Who Tunes: Ranking the Lyrical Songs of Doctor Who
Connor Johnston ranks his top 10. How will Foxes’ hit from Mummy on the Orient Express weigh up?
10. The Stowaway (Voyage of the Damned)
The first in our countdown today is the pleasant but somewhat forgettable Murray Gold original track from the 2007 Christmas Special “Voyage of the Damned”: “The Stowaway” performed by Yamit Mamo. The scale of the song (being minimal) isn’t detrimental to its quality, because its presence isn’t ever intended to be the spotlight of a scene. The aim of the addition is rather to enhance and realise the setting of the Titanic – not unlike Foxes’ latest hit from “Mummy on the Orient Express” (But more on that later). Where it lacks in making a definite footprint, it excels in building the atmosphere. The place and significance of the lyrics have been debated by fans ever since the Christmas special aired, with the obvious choice being in reference to either the Doctor during the episode or his doomed once-off companion Astrid Peth. In actual fact however, as confirmed by Murray Gold Himself in DVD commentary, the song is actually written from the point of view of Rose Tyler; still trapped in an alternate universe.
He told me ’bout his girl back home
Waiting patient, all alone
While we danced I shed a little tear
He closed his eyes, all out at sea
I think he danced with her not me
I’ll just have to wait another year
3 out of 5 (Murray) Gold Stars
9. The Ballad of the Last Chance Saloon (The Gunfighters)
The very first lyrical song ever featured in Doctor Who, as well as being the first of many original songs written specifically for the show – “The Ballad of the Last Chance Saloon” features quite fittingly in the First Doctor story “The Gunfighters”. Initially sung by Peter Purves and Jackie Lane in character as companions Steven Taylor and Dodo Chaplet respectively, the song is later headlined by Sheena Marsh in character as the Last Chance Saloon hired singer: Kate Fisher. While admittedly not the easiest song to listen to, the reason it rates on this list today is due to its ability to define the show’s successful premise instantly. In recent year’s it’s been clear that the show is one easily moulded – line-up’s offering such variety in both setting and tone that entails a renewed energy with every new episode. To see this sentiment so evident in such early eras of the show – where its genre is turned into a country western in less than one song, where only a week before it had been a show about battling a futuristic immortal entity – is quite frankly refreshing. Yet another indulgent reason “Ballad” finds its place on the list is due to the hilarious motivation behind the song: Dodo and Steven forced to sing in a country western saloon to prove their cover story at gunpoint when a hired entertainer walks in – in a fury that they’ve hired other singers and then continues to show them how to really entertain? What a hilariously successful combination!
3 out of 5 (Murray) Gold Stars
8. My Angel Put the Devil in Me (Daleks in Manhattan)
I’m sure there will be a lot of critics for my choice to praise this song, as there usually is for any praise that falls the way of the divisive Dalek two-parter from Series 3 (I’ll still defend you Evolution, Dear!) – But to hell with it! The first New Who song to be seen performed on screen is unique in the way it’s approached and realised. Where it succeeds the most is adding a layer of realism to an episode set in such a historic location and equally iconic time. The lyrics again highlight Murray Gold’s impeccable ability to cast a relevance to plot points at the time. The entire premise of the performance as well as the stanzas of the actual song are blatantly symbolic of the Doctor’s effect on many of his companions, and vice versa the impact they have on him. How does adventure change people? How do the impossible experiences change a person’s outlook on life? What great thirst and spirit does a life on the TARDIS fuel one with? Looking at the current companion at the time, the incredibly underrated Martha Jones, we can see the direct parallels in the lines to her own affection of the Doctor. It must be mentioned too that the song must be quite popular in the universe of Doctor Who for it to survive and migrate to the alien bar Jack Harkness visits in “The End of Time”.
I’m a country girl, I ain’t seen a lot
But you came along and my heart went pop
You took a little street car to my heart
And an apple of love fell off my apple cart!
You looked at me, my heart began to pound
You weren’t the sort of guy I thought would stick around
Hey, but it don’t have to be eternally
My bad, bad Angel put the Devil in me!
