The Music of
The Benny Hill Show

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1. A Girl in Every Port
   Written by Benny Hill
   Performed by Benny Hill with Cast
   Notes: The opening song of "The Love Ship" opening number.
2. You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It)
   Music by James V. Monaco
   Lyrics by Joseph McCarthy
   Performed by Benny Hill and Anna Dawson
   Recorded by: Al Jolson, Judy Garland (as "Dear Mr. Gable: You Made Me Love You"), Harry James & His Orchestra, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Vic Damone, Shirley Bassey, Louis Armstrong, Ray Anthony, Woody Allen, Les Brown & His Band of Renown, Teresa Brewer, Patsy Cline, Nat King Cole, Ray Conniff, Bobby Darin, Doris Day, Ronnie Dove, Jimmy Durante, Les & Larry Elgart, Eddie Fisher, Bent Fabric, Helen Forrest, The Four Freshmen, Connie Francis, Erroll Garner, Crystal Gayle, Bobby Hackett, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Eddie Heywood, Hildegarde, Rosetta Howard, Earl Hines, Jack Jones, Sammy Kaye, Liberace, Enoch Light, King Curtis, The King Sisters, Buddy Knox, Andre Kostelanetz, Frances Langford, The Lennon Sisters, Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians, Julie London, Dean Martin, The Merry Macs, Anne Murray, Anthony Newley, Harry Nilsson, Wayne Newton, Freddie Martin & His Orchestra, Helen O'Connell, 101 Strings Orchestra, Della Reese, Debbie Reynolds, Marty Robbins, Doc Severinsen, Lawrence Welk, Orson Welles, Jackie Wilson
   Notes: Performed (for laughs) during "The Love Ship" opening number.
3. Girls, Girls, Girls
   Written by Georg Kajanus
   Performed by Hill's Angels
   Notes: The first song performed in the "Hill's Angels: Chez When" segment.
4. La Vie En Rose
   Written by Marcel Louiguy and Edith Piaf
   Performed by Louise English
   Notes: The second song performed in the "Hill's Angels: Chez When" segment. In the eyes of many fans, the apex of Ms. English's run with TBHS which ended after the 1986 series, as well as an example of her talent as an "all-round" entertainer.
5. Last Tango (excerpts)
   Written by Raymond Vincent, Bruno Libert and Roger Meakin
   Performed by Louise English and Hill's Angels
   Recorded by: Esperanto (a.k.a. Esperanto Rock Orchestra) (1975), Sylvie Vartan (1975, as "La Drôle de Fin," with French lyrics by Jean-Michel Rivat)
   Notes: The third and final song performed in the "Hill's Angels: Chez When" segment. The lyrics to this song as sung by Ms. English and the Angels (as seen here at louiseenglishfancentre.com, and also at aplmusique.com) was an English translation of the French lyrics as sung by Ms. Vartan, as they differ wildly from the original lyrics of Esperanto's 1975 version (as seen here at esperanto-rock-orchestra.com); certainly the arrangement of this number was derived from Ms. Vartan's version.

1. Medley: I'll Never Know
   Written and Performed by Benny Hill /
   Those Days
   Written by Benny Hill
   Performed by Benny Hill and Anna Dawson /
   In the Papers
   Written and Performed by Benny Hill
   Notes: All three songs were performed in the opening "Benny's Greatest Hits" number.
2. The Party's Over (excerpt)
   (From the musical "Bells Are Ringing," sung by Judy Holliday)
   Music by Jule Styne
   Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
   Performed by Ted Taylor
   Recorded by: Count Basie, Shirley Bassey, Polly Bergen, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Doris Day, Blossom Dearie, Lonnie Donegan, The Everly Brothers, The Four Lads, Judy Garland, Lesley Gore, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Buddy Greco, Judy Holliday, Ahmad Jamal, Joni James, Stan Kenton, The Anita Kerr Singers, Peggy Lee, The Lettermen, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Julie London, Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians, Johnny Mathis, Jimmy McGriff, Matt Monro, Carmen McRae, Ethel Merman, Anthony Newley, Phyllis Newman, Anita O'Day, Esther Phillips, Helen Reddy, Della Reese, George Shearing, Jo Stafford, Kay Starr, Dakota Staton, Mel Tormé, Caterina Valente, Frankie Vaughan, Lawrence Welk, Kai Winding
   Notes: Performed during "The Herd" sketch; a kind of in-joke, as Hill was forced to duet with singer/songwriter Paul Anka on this number on one of the two editions Benny hosted of a 1967 Anglo-American co-produced TV show, Spotlight.
3. Wilkommen (Welcome)
   (From the musical "Cabaret")
   Music by John Kander
   Lyrics by Fred Ebb
   Performed by Hill's Angels
   Notes: Performed during the "Come to the Cabaret" segment, as well as in a reprise at the end.
4. Money, Money
   (From the musical "Cabaret")
   Music by John Kander
   Lyrics by Fred Ebb
   Performed by Alison & Rebecca Marsh, with Bob Todd and Jerold Wells
   Notes: Performed during the "Come to the Cabaret" segment. The Marsh sisters were, for all practical purposes, the last "outside" musical guests to appear on TBHS in any case.

