Bat Theme, the Sequel

Neil Hefti’s original “Batman Theme,” used in the campy ‘60s TV series, is back--and it’s sharing the dance club beat with Prince’s “Bat Dance.”

Film composer Chuck Cirino told us that he decided earlier this year to investigate the rights to Hefti’s tune. He learned that it was owned by CBS Records.

They cut a deal, with CBS receiving about 5 cents a record in royalty fees, and Cirino acknowledging CBS and Hefti on the record label. Cirino recorded his own version, pressing 5,000 copies. It hit stores about two weeks ago, and Cirino said sales are gathering momentum.

“Everything’s been done aboveboard--I even have a disclaimer on the jacket that it’s not the Batman movie sound track,” Cirino said.

Cirino added that he connected with Hefti last week. “He told me that the theme made him a lot of money over the years--but it also severely damaged his reputation as a jazz composer.”