Format 12" vinyl Length 3:30 | Genre Pop Label First Night Records | |
Released 28 August 1989 (1989-08-28) Recorded Albert Studios in Sydney | ||
"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 The Home and Away theme song is no longer used in the opening titles and has been replaced by a short instrumental version since 2010.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.
Contents
Background
"Home and Away" was written, produced and arranged by Mike Perjanik as the theme song to Home and Away. It was originally performed by Karen Boddington and Mark Williams. The song was engineered by Wahanui Wynyard and recorded at Albert Studios in Sydney. 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." The song took 4–6 weeks to complete.
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.
The original version was sung by Karen Boddington and Mark Williams and used from 1988 until 1994. Their version was released as a single in the UK in 1989 and peaked at number 73 on the UK Singles Chart. A new version performed by Doug Williams and Erana Clark debuted in 1995. Their version was shortened the following year and used until the end of 1999. In 2000, Australian sibling trio The Robertson Brothers recorded a new version of the theme song which was used until 2003. 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. The Robertson Brothers again recorded a shorter version of the theme song in 2004 and was used until the end of 2006. 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.
In 2007, a new version was introduced and performed by Israel Cannan, who played the character Wazza in the show. 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. A shorter, 15-second version sung by Dolahenty and Tarryn Stokes debuted in 2009 and was the final version of the theme song recorded. 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, Dolahenty and Stokes' version is still used in the closing credits for international broadcasts.
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." He also added that it was better than the Neighbours theme song. 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.
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. In April 2016, the theme song was used in a television commercial promoting a storyline involving an explosion at the Summer Bay Caravan Park.