1. Adam & Eve
   Written by Benny Hill
   Performed by Benny Hill with Hill's Angels
   Notes: The main number of the "Bijou Burlesque" opening.
2. Funny Old World
   Written by Benny Hill
   Performed by (first) Benny Hill and Anna Dawson, (then) The Ladybirds (in an ad nauseam repetition of the chorus throughout certain parts of this routine)
   Notes: The main song of the same-named segment. Not to be confused with the song "It's a Funny Old World" which was recorded by Ken Dodd.
3. Theme from "Cagney & Lacey"
   Written by Bill Conti
   Performed by Ronnie Aldrich & His Orchestra
   Notes: At the start and finish of the "Cagney & Lacey" parody.

1. It's A Hard Life
   Written by Benny Hill
   Performed by Benny Hill and Cast
   Notes: During the "Brooklyn Benny" opening.
2. The Halitosis Kid (theme)
   Written and Performed by Benny Hill
   Notes: At the start and finish of "The Halitosis Kid" sketch.
3. I'm Still Standing
   Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin
   Performed by The Ladybirds
   Recorded by: Elton John (1983)
   Notes: Performed at the start and finish of the "Hill's Angels: A Night on the Tiles" segment.
4. It's Raining Men
   Written by Paul Jabara and Paul Shaffer
   Performed by The Ladybirds
   Recorded by: The Weather Girls (1983), Geri Halliwell (2001), All Star Dance Band
   Notes: Performed during the "Hill's Angels: A Night on the Tiles" segment; and yes, the Paul Shaffer who co-wrote this is one and the same as the longtime bandleader and sidekick of late night talk show host David Letterman.
5. How Will I Know
   Written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam
   Performed by The Ladybirds
   Recorded by: Whitney Houston (1986)
   Notes: Performed during the "Hill's Angels: A Night on the Tiles" segment; perhaps the most synthesizer-laden arrangements from Ronnie Aldrich's orchestra to be performed on the show.
6. When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)
   Music by Larry Shay and Mark Fisher
   Lyrics by Joe Goodwin
   Performed by Ronnie Aldrich & His Orchestra
   Recorded by: Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Pete Fountain, Judy Garland, Georgia Gibbs, Benny Goodman, Roy Hamilton, Alberta Hunter, Dick Hyman, Bert Kaempfert, Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians, Dean Martin, Louis Prima, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Ray Anthony, Chris Barber, Carol Channing, Perry Como, Sammy Davis, Jr., Doris Day, Fats Domino, Jimmy Dorsey, Erroll Garner, Billie Holiday, King Oliver's Orchestra, The Ink Spots, Frankie Laine, Julia Lee, Brenda Lee, Red Norvo, Des O'Connor, Patti Page, Jack Teagarden, Teddy Wilson, Lester Young
   Notes: Heard during the "National Smile Week" closing sketch.
7. Tiger Rag
   Written by Harry DaCosta, Eddie Edwards, James LaRocca, Henry Ragas, Tony Sbarbaro and Larry Shields
   Performed by Ronnie Aldrich & His Orchestra
   Recorded by: Louis Armstrong, Larry Adler, Pee Wee Hunt, Billie Holiday, The Ink Spots, Hoosier Hot Shots, Liberace, Glenn Miller & His Orchestra, Jack Teagarden, Teddy Wilson, et al.
   Notes: Heard during the "National Smile Week" closing sketch, after the point where the week ended.

1. Star Names
   Written and Performed by Benny Hill
   Recorded by: Benny Hill, on his 1992 CD Benny Hill . . . The Best Of
   Notes: Performed during the opening "Bronco Benny" segment; this song's title was not mentioned in A&E's Complete & Unadulterated - Set 6 DVD.
2. Match Of The Day
   Written by Barry Stroller
   Notes: Performed during the Club Chicago-Go segment.
   The theme tune to the BBC's main football program of the same name by Barry Stroller. The tune is not just associated with the program in England but with football in general. This can be heard during the Club Chicago-Go sketch where Benny plays with a ball. It can also be heard during the "Superteech" sketch from January 1983. Thanks to David Hawkins for passing along this addition.
3. Medley:
   Theme From "New York, New York"
   Music by John Kander
   Lyrics by Fred Ebb /
   There's No Place Like London
   Written by Lynsey De Paul and Gerard W. Kenny
   Performed by The Ladybirds and Hill's Angels
   Recorded by: ("Theme From 'New York, New York'") Liza Minnelli (1977), Frank Sinatra (1980), Shirley Bassey (1982, as a "New York Medley," combined with Gerard Kenny's "New York, New York [So Good They Named It Twice]" which was played within the April 16, 1980 "Hill's Angels in New York, New York" segment); ("There's No Place Like London") Shirley Bassey (1986)
   Notes: Performed during the "Club Chic a Go-Go" segment.
4. The Best of Times
   (From the musical "La Cage aux Folles")
   Written by Jerry Herman
   Performed by Benny Hill, Hill's Angels and Cast
   Recorded by: Perry Como, Jerry Herman
   Notes: Performed towards the end of the "Club Chic a Go-Go" segment. Not to be confused with the 1981 Styx hit (written by Dennis DeYoung) of the same title.

