Remember when we used to watch to watch Formula 1? Jayz, those were the days. There we multiple reasons to actually like the sport back at the turn of the century. Obviously there was the fact we had a vested interest in Jordan's success but there was also the fact that it was all over terrestrial television and each station had some absolutely brilliant theme music.
In fact there were so many great tunes we thought we'd rank them:
1. BBC 1978-2012/Channel 4 2012- - Fleetwood Mac 'The Chain'
Was the top slot in this ranking ever in doubt? Indeed some might say the only reason we even wrote this article was so that it would give us a chance to bask in the brilliance of 'The Chain' and how perfectly it fits.
The tune, the car noises, the clips ... it's actually difficult to watch and not come away full sure that Formula 1 is the greatest sport in the world.
2. RTÉ 2000-04 - Fatboy Slim 'Right Here, Right Now'
While first place may have needed no debate, it was virtually impossible to separate second and third. Both are RTÉ offerings and both are very similar in style. Fatboy Slim just about edges because it managed to build a little more suspense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7jSp2xmmEE
3. RTÉ 1997-2000 - The Prodigy 'Firestarter'
As I said above, The Prodigy are very unlucky to miss out on second place. Particularly given the video stars actual RTÉ Formula 1 presenter, Peter Collins.
4. ITV 2000-02 - Apollo 440 'Blackbeat'
ITV's Formula 1 coverage was solid if unspectacular, in terms of theme tunes, with this Apollo 440 song the only tune they used in its original form. FIFA players will know the band from the other - arguably better - single 'Stop The Rock.'
5. ITV 2005-08 - Moby 'Lift Me Up
Probably a better song than 'Blackbeat', Moby's 'Lift Me Up' misses out on fourth purely on the basis that it didn't fit as well with the sport. He'll have to settle for the Bourne films series and that epic season finale feature in Stranger Things.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs_VC24304Q
6. Sky Sports 2012- - Alistair Griffin 'Just Drive'
This has been the staple of Sky Sports' coverage since the gained the rights from BBC but I'm not having it. I like it as a soundtrack song for something related to driving but Jesus Christ lads, it's the type of tune you'd play over a montage of someone driving across America, hoping to find themselves, not a Formula 1 race!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piiPB2NWups
7. ITV 1997-99 - Jamiroquai
I can barely remember this one, if I'm being honest. ITV specially commissioned Jamiroquai to record it and while it's decent, it's more something you'd expect on a menu screen while you're waiting to play a racing game, not something you'd listen to get you absolutely pumped.
8. ITV 2003-2005 - Bachman Turner Overdrive feat. Arnon Woolfson
Another specially made tune for ITV. This time they've reworked Bachman Turner Overdrive. On second thoughts it might actually be better than Jamiroquai but I've made my bed...
9. RTÉ 1996 - The Hooters 'Satellite'
Firstly I need to clarify that this might actually be the second best song on the whole list (second best priest, second best priest), so please don't take its last place ranking as some sort of criticism of The Hooters. The problem is that it has absolutely no place on a Formula 1 television programme.
