The EastEnders theme tune was composed by Simon May. Leslie Osborne has a contractual composer credit, but did not contribute to the composition or recording.[1]
The theme, which is written in the key of E-flat major, is largely based upon percussion instrument, 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 – 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. 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".[2]
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.[5]
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.[6] Producers wanted something melodic, "to bring people in from the kitchen or garden",[7] 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."[8] 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."[9]
The theme was composed solely by May. Executive Leslie Osborne was given a 'writer' credit because he was responsible for "getting the gig", but May says that he "didn't write a single note". May says, "I could have possibly have insisted on retaining the copyright of EastEnders for myself, but if I had done so, I would have probably have lost the Howards' Way commission."[10] May actually began writing the music that was used for the theme tune when he was seven years old, around 34 years before EastEnders first aired, and based it on the scales that his music teacher had taught him.[11]
The drum beats at the start of the theme tune were played by May's drummer, Graham Broad. May had originally composed a longer theme that featured a section in "a true cockney piano-type style" and he asked Broad for a drum "fill" to allow the theme to switch back to the main version. Smith and Holland heard it and assumed it was for the end titles.[12] The drum beats are commonly known as the "doof doofs" or "duff duffs"[12] and it is used to signify a cliffhanger at the end of an episode, commonly known as a "duff duff moment",[13] for which the camera focuses on the face of the actor receiving the "duff duff moment" for around four seconds.
All of the chords used in the piece of music are diatonic and chromatic, with no diatonic and chromatic alterations; it has been said that this "adds to the directness of the music".[14] 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 quarter note-eighth note moving the music forward, and a two-quaver hand-clap on the fourth beat of every other bar.[14]
Title music and hits
The original title music was used until 1991. A stereo version was introduced in 1988 for Omnibus editions, although it was mainly used for 4 months in 1991 before a new version came into use, sounding much more similar to the original, this version having a slightly different ending.
On 11 May 1993, a completely new recording was instated which was jazzier than the previous version. The famous "doof doofs" were significantly tweaked. This version of the music proved unpopular but was used on screen for 11 months.
From 11 April 1994, the synth drums that preceded the closing theme were added to the beginning of the opening theme. The new theme at the time was a version based on the original, with more up to date elements. This was the longest-lasting version to date, being used for 15 years before another revamp took place.
From 7 September 2009, the theme tune was rescored by May to include stronger drum beats and more background percussion.[15]
DJ Osymyso—known for remixing popular culture—produced a mashup version of the theme, which turned the infamous fight between Peggy Mitchell and Pat Butcher into a breakbeat dance track. The theme was part of a routine by stand-up comedyBill 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 of London by using mode, sitar and tabla. In 2009, American alternative metal band Faith No More performed the theme tune at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.[18]
In 1988, the tune had another set of lyrics added to produce a hymn called "Glory Be To God On High", which was performed on the BBC's Songs of Praise.
The 1993 "jazzy" arrangement spawned another vocal version (Sharon Benson's "I'll Always Believe in You").[19]
In 2010, in the lead up to the show's silver anniversary, Patsy Palmer (Bianca) and Sid Owen (Ricky) appeared on Alan Carr's show for an interview and decided to have a "knees up" around the piano, doing their own version of "Anyone Can Fall in Love"; this proved to be popular with the audience. It included a glass statue of "Wellard", Bianca's half-brother Robbie's dog, singing along.
Other versions
A medley of the theme songs from EastEnders and Howards' Way was recorded by The Shadows and reached No. 86 on the UK singles chart in December 1986.[20] A jazzy swing music version was used for the 1988 spinoff CivvyStreet.
According to PRS for Music it has 99 different recordings of the EastEnders theme tune registered on its system.[21]
"Julia's Theme" refers to an alternative version of the usual theme, which was named after one of the show's creators, Julia Smith. It has been used in place of the regular theme 70 times as of 8 December 2023. This theme sees a change to the way an episode ends. Normally an episode ends with drums which are known to many as "doof doofs" or "duff duffs". Julia's Theme, created for gentle or romantic endings, ends an episode with a slow buildup played on piano, usually for a particularly emotional event. When "Julia's Theme" played for the first time in 1985, it was over the final moments of a gentle scene between Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and his grandmother Lou Beale (Anna Wing).[22] The first full-length version of the theme was heard in the 3 October 1985 episode where Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully) tells Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) that she is pregnant with his unborn baby and the pair agree to keep the child's paternity secret.[23]
There have been a few variations of the music used during its run, the original being used regularly from 1985 to 1987 before being used in 1992 and once in 1993, and a final time in 1996. An updated version of this theme was introduced in 2001 and lasted until 2006. The third version of this theme was introduced with minor changes in 2010 and is still used in present endings. A different variation was introduced in 1995 and was used until 2008 before a revamped version was used from 2009.
