Happy Batman Day! Celebrate with these Bat-tastic Cover Versions of the "Batman Theme"!

This is 11 kinds of awesome. Wouldn't you agree? - Art by Marco Cabrera

Happy Batman Day! What!? You didn't know today is Batman Day!? Could this be another of The Joker's dastardly deeds? Could The Riddler be behind this?? Did the Batmobile lose a wheel?!? Keep reading to find out!

DC Entertainment has declared today, July 23, to be Batman Day. While you probably think you know everything there is to know about the Caped Crusader, did you know that his theme song has been covered by some legendary rock bands? I don't use the word legendary lightly either, as one of the earliest examples of a cover of Neal Hefti's "Batman Theme" was recorded in 1966 by The Who.



This version originally appeared on vinyl on The Who's Ready Steady Who and was later made available on CD reissues of A Quick One. The song was also recorded in 1966 in a surf's up style by instrumental rock band The Ventures. But what is even cooler is The Ventures penned an original ode to the Dark Knight's nemesis, The Joker on the same album.



Jumping ahead 11 years to 1977, seminal English punk rock band, The Jam, revved up the "Batman Theme" to close out side 1 of their debut album, In the City.



While any Batfan worth their cosplay cowl knows that Prince reworked the theme into "Batdance" for Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film, did you know that R.E.M. also retooled the theme for possible inclusion in the movie's sequel? The song wasn't used, but the band later released it as a b-side to "Drive", renaming it "Winged Mammal Theme".



Hefti's "Batman Theme" even inspired one of the greatest songs in the hard rock canon. Deep Purple's "Space Truckin'"! Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore has been documented as saying the "Batman Theme" was "the basis for the song's defining riff." Turn this up to 11 to listen and see if you can hear the bat-DNA in this classic song.



So should you find yourself in a nerd-knowledge showdown as you celebrate Batman Day, you can feel confident knowing you have this arsenal of music SOMETHING in your utility belt!


Image credit: "Batman Rocking Out" by Marco Cabrera.




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