entertainment
'It Might Be One of the Most Unpopular Tunes Ever Written!': Kids’ TV Composers Tell All
Big cheques, standing ovations, irate adults – there are surprising sides to composing a children’s TV theme tune. From Bluey to Byker Grove, the creators of the best reveal the secrets
TL;DR
- Composers emphasize the importance of liking their own theme tunes due to frequent listening.
- Many children's TV themes are written with minimal chords and simple instrumentation, sometimes using synthesizers and samplers.
- Iconic tunes like Peppa Pig and DuckTales, despite their simplicity, have achieved global recognition and significant financial success through royalties.
- Composers often face the amusing situation of children expecting them to be characters from the shows they score.
- The creation of theme tunes has led to unexpected opportunities, including collaborations, career advancements, and even personal connections.
- While some themes become beloved by audiences, they can also be a source of annoyance for parents due to repeat play.
- The financial security provided by royalties from these popular themes has allowed composers to pursue diverse musical projects.