Instrumentally Yours: Hawaii Five-O Theme

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Hey, it’s another day of a big instrumental hit that had lyrics put to it after the fact. And today we have one of the most iconic television theme songs in TV history…not to mention that most men can remember exactly in this song where the opening credits slowed down for the hula dancer. Here we go! Hawaii Five-O Theme Song - Morton Stevens This is NOT the version that was a hit. That distinction went to the Ventures (they’ll be along later in the countdown). No, this is the version used in the opening credits of the series Hawaii Five-O, performed by the writer, Morton Stevens. Needless to say, Stevens took home some hardware for this song, including two Emmy awards and a gold record for the Ventures’ version. Now, as for the lyrical version, Hawaiian legend Don Ho came up with some lyrics and named the song “You Can Come to Me.” It was — wait for it — a ballad. Then Sammy Davis Jr., for whom Stevens worked as a music arranger, had a variation called “You Can Count on Me.” That one maintained the pace of the instrumental. However, this is probably the first time you’ve ever heard of the notion of lyrics to this song. And for good reason. I have to admit I was a little disappointed when I stepped off the plane in Honolulu and this song wasn’t playing at the airport. It’s one of the greatest TV theme songs ever. Hawaii Five-O Theme Written by Morton Stevens Recorded by Morton Stevens From Hawaii Five-O (Original Television Soundtrack), 1968 This one has lyrics: Ba-ba-ba-BA-ba ba, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba