I understand that approach too, of course. But different composers have different sounds too. You can't possibly say that Delia Derbyshire and Keff McCulloch have... anything... in common.

Except they both composed themes for Doctor Who.

But all the Doctor Who themes sound different.

They must have some similarities. Or else they wouldnt all be recognised as themes to Doctor Who.

What he just said.

Ive decided I like John Williams better then Delia Derbyshire, sorry Danny.

Yeah, John Williams is amazing.

Speaking of which...
Currently playing: The Imperial March by Mr. Williams

True, Ross, about Delia Derbyshire and Keff McCulloch, but I meant musically. They might also have the same favorite color, favorite food, etc. But musically they're dead polar opposites.

And of course it's the same theme, David, just different (and sometimes radically different) takes on the same piece. You really should compare them.

And Ross... for shame. John Williams may be amazing, but he never spent weeks lovingly devoting his time to creating something new that the music world had never yet been able to capture (and even wouldn't be able to capture again for decades down the line). I'm sad to see you abandon me on this one, Ross.

Im not abandoning anything. But really... blast the Doctor Who theme on your sterio then blast the SW theme... Im sorry but the SW theme is just grander.

And I'm sure Williams spent more than just weeks lovingly coming up with some of those epic sounds in SW.

Indeed. You can FEEL the emotion in each piece he writes. Sorry, Danny... but in my mind that far outstrips tinkering with some electronic devices to make a new sound.

Depends which version of the Doctor Who theme, really. One may be grand, but the other is very capable of sending chills down your spine as it did with mine for many years. I have blasted the Doctor Who theme on my stereo and it has achieved that same effect time and time again. Blasting the Star Wars theme would only hurt my ears and receive cries from my family of "ew, turn it off."

Possibly. But he used traditional, conventional methods, whereas Delia Derbyshire invented new methods and uses for technology because what was needed to create her vision simply did not exist yet.

You downplay it so much more than it deserves to be played down. You can feel the emotion and organic quality in the Doctor Who theme, all the love and timeless effort that went into creating something new. Star Wars is just orchestral music. Yay for orchestral music. John Williams may be the best composer in the world, but you cannot deny that there are many people that do what he does: write orchestral music. There is only one person of Delia Derbyshire's genius, only one person who is able to say they have done what she has done. Surely that alone has to make you think higher of Delia Derbyshire than of John Williams, simply because hers was a unique art. The Doctor Who theme is a whole new creation, deserving of its own classification in the musical world. It angers me to hear you downplay it as "tinkering to make a new sound." It was so much more than that, and it really upsets me to know that if you actually wanted to understand all the effort that went into it, you could. But I fear that those of you who do not understand right now never will understand.

To each his own. I have been an admirer of Williams ever since I joined band and really listened to the SW themes and Indiana Jones themes and all the other themes that he masterfully created. They convey so much emotion, and to me that is what makes him great.

You didn't really respond to anything I said. About Delia Derbyshire, or the Doctor Who theme. I gave you that Williams was a great composer who put great emotion into his works -- that's not the point I'm arguing here.

I am with Danny of this one, I just find the Doctor Who music far more appealiing, as much as i thought the Star wars music is quite good, I find the Doctor Who music very good too, you can see the hard work, the emotion and attempts to create such peices of genius music, and it really shows, it has made these themes classic, John Williams worked well with an orchestra, he was able to use them and what intruments they had to make such dramatic works, while Delia Derbyshire used resciursefulness and cunning to create a claassic tune which is still good today and it really shows what you can do when you set your mind to things. They have thier own methods, and they work well.

Many thanks, Chris. That post meant a lot to me and I appreciate it. :)

Hey no worries mate. :) I am just trying to appreciate both people for what they did. They oth did a fantastic job. :P

Precisely. Although again I must point out that Delia Derbyshire's is a unique (and today, lost) art. That's all I'm trying to say.

No-ones disputing the fact that both themes rock, but I just think that the SW theme seems a bit better.

Danny, It was not meant as a response to what you said. In SW and the TOS movies, they could have easily gone with music that sounded futuristic, but instead, they went the other way, and Williams made great music that sounded classical (A genre that is rarely used in film/tv). You can brush this off and say its just my opinion, but that's exactly what it is. My opinion. And IMO, Williams is better than Delia Derbyshire. I dont care if you do not agree. In fact, I know that you do not agree. But at least accept that these are my views. Nothing you can do or say can change them. I feel more emotion in Williams' themes. I guess im just a band person. I've been in band, I've played Williams' songs. To me, they are some of the greatest pieces that have been made.

