We know and love those opening credits for BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, but it might surprise you that the people behind it have graced your screens many times before. Here, we introduce you to the prolific composing duo behind the Strictly Come Dancing theme tune – and where else you’ll have heard their music.
Who composed the Strictly Come Dancing theme tune?
The theme tune for the opening credits of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing was written by Dan McGrath and Josh Phillips. This composing duo were also responsible for the theme tunes for Take Me Out, A League of Their Own, All Star Mr & Mrs and Alan Carr: Chatty Man.
The theme tune is written in a catchy Latin style. It’s split into four main sections: an introduction, a verse, a chorus and an ending. Because the theme is used over the top of a visual sequence introducing all the contestants, it is a lot longer than most other TV opening credits. Think of all those couples entering the stage and walking down the steps. That’s a lot of bars to fill.
As a result, McGrath and Phillips were able to slow down the tempo and do more with it. They explain how they wrote the Strictly theme here:
‘We thought Latin was the way to go because it’s such an exciting, vibrant style, and it wasn’t going to become tiresome,’ says Dan McGrath. ‘It gave us scope to give it a top line without having a vocal,’ adds Josh Phillips. The top line of the Strictly Come Dancing theme tune is played by the brass section.
Some of the other programmes McGrath and Phillips have written for:
Take Me Out
A League of Their Own
All Star Mr & Mrs
Alan Carr: Chatty Man