Doctorin' The Tardis

Album: released as a single (1988)
Charted: 1 66
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is based on the British TV show Doctor Who, and even the band's name is taken from the program. On the show, the Timelords are a race that can control time, and the Tardis is a time-traveling spacecraft.

    The lines 'We obey no one" and "We are the supreme beings" were taken from the Dr. Who episode "Genesis Of The Daleks."
  • The track combines the theme music from Doctor Who, along with Gary Glitter's "Rock And Roll Part 2" and "Blockbuster!" by Sweet.
  • This is the only song released under the "Timelords" name. They later recorded as The "KLF." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mjn Seifer - England, for all above
  • The Time Lords duo of Bill Drummond and Jim Cautry used Gary Glitter's glitter-rock stomp after they realised a House rhythm didn't fit. "The side to everybody that loves a Gary Glitter song came to the fore," Drummond recalled to The Independent. "We were rolling around on the floor laughing because we knew it was a number one single, which we wanted. Wouldn't you? But it was more an act of celebration than cynicism."
  • Gary Glitter appeared in the music video. He recalled in 1000 UK #1 Hits: "The KLF, calling themselves The Timelords for this particular record were Glitter fans and really wanted to work with me. They came to me and played a rough mix, which I liked. I was so fascinated by their idea of using a police car in the video that I had to be in it too."
  • The "Doctorin' The Tardis" title was a play on words on Coldcut's 1988 hit "Doctorin' The House." The KLF duo thought it was a jolly amusing pun.

Comments: 2

  • Henry from Bedrock, InT.A.R.D.I.S. = Time And Relative Dimensions In Space. It's bigger on the inside than on the outside. Cool Concept.

    A for the race of Timelords, 'The Doctor' is the only one that remains (officially) after the last Time War where the Daleks wiped them out.
  • Billy from Otway, OhMy favorite parts of the song are the Dalek saying "WE-OBEY-NO-ONE! WE-ARE-THE-SUPERIOR-BEINGS!" and "EXTERMINATE!".

    best parts of the song.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

How "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" Became Rock's Top Proverb

How "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" Became Rock's Top ProverbSong Writing

How a country weeper and a blues number made "rolling stone" the most popular phrase in rock.