Geek Music: 15 Songs about Doctor Who
While compiling my list of Time Travel songs, I ran across tons of Doctor Who-related music. I decided that rather than try to make one huge list I’d make a second list of trock (Time Lord Rock) songs. Not all on this list are really rock songs, but they are all about Doctor Who. I also have to give some credit to Sarah from the Trocklafane podcast for introducing me to several of the songs on this list. Her list of songs related to Doctor Who is pretty darned impressive.
1. “Doctorin’ the TARDIS” by The Time Lords
One of the original trock songs, before there was even such a thing as trock! I actually remember this one from when I was younger, long before I became a Whovian. Interestingly, I also loved the KLF, which I only learned was the same band after becoming a fan of Doctor Who. Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey, so to speak…
2. “An Awful Lot of Running” by Chameleon Circuit
The opening song on Chameleon Circuit’s great self-titled trock album, this song describes what it might be like for the lead singer to be one of the Doctor’s companions. It also features the band playing the theme song as the basis for the music. As the coiners of the term “trock,” you would hope this band would actually make good music, and this song certainly proves that they do. The rest of the album is worth checking out as well.
3. “I Have Never Watched an Episode of Doctor Who in My Life” by Adam WarRock
Click to hear MP3 on external site
A geek who’s never seen Doctor Who? Blasphemy! Of course, that attitude is exactly what Adam WarRock’s song is about. And he doesn’t appreciate it much. Still, he really should check it out! :)
4. “Who’s Your Doctor?” by Dale Chase
Nerdcore trock? Sure, why not? This one comes from Z’s Doctor Who compilation, Visitations, which features several other really great trock songs.
5. “TARDIS” by Ed Stockham (Smiling Limpet)
“Life would be much better if I lived in a box.” Especially if it’s bigger on the inside and travels in time and space, of course.
6. “It Takes Who” by the great Luke Ski
A parody of “It Takes Two,” by Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock. It’s based on the “first” series with the 9th Doctor with references to several characters and events in those episodes. The only issue is the annoying repetition of they rhythm, but that’s a problem more with the original than with this version.
7. “Dalek, Baby” by The Singing Nerd
Not a Christmas parody as I had sort of hoped, but instead a love song to a Dalek. Includes a rhyme between “Cupid’s arrow” and “Skaro,” as well as the first words of their children: “Exterminate,” of course. So good!
8. “The Doctor Who is in Time” by Paul Hone
A slower, reflective song about the Doctor. Subtly includes the theme song in the bridge. A really nice tribute to the Doctor and his TARDIS.
9. “Onward” by Dr. Noise
Heavy metal trock ballad. The Doctor reminisces about his companions, but he must go onward.
10. “Doctor Who” by Parry Gripp
The lead singer for Nerf Herder creates his own trock song. “He can love you more ’cause he’s got two hearts.” Oh, yeah!
11. “Type 40″ by Chameleon Circuit
As the coiners of the term “trock,” Chameleon Circuit deserve two songs on this list. This one’s from the perspective of the TARDIS, or, more specifically, the Doctor’s obsolete Type 40 TARDIS.
12. Craig Ferguson’s Doctor Who Cold Intro
When Matt Smith appeared on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, they set up an intro featuring Ferguson performing essentially a filk version of the Doctor Who theme. Unfortunately, at the last minute, they were unable to secure the rights to the song. Fortunately, they had recorded a rehearsal which then “leaked” onto Youtube (and subsequently appeared on the show when Alex Kingston was a guest). The best description of the Doctor’s ethos I’ve heard appears in this song: “Intellect and romance over brute force and cynicism.” I totally want that on a t-shirt!
13. “The Doctor and I” by John Barrowman
Captain Jack Harkness sings about the relationship between himself and the Doctor to the tune of “The Wizard and I” from Wicked. If you’ve never heard John Barrowman sing, I strongly suggest you check this out immediately. And then track down everything else he’s ever done.
14. “Who’s Doctor Who” by Frazer Hines
Another actor who played a companion (Jamie) singing about the second Doctor. Very ’60s quasi-psychedelic.
15. “The Doctor” by Jon Pertwee
As if companions singing wasn’t enough, I even discovered one of the Doctors singing about the Doctor. This actually dates from the time of the 3rd Doctor. An appropriate end to this list, I think.
February 18th, 2011 at 12:29 am
As a fan of both Wicked and John Barrowman, #13 was awesome! Last time I tried to find his music, though, I found that the selection available to people outside the UK was very limited. :( Maybe that’s changed, though, so I’ll have to look again.
Neat list, I can’t wait to listen to the other songs.
June 23rd, 2011 at 1:00 pm
nice list – gotta work my way through these!
I’d add “song for ten” by neil tennant (of The Divine Comedy) – less obvious, but from the lyrics, it’s pretty clear which “ten” is meant.
carsten (currently rewatching season five, to get used to Eleven)
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Cool, thanks. Turns out Neil Hannon also wrote songs for two of my other favorite British shows: Father Ted and The IT Crowd. Nice!
June 25th, 2011 at 5:16 am
ouch – neil hannon, of course, not tennant. bit of a Freudian slip, i guess…
June 25th, 2011 at 7:30 am
Well, David McDonald did take his acting surname from Neil Tennant so it makes sense. :)