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Most recognisable kids’ TV theme tunes

The Wombles 1970s opening titles

The Wombles theme tune is among the top five most recognisable of children’s television programmes, according to a poll.

The Wombling Song - better known to many people as ‘Underground, Overground, Wombling Free’ - was voted into fifth place. The song was written and performed by Mike Batt in 1973, and its success led to eight hit singles and four albums.

The survey of 2,000 adults across the UK was carried out by PRS for Music, the organisation that ensures songwriters, composers and publishers are paid whenever their music is played, performed or reproduced.

The top ten kids’ TV theme tunes were:

  1. The Flintstones
  2. Top Cat
  3. Postman Pat
  4. Scooby Doo
  5. The Wombles
  6. Grange Hill
  7. Jim’ll Fix It
  8. Danger Mouse
  9. Bagpuss
  10. Rainbow

Commenting on the results, Ellis Rich, chairman of PRS, said: “Many of us find our first love for music as children through singing nursery rhymes and humming along to our favourite theme tunes on television. It is a truly wonderful sensation when the recollection of music can bring back those nostalgic emotions of how music made us feel as children; emotions and memories which continue to live on inside so many adults, still to this day.”

Mike Batt joked: “Life is one big scramble for success and although I’ve had my ups, I am mortified to see that I made it only to number five compared to Postman Pat at number three. I demand a recount!”

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