STILL KICKS MOON CRATER AZZ. BUT I ALL WAYS WONDER WHY TANGERINE DREAM NEVER GOT A SHOT OF DOING AT LEAST ONE EPISODE SCORE BY 1975 THEY WERE THE GODS OF SPACE ROCK 🪨 MUSIC.
Gran incorporación de la nueva música !
Wow, Space 1999. Almost as far in the past now, as it was is the future then. And still no Moonbase Alpha :(
I've always thought, out of the two title themes, this one would suit some lyrics better.
We just need a lyricist now!
Space: 1999 The Musical!
I prefer Season 2 and thank ypu so much for the insights on creating the music which I also prefer compared to season 2. especially the suites from Space warp, One moment of humanity and The Metamoroh. Still amazing to listen to.
Imagine if Anderson had suggested "Charlie's Angels" (which hadn't begun airing in the UK then, but still)!
omg I never noticed that 'space 1999' syllable thing in the season 2 theme! Now I can't unhear it. (honestly the opening music is literally the only thing I like about season 2).
That floored me as well! I tried singing the title to the notes and dang if it actually "scans"! I tried it with "The Day After Tomorrow" and that also scans! Why I never made the connection after all these years I'll never know, but I won't soon forget it...outside elderly dementia, of course.
Well if it makes him feel any better, I would sing along to the theme, lol.
With today's Bluetooth and EAR 👂 bud technology both season soundtracks really make your 👂 ears vibrate. Strange lights, space animal on the lose, Death of pyscon, return to Galos, seduction and showdown at copernicus. Dragons domain space opera lunch of the META PROBE SHIP IS BEAUTIFUL.
Nice video👍
I think the series 2 music is brilliant. The theme equally on the same high plateau as the series Hawaii Five O
The best thing about Series 2 was the theme .
It was in my opinion as good as the music that the great Barry Gray composed.
Although I still think Space 1999 series 1 is more the Anderson style.
Well Sylvia left after Season 1 also, along with Barry Morse. That took the soul out of the show as far as I'm concerned.
Never noticed there were two different themes. D’oh!
Think the second season score was more suited to another anderson classic "the protectors ".
The producer of the second season was Fred "the man who killed Star Trek" Freiberger.
That says all you need to know.
more disco influenced than Barry Gray's series 1 scores good scoring on the tv pilot.
It's not a Century 21 production without music by Barry Gray. SorryNotSorry.
Century 21 was defunct by the time of Space: 1999 anyway 😄
Well it continued after season one. It did not continue after season two.
One alumnus, two alumni. See me after lunch.
I much prefer the theme music for Season
1. It seemed more dramatic for lack of a better word.
First season music was far better. Who Fd up the show? US execs?
I much prefer the sound to Series 2 honestly. Series 1 was okay but did feel like Gray was phoning it in for most of the run despite a brilliant title theme. Series 2 has a very distinct synth sound that just fits so much better.
The change of the theme song was a huge mistake, like Coke abandonning its logo. Made the seaosn two look like an imposter without the "official" music. The visuals in the opening were also of much lesse quality. I can understand changing some of the footage that showed actors no longer part of series but they should have kept same music and visuals for the opening.
Season 2's theme could be for any TV show. Season 1 strongly identified/tied to Space 1999.
Suspect it was a "not invented here" so ditched by Frieberger not realizing how valuable the theme song was.
If you do staff changes, you should try to minimize other changes to provide continuity between the 2 seasons. What Frieberger did is akin to JJ Abrams who is unable to continue Star Trek or Star Wars and has to change major things in it for the sake of change (and in the process kills the franchise).
I hope everyone had a great Gerry Anderson Day, I watched 3 episodes of Space Precinct on DVD! On the subject of music in SPACE: 1999, I still think Barry Gray did the better soundtrack on Series 1, but I also think that Derek Wadsworth did a brilliant job on Series 2!
I did not like the new format of the second series It felt like main mission had shrunk to the size of a small office with no windows compared to the open expanse of the first series and it lost the unique class of the first and changed over to action instead of drama the music was ok and I still watched it
They took the greatest Theme song of all time and ditched it for an OK one.
Watching Space 1999 in 2024 and almost done with season 1. I can hardly wait to get to Season 2. Season 1 dramatic music just isn't working for me.
Schade. The Day after Tomorrow hätte ich gern gesehen
Sorry, but without Barry Gray's contributions it was never going to work for me. Can't watch any season two episodes.
The series 2 theme was no where near as good as Series 1, I was so disappointed they changed it.
Season 2 was awful they shoukd have left it alone
Season 1 was much better.
Absolutely True.