Another 20 Nostaglic TV Theme Tunes We Just Can’t Let Go

7. Only Fools And Horses (1981)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKAqmqVQ700 It's an interesting statement to make when you think about it. The wheeling and dealing of this 'jack of all trades' brother's partnership in working class London enraptured the nation for decades, following Del Boy and Rodney as they attempted to make an honest living out of a dodgy graft, but despite being on the wrong side of the law you couldn't help but cheer them on. It might surprise you to know that neither "Only Fools and Horses" and "Hooky Street" (the opening and closing title songs, respectively) were chosen for the show's original broadcast. Both of these songs were written by Sullivan but he was vetoed and the BBC chose a horrible saxophone type instrumental piece you're unlikely to have ever heard. During the first season of broadcast the majority of complaints about the show related to why it was called 'Only Fools and Horses' and thus the BBC allowed Sullivan to reinsert his music. Subsequent VHS and DVD releases of the show have featured the updated compositions. Both songs are performed by Sullivan himself, and not €“ as is sometimes thought €“ by Nicholas Lyndhurst. Sullivan originally wanted Chas & Dave to sing the song as he enjoyed their particular accent and felt their style would add a London edge to the proceedings, but they were unavailable, and so a future director of the show (Ray Butt) persuaded Sullivan to do it himself. The likeness to Lyndhurst is uncanny however, and the rumor persists to this day. The show was popular with fans of Minder, which had just launched a few years previously on ITV, it's successful BBC pitch allegedly happening because John Sullivan was able to sell OFAH as a rival to the house. As of 2013 both Lyndhurst and Minder star Dennis Waterman appear on BBC's New Tricks, a lot of which makes reference to both programs.