Simon May's 1984 memo to the producers giving a breakdown of the various versions of the theme he had prepared refers to this as the "romantic pre-empt".[9] The full version of the theme was featured on the B side of the original 1985 BBC theme tune 45 and also included on the compilation album Simon's Way the following year.
Following Michelle Fowler's (Susan Tully) meeting with Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) at the canal to tell him that she is pregnant with his baby, the two go their separate ways after agreeing to keep the child's paternity a secret.
Mark Fowler (Todd Carty) rescues Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton) from her mother's abusive boyfriend Gary (Thomas Craig) and takes her back to Walford, where they celebrate Christmas at the Fowlers' house.
Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) bids an emotional goodbye to his family before leaving Walford by train. His wife Bianca Butcher (Patsy Palmer), and the rest of the Jackson family walk home devastated.
Additionally a slightly distorted version of the theme plays in "The Ghosts of Ian Beale", a Children in Need 2014 special (14 November 2014), when Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater) leaves and walks into the white light during her father Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) concussion-induced dream. It does not lead onto the end of the episode.[42]
Alternative endings
Occasionally, singular episodes of EastEnders have used a different theme tune for the closing credits, or the initial drum beats are missing or have been replaced by something else, or even lacked music entirely.
Date
Circumstances
19 February 1985
The drum beats are at the beginning of the credits rather than the end of the episode and you can hear broken glass falling over the credits as a window was smashed in by Nick Cotton (John Altman) at The Queen Victoriapublic house.
12 September 1985
Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully) cries into the arms of her grandmother Lou Beale (Anna Wing) after Lou realises that Michelle is pregnant and they have a talk. There are no drum beats.
16 September 1986
Arthur Fowler (Bill Treacher) misses a family visit to his late father-in-law Albert Beale's (Gary Olsen) grave to attend a job interview and is unsuccessful and arrives at The Queen Vic hours later to explain to the family where he went. After being berated by Albert's widow, Lou for being unable to afford Michelle's wedding, Arthur leaves the pub, dejected. There are no drum beats.
Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) and Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) have a conversation in The Queen Vic about Pauline wanting things for herself and Pauline tells Kathy she dreams of a white room just for her away from the family. There are no drum beats.
22 December 1987
The Fowler family prepare for Christmas and Ethel Skinner (Gretchen Franklin), their guest, is excited. The first five drum beats are missing.
Rod Norman (Christopher McHallem) makes a phonecall to Donna Ludlow's (Matilda Ziegler) mother, telling her that Donna needs her help. The drum beats begin at the start of the closing credits instead of the final shot of the episode.
23 February 1989
When Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) was shot and supposedly killed, the screen went black and cut into the closing credits. There are no drum beats.
Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) begs his wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) to return home after lies have spread and he mistakenly thinks she has cheated. A segment from the full 1993 theme was used to act as Julia's theme.
8 May 1995
The locals celebrate VE Day. The theme tune was replaced by "It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow" by Jack Payne.
31 December 1999
When Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite) leaves her husband, Ian (Adam Woodyatt), at the stroke of midnight on Millennium Eve, the regular closing drum beats are replaced by the tune of Auld Lang Syne. Cheering to celebrate the Millennium can be heard after the drum beats.
7 September 2000
The song "Guilty" was used over the end credits instead of the programme's usual title music to signify the final appearance of character Ethel Skinner (Gretchen Franklin) who had persuaded her friend Dot Cotton (June Brown) to help her die.[43]
23 November 2000
When Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) was declared bankrupt, a sinister piano theme preceded the drums as Ian was driven round the Square, looking at his former business empire.
17 May 2001
At the end of a trip to Brighton for the Slater family, the song "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" is played on the car stereo. The music continues into the credits superimposed over a wide shot of King's Road, Brighton as Garry Hobbs (Ricky Groves) drives the car into the distance.
21 January 2003
Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) turns off the lights to The Queen Vic as an unknown song plays over the scene.
In the lead-up to the show's 25th anniversary, the BBC asked viewers to upload videos of themselves singing the theme tune to the EastEnders website. This episode ended with a montage of these performances.
10 September 2010
For Peggy Mitchell's (Barbara Windsor) final regular episode, "Peggy's Theme" was played up to and over the ending credits as Peggy walks out of the Square, stopping to take one last look at The Queen Vic. The credits roll over the continuing final shot of Peggy walking up the street and out of sight.
7 July 2011
A shortened version of Peggy's Theme is used as Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) found peace after being sentenced to three years imprisonment for the kidnap of Tommy Moon.
1 January 2012
"Pat's Theme" was used after Pat Evans (Pam St Clement) died. The picture faded to black for the credits and the theme was played. There are no drum beats.
13 January 2012
After the main credits, an extra scene aired featuring Simon Wicks (Nick Berry) laying flowers on his mother Pat Evans' (Pam St Clement) grave, followed by another set of drum beats.
