Doctor Who versus The Snake

Subject: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Girl Friday
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 01:08 PM

There is a very old song called "The Snake" "take me in oh tender woman, take me in for heaven's sake......" Today on Radio 2 a track from the musical of Doctor Who was played, and it's writer got named.
The tune, including the chord changes, was identical, and the lyrics had much in common. Has anyone else noticed this?

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: oldhippie
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 03:52 PM

The Snake was sung by Al Wilson; I don't know who wrote it.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Alec
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 04:23 PM

I think this refers to "Doctor Who:The Ultimate Adventure"(1989) A decidedly underwhelming attempt to bring the Doctor to live Theatre.
It was not a musical per se but did have some songs in it which were attributed to Stephen Edis.
The similarity to anybody else's songs would probably be the least of that travesty of a stageshow's problems.
Alec
Unreconstructed Whovian.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: GUEST,Darowyn
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 04:51 AM

I heard that too. The lyric seemed to be "Reel me in" and a reference to being tired of travelling - but it was clearly the same tune as "The Snake".
I got the impression (hope I'm wrong) that David Berryman was relating the song to the next series of Doctor Who on TV. He did definitely say that his Captain Jack character turns up again.
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Alec
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 05:40 AM

The song is "Love Don't Roam" by Neil Hannon & was featured in the Doctor Who Christmas special "The Runaway Bride"

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Alec
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 02:38 PM

The song was written by Murray Gold (Doctor Who's musical director)
An attempt by hardcore Whovians to get it into the charts by all downloading it the same day came to naught when it transpired there weren't enough of them to make this work.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 03:43 PM

The Snake was also performed by the late Oscar Brown Jr., my favourite male jazz singer. I had assumed that he wrote it, but I certainly could be wrong.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Girl Friday
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 08:13 PM

I refused to watch the Christmas Doctor Who because that dreadful woman, Catherine Tate was in it.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Alec
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 03:16 AM

Was she bovvered?

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 07:28 AM

Girl Friday obviously was... :-)

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: GUEST,Galen
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 01:25 PM

This ebay listing shows a picture of the single of "The Snake," which indeed credits it to Oscar Brown Jr.:

http://cgi.ebay.com/AL-WILSON-THE-SNAKE-SC-150_W0QQitemZ200079906756QQihZ010QQcategoryZ27349QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is the new Doctor Who running in the U.K.? How is the new companion? (Loved Billie Piper)

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Alec
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 02:37 PM

Starts in April Galen.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: GUEST,sweethollyone
Date: 27 Dec 07 - 04:50 PM

Please does anyone know where I can obtain a version of this song played on Dr Who? I thought it was great. Many thanks in anticipation of help.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: GUEST,sweethollyone
Date: 27 Dec 07 - 04:52 PM

p.s. Where can I listen to it again?

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: oldhippie
Date: 27 Dec 07 - 07:09 PM

I would guess you'd have to hope there was a soundtrack of the Dr Who special.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Dec 07 - 07:18 PM

You can hear it HERE and you can buy it for ninety-nine cents at HERE and you can buy it HERE.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 08:22 AM

The Snake was one of the more forgettable moments on Northern Exposure when the ditzy waitress/child bride sang it.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Dec 07 - 03:12 AM

"I refused to watch the Christmas Doctor Who because that dreadful woman, Catherine Tate was in it."


No she wasn't.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: The Walrus
Date: 29 Dec 07 - 04:04 AM

Girl Friday wrote (16 Feb 07 - 08:13 PM ):-
"...I refused to watch the Christmas Doctor Who because that dreadful woman, Catherine Tate was in it..."

Girl Friday,

You're going to hate the new series (I must say that I'm none too enthused about Ms. Tate as the new companion).

