EastEnders theme tune
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The EastEnders theme tune was created by Simon May after being assigned the job of composer 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.
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. It could be said that it is a victim of its own success, most viewers now pre-empt the ending, if something major is going to happen in an episode, such as the return of an old character, then it is very likely they will only feature in the last few seconds before the drums begin.
It has been said by Shane Richie (who played Alfie Moon), that upon being given the latest scripts, EastEnders cast members always rush to the back to see who will be getting the dramatic ending. Jessie Wallace has said that Shane Richie always tried to steal the endings that she and others were given, if he featured in the same scene.
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[edit] 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 produced a jazzed up version of the EastEnders theme, 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
[edit] Julia's theme
Julia's theme refers to an alternative version of the usual theme, which was named after the shows creator, Julia Smith.
This theme sees a change from the drums that are usually featured instantly at the end; instead Julia's theme ends an episode with a slow build up played by the piano. This is usually played after the departure of a character or after a particularly upsetting event.
[edit] Events where Julia's theme has been used
| Date | Circumstances |
|---|---|
| 11 April 1985 | Ian Beale was seen crying into the arms of his grandmother Lou after a heart-to-heart, because Ian's father Pete disapproved of Ian becoming a chef. |
| 3 October 1985 | Michelle Fowler had met Den Watts at the canal to tell him that she was pregnant with his baby. |
| 2 July 1987 | Dot Cotton and Ethel Skinner reminced about life in the war in a two-hander episode. |
| 18 February 1993 | Pauline Fowler and Pat Butcher had a heart-to-heart after Pat ran over and killed a girl. |
| 20 June 1996 | Arthur Fowler's funeral. |
| 17 October 1996 | Cindy Beale ran away with her sons Steven and Peter to start a new life in France. |
| 10 April 1998 | Kathy Beale left Walford with her son Ben to start a new life in South Africa. |
| 4 February 1999 | Grant, Peggy and Courtney Mitchell scattered Tiffany's ashes at Peacehaven. |
| 10 September 1999 | Bianca Butcher left Walford with her son Liam to start a new life in Manchester. |
| 9 November 2000 | Ian Beale was declared bankrupt. |
| 21 December 2001 | Jim Branning proposed to Dot Cotton on the London Eye. |
| 21 June 2002 | Anthony Trueman proposed to Zoe Slater. |
| 14 November 2003 | Alfie Moon interrupted the wedding of Andy Hunter and Kat Slater to declare his love for Kat. Alfie and Kat decided to get together, and Kat jilted Andy. |
| 24 June 2005 | Zoe Slater left Walford to start a new life in Ibiza. |
| 9 December 2005 | Pat Evans, Jake Moon and Stacey Slater returned to Walford after an emotionally-charged week involving Frank Butcher's return for Janine's murder trial, Chrissie Watts admitting to the murder of Den, and Jean Slater's attempted suicide, all outside Walford. |
| 16 December 2005 | Nana Moon died. |
| 9 June 2006 | Grant and Courtney Mitchell left Walford to start a new life in Portugal. |
| 2 February 2007 | Martin and Sonia Fowler left Walford with their daughter Rebecca to start a new life in Manchester. |
[edit] External links
Audio/visual clips of opening sequences;
