It’s been a while since I, D.J. David B., blogged about Batman. And it’s about bat time!

See more Batman Wallpaper at the Bat-Blog

As I’ve said many times before (here, here and here, for starters) the Batman TV show had an impact on pop culture unlike anything before or since, with the possible exception of The Beatles. And like those four mop-tops from Liverpool, much of that influence was on music.

Sure there was plenty of merchandise such as games (like the Beatles), toys (like the Beatles), and trading cards (like the Beatles), and much of it was unlicensed. The year 1966 was a merchandising free-for-all with batloads of manufacturers jumping on the batwagon and slapping bat logos anywhere they would fit. But it’s music that concerns us every Tuesday so let’s look at a prime example.

Countless cover versions of Neal Hefti’s Batman Theme were recorded by everyone and his brother in 1966. In fact, here comes one now! This one is by Melvis and His Gentlemen, a group not quite as popular as The Beatles. Hailing from Denmark, Melvis (real name: Ivan Haki Haagensen) recorded the Batman Theme no doubt because it practically guaranteed a hit. Listen and see if you don’t agree.

Batman - Melvis and His Gentlemen