Theme 1(1947-1967): Variations on "Romance" from Wieniaswski's Violin
Concerto # 2 in D Minor
Approximate run: 1947, when GL first premiered on CBS Radio, to Spring 1967.
Theme 2(1967-1970): "The Guiding Light"
(a.k.a. "Guiding Light Opening/Closing Theme")
Composer: John Gart (ASCAP)
Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
Copyright Date: May 26, 1969 (EU 121503)
Approximate run: first color episode in 1967 to early 1970. According to Craig W. Pattillo's TV Theme Song Soundtrack Directory, this was GL's theme during its 18th season.
ASCAP Surveyed dates of usage: First used in the first quarter (January-March) of 1967
Recordings: None
Theme 3 (1970-1975): "La Lumiere" (a.k.a. "La Lanterne"?)
Composer: Charles F. Paul (ASCAP)
Publisher: Dore Music Company (ASCAP)
East 86th Street - #15A
New York, NY 10028
Copyright date: There's no copyright record for "La Lumiere." However, "La Lanterne" was registered with the Copyright Office on March 17, 1975 (EU563527).
ASCAP surveyed performance dates: First Quarter (Jan.-March) 1970 to Fourth Quarter
(Oct.-Dec.) 1975.
Approximate Dates of Usage: According to Craig W. Pattillo, this was GL's theme during its 19th through 24th seasons.
Recordings:
LP: "Original Themes from the Great Soap Operas"
Charles Paul
Realm Records (A Division of Columbia House) 2V-8056 (1977)
Theme 4: "Rue d'Or"
Composer: Charles F. Paul (ASCAP)
Publisher: Dore Music Company
East 86th Street - #15A
New York, NY 10028
Copyright Date: January 6, 1971 (EU 226487)
Approximate dates of usage: 1970 to 1975. (According to Craig W. Pattillo, this was GL's closing theme during its 19th through 21st seasons.)
Recordings:
Theme 5 (circa Late 1975-1981): "Ritournelle"
Composer: Charles Paul (ASCAP) or Dina Dore Paul (BMI)
Publisher: Mi-Voix Music (BMI)
Contact Phone: (203) 868-2675
Contact Address: Mi-Voix Music Inc
c/o Dina D Paul
Box 148
Washington, CT 06793
Copyright Date: unknown
Approximate dates of usage: From no earlier than late 1975 to Dec. 31, 1981. (According to
Craig W. Pattillo, "Ritournelle" was GL's theme during its 25th through 31st seasons. There is no other source for this title by the Pauls in either the BMI or ASCAP online databases.)
Recordings:
LP: "Original Themes from the Great Soap Operas"
Charles Paul
Realm Records (A Division of Columbia House) 2V-8056 (1977)
LP: "Great Love Themes from Daytime Television"
D'Arneill Pershing
Nova LPS-00001 (1978 UK release)
LP: "Soap Opera Favorites"
D'Arneill Pershing
Sine Qua Non SQN-5053 (1986)
This is a 1986 US release of a 1978 UK album.
Theme 6 (1982-1983): "Guided Lightning" (a.k.a. "I Remember")
Composer: Jack Urbont (BMI)
Publisher: Projagam Music
c/o URBONT MUSIC (BMI)
Contact Address: Jack Urbont Associates Inc
Urbont Music
c/o Jack Urbont
330 W 72nd St
New York, NY 10023-2641
Copyright Date: 1982, but I've found no record for this title in the Copyright Office database.
Dates of Usage: circa January 4, 1982 to August 19, 1983.
Recordings: None
Theme 7 (1983-1990): "My Guiding Light"
(a.k.a. "The Guiding Light Theme")
Composer: Rob Mounsey (ASCAP)
Publisher: Fountain Square Music (ASCAP)
c/o Signature Sound Inc.
West 23rd Street, Suite 902
New York, NY 10010
Copyright Date: 1985, based on published sheet music.
Dates of Usage: August 22, 1983 to December 31, 1990.
Recordings:
LP: "Your Favorite Soap Opera Themes"
MMR Productions. MMRP-2200 (1986)
CD: "Themes of Our Lives"
Hollywood TV Pops
Intersound PCD-510 (1990)
Re-released in 1991 on CD as "Hits of the Soaps" on First Choice FC-4522
Theme 8 (1991-): "Hold On To Love"
Composer: Rob Mounsey (ASCAP)
Publisher: Fountain Square Music (ASCAP)
c/o Signature Sound Inc.
West 23rd Street, Suite 902
New York, NY 10010
Copyright Date: 1991
Dates of Usage: January 2, 1991 to present.