That's sad. The Star Wars theme is just a bunch of instruments played together to make something that sounds remotely stirring. Personally, I don't like the tune, and I don't think it is in the least bit emotionally stirring or anything of the sort, but that's just me. The Doctor Who theme is something new, and the simplicity of the bassline with that original haunting melody is something that will never be beat. Its simplicity adds to its greatness -- something the Star Wars theme cannot even attempt to compete with.

I see your point, and I acknowledge what you're trying to say. And you're welcome to keep your opinion (believe me, I don't want it). I'm just saying that Delia Derbyshire is the only one who does what she does (or did, since she's dead now), whereas John Williams is one person who excels at what thousands of other people are doing. The underdog and the creative deviant will always be the one that commands my respect above someone who has a unique way of doing a tried and true art.

I understand your point David. I can appreciate what both people did and they both did well, Delia Derbyshire was good at her metods, john Williams was good at his, and i think they both made great music. the Doctor Who Theme was simple, but it works, it is good and catchy, why is something i like, it goes to show how the simplist of things can usually work, it has depth and suits it genre, and is very popular and recognisable.. While John Williams can use a complex and fascinating array of people, instruments and techniques to create a deep, fascinating and dramatic peice which is one of the most popular tunes of the day.

*is blown away*

Wow. Nice post, Chris.

Thanks, It is just worth poiting out that both methods worked, and no-one can deny the tunes are good and very popular, because of what was used ot make them. And we should apprecaite John Williams and Delia Derbyshire for making something that a lot of people find entertaining. :)

Well said. I still find it amazing, though, that over forty years later, you still can't quite put your finger on how Delia Derbyshire made her version of the theme. It's got that magical quality that allows the 1963 original to remain a timeless classic, while other versions such as the 1987 version (while 24 years newer) sounds dated and stale nowadays.

Yeah, nothing beats an origanal anyway. i am amzed at how she did it and i am still impressed. :)

Yes. Some people on here should learn from your example... :P

I am not a Tutor :P Although i wish we all had a neutral point of view. It makes things so much easier to agree on :P

True. But more boring, as well. :P

Yeah of course, good point. :)

Do you know how hard it is to organize a giant group of talented musicians and practice and practice the newly written music that no one has ever heard before?

How bout how much practice it takes to take that ^ and sound good?

I dont know about you Chris, but I know Danny hasnt been in band, or a band. I think that's why the other music appeals to you more, Danny. I, on the other hand, was in band for about 7 years, so I find more respect for that type of thing.

If you're going to play the "I don't understand how hard it is to do band stuff" card, I'm going to play the "you don't understand how hard it was to make the original Doctor Who theme" card. I may not have been in a band, but don't you dare take that to mean I don't understand or appreciate the work that it takes to put something like that together. I completely respect the competence and talent of people in that field, and I'm not trying to downplay the work or value of regular and traditional music like that, I'm simply trying to play up the unique quality of music that's not made like that... music that has to have new techniques invented for it because that's how complicated and unique it really is.

I have not been in a band David, I just have a neutral Opinion on this, i like both types. Simple as that.

Fair enough. Chris has a good attitude about the situation.

I still maintain that both themes rock. I dont think the Doctor Who theme was the better of the two though. Even though it would be harder to make and all that and they managed to pull it off, I still think that the SW theme sounds better.

Can't possibly agree there. The Star Wars theme may be grand, but the Doctor Who theme is spine-tinglingly chilling and haunting. Few other pieces of music are able to rival that.

I think Danny, What Ross has said is quite good. he likes both peices of music, no arguement there. That is good enough for me. He likes both, he thinks they are good, He just prefers the Star Wars tune. now i am not bashing Doctor Who, or you for that matter Danny :) I think you should be happy that he respects it and likes it. it does nto matter what we prefer and how we feel about it, as Long as we like it, That should be all that matters. :)

I've heard the original theme, and... well, no need to rehash that. I'm sticking to ol' Johnny Williams.

Im not bashing Doc Who if that's what you're thinking Danny.

Yes, no-one is, they like them both, just prefer Star Wars.