You put the Devil in me…
3.5 out of 5 (Murray) Gold Stars
7. Children of Tomorrow (The Horror of Glam Rock)
Not unlike “The Ballad of the Last Chance Saloon” – I’m sure “Children of Tomorrow” is an addition to the list many probably wouldn’t had expected, and probably haven’t even heard of! Earning 7th spot today is a song featured in the exceptional Big Finish Audio story “The Horror of Glam Rock”. The Eighth Doctor story is not one I could recommend more, (as is the whole Eighth Doctor range and by extension the entire Big Finish range!) – but the main contributing factor to this song’s high placing on the list besides its great quality is the way it illustrates how enormous the obsession that is “Doctor Who” branches out into different mediums. In a story that sees creatures attempting to cross through dimensions by using music to open doorways – It’s a song that’s not only an original compilation for Doctor Who, but also a particularly topical and purposeful one. Not to mention: who could ever resist such a rocking duet managed by the one and only Bernard Cribbins anyway!
3.5 out of 5 (Murray) Gold Stars
6. Song for Ten (The Christmas Invasion)
Written especially for the Tenth Doctor’s first outing (though later earning even more of a significance) – “Song For Ten” was the first originally composed song for New Who. Perfectly reminiscent of the Christmas setting, there is something so festive and so “RTD” (Yes that’s an adjective now) about the tone of the song. The score is particularly triumphant – a pertinent representation of both the episode it first features in and the era it kicks off. This is clear through its repetition in various episodes as incidental music as well as the noticeably gentler “Song for Ten Reprise” which featured prominently in “The End of Time”. The real winning ingredient however is the fact that in a very season suiting way, “Song for Ten” manages to find relevance when looking at the past, present and future. The lyrics offering particularly clear parallels to the Ninth Doctor’s farewell speech to Rose, the Tenth Doctor’s introductory plot and quite evidently in hindsight, Rose’s eventual demise.
So have a good life
Do it for me
Make me so proud
Like you want me to be
Where ever you are
I’m thinking of you oceans apart
I want you to know
Well I woke up today and you’re on the other side
Our time will never come again
But if you can still dream
Close your eyes it will seem
That you can see me now and then
4 out of 5 (Murray) Gold Stars
5. Love Don’t Roam (The Runaway Bride)
One of Murray Gold’s better additions to the list of lyrical songs from the RTD era, this iconic modern day classic featured subtly in the 2006 Christmas Special “The Runaway Bride”. Somehow – a song that when isolated would seem so joyous and celebratory becomes utterly crushing when put in the context of the Doctor mourning and missing Rose Tyler. Written from the point of view of the Doctor, the song correlates to his deepest emotions regarding the loss of his best friend and one of his most loved companions of all time. The beat is memorable, the significance appealing to many and the delivery without fault. “Love Don’t Roam” acts as the perfect song to round out our top 5 today.
I have wandered, I have rambled
I have crossed this crowded sphere,
And I’ve seen a mass of problems
That I long to disappear.
Now, all I have’s this anguished heart,
For you have vanished too.
Oh, my girl, my girl, my precious girl,
Just what is this man to do?
4 out of 5 (Murray) Gold Stars
4. Songs of Captivity and Freedom (Planet of the Ood)
I love how music can speak the language of your soul, it becomes abundantly clear when the song of captivity becomes one of freedom. It’s a piece of music that transitions effortlessly from deepest despair to jubilating victory and remains for me personally one of the greatest Murray Gold tracks ever written. The Song of Captivity isn’t just about captivity, its about sadness and pain and suffering….but the song of freedom is about hope, happiness and liberty. So much is translated through simply the music of the piece featured most flagrantly in “Planet of the Ood”, but when we look at the translations of the Latin lyrics into English a whole new perspective on slavery and captivity. The song is a tragic, heartbreaking but eventually beautiful masterpiece; and depending on the day can easily be interchanged with the following 3 choice to earn the title of the best lyrical song of Doctor Who history.
With silence, we shout
With silence, we shout
Without salvation
He provides our salvation
He provides us our salvation!
As long as we are among humans, let us be humane.
