Cover Versions / Samples / Theme Music (Film Related)

**mickj** · February 1st, 2004, 09:34 PM

I'm trying to build a list of :-
Cover versionS
Records That used samples of other recordings
if the record was a theme for a film or used in a film
was the sound track for a commersial on the box.
or any other triva that relates to a recording.

Please add the name of the cover version if different and the artist who did the original and of course the details of the recording that covered the recording.
if you know of any please add them this can be for any chart single going back to 1950.

**efunk_adelic** · February 7th, 2004, 10:43 AM

Hello Mick,

I think Nicknack or Bernie will move this topic to the "Discuss Disco Music" forum... you'll have better luck there.

**Bernie** · February 7th, 2004, 10:59 AM

Thank E. Didn't see this post floating over in Trivia. Move done.

**efunk_adelic** · February 7th, 2004, 11:55 AM

Mick,

I assume you are looking for songs that are covered in disco form?

Meco is a disco artist that covered a few movies in the mid '70s. His most famous cover is "Theme From Star Wars"...

**discosavvy** · February 7th, 2004, 04:56 PM

Here's one I recommend: Walter Murphy's instrumental "Themes from E.T. (The Extra-Terrestrial)", from 1982. Based on the E.T. movie score by John Williams.

I find Meco's music almost unbearable. When I was volunteering at a museum in the late '90s one of my tasks was to rotate the music playing over the sound system. Unfortunately there wasn't much to choose from, and it was a tape system rather than a CD system, so sometimes I had to play a "Decades" tape that had hits from the 1930s to 1970s, and I hated how Meco's "Star Wars" was the sole representative of the '70s. Sometimes I would stop the tape right before it began. And Meco's "Empire Strikes Back Theme Medley" is just silly. I like Meco's trombone playing and his production work for some other artists, though.

Stu Phillips released a Disco Version of the "Theme from 'Battlestar Galactica'" in 1978 - it's pretty good. I also like "Charlie's Angels Disco Version", by Vivian Rogers and Phillip Rogers leading the Rogers Orchestra. Also in 1978, the Biddu Orchestra came out with "James Bond Disco Theme". There are many others like this. Search for Star Galaxy Orchestra, Percy Faith, Maynard Ferguson, Van McCoy, the Sylvers, Disco Spectacular, the Black Light Orchestra, Champ's Boys Orchestra, Huey Lewis and the American Express... Meco had more commercial success than these others when it came to discofying movie scores, but I like the others' materials better!

**NickNack** · February 7th, 2004, 08:31 PM

Originally Written by efunk_adelic

Hello Mick,

I think Nicknack or Bernie will move this topic to the "Discuss Disco Music" forum... you'll have better luck there.

:oops: :oops: I didn't see this, either. Thanks, efunk. :)

**Mixmachine** · February 9th, 2004, 12:58 AM

Who did "Laura" disco version? I have it somewhere

"Space :99" and "Black Sun" ('76)by Barry Gray I think it was a 1975 TV series.

"Summer of 42" ('75) by Biddu Orchestra a 1971 movie.

"Johnny Guitar" by Slang, from an old classic western movie performed by Peggy Lee, I never heard anyone playing this song in a local club but I liked it.

"Lapti Nek" (Jabba's palace band) (1983)by John Williams from "Return of the Jedi"

**JussiK** · February 9th, 2004, 02:12 AM

Disco versions of "Laura" were done by Biddu Orchestra and by Chocolat's, the latter included it in a well produced "Nostalgia Medley" which also had "Night and Day", another Hollywood song from a Cole Porter musical starring Rogers&Astaire.

Disco covers of film & tv themes abound really - the said Chocolat's did a good one with the theme from "Roots", found on the same 1978 album as the Laura tune. Old Hollywood musicals were an inspiration, an odd IRT/Winifred Shaw track "Lullaby Of Broadway" from 1976 is an example. Action movie themes were a bit more interesting. Unexpectedly, mor warhorse Percy Faith turned out a brilliant, jazzy early dancefloor killer with a version of Lalo Schifrin's "Enter The Dragon" in 1974 which surpassed the original in every way with hot congas, tight brass and driving rhythm. This is on the "Corazon" album, spin it and watch hipsters jerk into attention.

