The Charlie's Angels Theme Song
🎵🎵🎵
I watched the 2000 Charlie’s Angels movie for the first time last week, and I was Googling the origins of the theme song before the credits finished rolling. In true 2000’s style, the version from this movie sounds like it was written by AI trained on Spy Kids and Guitar Hero. But the strains of the original melody are revealed around two minutes in, and they’re glorious. The version of the theme from the 2019 Charlie’s Angels reboot is pretty bland (as is the film itself), but it better serves the source material.
The original theme was written by American TV and film composers Allyn Ferguson and Jack Elliott for the 1976 TV show, which starred Jacklyn Smith, Farah Fawcett, and Kate Jackson. I highly recommend watching the pilot episode, which can be found on YouTube, for the vibes. Come for the theme song, stay for a scene that lingers on a young Tommy Lee Jones holding his massive dog like it’s a baby koala. It’s called culture.
The song was released as a single arranged by Henry Mancini (who also did the Pink Panther theme and the soundtrack for Breakfast at Tiffany’s) in 1977. Here is an excellent video of an orchestra playing the Mancini arrangement of the theme in 1980. Try standing up and doing some shimmies and twirls when you listen—it’ll feel great.
I’m keeping this dispatch short and sweet because I really want you to take some time to enjoy the episode and song!
Until next week,
Elizabeth
This newsletter is just one facet of Zhuzh, my platform dedicated to conscious consumption and making space for delight. I offer secondhand-and-vintage-based wardrobe and interior styling services, art curation, and super chill life coaching. Keep up with me on Instagram and learn more at www.zhuzhlife.com.