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Post by newt on Sept 9, 2021 22:00:42 GMT -5
Since "Changing Keys" is coming back, I want share my favorite version of this classic theme.
My favorite version of "Changing Keys" is the 1997 version. That version is my personal favorite because of the high-energy, jazzy music and it brings back memories when I first became a Wheel Watcher in the late '90s.
What is your favorite version of "Changing Keys?"
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Post by logicman27 on Sept 9, 2021 22:13:20 GMT -5
Oof, tough call. My favorite has to be the '92 rendition. The '97 rendition is a close 2nd, though.
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mechamind
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Post by mechamind on Sept 9, 2021 22:15:08 GMT -5
It's tough to say between the 1994 or 1997 versions. I did like the 1992 version, though that one feels a bit dated.
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germanname1990
I am the King of Live Play. Wheel with it!
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Post by germanname1990 on Sept 9, 2021 22:35:56 GMT -5
The 1992 version was just plain awesome.
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Post by shootingdio on Sept 9, 2021 22:39:52 GMT -5
'97 for sure.
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Post by jarvisabrodie89 on Sept 9, 2021 23:09:23 GMT -5
As much as I love the ones from 1983, 1992, & 1994, my number one and overall pic would be the 1989 version! There at least two reasons that come to mind as to why I chose the 1989 version.
1. It possess that jazzy upbeat feel and melodic sound that I believe still holds true to this day.
2. It was the first Wheel of Fortune theme I've ever heard since I've started watching as a toddler. And despite hearing it again during seasons 10 & 11, it wasn't quite the same without it. In fact, it didn't quite feel like Wheel of Fortune after the 1989 & 1992 versions were replaced by the Big Band version which I didn't recognize.
Nevertheless, my number one choice for Changing Keys is the 1989 version! 🙂
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Post by nbuckler14 on Sept 9, 2021 23:55:13 GMT -5
My favorite has always been the 1989 version I guess because it's the earliest one I remember when watching with my grandmother as a kid also it brought along my favorite puzzle solve cue 1989-1994, 1992 is number 2 with 1983 being number 3.
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Post by jeopardyfan939 on Sept 10, 2021 4:07:58 GMT -5
The first version of "Changing Keys" I heard when I started watching Wheel of Fortune in 1997 was the '94 version, and at the time it was my favorite rendition, even after it was replaced with the 1997 version in the fall of that year (I remember seeing weekend repeats of Season 14). But after digging through older WoF episodes on YouTube and DailyMotion, I've decided that the 1989 version of "Changing Keys" is my main favorite rendition because of the smooth jazz feel. And my second favorite is the 1997 version due to the softer big-band mixed with electric guitars and some synths.
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Post by woffan4ever on Sept 10, 2021 6:40:26 GMT -5
1992 for sure. That’s the first version I ever remember hearing.
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Post by sushibarset14 on Sept 10, 2021 13:21:55 GMT -5
The 1989 version is my favorite but the 1997 version is vastly underrated in my opinion.
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Post by jjc927 on Sept 10, 2021 22:09:36 GMT -5
For me the 1989 version. IMO it just added energy to the previous version. 1992 a close second, followed by the 1983-89 version then 1997-2000.
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Post by speedandstrategy on Sept 11, 2021 15:53:51 GMT -5
The 1989 version is my favorite but the 1997 version is vastly underrated in my opinion. Agreed on both counts. |
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Post by pannoni1 on Sept 13, 2021 11:39:40 GMT -5
1983-89 for me. It's not just the original, but also the most timeless rendition of them all, remaining in use at Wheelmobile events even as recently as just a couple years ago. The 1989-92 and 1992-94 are heavily nostalgic, but they do feel much more of a product of their times. On the lower end, I still prefer the 1997 over the 1994 since the later just feels a bit to heavy and more suited for a late night show while 1997 has some rock elements mixed in.