What else - there are sooo many. "Theme From The Lord Of The Rings" was a 1978 attempt from the Aragorn Ballroom Orcestra (sic) based on the soundtrack of the animated Ralph Bakshi film. Destinations covered the Addams Family tv theme. For cutting edge bizarro stuff find Chaquito's reworking of Morricone's "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly", this goes mad with shrieks of wild moog, earsplitting jabs of trumpets and out of control drumming that accelerates beyond reasonable bpms.

**discosavvy** · February 9th, 2004, 01:20 PM

Originally Written by JussiK

"Theme From The Lord Of The Rings" was a 1978 attempt from the Aragorn Ballroom Orcestra (sic) based on the soundtrack of the animated Ralph Bakshi film.

I hope someday to hear this. I was hoping I would have last year when Lord of the Rings became big news again. But I suppose not too many people know it.

I'm told the other songs by the Aragorn Ballroom Orchestra are "Helm's Deep" (also a theme from the film) and "Boogie Beyond Your Imagination".

What would you say about the quality of these Aragorn remakes?

Marcio** · February 9th, 2004, 10:18 PM

('52) "Singin' In The Rain"-Disco by (everybody knows!!!) Sheila B. Devotion with extended version.
('66) "Un Homme Et Une Femme"-Disco by Biddu Orchestra.
('76) "Rocky"-Disco by (everybody knows!!!) Rhythm Heritage ("Gonna Fly Now").

**JussiK** · February 10th, 2004, 01:45 AM

Originally Written by discosavvy

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What would you say about the quality of these Aragorn remakes?

The production values are very good. There are short passages with some drive and moody breaks but I don't believe any of the tracks got pumped thru club speakers anywhere in their entirety, being not properly arranged for dancing. This is strictly listening stuff - a composition and a snare drum do not necessarily make a good dance track. An interesting curio, though, and if you're a LOTR fan you should try and get it thru Ebay or something - or do you have a minidisc deck - ?

**riddergeert** · February 10th, 2004, 01:53 PM

Kat Mandu released a dance version of the 'Theme From Dynasty/Power' in 1986 which is really not very special unless you of course like this sort of thing.

However, the same 12-inch also features a remix of 'The Break' which does not compare to the original but is nice for a change.

**K-Bee** · February 11th, 2004, 02:39 AM

Worth mentoning here is also:

- Maynard Ferguson's versions of both the Star Trek and Rocky Themes.

- Rodney Franklin's version of "Hill Street Blues" (theme from Hill Street).

- Shaft Theme versions of the mid 80s by both Eddy & the Soul Band and Van Twist (both dutch releases as far as I recall).

**Jimmy-Michaels** · February 15th, 2004, 07:13 PM

John Davis & The Monster Orchestra - Kojak Theme

Cake - Theme From Mork & Mindy (although most of it dont sound like the theme till the end..non the less, great rare mornng disco..still trying to hunt a copy down LOL)

And now for the several disco remakes of the same themes:

Gene Page - Star Trek Theme
Van Mccoy - Star Trek Theme
Meco - Star Trek Theme & Star Trek Medley
Gene Page - Theme From Close Encounters
Meco - Theme From Close Encounters
Montana (aka Vince Montana) - A Dance Fantasy (Music From & Inspired By Close Encounters)

theres some..oh and also dont forget:
Giorgio Moroder - Theme From Battlestar Galactica

DJ Jimmy M

Marcio** · February 15th, 2004, 08:56 PM

"Superman: The Movie" (1978).
Original version by John Williams & London Symphony Orchestra.
Disco version: The Wonderland Band.

"Manhã de Carvanal" from "Black Orpheus" (1959).
Original version by Luiz Bonfá.
Disco version: THP Orchestra.