Who Sang The Theme Song For Only Fools And Horses

So, there I was, the other day, whistling the theme tune to Only Fools and Horses. You know the one, right? That catchy little ditty that's been stuck in our heads since the 70s. I mean, who hasn't tried to mimic Del Boy's "Lovely jubbly!" at some point? Anyway, it got me thinking, who was the genius behind this iconic tune?

Now, I'm not one to shy away from a good ol' Google search, but this time, I thought I'd try something different. I decided to ask around, you know, have a bit of a chat with the locals. I mean, we're all in this together, right? So, I popped into the Nag's Head (well, not the real one, but you get the idea) and asked the barman. He looked at me like I'd just asked him the meaning of life. "Blimey, mate," he said, "that's a blast from the past. I reckon it was a bloke called John Sullivan."

John Sullivan - The Man Behind the Music

Well, would you believe it? A quick search later, and there he was. John Sullivan, the man who not only gave us the theme tune but also created the entire show. Now, I know what you're thinking. "How could I not know this?" Well, mate, don't feel bad. It's not like they taught us this in school. But now that we know, let's dive a bit deeper, shall we?

John Sullivan, born in 1946, was a true Londoner. He grew up in Brixton and later moved to Peckham, which would become the inspiration for the show's setting. He started his career as a songwriter, penning tunes for the likes of Tommy Steele and Engelbert Humperdinck. But it was in the 70s that he decided to give writing for TV a go.

From Songwriter to TV Legend

Sullivan's first big break came with The Sweeney, where he wrote the theme tune and some incidental music. But it was in 1981 that he truly hit the jackpot with Only Fools and Horses. The show was an instant hit, and the theme tune, well, it was like nothing we'd heard before. It was cheeky, it was catchy, and it was ours.

Now, you might be wondering how Sullivan came up with such a memorable tune. Well, according to him, it was all about capturing the spirit of the show. He wanted something that would reflect the humor, the warmth, and the sheer cheekiness of the Trotters. And boy, did he deliver.

People only just discovering who sang Only Fools And Horses theme tune

But here's where it gets interesting. You know how the theme tune starts with that iconic "Oi!"? Well, that wasn't always part of the plan. Sullivan originally wrote the tune without it, but when he played it to the show's producer, they thought it needed something extra. And so, the "Oi!" was born. Can you imagine the theme tune without it? No, me neither.

Legacy Lives On

Sadly, John Sullivan passed away in 2011, but his legacy lives on. Only Fools and Horses continues to be a firm favorite, with reruns still drawing in big audiences. And every time we hear that theme tune, we're reminded of the genius that was John Sullivan.

So, the next time you're humming that tune (and let's face it, you will be), remember to tip your hat to the man who gave us so much joy. And if anyone asks you who sang the theme song for Only Fools and Horses, you can give them a little wink and say, "It was John Sullivan, mate. The man, the myth, the legend."

And there you have it, folks. A little slice of TV history served up with a side of nostalgia. Now, who's ready for a pint down the Nag's Head?