Da da da da da da da da BATMAN

Batman was, and is, a huge part of my life. He’s my favorite superhero and I’ve loved him ever since I could watch TV. In fact, I was born the year “Batman” debuted on TV.

I have a load of Batman stuff — comic books, Batarangs, action figures, novels, playing cards, wallets, messenger bags, T-shirts, videos, CDs, DVDs and a collection of Batmobiles.

Anyway, a big part of the reason why I was drawn to the Caped Crusader in my youth was that great TV theme by Neal Hefti. I would run around in a cape that my mother made and sing the theme at the top of my lungs. Even now, when I go running without my iPod, I have that theme going through my head.

Hefti died Saturday in his Los Angeles home. He was 85.

“Batman” wasn’t the only theme he composed. He also did “The Odd Couple” and “Barefoot in the Park,” but “Batman” was his gem. That piece won a Grammy for best instrumental theme in 1966. To this day, whenever someone mentions Batman, that piece pops into my mind.

Hefti had a hard time writing the work, according to various news sources. His son Paul said Hefti threw away more paper while working on “Batman” than he did working on the other themes.

In a statement, Neil Portnow, CEO of the Recording Academy, said, “Our deepest sympathies are with his family and friends as we remember the significant musical contributions of this prolific composer.”

I, too, am saddened.

I’m going to go home and listen to my recording of the Markettes version of Hefti’s “Batman” theme and play with my Batmobile collection.