Recordings:
CD: "TV Soap Opera Themes"
Laserlight 12-229 (1993)
II. The Secret Storm
Theme 1 (1954-circa 1970): "Secret Storm Theme"
Composer: Chet Kingsbury (ASCAP)
Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
Current Publisher: Non-ASCAP Publisher (unknown)
Copyright Date: Unknown.
First ASCAP Surveyed Date of Usage: First Quarter (Jan-Mar) 1954
Recordings: None
Theme 2 (1954-circa 1970): "Secret Storm Opening"
Composer: Charles F. Paul (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
Current Publisher: Non-ASCAP Publisher
Copyright Date: 1954?
ASCAP Surveyed Dates of Usage: Fourth Quarter (Oct.-Dec.) 1954 to Third Quarter (July-Sept.) 1971.
Recordings: None
Theme 3 (circa 1970-1973): "Secret Storm" Adapted from Brahms' "Concerto in A Minor, 2nd Movement"
Composer: Charles F. Paul (ASCAP)
Publisher: Dore Music Company of New York (ASCAP)
Copyright Date: 1970?
ASCAP Surveyed Performance Dates: First Quarter (Jan.-March) 1970 to First Quarter
(Jan.-March) 1973.
Recordings:
LP: "Original Themes from the Great Soap Operas"
Charles Paul
Realm Records (A Division of Columbia House) 2V-8056 (1977)
Theme 4 (circa 1973-1974): "Theme from the Secret Storm"
The above title for the work comes from Craig W. Pattillo's TV Theme Song Soundtrack Directory. I have found no other source for this title.
Composer: Eddie Layton (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: April Music (ASCAP)
Current Publisher: EMI April Music (Aspenfair Music?) (ASCAP)
Recordings: None
III. Love of Life
Theme 1 (1951-circa 1967): "Love of Life"
Composer: John Gart (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
Current Publisher: Unknown
Copyright: 1951?
Approximate dates of usage: Sept. 24, 1951 to the last black and white episode in the Spring of 1967.
Recordings: None
Theme 2 (circa Spring 1967-Spring 1973): "And Then It Happened"
Composer: Charles Paul (ASCAP)
Publisher: Dore Music Company (ASCAP) of New York
Copyright Date: July 24, 1970; Eu 195866
ASCAP Surveyed Performance Dates: 2nd Quarter (April to June) 1967 to 1st Quarter (January to March) 1973.
Approximate dates of usage: From the first color episode in the Spring of 1967 until probably the end of March 1973. According to Craig W. Pattillo's TV Theme Song Soundtrack Directory, the theme was used during the show's 18th through 22nd seasons.
Recording:
LP: "Original Themes from the Great Soap Operas"
Charles Paul
Realm Records (A Division of Columbia House) 2V-8056 (1977)
Theme 3 (circa 1970-1973): "Waiting"
(Theme 20th through 22nd seasons according to Craig W. Pattillo)
Composer: Charles Paul (ASCAP)
Publisher: Dore Music Company (ASCAP) of New York
Copyright date: July 24, 1970; Eu 195865.
Recordings: None
Theme 4 (1973-1974): "Love of Life"
(ASCAP Title: "Love of Life (Theme and/or. . .)")
Composer: Eddie Layton (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: April Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
Current Publisher: Aspenfair Music (ASCAP)
c/o CBS
West 52nd Street
New York, NY
ASCAP Surveyed Performance Dates: 2nd Quarter (April to June) 1973 to 2nd Quarter 1974.
Recordings: None
Theme 5 (1974- circa 1977): "The Life That You Live"
(a.k.a. "The Life That You Love")
Composer: Carey Gold
Original Publisher: April Music, Inc. ?
Current Publisher: Unknown
Approximate Dates of Usage: Spring 1974 to the 1976/77 season
Recordings:
LP: "The Great Soap Opera Themes"
New Christy Minstrels
Capitol SL-8076/Springboard TVP-1011 (1977)
Theme 6: "Love of Life: Theme. Piano" (Copyright registration title)
Composer: CBS, Inc.
Original Publisher: April Music, Inc. ?(ASCAP)
Current Publisher: Aspenfair Music ?
Copyright: November 7, 1977; EU 839298.
Theme 7 (circa 1977-1980): "Love of Life"
Composer: Hagood Hardy (BMI)
Original Publishers: Hagood Hardy Music (BMI)
Blackwood Music (BMI)
Current Publishers: Big Bay Music (BMI)
EMI-Blackwood (BMI) of New York
Copyright date: Dec. 7, 1977; EU 859408
As part of Hagood Hardy Collection, published Feb. 1, 1980 and registered Feb. 27, 1980 (PA-67-472)
Recordings:
LP: "Great Love Themes from Daytime Television"
D'Arneill Pershing
Nova LPS-00001 (1978 UK release)
LP: "Soap Opera Favorites"
D'Arneill Pershing
Sine Qua Non SQN-5053 (1986)
This is a 1986 US release of a 1978 UK Album.
