Format 7"
12" Label MCA | Recorded 1984 Writer(s) Jan Hammer | |
Released 14 September 1987 (1987-09-14) Genre Instrumental
new wave
soft rock
chillout | ||
"Crockett's Theme" is an instrumental song written for the hit NBC series Miami Vice. The surname Crockett refers to Don Johnson's character, James "Sonny" Crockett. The initial version of the theme first appeared in the episode Calderone's Return: Part 1 – The Hit List which aired on 19 October 1984. The song was composed by Jan Hammer.
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Chart performance
Although not a big success in the United States, the song was a smash hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number 2 in the UK Singles Chart. It was a number-one hit in the Netherlands for 4 weeks. It was not originally called "Crockett's Theme", but its success led Jan Hammer to feature the original version on his 1987 album Escape from Television.
Cover versions
The Shadows did a cover on their 1990 album Reflection.
It spawned many covers; the notable covers include Trance Atlantic Air Waves in 1998, released as a single.
Other uses
Between 1991 and 1994, the song was featured in a series of adverts for NatWest in the United Kingdom, and was subsequently re-released as a single in May 1991 in the United Kingdom as a A-side and B-side with Hammer's theme tune for Chancer. This time it reached number 47 in the UK Singles Chart.
NBA on NBC used "Crockett's Theme" during its prologue (narrated by Bob Costas) for the fifth game of their 1991 NBA Finals coverage between the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, and it is still one of the tunes played in the Staples Center during Lakers games.
The instrumental song was also featured on the 1987 Amiga game Mike the Magic Dragon, and later in 2002 on the hit PlayStation 2, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, on the fictional radio station, Emotion 98.3.
It was also included in the compilation album Pure Moods.
Hammer was asked to remake the track in 2006 with American singer TQ.
The song was used in the HBO TV series Eastbound & Down.
A remix version of the song was used as an intro track for Deftones 2013 tour.
Trance producer Michael Cassette released a cover of the song in his 2010 debut album.