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EastEnders theme tune
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EastEnders theme tune
The EastEnders theme tune was composed by the British composer Simon May. Leslie Osborne has a contractual composer credit, but did not contribute to the composition or recording.
The theme, which is written in the key of E-flat major, is largely based upon percussion instruments, strings and the piano.
It is widely known for its dramatic use of sound, namely the drum beat that begins at the end of an episode that add a sense of importance, suspense and drama to the cliff-hanger. This in itself has been parodied and used in other television programmes, for example in the Friends spoof 'Chums' that featured on SMTV Live. The drum fill was written and played by Graham Broad.
The theme has become widely recognised. A 2008 poll by PRS for Music cited it as the most recognisable piece of music in the UK, beating the national anthem "God Save the Queen".
The theme tune was nominated for an Ivor Novello Awards in 1985 for Best TV Theme and in 1987 it won the Television and Radio Industries Club Award for Best TV Theme Music.
Composer Simon May was introduced to Associated Television executive Leslie Osborne in 1976. Several years later, in 1982, Osborne introduced May to television producer Gerard Glaister; consequently, May was commissioned to write the themes to Skorpion and Cold Warrior. Writer Tony Holland, was impressed with May's work on Cold Warrior, and got in touch with the composer through Osborne.
They wanted something universal, almost feelgood to contrast with Albert Square and its gritty tough storylines. They needed a magic hooky tune with multi-ethnic colours as well as something that encapsulated the warmth of the Cockney character.
May met with Julia Smith and Tony Holland, who were developing a new soap opera for BBC One, then titled E8 (which was later renamed EastEnders). 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 because it was too dark. 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, sitars, steelpan and an underlying feel of being on a merry-go-round."
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EastEnders theme tune
The EastEnders theme tune was composed by the British composer Simon May. Leslie Osborne has a contractual composer credit, but did not contribute to the composition or recording.
The theme, which is written in the key of E-flat major, is largely based upon percussion instruments, strings and the piano.
It is widely known for its dramatic use of sound, namely the drum beat that begins at the end of an episode that add a sense of importance, suspense and drama to the cliff-hanger. This in itself has been parodied and used in other television programmes, for example in the Friends spoof 'Chums' that featured on SMTV Live. The drum fill was written and played by Graham Broad.
The theme has become widely recognised. A 2008 poll by PRS for Music cited it as the most recognisable piece of music in the UK, beating the national anthem "God Save the Queen".
The theme tune was nominated for an Ivor Novello Awards in 1985 for Best TV Theme and in 1987 it won the Television and Radio Industries Club Award for Best TV Theme Music.
Composer Simon May was introduced to Associated Television executive Leslie Osborne in 1976. Several years later, in 1982, Osborne introduced May to television producer Gerard Glaister; consequently, May was commissioned to write the themes to Skorpion and Cold Warrior. Writer Tony Holland, was impressed with May's work on Cold Warrior, and got in touch with the composer through Osborne.
They wanted something universal, almost feelgood to contrast with Albert Square and its gritty tough storylines. They needed a magic hooky tune with multi-ethnic colours as well as something that encapsulated the warmth of the Cockney character.
May met with Julia Smith and Tony Holland, who were developing a new soap opera for BBC One, then titled E8 (which was later renamed EastEnders). 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 because it was too dark. 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, sitars, steelpan and an underlying feel of being on a merry-go-round."