Generations of audiences are familiar with the sounds of their favourite television themes.
From the iconic theme music to Doctor Who created by BBC’s Radiophonic Workshop, to the instrumental music of soaps including Coronation Street, EastEnders and Emmerdale, the theme music of many programmes is instantly recognisable.
Throughout the decades, the cast and writers of a show have not only brought they stories to life – they have performed the theme music too.
Here we take a look at a few of the television theme songs throughout the years, which were sung by either the writer or cast of the show.
Only Fools and Horses
(Image: Getty Images)
Only Fools and Horses was broadcast on the BBC from 1981 to 1996, with a number of Christmas specials broadcast until 2003.
The beloved comedy classic celebrates its 40th anniversary this month on September 8, 2021.
The opening credits feature the introduction of the characters Del Boy, Rodney and Grandad (later Uncle Albert), while the theme song of the same name plays.
The opening theme song was written by John Sullivan and Ronnie Hazlehurst, and performed by Sullivan.
Only Fools and Horses also featured an additional theme song at the end of the programme.
Just Good Friends
(Image: BBC)
Just Good Friends was written by Only Fools and Horses’ John Sullivan, and was broadcast on the BBC from 1983 to 1986.
The series starred Jan Francis and Paul Nicholas, as former lovers Penny and Vince, who accidentally meet again five years after their relationship ended.
Its theme tune of the same name was sung by actor Paul Nicholas, who prior to Just Good Friends, had performed on stage and screen, and scored a top ten hit in 1976 with the song Dancing with the Captain.
He also starred as Rum Tum Tugger in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats and played Johnny in the 1974 film Stardust alongside David Essex.
Bread
(Image: Getty Images)
Carla Lane’s Bread was broadcast on the BBC for seven series between May 1986 and November 1991.
The programme centred around the lives of the Boswell family in Liverpool, including matriarch Nellie Boswell, husband Freddie and children Joey, Aveline, Jack, Adrian and Billy.
The Bread theme tune was written by Carla Lane and David Mackay, and performed by members of the cast.
Each episode would open with the recognisable lyrics “Gotta get up, gotta get out…”, sung by cast members including Jean Boht (Nellie), Peter Howitt (Joey), Victor McGuire (Jack), Jonathon Morris (Adrian) and Nick Conway (Billy).
The closing credits also featured the cast singing the theme tune, as the episodes ended with the lines “keep it in the family, we’ll be right at home”.
In later series, the theme tune was re-recorded and featured cast members including Graham Bickley, who played Joey Boswell from 1989-1991 when Peter Howitt left the show.
Minder
(Image: Getty Images)
Comedy drama Minder was broadcast on ITV from October 1979 – March 1994.
The series starred George Cole as businessman Arthur and Dennis Waterman as former boxer Terry, who is hired by Arthur to be his ‘minder’.
The theme song I Could Be So Good For You was sung by actor Dennis Waterman, and reached No3 in the UK charts on October 25, 1980.
Dennis Waterman also sang the theme tune for programme New Tricks, in which he also starred.
The Monkees
(Image: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
The Monkees television series was first broadcast on September 12, 1966 and launched the band to fame across the world.
The episodes starred band members Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork and Davy Jones as the rock ‘n’ roll group The Monkees and ran for two series until March 1968.
The theme tune to the series with its memorable lyrics “hey hey we’re The Monkees” was sung by the band and written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart.
It featured on the band’s self-titled debut album, with songs from further albums appearing in episodes of the series including Last train to Clarksville, Pleasant Valley Sunday and Daydream Believer.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