With silence, we shout
5 out of 5 (Murray) Gold Stars
3. Don’t stop me now (Mummy on the Orient Express)
Perhaps it was due to many reviews labelling Foxes’ cameo performance in “Mummy on the Orient Express” somewhat overhyped – or perhaps (more likely) it’s because everything that comes from the singer’s mouth makes me squeal like a little girl and melt at knees, but for me, the scene is easily worthy of an abundance of praise. More so however is the exclusive that followed. On the singer, I honestly don’t think they could have made a better choice. Her presence in the room (carriage) parallels the level of excellence that is her hauntingly beautiful vocal ability. There’s a perfect level of class and cheek to the way Foxes performs, and her jazz rendition of Queen’s legendary “Don’t Stop Me Now” is no exception to this.
On the song choice itself, while I was slightly disappointed that such an amazing talent wasn’t utilised with another Murray Gold original, in retrospect and especially after the full video was released I truly believe a better song could have been chosen. It’s a quirky take on a classic (an apt description of Doctor Who if I ever saw one!) and can be symbolic of so many different things! The Orient Express’s urgency? The Doctor’s travels? The Doctor and Clara’s relationship? The impeccable Series 8 itself? The choice to limit to the song’s involvement in the episode and then further go on to highlight it in it’s own music video featuring Series 8 clips accompanying it is genius! THIS is how you don’t let a song that shouldn’t ever be the focus of the plot feel out of place but rather add to the atmosphere. THIS is how you create a unique music video for the show – by turning it into a tribute, trailer, and still manages to do justice to an amazing talent in the form of Foxes. Kudos BBC. Please, don’t stop now!
Ooh I’m burning through the sky yeah!
Two hundred degrees
That’s why they call me Mister Fahrenheit
I’m trav’ling at the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic man out of you
Don’t stop me now
I’m having such a good time
I’m having a ball
Don’t stop me now
If you wanna have a good time
Just give me a call
5 out of 5 (Murray) Gold Stars
2. Abigail’s Song (A Christmas Carol)
As you’ll no doubt notice –the winning ingredient for me when it comes to which songs rate higher than others is purpose – however this is not the only aspect where “Abigail’s Song” in “A Christmas Carol” succeeds tremendously. A mere few seconds into the piece it’s evident Murray Gold has already achieved a brief of creating a uniquely “Doctor Who Christmas Carol” by crafting a song that just feels out of place when listened to outside of December (or rather in my own case tricks you into thinking it is indeed Christmas time every time it comes up during a playlist shuffle!) The song is itself, through both the music and the vocals, is hauntingly beautiful which in my own mind matches the tone of the era it is featured in. Katherine Jenkins is simply magical. Her vocal ability is without competition and not unlike her acting skills manages to surprise and enchant many with its stunning quality. The lyrics are very relevant by corresponding to both the Doctor’s and Kazran’s loneliness and isolation – and the joy their saving graces bring to their lives in the form of the Ponds and Abigail respectively.
When you’re alone, silence is all you see
When you’re alone, silence is all you’ll be
Give me your hand and come to me
When you are here, music is all around
When you are near, music is all around
Open your eyes, don’t make a sound
5 out of 5 (Murray) Gold Stars
1. Doctor in Distress (1985 Charity Special)
While not featured in the show itself, what a hideous crime it would have been to not crown the winner of today’s countdown as the lyrically moving song written to oppose the temporary suspension and possible cancellation of the show in 1985. “Doctor in Distress” is the purest form of beauty known to man; the song possibly representing the greatest moment in Doctor Who’s long history. Its quality only ever surpassed by the articulateness of the Daleks, while it’s emotive appeals mirroring that of the Cyberman. While all of its contributors overwhelm the audience with their talent, its Nicola Bryant’s short yet monumental cameo that is such a privilege to listen to. This song makes life worth living, its splendour being the first thing I think of when I awaken and its magnificence the last thing I think of before I go to bed as of a night. If ever the Doctor was in true personal distress, it’s no doubt a listen of this fitting tribute to his legacy would fail to be enough to bring warmness into his heart….. Good Luck making it through the whole song.
0.5 out of 5 (Murray) Gold Stars
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