Eastenders Theme Tune
Most songs have to jostle for space on the radio among scores of other potential hits, but for some chart hits, all they had to do was turn up at the beginning and end of a TV show.We look back at some of the legends from your living room that have broken out of the box and made their way into the Official Singles Chart. Phantom Planet: California – The OCRemember The OC, that show about beautifully toothed, immaculately groomed American teens who all looked amazing but were in fact monumental disasters of the highest order? While the on-screen shenanigans of characters Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer might've been enough to put you off setting foot in California for ever, it didn't deter you from buying its theme tune.
Phantom Planet's aptly titled California – you can see what they did there, right? – hit Number 9 in 2002. Like, amazing. Oxide & Neutrino: Bound 4 Da Reload – CasualtyNot a TV theme in the strictest sense – you never heard this version booming out over the titles before another hour of people falling off ladders on a Saturday evening – this 2000 chart-topper owed more than a nod to the nation's favourite hospital drama Casualty.
We'd quite like to see Casualty legend Charlie Fairhead showing us all his moves to this version of the theme – for Children In Need maybe? Anita Dobson: Anyone Can Fall In Love – EastEndersBack in 1985, EastEnders was all anyone could talk about.
Demand for anything from its stars was high, so leading lady Anita Dobson, who played boozy, lovable pub landlady Angie Watts, thought she might as well bung out a single. The thing is, it was actually the EastEnders theme tune with Anita singing some, um, rather hastily put together lyrics over the top. It shot to the Top 5 faster than Dot Cotton can get through a packet of 20 B&H, peaking at Number 4. This actually happened. The Rembrandts: I’ll Be There For You – FriendsFor 10 loooong years, every episode of the world's most successful sitcom kicked off with this unforgettable tune.
The characters were arguably the most annoying, privileged, clueless people ever to exist, but we loved them all the same. I'll Be There For You reached Number 3 in 1995 but the Rembrandts couldn't outlive the show – they broke up pretty quickly.Interestingly, in the original pilot for the show, R.E.M’s equally 😁 Shiny Happy People was the theme. That one got to Number 6!So popular was the song that it was re-released two years later and re-entered the Top 10. Bob The Builder: Can We Fix It?The UK is famous for its sense of humour when it comes to the Official Singles Chart.
Comedians, cartoon characters, school choirs – you name it, Number 1 is within your reach. It was no surprise then, when popular kids' TV character Bob the Builder hit the top with the theme from his very own show. Can We Fix It?
Was quite the phenomenon: it was the Official Christmas Number 1 of 2000, and has sold over a million copies! Bob, voiced by comedian Neil Morrissey, wasn't done there, either – he had another chart-topper with a cover of Mambo No.5.
Jem: Wish I – Celebrity Love IslandCompelling, cringeworthy and mercifully brief, Celebrity Love Island was the 2005 show that saw famous people shack up together on a remote, sunkissed resort in the hope that the absence of much else to do would persuade them to get off with each other. Soundtracking this Z-list snogfest was the sweet, summery ditty Wish I, from Jem, who'd scored her first Top 10 with They earlier that year.Despite the show being panned by critics, the theme managed to reach Number 24, although you could argue it was the kiss of death for Jem – she's not made the Top 40 since. The show, however, lived to fight another day – it returned in 2015 for a civilian version and a new series kicks off on May 30. Oasis: Half The World Away – The Royle FamilyThe iconic comedy set in the living room of a Manchester family of telly addicts needed an equally iconic band to provide the soundtrack, and Oasis were only too happy to step up with Half The World Away, which had originally been the b-side to Whatever.
Oasis's version has never made the Top 40, as it wasn't an official single, but the song did enjoy chart success when it was covered by Norwegian star Aurora, peaking at Number 11 after being featured in the John Lewis Christmas ad in 2015.Marilyn Manson: The Beautiful People: WWE SmackDownWhen you think Marilyn Manson, possibly the last thought that would enter your head would be oiled-up wrestlers flinging each other about in a ring. Working in music research on TV however, means you have to think outside the box, and one such person paired up everyone's favourite rock goth with WWE SmackDown. Beautiful People originally charted at Number 18 in 1997. M83: Midnight City – Made In ChelseaMade In Chelsea is, like, this totes deep scripted reality TV show featuring these amaze gorgey people who are just trying to live their lives and avoid dramas, you know, and you have to give them the space they need to be who they want to be, yeah?For the uninitiated, there are ups and downs and a lot of staring out of the windows of posh restaurants while someone wearing fake tan and a fur coat tells you they're breaking up with you. Plus, there's Midnight City from French electro duo M83, who broke into the Top 40 for the first time with this track in 2012, reaching Number 34.
Vonda Shepard: Searchin’ My Soul – Ally McBealNot satisfied with providing the theme tune for this late '90s show about a group of zany lawyers, Vonda Shepard appeared in it too! At the end of most episodes, the show's toothy, moisturised cast would retire to the bar downstairs to run through a few covers of old standards, and who'd be playing the piano but Vonda herself.
The show was such a success that the theme tune peaked at Number 10 in 1998. Teletubbies: Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!We told you that almost anyone can get to Number 1. Teletubbies Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po didn't even do much of the singing on this theme from their hit TV show, but they still scored a Number 1. Now that's star power for you. Nick Berry: HeartbeatNick Berry was no stranger to scoring TV-related chart hits. His first single, Every Loser Wins, reached Number 1 in 1986 thanks to Nick's very high profile performance of it slap bang in the middle of an episode of EastEnders, where he was currently starring as Pat's son Simon. He soon left Albert Square behind only to end up in Yorkshire in the 1960s, playing a police officer.
