Music Breakdown: War Co-Respondent

“War Co-Respondent,” the 23rd episode of Season 8 and the 192nd overall, was originally broadcast on Tuesday, March 3rd, 1980. In addition to the opening and closing credits, plus the “freeze frame” prior to the closing credits, which all featured versions of “Suicide is Painless,” the episode included four songs. Two of them were performed by members of the cast.

What follows is a breakdown of all of the music heard in the episode, taken from the official cue sheet prepared by the Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation legal department, dated February 28th, 1980.


The opening credits, of course, feature a version of “Suicide is Painless.”

Listen to a Portion of the Main Title (M*A*S*H Theme)

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War Co-Respondent

“War Co-Respondent”

The next piece of music doesn’t come for a while. The opening line to “Daisy Bell,” written by Harry Dacre and said to be in the public domain by the cue sheets, is sung by Hawkeye as he rides into post-op on a bicycle. The cue sheet states that only five and one-third seconds of the song were used.

Listen to Hawkeye’s Rendition of “Daisy Bell”

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War Co-Respondent

“War Co-Respondent”

During Aggie and B.J.’s talk in the Officer’s Club, “A Certain Smile” is playing in the background on the jukebox. The song runs for almost two and a half minutes. It was written by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster and published by 20th Century Music Corp./Miller Music.

Listen to a Portion of “A Certain Smile”

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War Co-Respondent

“War Co-Respondent”

“A Certain Smile” ends shortly after Aggie wonders why B.J. hasn’t taken a pass at her. There are a few moments of silence before “I Know Why” begins playing in the background, just as B.J. is telling Aggie she is “an extraordinarily attractive woman.” The song runs for 46 seconds. It was written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon and published by 20th Century Music Corp./Feist Music.

Listen to a Portion of “I Know Why”

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War Co-Respondent

“War Co-Respondent”

While Aggie is sketching B.J. in front of the Swamp, she moves B.J. closer to the door. Klinger observes the two flirting and makes a few choice comments before leaving for the mess tent. As he walks off he sings the opening line to “Three Little Words” and then starts whistling. According to the cue sheet six seconds of the song were used.

Listen to Klinger’s Rendition of “Three Little Words”

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War Co-Respondent

“War Co-Respondent”

At the end of the episode, while everyone is gathered in Colonel Potter’s office to see what Aggie sent them, B.J. is asked why he is wearing a life saver in the sketch Aggie gave to Potter. There is a “freeze frame” on B.J.’s face after he replies and a brief rendition of “Suicide is Painless” is played while credits for executive story editors, story editor and creative consultant are displayed.

Listen to a Portion of the Freeze Frame (M*A*S*H Theme)

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War Co-Respondent

“War Co-Respondent”

Another version of “Suicide is Painless” is then played over the actual closing credits.

Listen to a Portion of the End Credits (M*A*S*H Theme)

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War Co-Respondent

“War Co-Respondent”

Following the end credits is the 20th-Century Fox identification/trademark. It was written by Alfred Newman but I’m not including it here.

Published August 17th, 2010
Revised December 24th, 2019


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10 Replies to “Music Breakdown: War Co-Respondent”

  1. Did anyone notice the sudden overgrowth of foliage next to the Mess Tent, outside the Pre-Op ward on Stage 9 by Season Eight? I think the image with Klinger and Aggie illustrates that very well.

  2. In season 7, episode the billfold syndrome, there is background music playing what is the name of the song?

    1. Just a shot in the dark…The Korean versions of “My Blue Heaven” or maybe “Chattanooga Choo Choo”.

      1. Thank you very much))) Where can i see that cue sheets for episodes? i didn’t know about it. If Gary wrote this my tiny hope to find notes is becoming tinier)))

      2. Unfortunately, the cue sheets are not available anywhere online. I purchased a copy of cue sheets from the first ten seasons several years ago.

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