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Post by usedletterboard on Sept 13, 2021 12:05:09 GMT -5
Going to abstain from answering this in the off chance I'm blown away with what we hear today.  |
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Post by usedletterboard on Sept 13, 2021 15:11:50 GMT -5
First, I want to give a big hats off to MarioGS for getting the stream going. I know there were some technical difficulties, but the fact that we were even able to catch a glimpse was great, so bravo! Second, as happy as I was to hear "Changing Keys" come back, I think my favorite has to be the original version from 1983. It's hard to explain, but it's such a classic theme that is so reminiscent of game shows of that era. Its instrumentation is arguably the most elaborate of all versions besides the 1994 big band arrangement, with all kinds of riffs from different instruments that complement each other so well. That's not to say that the other versions don't sound nice or spiffy, but I always found that they lack the vibrancy a memorable game show theme should have. Merv knew how to write 'em, and write 'em well. As for the snippets of the new version that debuted today... I am thrilled that after 20+ years, the music most associated with the show has finally come back. It does reek a little bit of over-synthesization (is that a word?), but I do like how it remains true to the original melody rather than some variation on it like the '94 and '97 versions. I would have preferred more real instruments to be played on the track. I will have to hear it played on the TV to make final judgments, but I am glad the show is going in the direction of maintaining a common identity- which includes the music. Jeopardy! is associated with its theme, and so should Wheel. Well done, Mike, for realizing this. |
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Post by newt on Sept 13, 2021 19:04:52 GMT -5
I just finished watching the 39th season premiere. I really liked modernized, up-to-date version of Changing Keys.
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Post by jarvisabrodie89 on Sept 13, 2021 20:41:07 GMT -5
I just finished watching the 39th season premiere. I really liked modernized, up-to-date version of Changing Keys. Same here! I was very impressed with the new version of "Changing Keys"! I thought it sounded more original with a few touch-ups. But one thing is certain: It sure beats the hell out of those other theme tunes we've heard in the last 21 to 25 years combined. In my honest opinion, there was NOTHING memorable about those tunes as they NEVER really fit the wholesome image of Wheel of Fortune. Same thing goes for the generic music they've used during the commercial, which I'm happy to say this is the first time in 25 years in which that is no longer happening. In fact, I never understood why they played generic music to go to commercials instead of the main theme. Wait, don't tell me! It was Harry Friedman's idea! Well, whatever the case, I'm glad those days are over in favor of our beloved and newborn "Changing Keys". Nevertheless, I believe the more they've used generic music during the last 25 years, especially under Harry Friedman's tenure, the more it made Wheel of Fortune look like a game show without a main theme! And that was not right!
Furthermore, there were those who thought "Changing Keys" was never coming back because to do so would result in "paying Merv Griffin's estate." An idea which I never really bought into because, truth be told, I always thought that was all just a bunch of online rubbish! Lol. The point is, I believe the return of Changing Keys was all worth the wait after a 20+ year absence. However, I do anticipate a possible (however occasional) comeback of the first three renditions of "Changing Keys" that most of us know and love so well. But in the meantime, I'm very happy that Wheel of Fortune is FINALLY in its own way, back on the grid with a more familiar theme tune for generations--past, present, and future--will fall more in love with for years to come. I also look forward to hearing the tune in its entirety as the season presses on!
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Post by speedandstrategy on Sept 14, 2021 9:48:05 GMT -5
The new version of "CK" is probably not going to become my new favorite (though I'll reserve full judgment until I hear a larger chunk of it), but it sure beats anything they used from fall 2000 to this past season.
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Post by newt on Sept 14, 2021 19:12:19 GMT -5
I heard more of the new Changing Keys in the closing credits in tonight's show.
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Post by jarvisabrodie89 on Sept 15, 2021 12:43:14 GMT -5
I heard more of the new Changing Keys in the closing credits in tonight's show. No doubt, we'll hear a lot more of the new Changing Keys, possibly in its entirety, during the longer credits. |
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It's good to be back home... 