Eastenders Theme Tune Sheet Music
This cover of the Buddy Holly classic reached Number 2 in 1992 and was his final Top 40 hit. Julee Cruise: Falling – Twin PeaksSet for a new series later in 2016, the original Twin Peaks was a surreal cult drama that took the UK by storm (kind of) back in the early '90s. Its theme tune was the instrumental version of this atmospheric, dreamy ballad by Julee Cruise. Proof that you don't need to be able to dance to a song to make it a hit, the ethereal Julee took this to Number 7 in 1990. Element Four: Big BrotherFew could've predicted back in 2000 that a TV show about a load of strangers arguing over a shopping budget could be a success, but 16 years later Big Brother is still a ratings hit.
Its theme tune didn't do too badly either, taking advantage of Big Brother fever and reaching Number 4. Element Four never had another hit, as such – the group was actually DJ Paul Oakenfold and composer Andy Gray in disguise. The tune is still used in both its original and remixed form on the show today. Top of the PopsOne TV show that had more than its fair share of chart success with theme tunes was, quite fittingly, Top of the Pops, the show that used to count down the charts every week. How meta is that? Three of the Pops' signature tunes hit the charts.
First was Whole Lotta Love, a cover of the Led Zeppelin tune by CCS, which hit Number 13 in 1970. Next, following a 1981 rebrand, was Yellow Pearl, a solo hit for Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, which peaked at Number 14. In 1986, another relaunch saw Paul Hardcastle's The Wizard take over, reaching Number 15.
EastEndersType:InstrumentalAlbum:Genre:Composer:andThe EastEnders was by in 1980 for ATV Music Ltd. He was assisted. The theme was composed in 1984 for the TV series theme.The theme, which is written in the key of, is largely based upon, strings and the piano. It is widely known for its dramatic use of sound, particularly the drums that begin at the end of an episode – which adds a sense of importance, suspense and drama to the cliff-hanger.
This in itself, has been parodied and used by television shows since, such as in a Friends spoof that featured on. The was written and played by Graham Broad.The theme has become widely recognised.
A 2008 poll by cited it as the most recognisable piece of music in the UK, beating the national anthem '.The theme tune was nominated for an in 1985 for Best TV Theme and in 1987 it won the Award for Best TV Theme Music. InceptionThe co-creator of EastEnders, was impressed with composer Simon May and graphic designer Alan Jeapes for their work on the titles and music for the spy thriller. May was told that EastEnders was going to be an edgy drama, and came up with a piece of music that reflected that, but it was rejected.
Producers wanted something melodic, 'to bring people in from the kitchen or garden', and wanted it be 'more feel-good' to contrast with the actual programme. May looked at his Cockney friends and felt they were 'warm and loyal' people, so said his inspiration came from 'my subliminal understanding of what the Cockney character is about.' He offered an attempt that conveyed everything about the East End that the producers wanted; 'bells, whistles, hand-claps, s, s and an underlying feel of being on a merry-go-round.'
May actually began writing the music that was used for the theme tune when he was seven years old, around 34 years before EastEnders first aired, and based it on the that his music teacher had taught him.The drum beats at the start of the theme tune were played by May's drummer,. May had originally composed a longer theme that featured a section in 'a true cockney piano-type style' and he asked Broad for a drum 'fill' to allow the theme to switch back to the main version. Smith and Holland heard it and assumed it was for the end titles. The drum beats are commonly known as the 'doof doofs' or 'duff duffs' and it is used to signify a cliffhanger at the end of an episode, commonly known as a 'duff duff moment', for which the camera focusses on the face of the actor receiving the 'duff duff moment' for around four seconds.All of the chords used in the piece of music are, with no alterations; it has been said that this 'adds to the directness of the music'. The main melody is scored for a piano, which has been described as having a 'pub sing-a-long feel' to it. The tune is also doubled by a whistle, and there are two rhythmic permeations, a dotted - moving the music forward, and a two-quaver hand-clap on the fourth beat of every other bar.
Title music and hitsThe original title music was used until 1991. A stereo version was used for 4 months in 1991 before a new version came into use, sounding much more similar to the original, this version having a slightly different ending.On 11 May 1993, a completely new recording was instated which was jazzier than the previous version.
The famous 'doof doofs' were significantly tweaked. This version of the music proved unpopular but was used on screen for 11 months.From 11 April 1994, the synth drums that preceded the closing theme was added to the beginning of the opening theme. The new theme at the time was a version based on the original, with more up to date elements.
This was the longest-lasting version to date, being used for 15 years before another revamp took place.From 7 September 2009, the theme tune was rescored by May to include stronger drum beats and more background percussion.The theme has also been remixed into a much slower and less dramatic version for use with EastEnders Revealed and a rock version for use with EastEnders Xtra. Subsequent spin-offs Ricky & Bianca and EastEnders: Slaters in Detention have used the softer guitar version. 2010 internet spin-off features a new remix of the theme tune, which was chosen by producer Deborah Sathe, executive producer, Simon May, director Michael Keillor and 's DJ Ace from entries in a competition launched on 's show.
The Eastenders
The winner was announced on 4 December 2009 as Carl Darling.DJ —known for remixing —produced a version of the theme, which turned the infamous fight between Peggy Mitchell and into a breakbeat dance track. The theme was part of a routine by stand-up comic during his shows. Bailey describes how depressing he finds the theme and imagines lyrics he feels are fitting: 'Everyone is going to die/We're all gonna die/In a variety of different ways'. He then proceeds to supply an alternative version of the theme which he feels is more appropriate, embodying the multicultural nature of the by using,.
Eastenders Theme Tune Notes For Keyboard
In 2009, American band performed the theme tune at the Reading Festival. SongsIn 1986, the lyricist added lyrics to the tune to create the song '. It was recorded in 1986 by EastEnders cast member who portrayed in the show.