LP: "The Hagood Hardy Collection"
Hagood Hardy
Attic LAT-1073 (1979. This was a Canadian release.)
Note: This theme could be the same as Theme 6 above.
IV. Search for Tomorrow
Theme 1 (1951-early 1970s): "Search for Tomorrow"
Composer: Chet Kingsbury (ASCAP), who was the organist for the premiere episode.
Original Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
Current Publisher: Unknown.
Copyright date: 1951?
Recordings: None
Approximate dates of usage: According to Craig W. Pattillo's book, this theme was used during the show's first 24 seasons.
Approximate dates of usage: 1968 to 1974. According to Craig W. Pattillo, this was SFT's 18th through 23rd seasons closing theme.
Recordings: None
Note: This piece was in the 1978 ASCAP Index of Performed Compositions but it is not included in the current ASCAP Repertoire, nor can it be found in the BMI Repertoire.
Theme 3 (circa 1974): "Signature for Search for Tomorrow"
Composer: Ashley Miller (ASCAP)
Publisher: Milco Music Co. (ASCAP)
Copyright: February 12, 1974; EU 463856.
Approximate date of usage: 1974 only
Recordings: none
Theme 4 (circa late 1974-Feb. 1986): "We'll Search for Tomorrow"
Composers: Jon Silbermann (ASCAP)
John Barranco (ASCAP)
Jack Cortner (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: Elliott Music Company, Inc. (ASCAP)
Current Publisher: Fountain Square Music (ASCAP) c/o Signature Sound of New York
Copyright: Dec. 30, 1974; EP 336113.
Dates of usage (based on ASCAP correspondence): 4th Quarter (Oct.-Dec.) 1974 to Feb. 25, 1986.
Recordings:
LP: "Great Love Themes from Daytime Television"
D'Arneill Pershing
Nova LPS-00001 (1978 UK release)
LP: "Soap Opera Favorites"
D'Arneill Pershing
Sine Qua Non SQN-5053 (1986)
This is a 1986 US release of a 1978 UK Album.
LP: "The Great Soap Opera Themes"
New Christy Minstrels
Capitol SL-8076/Springboard TVP-1011 (1977)
LP: "Your Favorite Soap Opera Themes"
MMR Productions
MMRP-2200 (1986)
Theme 5 (1986 only): "Somewhere in the Night"
Composers: Billy Chinnock (ASCAP)
Eleanor Bradley (ASCAP)
Publisher: Fountain Square Music (ASCAP) c/o Signature Sound of New York
Copyright date: 1986. Published March 1, 1986 and registered March 4, 1987; PA-315-277)
Dates of usage: Feb. 26 to Dec. 26, 1986.
Recordings:
Single 45 rpm: CBS Associated ZS4-06330. 1986.
LP: "Learning to Survive in the Modern Age"
Billy Chinnock
CBS Associated BFZ-40357. (1986)
Note: There is no listing in the current ASCAP database for "Someday, Somewhere" by Paul
Taubman. This piece is listed in Craig W. Pattillo's TV Theme Song Soundtrack Directory as the fifth season closing theme for The Edge of Night.
Theme 3 (circa 1970/71): "May We, Mais Oui"
ASCAP T-code #: 430040127
Composers: Paul Taubman (ASCAP) and Ray Jordan (ASCAP)
Publisher: Paul Taubman Music Corp. of Goshen, NY
According to Pattillo book, this was the fifteenth season closing theme for The Edge of Night.
ASCAP Surveyed Performance dates: First Qua rter (January-March) 1952 to First Quarter 1972.
Theme 4 (circa 1971-1973): "Warmly"
ASCAP T-code #: 350008136 (Same as above "Edge of Night" title)
Composer: Paul Taubman (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
Current Publisher: Unknown
According to Pattillo book, this was the 16th and 17th season closing theme for The Edge of Night. However, since this theme and above Theme 1 ("Edge of Night") have the same ASCAP code number, I suspect that the dramatic piano chord intro for the show may have segued into the broad bittersweet romantic tune "Warmly" that was the bulk of the main melody used at the close of the show.
ASCAP surveyed performance dates: This was first used in the 2nd quarter (Apr.-June) of 1956.
Recordings: none
Theme 5 (June 1976-Dec. 28, 1984): "The Edge of Night"
Composers: Jack Cortner (ASCAP) and John Barranco (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: Elliot Music Company (ASCAP)
Current Publisher: Fountain Square Music (ASCAP) c/o Signature Sound of New York
Dates of usage: June 1976 to Dec. 28, 1984
Recordings:
LP: "Great Love Themes from Daytime Television"
D'Arneill Pershing
Nova LPS-00001 (1978 UK release)
LP: "Soap Opera Favorites"
D'Arneill Pershing
Sine Qua Non SQN-5053 (1986)
This is a 1986 US release of a 1978 UK Album.
