Who Sings The Only Fools And Horses Theme Tune

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell about the iconic theme tune of Only Fools and Horses. You know, that catchy little ditty that's been stuck in your head since the '80s, whether you like it or not. Now, you might think you know all there is to know about this cheeky chappie of a tune, but hold onto your flat caps, because I'm about to drop some knowledge bombs that'll make your Del Boy impression seem as amateur as Trigger's attempts at DIY.

Meet the Maestro

So, who's the genius behind this musical masterpiece? The man who could make a theme tune sound like a bloody good idea, even when it's about a bunch of dodgy dealers from Peckham? Step forward, Nick Lipton, the man who's been hiding in plain sight all these years. Now, don't go Googling him just yet, because he's not exactly a household name. But stick with me, and by the end of this, you'll be singing his praises louder than Raquel when she's had a few sherries.

From Musicals to the Trotters

Nick, you see, is a bit of a musical chameleon. He's written tunes for everything from West End musicals to TV shows. But how did he end up giving the Trotters their signature soundtrack? Well, it all started when the show's creator, John Sullivan, asked Nick to write a theme tune that would capture the essence of the show. Now, I don't know about you, but I always imagined Sullivan saying something like, "Nick, mate, I need a tune that's as cheeky as Del, as reliable as Uncle Albert's stories, and as catchy as a cold. Oh, and it's got to be bloody brilliant, yeah?"

And so, Nick sat down at his piano and, like some sort of musical alchemist, he mixed together a bit of ragtime, a dash of vaudeville, and a sprinkle of that unmistakable '80s spirit. And voilà! Out popped the theme tune that would become as synonymous with the Trotters as Boycie's sneer or Rodney's "You know it makes sense" catchphrase.

But Wait, There's More!

Now, here's where things get a bit surreal. You might think that Nick's job was done once he'd written the theme tune, but no, no, no. This is Only Fools and Horses we're talking about, where nothing is ever as simple as it seems. You see, Nick also had a hand in creating some of the show's most iconic moments. Yes, you heard it here first, folks. That's right, Nick Lipton is the musical mastermind behind... the chandelier scene!

I know, I know, it's a lot to take in. But bear with me, because it gets even better. You remember the scene, don't you? Del's trying to sell a dodgy chandelier to a posh couple, and he's spinning this yarn about how it's worth a fortune because it's got a little secret. And then, bam! He pulls the cord, and the chandelier comes crashing down, revealing... a load of old rubbish inside. Classic Del, right?

Well, here's the thing. That chandelier scene was originally meant to be a silent comedy routine. But Nick had other ideas. He thought, "You know what this needs? A bloody great big musical number to really sell it." And so, he wrote a tune called "The Bunch of Grapes," which Del sings while he's trying to flog the chandelier. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Nick's Legacy Lives On

Now, you might be wondering what Nick's been up to since the '80s. Well, he's still writing music, of course. He's worked on all sorts of shows, from The Bill to EastEnders. But he'll always be the man who gave us the Only Fools and Horses theme tune. And every time you hear it, whether you're watching a rerun or just humming it to yourself in the supermarket, remember Nick Lipton. Remember the man who turned a bunch of dodgy dealers into musical legends.

So, there you have it, folks. The next time you're singing along to the Only Fools and Horses theme tune, you'll know who to thank. And who knows? Maybe one day, Nick will finally get the recognition he deserves. After all, he's the man who turned a load of old rubbish into a bloody brilliant theme tune. And if that's not worth a song and dance, I don't know what is.