Home and Away (song)

"Home and Away"
Single by Karen Boddington and Mark Williams
Released 28 August 1989 (1989-08-28)
Format 12" vinyl
Recorded Albert Studios in Sydney
Genre Pop
Length 3:30
Label First Night Records
Writer(s) Mike Perjanik
Producer(s) Mike Perjanik

"Home and Away" is the theme song to the Australian soap opera, Home and Away. It was composed by Mike Perjanik and originally performed by Karen Boddington and Mark Williams. Their version was released as a single in 1989 and peaked at number 73 on the UK Singles Chart. There were seven different recorded versions of the theme song used over the years, including two recorded by Australian sibling trio The Robertson Brothers. The Home and Away theme song is no longer used in the opening titles and has been replaced by a short instrumental version since 2010. However, it is still used in the closing credits for international broadcasts.

Background

"Home and Away" was written, produced and arranged by Mike Perjanik as the theme song to Home and Away.[1][2][3] It was originally performed by Karen Boddington and Mark Williams. The song was engineered by Wahanui Wynyard and recorded at Albert Studios in Sydney.[1] In an interview with music website Noisey, Perjanik said he was only given a rough idea that the show was going to be about foster kids, being home or away, "so I decided that I wanted the mood to be warm."[2] The song took 4–6 weeks to complete.[2]

Theme song

There were seven different recorded versions of the theme song used over the years. The lyrics remained the same since the show's inception, but a number of verses were gradually cut back over the years due to time restrictions.[4][5]

Version Artist Duration
1
Karen Boddington and Mark Williams
January 1988 – June 1995
2
Doug Williams and Erana Clark
June 1995 – November 1999
3
The Robertson Brothers
January 2000 – November 2003
4
January 2004 – December 2006
5
Israel Cannan
January – April 2007
6
Luke Dolahenty
April 2007 – November 2008
7
Luke Dolahenty and Tarryn Stokes
January – November 2009
January 2009 – present (international closing credits)

The original version was sung by Karen Boddington and Mark Williams and used from 1988 until 1994.[6][7] Their version was released as a single in the UK in 1989 and peaked at number 73 on the UK Singles Chart.[8] A new version performed by Doug Williams and Erana Clark debuted in 1995.[9] Their version was shortened the following year and used until the end of 1999.[10][11] In 2000, Australian sibling trio The Robertson Brothers recorded a new version of the theme song which was used until 2003.[11][3][12] It was the first version to use only male vocals and was included in the 2000 soundtrack Home and Away: Songs From and Inspired by the Television Series.[11][13] The Robertson Brothers again recorded a shorter version of the theme song in 2004 and was used until the end of 2006.[10][11] Their versions of the theme song became popular with viewers and gave the group widespread recognition, with concert goers demanding they play it at every concert.[2][3]

In 2007, a new version was introduced and performed by Israel Cannan, who played the character Wazza in the show.[14] After Cannan's version received many complaints from fans, the Seven Network decided to re-record the theme song in April 2007 with vocals provided by Luke Dolahenty.[2][10][15] A shorter, 15-second version sung by Dolahenty and Tarryn Stokes debuted in 2009 and was the final version of the theme song recorded.[11][16][17] The Home and Away theme song is no longer used in the opening titles and has been replaced by a short instrumental version since 2010.[18][19] However, Dolahenty and Stokes' version is still used in the closing credits for international broadcasts.[20]

Reception

Sam of TVFix placed the theme song at number two on his list of the "Top 5 Australian TV Theme Songs", writing that "the tune captures the relaxed, melodramatic feel of living in a quiet beachside town that's the home of multiple murderers, psychotics and drama queens."[4] He also added that it was better than the Neighbours theme song.[4] Steven Viney of Noisey compared both songs, adding that the Home and Away theme "sounds like it could have easily been a Mariah Carey hit" and that it is "more melodic and pop oriented" than the Neighbours theme.[2]

Usage in media

Home and Away star Axle Whitehead (Liam Murphy) recorded a version of the theme song which was used in the show in 2012.[21] In April 2016, the theme song was used in a television commercial promoting a storyline involving an explosion at the Summer Bay Caravan Park.[22][23]

References

  1. 1 2 "Mark Williams and Karen Boddington – Home and Away". Discogs. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Viney, Steven (22 May 2015). "Aussie Jingles: A Look Inside the 'Home & Away' and 'Neighbours' Theme Songs". Noisey. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Parker, Helen (22 August 2012). "Life's a beach: The real story behind soapie hit". news.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "Top 5 Australian TV theme songs". TVFix. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  5. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (16 July 2011). "Exclusive: Cameron Welsh - 'Home and Away' series producer". Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "Your snowed-in guide to daytime TV". Radio Times. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  7. ↑ Watkins, Mike (9 April 2013). "Neighbours theme to become 'a duet'". ATV Today. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  8. ↑ "UK Singles & Albums Chart Archive – Karen Boddington and Mark Williams: Home and Away". Chartstats.com.
  9. ↑ "1995 in Television". Reportingpoint.net. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 Bellissimo, Sarina (13 June 2012). "Classic Home And Away Opening Credits!". Two Tube. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Theme Tunes – Media Centre". Backtothebay.net. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  12. ↑ Cashmere, Paul (30 June 2008). "Robertson Brothers Sign With Destra". Undercover.com.au.
  13. ↑ "Home & Away FAQ". Home and Away Official Website. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  14. ↑ "New credits on Home and Away". Throng Australia. 23 January 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "H&A theme changes tonight". Media Spy. 23 April 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  16. ↑ "2009 Opening Titles". Backtothebay.net. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  17. ↑ "Playlist Sunday 4th September". Syn.org.au. 5 September 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  18. ↑ "2010 Opening Titles". Backtothebay.net. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  19. ↑ "2011 Opening Titles". Backtothebay.net. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  20. ↑ "2011 Closing Credits". Backtothebay.net. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "Axel's version of the Home and Away theme song". Home and Away on Facebook. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  22. ↑ Home and Away: Sneak Peek - Who will not make it?. Yahoo!7. 21 April 2016. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016.
  23. ↑ La Cioppa, Bianca (26 April 2016). "Home and Away's horror explosion may see Bonnie Sveen and Cassie Howarth's characters die". Daily Mail Australia. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
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