Theme from Z-Cars

Theme from Z-Cars was the theme tune to the long running BBC television drama Z-Cars.

Based on the traditional folk song "Johnny Todd", which was in a collection of traditional tunes by the Frank Kidson dated 1891 called "Traditional Tunes: A Collection of Ballad Airs". Kidson's notes for this song say: "Johnny Todd is a child's rhyme and game, heard and seen played by Liverpool children. The air is somewhat pleasing, and the words appear old, though some blanks caused by the reciter's memory have had to be filled up."

The "Z-Cars" theme tune was arranged by Fritz Spiegl and performed by John Keating and his Orchestra. The single reached #5 on the UK singles chart in April 1962.

It was soon adopted by fans of the football club Everton, who are based in Liverpool near to where the programme supposedly took place. To this day, the theme tune is still played as the team come out onto the pitch at the beginning of all their home matches. Watford F.C. are also known to play the theme when the players enter the field. [http://www.watford.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=40114]