EastEnders theme tune

Infobox Song
Name = EastEnders
Type =
Artist =
alt Artist =
Album =
Published =
Released =
track_no =
Recorded =
Genre = Theme tune
Length =
Writer =
Composer = Simon May and Leslie Osborne
Audio sample? =yesThe "EastEnders" theme tune was composed by Simon May in 1984. He was assisted by Leslie Osborne.

The theme is largely based upon percussion, 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 — increasing in tempo — 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 "SMTV Live".

All of the chords used in the piece of music are diatonic, with no chromatic alterations; it has been said that this "adds to the directness of the music".cite book |author= Pam Hurry, Mark Phillips, Mark Richards|title= [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=YIjzx6AoIvYC&pg=PT183&dq=eastenders+theme+tune&sig=WJIA2GQuqlIsQlBIqYDVdP1W0-E#PPT182,M1 Heinemann Advanced Music ] |year=2001|publisher=Heinemann Educational Publishers|id=ISBN 9780435812607] 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 crotchet-quaver moving the music forward, and a two-quaver hand-clap on the fourth beat of every other bar.

It is recognised as an iconic piece of music, largely establishing itself based upon shocking and surprising cliff-hangers that have featured dominantly throughout the years. In a 2008 poll by the Performing Right Society, the EastEnders theme was the most recognisable piece of music in the UK, beating the national anthem "God Save the Queen" as well as the theme tunes for Match of the Day and Coronation Street. Composer Simon May commented: "When EastEnders first appeared in 1985 it was such a great buzz walking down the street or being in a supermarket hearing people whistling or humming the theme. I've been amazingly lucky that thanks to the huge success of the show the theme is still popular and in the national psyche."

Remixes and remakes

Due to its popularity, the tune was turned into a song, titled "Anyone Can Fall in Love". The lyrics were created by Don Black, and it was recorded in 1986 by "EastEnders" cast member Anita Dobson who portrayed Angie Watts in the show, and produced by her husband, and Queen guitarist, Brian May. It reached number four in the charts, and Anita appeared on "Top of the Pops".

In 1988, the tune was transformed again. This time it became a hymn called "Glory Be", which was performed on the BBC's "Songs of Praise".

In 1993, Simon May was asked to produce a jazzed up version of the "EastEnders" theme, which spawned yet another vocal version (Sharon Benson's "I'll Always Believe in You") , however, it proved somewhat unpopular with the viewers and was replaced with a remix of the original theme tune only 11 months later, from 11 April 1994.

DJ Osymyso – known for remixing popular culture — produced a mashed-up version of the theme, it turned the infamous fight between Peggy Mitchell and Pat Butcher into a breakbeat dance track.

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, "" and "EastEnders: Slaters in Detention" have used the softer guitar version.

The theme was part of a routine by stand-up comic Bill Bailey during his "Bewilderness" 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 East End by using Eastern modes, sitar and tabla.

Julia's theme

"Julia's theme" refers to an alternative version of the usual theme, which was named after one of the show's creators, Julia Smith.

This theme sees a change from the drums that are usually featured instantly at the end. Julia's theme ends an episode with a slow build up played on piano, usually after the departure of a character or a particularly emotional event.

Events where Julia's theme has been used

Alternative endings

Occasionally, singular episodes of "EastEnders" have used a different theme tune for the closing credits.

References