Bluey is without doubt the most popular Australian TV show of the past decade. It has been a record-breaking success for its local broadcaster, the ABC along with producers BBC Studios and Screen Australia, Bluey now has an international stage thanks to Disney.
There are many reasons for Bluey’s popularity, including stunning animated characters, expert storytelling, and insightful reflections on family life. One of the most important aspects yet isn’t often discussed is the music used in the show.
Many programs for children approach music and sound with a simple and uncomplicated approach Take Play School’s incredibly easy piano.
Bluey is distinctive because it has a rich and intertextual sound. In addition, those who love the Bluey sound will enjoy it to the fullest, thanks to the music released today.
Music composer Joff Bush as well as his co-composers have created a universe that is repurposed and original work which creates characters, plots, and stories throughout the episodes. The music, along with the visuals, is a way to keep viewers of all ages entertained.
Three mu ical signatures you should pay attention to:
1. The theme for the opening
The greatest TV themes of every genre establish the tone and the expectation of the program in addition to introducing the characters. In this instance, the theme literally announces who’s coming by singing “Mum! Dad! Bluey! Bingo!” along with the characters that are on screen.
Bush’s musical economy is fantastic instantly setting the tone for the performance. The music instantly hints at something childlike using the melodica, an instrument that’s which is second only to the recorder when it evokes music lessons from primary school rooms. The melody moves across the scale as the characters of the show move on the screen and is punctuated by the enchanting rolling call of names as well as the title of the show.
The soundtrack album includes three variations of the show’s theme song, which includes the extended version, as well as an instrumental parade. It also includes an instrument list for viewers to react to. After “Mum Dad! Bingo! Bluey!” come new calls such as “violins!” and “trumpet!”.
2. Characteristic themes
In the first Episode, Grannies, Bluey, and Bingo dress in the roles of grannies “Rita” or “Janet” in order to keep them entertained while their parents finish household chores.
The theme of Bush’s character as the theme for girls’ costumes The episode transforms into something more than a tale of play and disorientation. The music is catchy but also snarky and a bit naughty making the episode look more like a typical sitcom than a kids’ show.
The Granny’s theme plays with short, sharp bursts of sound throughout the show like American sitcom soundtracks like the wonderful and quirky style David Schwartz brought to Arrested Development (2003-19) -and the unique (and humorous) timing and musical combinations employed in Ronny Hazelhurst BBC comedy shows like Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em (1973-78) along with The Two Ronnies (1971-87).
In the entire series, the music of Bush isn’t just used for color. In fact, Bluey uses music to enhance the story, setting, and character. The theme of the grannies is a recurring theme in the course of Bluey and Bingo going through their imaginary world. The theme is returned in a subsequent episode in which the girls are back playing the game.
Utilizing the music in this manner gives adult viewers a chance to learn the technique of recalling soundtracks on screen The Imperial March is sonic shorthand for everything Darth Vader; Isobel Waller-Bridge’s chorus theme is for Priest in the second season of Fleabag (2016-19).
3. Classical references
Bluey’s season two final, Sleepytime, was named by the New York Times as one of the Top Television Episodes in 2020.
Mum brings her little sister Bingo to bed with an evening story about space. Then she goes through a euphoric dream sequence in which the solar system’s story unfolds.
In the episode, Bush employs Gustav Holst’s Jupiter as the primary theme. The music immediately transports us away from the typical Bluey world, enhancing images as Bingo goes off to another planet, too.
The magnitude of the orchestrated music is a reflection of the tale of the child and parent who learn to separate in the evening. The soundtrack also plays an impromptu musical joke. What sounds like the solar system, but Holst?
Other episodes use the same music in subtle ways. Ice Cream references Fantasia with an enthralling rendition from the Tchaikovsky Waltz of the Flowers as the girls dance around the concoctions of ice cream that drip. Fancy Restaurant uses Vivaldi’s Spring for ambiance as the girls make an edgy (but unlucky) date with their parents. the Magic Xylophone uses Mozart’s Ronda Alla Turca to play the game of musical statues.
The main reason Bluey is successful is due to the fact that it’s intended for both adults and children watching it together. In the composition of Bush, children receive original and memorable music that is a perfect fit for the story and characters in a way that’s novel to them, while older viewers get music that evokes a range of iconic television and films.
Of course, the beauty of Bluey is that the audience can recognize any musical clue at any moment as repeated viewings reveal the more.
