Sanford and Son Theme (The Streetbeater)

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"Sanford and Son Theme (The Streetbeater)"
Streetbeater LP.jpg
1973 7-inch vinyl single (US)
Song by Quincy Jones
from the album You've Got It Bad Girl
Released1973 (1973)
Recorded1972
Genre
Length
  • 3:06
  • 0:51 (theme version)
Label A&M
Composer(s) Quincy Jones
Producer(s) Quincy Jones
Audio sample
"Sanford and Son Theme (The Streetbeater)"

"Sanford and Son Theme (The Streetbeater)" is the instrumental theme to the 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son . It was composed by Quincy Jones. The main melody is a composite performed on multiple harmonicas by Tommy Morgan.

Contents

Overview

Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin were developing an Americanized version of the British sitcom Steptoe and Son , and Yorkin approached Jones to compose the theme for the new show. [1] Although initially incredulous that comedian Redd Foxx (whom Jones had known for a number of years and had a reputation for "blue" comedy) was to star in a television show, Jones was able to draw on his familiarity with Foxx, composing the instrumental theme in about 20 minutes and recording it in about the same amount of time. [1] [2]

"The Streetbeater" was first released by A&M Records on Jones's 1973 album You've Got It Bad Girl and as a single from that album. [3] [4] It is also featured on his Greatest Hits album.

Although the piece itself did not reach Billboard status for that year, it has maintained mainstream popularity, ranking 9th in a Rolling Stone Reader Poll of Television Theme Songs. [5]

Other recordings

Harry James recorded a version in 1979 on his album Still Harry After All These Years (Sheffield Lab LAB 11).

References

  1. 1 2 Burlingame, Jon (1996). TV's Biggest Hits. New York: Schirmer Books. pp. 192–3. ISBN   0-02-870324-3.
  2. Starr, Michael Seth (2011). Black and Blue : The Redd Foxx Story. Milwaukee, WI: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. p. 124. ISBN   978-1-55783-754-7.
  3. "Sanford & Son Theme (The Streetbeater) by Quincy Jones : Reviews and Ratings". Rate Your Music. September 27, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  4. "Manhattan by Quincy Jones @ARTISTdirect". Artistdirect.com. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  5. "Readers Poll: The Best Television Theme Songs Pictures - 9. Sanford and Son - 'The Streetbeater'". Rolling Stone. 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2013.