Is the Benny Hill Theme inherently comedic?

Question

The question is in the title. I have tried to answer it for myself, using my knowledge of music theory, and have come up with nothing. I thought it might be the V & I bass pattern, the percussion, the tempo, but I don't think that's it. I don't know Benny Hill, at all. I wouldn't recognise him if he were to walk my room, but the tune makes me laugh, and makes any video on YouTube instantly amusing. Can music theory explain this?

Answer 1

Love this question.

I think the answer to this does NOT lie in the realm of music theory. In the question, you asked if the theme was inherently comedic. While music theory is largely an exercise in objective categorization, comedy is a much more subjective experience, based entirely on the listeners experience and personal context.

I also find this theme funny, and I believe it's because you and I have a shared context. In media, this clip has been used when the intent (intention is important!) is to convey comedy, and so based on previous listenings of this excerpt, I tend to assume something is going to be funny when I hear it.

Examining this through a musical style lens is also valuable. I hear aspects of jazz, country, and western swing that contribute to it's comedic nature.