LP: "The Great Soap Opera Themes"
New Christy Minstrels
Capitol SL-8076/Springboard TVP-1011 (1977)
LP: "Your Favorite Soap Opera Themes"
MMR Productions
MMRP-2200 (1986)
VI. As the World Turns
Theme #1: "Theme for 'As the World Turns'"
Composer: Charles F. Paul (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
Current Publisher: [unknown]
Copyright Date: February 18, 1965. EU 867631.
Dates of Usage: April 2, 1956-October 30, 1981
Recordings:
L P: "Original Themes from the Great Soap Operas"
Charles Paul
Realm Records (A divi sion of Columbia House) 2V-8056 (1977)
LP: "The Great Soap Opera Themes"
The New Christy Minstrels
Capitol SL-8076/ Springboard TVP-1011 (1976)
LP: "Great Love Themes from Daytime Television"
D'Arneill Pershing
Nova LPS-00001 (1978 UK release)
LP: "Soap Opera Favorites"
D'Arneill Pershing
Sine Qua Non SQN-5053 (1986)
This is a 1986 US release of a 1978 UK Album.
Theme 2: "Simple Melody"
[Source of info: Craig W. Pattillo's TV Theme Soundtrack Directory, which lists it as a closing theme for ATWT during its first ten seasons (circa 1956-1966). However, the pre-1970s episodes I've viewed used Charles Paul's main theme over both the opening and the closing. Thus, "Simple Melody" is more likely to have been the mid-program station break bumper music.]
Composer: Charles F. Paul (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
Current Publisher: [unknown}
Copyright Date: [unknown}
ASCAP Surveyed Dates of Usage: First Quarter (January to March) 1943 to Second Quarter
(April to June) 1980
Approximate Dates of Usage on ATWT: April 1956 to Spring 1980.
Recordings: none.
Theme 3: "The World Turns On and On"
a.k.a. "As the World Turns (Theme)" [Cross-referenced title in ASCAP Database]
Composer: Jack Cortner (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: Elliot Music Co. (ASCAP)
Current Publisher: Fountain Square Music (ASCAP)
c/o Signature Sound Inc.
West 23rd Street, Suite 902
New York, NY 10010
Copyright Date: 1981. Registered with Copyright Office on November 1, 1982 under PA-154-613.
Published October 20, 1981.
Dates of Usage: November 2, 1981 to February 2, 1993
Recordings:
LP: "Your Favorite Soap Opera Themes"
MMR Productions. MMRP-2200 (1986)
CD: "Themes of Our Lives"
Hollywood TV Pops
Intersound PCD-510 (1990)
Re-released in 1991 on CD as "Hits of the Soaps" on First Choice FC-4522
CD: "TV Soap Opera Themes"
Laserlight 12-229 (1993)
Theme 4: "As the World Turns Theme" a.k.a. "Jelinda's Theme"
Composers: Barry DeVorzon (BMI)
Richard Hazard (BMI)
Publishers: Screen Gems-EMI Music, Inc. (BMI)
Riverfront Music Publishing Co. (BMI)
c/o Signature Sound Inc. of New York
Copyright Date: [unknown]
Dates of Usage on ATWT: February 3, 1993 to present
Recordings: None that I know of.
VII. The Brighter Day
Theme 1 (mid-1950s): "Prism"
Composer: Roy Eaton (BMI) (Ray Eton?)
Publisher: Minnette Music Co.
C/o Roy Eaton
595 Main St
Roosevelt Island, NY 10044-0002
According to Craig W. Pattillo's TV Theme Song Soundtrack Directory, this was The Brighter Day's closing theme.
Theme 2 (circa mid-1950s): "Brighter Day"
Composer: Roy Eaton (BMI)
Publisher: Minnette Music Co.
Theme 3 (Fall 1956): "Thunder"
Composer: Richard W. Leibert (ASCAP)
Publisher: Noteworthy Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
c/o Richard William Leibert
Sandy Circle
Cape Coral, FL 33904
Based on my correspondence with ASCAP, this theme was used only during the Fall of 1956, possibly alternating with a piece called "Morning" based on the mood of that day's episode.
According to the Pattillo book this was the first main theme for The Brighter Day.
Theme 4 (Mid-1950s): "Morning"
Composer: Richard W. Leibert (ASCAP)
Note: This was the second main theme according to the Pattillo book. There is no listing in the ASCAP or BMI databases for a work by this name written by Richard W. (Dick) Leibert.