Blue Peter (instrumental)

"Blue Peter" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1979 (see 1979 in music). It is a rendition of the theme tune for the British children's television show Blue Peter and was used by the show between 1979 and 1989.

Blue Peter

The royalties from the single went to the Cambodia appeal launched by the children's show.^[1] It charted at number 19 in the UK Singles Chart.

Traditionally, the debut of a new version of the famous theme tune "Barnacle Bill" is accompanied with an introduction by the presenters at the time explaining the reasons behind the new rendition. Mike Oldfield's version had its genesis in his appearance on the programme in 1979 to demonstrate how modern pop music was created using multi-track recording techniques. The end result was liked enough by both the viewers and programme producers to be retained as the permanent theme, and Oldfield additionally recorded a new version of the programme's closing music, which runs for just 20 seconds and has never been commercially released.

The released version of the theme is actually a further re-recording, which incorporates many subtle changes compared to the TV version, in addition to eliminating the opening snare drum roll, extending the piece to a more suitable duration for commercial release, and being mixed in stereo. The TV version was mono-only (British television was not broadcasting in stereo at that time) and has never been made available for sale.

Music video

The music video for "Blue Peter" shows Oldfield competing in a race with various kinds of vehicles. The intro is filmed in black and white and begins with a silent movie style title card 'Episode 4 "The Race"'; there is a second card after a short sequence with Oldfield and another man, displaying 'Zhree, Two, vun Actshun!' (meaning 'Three, Two, One, Action!'). The race then begins, three of the competitors are Oldfield himself (filmed in different shots as a pilot, pirate and a man with a moustache) and some are not. The vehicles include hovercraft, a tricycle hang glider, a helicopter, a three wheeled ATV, a larger ATV and a kite buggy. The end of the video appears to parody the His Master's Voice logo with a gramophone and a dog (i.e. Nipper).

The video is available on the Elements - The Best of Mike Oldfield video.

Track listing

1. "Blue Peter" – 2:07
2. "Woodhenge" – 4:05

Charts

See also

• The Complete Mike Oldfield
• Elements Box

References