The beginning of the EastEnders theme tune, including its distinctive drum fill
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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]
The theme tune was nominated for an Ivor Novello Awards in 1985 for Best TV Theme[3] and in 1987 it won the Television and Radio Industries Club Award for Best TV Theme Music.[4]
^May 2015, p. 54
^Irvine, Chris (25 September 2008). "EastEnders theme more recognisable than God Save the Queen; The dramatic drumbeats of EastEnders are more recognisable than the National anthem, according to a new poll". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 26 September 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
^"Simon May" (PDF). CitySpeakers International. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
^Smith, Julia; Holland, Tony (1987). EastEnders – The Inside Story. Book Club Associates. ISBN 0-563-20601-2.
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