1. Cockney Girls and Rustic Lasses
   Written and Performed by Benny Hill
   Notes: The focal point of the opening number of the same name.
2. I'm Called Little Buttercup
   (From the opera "H.M.S. Pinafore")
   Written by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan
   (with additional material by Benny Hill)
   Performed by Anna Dawson and Benny Hill
   Notes: During the "Cockney Girls and Rustic Lasses" (a.k.a. "Country Song and Dance") opening number.
3. Soul-Limbo (excerpt)
   Written by Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald 'Duck' Dunn and Al Jackson, Jr.
   Performed by Ronnie Aldrich & His Orchestra
   Recorded by: Booker T. & The M.G.'s (1968)
   Notes: Performed during the cricket portion of the "Hill's Angels: Sport" segment. Booker T. & The M.G.'s original version was the first post-Atlantic Stax single (#STA-0001), released in mid-1968.
4. Hot Shot
   Written by Andy Kahn and Kurt Borusiewicz
   Recorded by: Karen Young (1978)
   Notes: The vocalist(s) on this version is unknown (possibly The Ladybirds as constituted by this point); performed during the portion of the "Hill's Angels: Sport" routine where the Angels appeared as billiards balls. The late Ms. Young's original version was the first major dance hit for the West End Records label. Not to be confused with the same-titled Lynsey De Paul / Barry Blue composition which was recorded by Mr. Blue.

1. Café Olé
   Written and Performed by Benny Hill
   Recorded by: Benny Hill, on his 1992 CD Benny Hill . . . The Best Of
   Notes: The chords and melodies of two prior Hill compositions, "Oh, Zandoona" and "José's Cantina," were recycled for this number. On A&E's Complete & Unadulterated - Set 6 DVD, this song was mistitled "Anna Marie."
2. Holding Out For A Hero
   (From the motion picture "Footloose")
   Written by Jim Steinman and Dean Pitchford
   Performed by Francesca Boulter
   Recorded by: Bonnie Tyler (1984)
   Notes: Performed at the start and finish of the "Heroes Through the Ages" sketch.
3. You Oughta Be In Pictures
   Music by Dana Suesse
   Lyrics by Edward Heyman
   Performed by Jon Jon Keefe
   Recorded by: Doris Day, Ray Conniff, Connie Francis, Joel Grey, Jackie Gleason & His Orchestra, Mitch Miller, Ray Noble, André Previn, Mel Tormé, Rudy Vallee
   Notes: Performed at the start of the "Hill's Angels: Photocall" segment.

1. Pepys' Diary
   Written and Performed by Benny Hill
   Notes: The final TV performance of this oldie but goodie.
2. Theme From "The A-Team"
   Written by Mike Post
   Performed by Ronnie Aldrich & His Orchestra
   Notes: As the opening theme for "The Good Guys" sketch.
3. Tales of the Unexpected (theme)
   Written by Ron Grainer
   Performed by Ronnie Aldrich & His Orchestra
   Recorded by: Ron Grainer
   Notes: Performed during the "Tales of the Unexpected" portion of the "TV Show Titles" segment. Besides this program which ended its run in 1988, Mr. Grainer is also famous for the theme from Doctor Who.
4. Happy Days
   (Theme from the TV series)
   Written by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox
   Performed by Hill's Angels
   Recorded by: Pratt & McClain with Brother Love (1976)
   Notes: Performed during the "Happy Days" portion of the "TV Show Titles" segment; universally regarded as the worst Hill's Angels dance routine ever.
5. Theme From "The Bill"
   Written by Charlie Morgan and Andy Pask
   Performed by Ronnie Aldrich & His Orchestra
   Notes: During "The Bill" portion of the "TV Show Titles" segment.
6. Hi Ho Silver
   (Theme from "Boon")
   Written by Jim Diamond and Chris Parren
   Performed by The Ladybirds
   Recorded by: Jim Diamond (1986)
   Notes: Performed during the "Boon" portion of the "TV Show Titles" segment.

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© April 06, 2002.