The name of the song used on the first TV broadcast? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

TrevorM6TSE · 28th Apr 2006, 8:55 am

Hello All,

I wondered if anyone would be able to answer a query I've had for sometime?

On the first night of the BBC's first television transmission in 1936, a lady sang a song to do with the new system. I can remember that the words included "are all about us in the blue", but I can't find the name of the song or the singer!

Can anyone help? Also, if anyone happened to have the song as an MP3 I'd be more than grateful.

Thanks,

Trevor

mickjjo · 28th Apr 2006, 9:01 am

I think the song was just titled "Television", with lyrics by James Dyrenforth and music by Kenneth Leslie-Smith, sung by Adele Dixon. Full details here:-

http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/te...chnology5.html

Regards, Mick.

.

SPCh · 28th Apr 2006, 9:07 am

It was Adele Dixon;

the song was "Here's Looking at You";

and the words:

"A mighty maze of mystic magic rays are all about us in the blue"

and then something along the lines of

"And the pictures that you see, are coming straight from me,
... bringing the wonders of television to you".

FYI I remember this from the 1950s trade test transmissions; I wasn't actually there in 1928 !

Tim · 28th Apr 2006, 9:31 am

I thought it was sung by Helen McKay. I have it on tape somewhere !

" ...............that radio could let you sit and watch a show."

SPCh · 28th Apr 2006, 9:40 am

I stand corrected. It was 1936 and the full words are given in Mickjo's link.

In the BBC's 50th anniversary celebrations Miss Dixon was dredged up (by then in her late seventies) for an interview, in which she disclosed that she had never owned a television.

mickjjo · 28th Apr 2006, 9:47 am

I think the song "Heres looking at you" was the earlier one used at the Radiolympia demonstrations from 26 August 1936, and was sung by Helen McKay. The song "Television" sung by Adele Dixon was the one used for the official opening of the service on the 2nd of November 1936, The two are often confused!

.

http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/te...chnology4.html

Regards, Mick.

peter_scott · 28th Apr 2006, 10:33 am

http://www.ambisonic.net/tv2london2.html

Try this link for the Adele Dixon singing "Television".

See also: http://www.bvws.org.uk/405alive/faq/music.html

Try this one for Helen McKay:

http://www.apts.org.uk/programmes.htm

Heatercathodeshort · 28th Apr 2006, 4:34 pm

I believe the words were 'Hello Radiolmpia, heres someone you know well, Miss Helen McKay'. The curtains open and she sings 'Heres Looking at You.'
Helen McKay was the lead singer with Lew Stones dance band at the time.
A very good song with a fantastic melody!
Regards John.

Tim · 28th Apr 2006, 4:52 pm

Ah mystery solved!!

".. you wonder what the next thing on the list will be..................
Here's looking at you, from out of the blue."

That IS the one I have on tape, somewhere.

peter_scott · 28th Apr 2006, 9:34 pm

Another helpful link:

http://www.xtvworld.com/tv/bbc/fools_on_the_hill.htm

mickjjo · 28th Apr 2006, 9:55 pm

And another interesting link,

:-

http://www.btinternet.com/~roger.bec.../odds/tvru.htm

Regards, Mick.

28th Apr 2006, 8:55 am	#1
TrevorM6TSE Heptode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Old Tupton, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 540	The name of the song used on the first TV broadcast? Hello All, I wondered if anyone would be able to answer a query I've had for sometime? On the first night of the BBC's first television transmission in 1936, a lady sang a song to do with the new system. I can remember that the words included "are all about us in the blue", but I can't find the name of the song or the singer! Can anyone help? Also, if anyone happened to have the song as an MP3 I'd be more than grateful. Thanks, Trevor __________________ I'd just like to say "Good luck, we're all counting on you"

28th Apr 2006, 9:01 am	#2
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: The name of the song used on the first TV broadcast? I think the song was just titled "Television", with lyrics by James Dyrenforth and music by Kenneth Leslie-Smith, sung by Adele Dixon. Full details here:- http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/te...chnology5.html Regards, Mick. .

28th Apr 2006, 9:07 am	#3
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: The name of the song used on the first TV broadcast? It was Adele Dixon; the song was "Here's Looking at You"; and the words: "A mighty maze of mystic magic rays are all about us in the blue" and then something along the lines of "And the pictures that you see, are coming straight from me, ... bringing the wonders of television to you". FYI I remember this from the 1950s trade test transmissions; I wasn't actually there in 1928 !

28th Apr 2006, 9:31 am	#4
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: The name of the song used on the first TV broadcast? I thought it was sung by Helen McKay. I have it on tape somewhere ! " ...............that radio could let you sit and watch a show." __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

28th Apr 2006, 9:40 am	#5
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: The name of the song used on the first TV broadcast? I stand corrected. It was 1936 and the full words are given in Mickjo's link. In the BBC's 50th anniversary celebrations Miss Dixon was dredged up (by then in her late seventies) for an interview, in which she disclosed that she had never owned a television.

28th Apr 2006, 9:47 am	#6
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: The name of the song used on the first TV broadcast? I think the song "Heres looking at you" was the earlier one used at the Radiolympia demonstrations from 26 August 1936, and was sung by Helen McKay. The song "Television" sung by Adele Dixon was the one used for the official opening of the service on the 2nd of November 1936, The two are often confused! . http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/te...chnology4.html Regards, Mick. Last edited by mickjjo; 28th Apr 2006 at 9:53 am.

28th Apr 2006, 10:33 am	#7
peter_scott Dekatron Join Date: May 2003 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 3,274	Re: The name of the song used on the first TV broadcast? http://www.ambisonic.net/tv2london2.html Try this link for the Adele Dixon singing "Television". See also: http://www.bvws.org.uk/405alive/faq/music.html Try this one for Helen McKay: http://www.apts.org.uk/programmes.htm Last edited by peter_scott; 28th Apr 2006 at 10:45 am.

28th Apr 2006, 4:34 pm	#8
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: The name of the song used on the first TV broadcast? I believe the words were 'Hello Radiolmpia, heres someone you know well, Miss Helen McKay'. The curtains open and she sings 'Heres Looking at You.' Helen McKay was the lead singer with Lew Stones dance band at the time. A very good song with a fantastic melody! Regards John.

28th Apr 2006, 4:52 pm	#9
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: The name of the song used on the first TV broadcast? Ah mystery solved!! ".. you wonder what the next thing on the list will be.................. Here's looking at you, from out of the blue." That IS the one I have on tape, somewhere. __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

28th Apr 2006, 9:34 pm	#10
peter_scott Dekatron Join Date: May 2003 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 3,274	Re: The name of the song used on the first TV broadcast? Another helpful link: http://www.xtvworld.com/tv/bbc/fools_on_the_hill.htm

28th Apr 2006, 9:55 pm	#11
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: The name of the song used on the first TV broadcast? And another interesting link, :- http://www.btinternet.com/~roger.bec.../odds/tvru.htm Regards, Mick.