W

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Surreysinger
Date: 29 Dec 07 - 04:12 AM

Guest of 29 December - you really should look at the date of the post you were replying to - Catherine Tate certainly WAS in the Christmas edition of Dr Who in December 2006! And sadly she's going to be in the new series as the new assistant .... spit!!!! Is there actually anyone around who likes Dr Who who is actually in favour of her introduction in the role - last year's Christmas special was (and still is) unwatchable for me because of her.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Chris in Portland
Date: 29 Dec 07 - 11:44 AM

Oscar Brown Jr was one of the great performers in Chicago when I was growing up. In the mid-60's jazz was flourishing as much as folk music and Oscar was somewhat in the world between the two. I believe I saw him at the Gate of Horn, which is legendary in the folk world. The Snake song was his big number.
Chris

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: GUEST,Sweethollyone
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 06:46 PM

Thanks to all who tried to help me in tracking down a copy of "The Snake" as heard in the Dr Who special. However I'm still on a mission! Hence my late reply.

Catherine Tate, the new companion? Oh! dear.

Happy New Year to All and thanks again.

Holly

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: GUEST,sad git cos I know this
Date: 04 Apr 08 - 12:40 PM

As has allready been said the song wasnt Al Wilson's The snake. It was Love Don't Roam (Performed By Neil Hannon ). Its on the Doctor Who [ Original Television Soundtrack ] 2006 Album.

However the version actually used in the episode is shorter than the album version and hasnt been released afaik.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: dwditty
Date: 04 Apr 08 - 01:38 PM

The Snake (Oscar Brown, Jr.) is on his "Tells It Like It Is" CD

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: GUEST,Sam
Date: 17 May 08 - 06:06 PM

Do you not think that miss Tate can act, because i think it is remarkable how well she has adapted to the role, considering her past acting experience was that of comedy.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Girl Friday
Date: 18 May 08 - 05:05 PM

I sat and watched last night's episodev-extremely silly plotline, but yes, I was impressed by her performance.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 19 May 08 - 02:41 AM

If she is who I think she is, I think she is awful, but the point could be taken I suppose that she is an intentional send-up of the lower middle classes (somewhat like her mother in the series). But then Tennant is crap and the idiot who put him in that suit and told him to do up all three buttons needs shooting.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Grab
Date: 19 May 08 - 05:51 PM

I've only seen one with Tate so far, but she wasn't bad.

The worst thing is the writing. And the music. And the directing. In fact, the worst thing about it is the fact it's there really. With different direction, writing, musical direction and actors it'd be good. Which is a shame - all the old ones used crap wobbly sets and FX with decent plots, scripts and acting, but just as the sets and FX come up to speed, the quality of everything else vanishes out the window.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 20 May 08 - 04:04 AM

I'm with you, Grab. The 'new' Dr Who is appalling rubbish (and would be with or without Ms. Tate).

The 'old' one was rubbish as well, of course - but entertaining rubbish.

The 'new' one takes itself far too seriously - which only draws attention to the gross ignorance and stupidity of the writers. It is now a banal soap opera with undigested chunks of science fictional stuff stuck on with wall paper paste.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Girl Friday
Date: 20 May 08 - 11:44 AM

Agree with all of you, especially Richard's comment on the suit. I think I was 16 when Doctor Who was originally on. Too old to hide behind the sofa, but - despite the wobbly sets, and the constant use of that sand quarry, they had good actors in it, and the monsters were more credible. All this Special FX just ain't right somehow.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: BanjoRay
Date: 20 May 08 - 12:13 PM

As a a watcher of Doctor who since the first episode, I never saw one credible monster till the two latest versions. I've always enjoyed it though, but I actually think David Tennent is the best there's been. (runs for cover)
Ray

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: GUEST
Date: 20 May 08 - 02:01 PM

I am a fan. I like the good Doctor because he shares my view of the military mind. He doesn't like to give or take orders and he doesn't want guns around him. He is a great hero who doesn't rely on shooting his way through problems but relies on his native intelligence and humanity.

I don't mind Catherine Tate. She is an antidote to the "bimbo" factor on TV which stresses pretty young things. Although to the credit of the writers and casting I like Billie and Freeman(?), the pretty African-English lady.

Christopher and Tom Baker set a high-water mark for their respective "doctors" although Tenant does a credible job, I think.

Subject: RE: Doctor Who versus The Snake
From: Grab
Date: 21 May 08 - 07:40 AM

Newsflash. Russell T Davies has finally quit Doctor Who, and Steven Moffat (who's written the best episodes so far) is taking over. Yay!