A Man with a Gun, a Theme Song, and an Extra N
If you just want to listen to some different versions of the song, try this blog post about the Peter Gunn theme song. If you want more, stay and explore the different versions and covers spanning the past 50 years. Here's a list of what's you will find:
◊ The Original Theme ◊ Ten Video Versions or Peter Gunn ◊
◊ Guitar and Bass Tabs ◊ Sample Dozens of Versions ◊
◊ Vote for Your Favorite ◊ Learn the Words ◊
◊ Tell Me about Peter Gunn ◊
The Original Peter Gunn Theme by Henri Mancini
The Orchestral Hit that Started It All
The Jazz Sound From Peter Gunn
Amazon Price: (as of 12/15/2009)![]()
This is the original version, from which all others have sprung. Sure, Duane Eddy twanged it into a monster hit a couple of years later, but Mancini and his orchestra started the whole thing with the television theme show.
YouTube Videos of the Peter Gunn Theme
From the Famous to the Freestyle
Lyrics to Sarah Vaughan's Cover of Peter Gunn
Sarah Vaughan says, "Bye, Bye" to Peter Gunn

Sarah Vaghan first recorded Bye, Bye, the actual title of the song that adds lyrics written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans to the Peter Gunn theme song, in 1964. Most versions don't include these lyrics, and some that do include both titles as most people don't identify the song as Bye, Bye
Every night your line is busy,
All that buzzin' makes me dizzy.
Couldn't count on all my fingers
All the dates you had with swingers.
Bye-bye.
Bye, baby.
I'm gonna kiss you goodbye
And walk right through that doorway.
So long.
I'm leaving.
This is the last time we'll meet
On the street going your way.
Don't look surprised
You know you've buttered your bread.
So now it's fair you should stare
At the back of my head.
If you write a letter to me
My former friend
Don't you end
With an R.S.V.P.
I'm goin' bye-bye
I'm moving!
Tomorrow I may be splittin'
To Britain or Norwas
I'm sayin' bye-bye
Bye, baby!
Now that I've heard all that jazz
Whereas I've had it, I've had it
I'm through now with you now
So baby it's au revouir
Adios, ciao, ciao, goodbye
Listen to Full Versions of The Peter Gunn Theme
From Henry Mancini to The Cramps
Sample Cover Versions of Peter Gunn
From the 50s and 60s through Today
Which Version of Peter Gunn Do You Like Best?
Are you a Henry Mancini fan or did Art of Noise make the song?
Guitar and Bass Tabs for the Peter Gunn Theme Song
The guitar notes:

The bass notes:
Modern Interpretations and Other Uses
Peter Gunn's Theme Song Gets Updated
Recent posts about the Peter Gunn Theme Song
- GameSetWatch - Interview: Twisted Pixel Talk Splosion Man's ...
- I drew inspiration from current works like Michael Giacchino's The Incredibles score, Thomas Newman's Wall-E and older pieces like Peter Gunn and the old great spy shows of the '60s. "The music had to capture the chaotic nature of the ...
- All Music Collections: VA - A Movie For Daddy - Scores To Groove ...
- Jack Costanzo & His Orchestra - Peter Gunn Mambo (2:21) 08. Jack Costanzo - Harlem Nocturne (3:09) 09. Candido - Tony's Theme (5:54) 10. Earl Klugh - Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow (4:32) 11. Grant Green - The Final Comedown (3:22) ...
- Easy Music for Difficult Ears (The musical "Dallas" of Ireland ...
- From the "Peter Gunn" homage that is "Long Dark", to the overt beauty of "Blue Straggler" before charging towards the manic bursts of guitar and farfisa organ noise that are "UOR" and "Mother", this album is steeped in a fiery cosmic ...
- 1940's - 1960's Music - Ample Beauties
- I still think Rebel Rouser was inspired by When the Saint's come marching in and You are My sunshine... but I still liked Duane's old stuff and appreciated it even more when Art Of Noise used his music in the 80s Peter Gunn remixes. ...
Tell Me about Your Peter Gunn Memories.

I'd love to know how you feel about Peter Gunn--when did you first hear the song? Did you watch the TV show? Play Spy Hunter as a kid? Share your favorite things about the Peter Gunn theme song and let me know if I've missed a great cover song or unusual take on the music. Thank you!
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- Rich007 Rich007 Nov 30, 2009 @ 10:36 am
- Awesome site you have here. You know your stuff and thanks for the info on Peter Gunn
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- CherylK CherylK Oct 16, 2009 @ 8:52 pm
- They don't write songs like this anymore...sad but true. Thanks for the memories!
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- Chertos Chertos Sep 20, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
- Please, help! What version of Peter Gunn Theme played in Waterworld?
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- fanfreluche fanfreluche Sep 11, 2009 @ 6:37 am
- Henri Mancini is a King and the Peter Gunn theme is a real classic.
Thanks for bringing back some memories:)
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- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Apr 10, 2009 @ 12:17 am
- I love anything by Henry Mancini, and this theme is one of my favorites.
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- Tipi Tipi Mar 29, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
- I remember hearing about Peter Gun, but for the life of me I can't seeing the shows.
Hi, I'm Susie and I live in Fargo ND. A little birdie called CleanerLife let me know about you. Now isn't that the cool? - This is a nice lens! :)
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- bdkz bdkz Dec 6, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
- Nice lens!
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- Number1Athlete Number1Athlete Nov 4, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
- Nooooooo! i have the theme song stuck in my head!!!...oh well, great lens :)
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More History for the Peter Gunn Theme Song
The song was written as the accompaniment to a new style of detective show. It brought jazz into the middle-class home and caught the fancy of Americans who had never before paid much attention to the genre. If you'd like a fantastic history of how the Peter Gunn Theme influenced rock, punk, and electronic music since it was introduced, visit Rock'n'Soul.
Peter Gunn is an American private eye television series which aired on the NBC (produced by Revue Productions) and later ABC (produced by MGM Television) television networks from 1958 to 1961. The show's creator (and also writer and director on occasion) was Blake Edwards. A total of 114 thirty-minute episodes were produced.
Did You Enjoy This Lens?
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