Part of "Peggy's Theme"[44] is played toward the end of the live episode as the Beales huddle together after learning the truth behind Lucy Beale's (Hetti Bywater) death, and proceeds to play over a montage of the photos on the Beale's sideboard and various locations around the square. The theme simply faded out once the guests of Ian (Adam Woodyatt) and Jane Beale's (Laurie Brett) wedding reception began to gather outside The Queen Vic. Following on from this, part of "What I Did for Love" by David Guetta featuring Emeli Sandé plays as the residents celebrate with a fireworks display following the wedding of Ian and Jane. Once the music stops, the usual drum beats are replaced by the sound of fireworks manipulated into the familiar rhythm.
"Being Alive" (performed by Alice Fearn, who played a wedding singer in the episode) was played up to and over the credits following the wedding of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). The credits began rolling over the ending shot of Mick and Linda at the altar as it faded to black.
As Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) takes an overdose, the camera pans to a bird's-eye view of Albert Square and the credits roll. There are no drum beats or music. It then cuts to a view of a clock ticking indicating Peggy's death as the clock stops. The screen then fades to black.
After Ronnie Branning (Samantha Womack) and Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) drown in a swimming pool, the camera slowly pans out on their bodies floating in the water. The screen fades to black and the credits roll in silence over a black screen.
After Abi Branning's (Lorna Fitzgerald) life support is withdrawn and she passes away, the screen fades to black and the credits roll in silence over a black screen.
At the end of this special episode, which saw the funeral of Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) interspersed with clips of real-life families of knife legislation victims telling their stories, the screen fades to black and the credits roll over a black screen as voice clips of the featured families and news clips play over them. Instead of the usual cast and crew list, the credits list the names of the family members featured throughout the episode.
After Chantelle Atkins (Jessica Plummer) is murdered by her abusive husband Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith), the screen fades to black on the final shot of her lifeless body on the floor. There are no drum beats, and the credits roll over a black screen, with only the distant sound of ambulance sirens being heard in place of the theme music.
After Dot Branning's (June Brown) body is returned to Walford ahead of her funeral, "From the Time You Say Goodbye (The Parting Song)" by Dame Vera Lynn plays up to and over the credits. The scene of the name on her coffin fades to black for the credits.
12 December 2022
"Dot's Theme" plays as Dot Branning's (June Brown) coffin is lowered into the ground, surrounded by her family, and continues over the end credits. The image cuts to Dot's empty house and the photographs left on her kitchen table, while archive recording of her voice is heard discussing mortality. Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) throws a packet of menthol cigarettes onto the coffin as a final tribute, before the camera pans away and the credits roll over the scene of the cemetery.
Used on Friday 10 April 1998 as Kathy Mitchell (Gillian Taylforth) leaves Albert Square behind for a new life in South Africa.[citation needed] As she departed London City Airport with Phil looking on, the theme started and Kathy took one final look at the place she called home, the East End of London.
"Peggy's Theme" is a variation of Julia's Theme, written by Simon May. It was featured in Barbara Windsor's farewell episode as Peggy Mitchell, transmitted on 10 September 2010, where it replaced the entire theme tune, unlike Julia's Theme which only replaces the drum beats. The introduction of the theme has since been used on a number of occasions in place of the usual Julia's Theme, only replacing the drum beats. The full "Peggy's Theme" was used again at the end of the episode dated 19 May 2016 as her son Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) reads the letter from Peggy following her death, and again on 4 July 2016 as Phil says his final goodbye to Peggy following her funeral.
On 31 December 2011, it was announced May had reworked the show's theme tune for Pat Evans (Pam St Clement) final EastEnders episode.[52] The new version, called "Pat's Theme", played out at the end of the character's last episode broadcast on 1 January 2012.[52] An EastEnders spokesperson told Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy, "It's only right that as we say goodbye to the iconic Pat Butcher we pay tribute to such a character with a wonderfully touching special theme tune."[52] The theme features a piano and no other instruments. It was also used as the opening theme to a documentary show, EastEnders: Farewell Pat, that aired on BBC1 the following day.
An arrangement entitled "Dot's Theme" is played on 12 December 2022 for the funeral of Dot Branning (June Brown). It plays while Dot's coffin is lowered into the ground at the end of the episode, continuing under an archive recording of Dot's voice and over the credits. "Dot's Theme" begins with the "Eventide" melody, before segueing into the "Julia's Theme" melody and finally the EastEnders main theme. The arrangement is led by piano and string instrumentation.[54]
Legacy
The theme is an iconic piece of music in the UK. A 2000 UK poll named it as the sixth most popular TV theme of all time.[55] In a 2008 poll by PRS for Music the EastEnders theme was found to be 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."[2][56] The theme tune was used in the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.[57]
