Things that matter,
Banter, chatter,
All considered
By gray matter.

Sent by Jon Hyneman | 6:08 PM ET | 08-17-2007

Don Voegli did NOT write the All Things Considered theme. He either consciously or unconsciously plaigerized "Murder, He Says", a Paramount film from the forties. Note-for-note. And it has lyrics too. You really should clarify this misconception and give credit where due. I wrote last week, and no response. Just watched the film tonight and it reminded me to check your site and see if this had been addressed, though I didn't find it so.

Thank you.

A loyal listener, George Lee

Sent by George Douglas Lee | 1:11 AM ET | 08-19-2007

Day by day
And year by year
We bring the news
You need to hear.

Sent by C. H. Sherman | 8:26 PM ET | 08-25-2007

"On horse flies is;
In comb bees is.
On chest knob is;
In knob keys is."

Yes, I mentioned the striking similarity to them in a previous message, too.

Same tune. Anyone who has ever seen this movie will never forget it. Every day when ATC comes on I am reminded of the movie. Unfortunately, it's only available on VHS, at somewhere around $75 a copy. Someone needs to get "Murder, He Says" out on DVD!

Sent by Mike Pearson | 1:38 PM ET | 08-27-2007

My lyrics for ATC--
Information
For the Nation,
That's our ststion,
NPR.

Sent by Joe Waple | 3:14 PM ET | 08-27-2007

Global, local
Always vocal.
Stories that
Amuse, inform.

Sent by carol whiteside | 3:16 PM ET | 08-27-2007

Here is my idea for lyrics for your theme song:

Global news and classic music,
to inspire you every day.

Sent by Diane Hoeksema | 6:07 PM ET | 08-29-2007

News, Talk, Features,
as you hear Tunes,
Stories, Friendly Voices:
Count on Us!

Sent by Hilary Kacser | 9:28 PM ET | 08-30-2007

From across the nation
and around the world,
ATC lets the news be heard.

Sent by Anne Pernick | 2:56 PM ET | 09-01-2007

Here's my suggestion for the "All Things Considered" lyric...

WE CONSIDER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
WE'RE THE NATION'S RADIO

Thanks for listening,

Sent by Greg Zerkle | 6:07 AM ET | 09-04-2007

I also remember the tune from the 1945 Fred MacMurray movie "Murder He Says." As I recall, the tune (and/or the text) was crucial to the solving of the mystery of the hidden money. The music for the film is credited to Robert Emmett Dolan. The lyrics are nonsensical. To me it sounded like "La la teezes, in come beezes." I would welcome hearing from anyone who knows where these lyrics were printed.

Sent by Joe Hickerson | 8:32 PM ET | 09-04-2007

Concerning the "on horse flies is...." lyrics for the original NPR tune.

This was the 1940s and a popular song (appearing in one of the Bing Crosby movies, among other places) was "Mairsy doats and dosey doats and little lambsi divy...." wherein when sung, it sounded like the above. But they were slurred words for "Mares eat oats and does eat oats, and little lambs eat ivy..."

So Joe Hickerson's remembrance of "nonsensical words" and hard to understand lyrics were part of the genre and, he is correct, crucial for solving a mystery in the film. When heard correctly, it told how to find a key to the plot.

Sent by Richard Adams | 1:50 PM ET | 09-08-2007

I saw this movie when I was a freshman in high school and that tune has stuck with me ever since (30 years!!) NPR definately took the tune and should give credit.

As for the lyrics, you heard:
Honors flysis
Income beesis
Onches nobis
Inob keesis

And it meant:
On horse flies is (are)
In comb bees is (are)
On chest knob is
In knob keys is (are)

Sent by E. Tappan | 5:27 PM ET | 10-17-2007

so, anyone ever get this settled? I remember the song as well and, frankly, i think npr has some explaining to do.

i also agree with that guy who said the movie needs to be released on dvd...for some reason it has stuck with me for 40 years or so. Go figure.

Sent by charles Trentelman | 10:12 PM ET | 05-13-2008