Tetris (Doctor Spin song)

Last updated

"Tetris"
Tetris Doctor Spin cover.jpg
Single by Doctor Spin
B-side "Play Game Boy"
Released21 September 1992 (1992-09-21)
Studio Skratch (Surrey, England) ("Play Game Boy")
Genre Eurodance
Length3:40 (7-inch mix)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Nigel Wright
Audio
"Tetris" on YouTube

"Tetris" is a song arranged by English composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and English record producer Nigel Wright, collaborating under the pseudonym Doctor Spin. The composition is based on the theme to the 1989 Game Boy game Tetris , which itself is based on the Russian folk song "Korobeiniki". Doctor Spin released their version of "Tetris" on 21 September 1992 through Polydor and Carpet Records; it reached number six on the UK Singles Chart and also charted in Austria, Finland, and Ireland. This song, along with "Supermarioland" by Ambassadors of Funk, "Supersonic" by H.W.A. and "Pac-Man" by Power-Pill, commenced a brief trend of recreated video game music entering mainstream popularity.

Contents

Origin and composition

The original composition that the main theme of Tetris is based on is the Russian folk song "Korobeiniki", which is a musical recreation of a poem by Russian poet Nikolay Nekrasov. [1] The song used in the Game Boy version of Tetris was composed by Hirokazu Tanaka. [2] In 1992, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Nigel Wright collaborated under the name Doctor Spin to record and release a Eurodance version of Tanka's arrangement. [3] [4] [5] The track was officially licensed by Nintendo. [6]

Release and success

Doctor Spin released "Tetris" through Polydor Records and Lloyd Webber's sublabel of Polydor, Carpet Records, on 21 September 1992 in four formats: CD, cassette, 7-inch vinyl, and 12-inch vinyl. [6] [7] The song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 22 on 27 September 1992 and ascended to its peak of number six three weeks later; it spent a total of eight weeks in the top 50 and was the 75th-best-selling hit of 1992 in the UK. [8] [9] In Ireland, "Tetris" debuted on the chart dated 8 October 1992 and peaked at number seven for two weeks. [10] [11] [12] In mainland Europe, the song charted in Austria and Finland. In the latter country, "Tetris" peaked at number four on the Finnish Singles Chart in November 1992, [13] while in Austria, the single peaked at number 23 and spent three weeks on the chart, in December 1992 and January 1993. [14] On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song achieved a peak of number 26 on 7 November 1992. [15]

On British music television programme Top of the Pops , the song was played as several dancers dressed in outfits resembling the blocks from Tetris danced along. [16] Along with "Supermarioland" by Ambassadors of Funk (which charted simultaneously with "Tetris"), [16] [17] "Supersonic" by H.W.A. (a charity single based on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise) and "Pac-Man" by Power-Pill, the success of the composition began a brief period of popularity for novelty rave music. [18] [19]

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the UK CD single liner notes. [6]

Studio

Personnel

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alone (Bee Gees song)</span> 1997 single by Bee Gees

"Alone" is a song by musical group the Bee Gees. The ballad, written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, is the opening track on their 21st studio album, Still Waters (1997), and was the first single released from the album on 17 February 1997. In the United Kingdom, the song was backed with two B-sides: "Closer Than Close" and "Rings Around the Moon", while in the United States, a live version of "Stayin' Alive" was included on the single releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Little Respect</span> 1988 single by Erasure

"A Little Respect" is a song written and recorded by British synth-pop duo Erasure, released in September 1988 by Mute. It was written by Vince Clarke and Andy Bell. The lyrics are a plea to a lover to show compassion and respect. The heavily synthesized instrumentation is accentuated by acoustic guitar and Bell's vocal falsetto in the chorus. It was their tenth single and was taken from their third studio album, The Innocents (1988). Known as one of their signature songs, the single reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and was Erasure's second consecutive top-20 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it made number 14, and reached number two on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're All I Have</span> 2006 single by Snow Patrol

"You're All I Have" is a song by Northern Irish–Scottish alternative rock band Snow Patrol, released on 24 April 2006 as the lead single of their fourth album, Eyes Open (2006). The song was used by RTÉ sport to promote the return of The Sunday Game for the 2006 GAA Championships. It became the band's second big hit after the success of "Run" in 2004, peaking at number seven on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Stop Movin' (S Club 7 song)</span> 2001 single by S Club 7

"Don't Stop Movin'" is a song by British pop group S Club 7, released on 23 April 2001 as the lead single from their third studio album, Sunshine (2001). The song was written by the group, along with their regular songwriter Simon Ellis, together with Sheppard Solomon. Solomon had worked on hits in the 1990s by Eternal and Michelle Gayle. The disco-oriented song features lead vocals by Bradley McIntosh and Jo O'Meara.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura (Scissor Sisters song)</span> 2003 single by Scissor Sisters

"Laura" is a song by American pop rock band Scissor Sisters, included as the lead track on their self-titled debut album (2004). The song was released as the band's first single on October 27, 2003, in the United Kingdom, placing at number 54 on the UK Singles Chart. It was later re-issued in June 2004, charting at number 12 on the same chart. In Australia, the song was ranked number 58 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovin' Each Day</span> 2001 single by Ronan Keating

"Lovin' Each Day" is the fourth and final single released from Irish singer-songwriter Ronan Keating's debut solo album, Ronan (2000). The song was written by Gregg Alexander and Rick Nowels and was included only on the re-release of the album before appearing on Keating's second album, Destination (2002). The single was released on 9 April 2001 in Australia and on 16 April in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puppy Love (Paul Anka song)</span> 1960 single by Paul Anka

"Puppy Love" is a popular song written by Paul Anka in 1960 for Annette Funicello, a Mouseketeer, on whom he had a crush. Anka's version reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 behind Percy Faith's "Theme from A Summer Place", No. 4 on the Canadian CHUM Charts, and No. 33 on the UK Singles Chart.

"The Phantom of the Opera" is a song from the 1986 stage musical of the same name. It was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics written by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, and additional lyrics by Mike Batt. The song was originally recorded by Sarah Brightman and Steve Harley, which became a UK hit single in 1986, prior to the musical. In its theatrical debut, it was sung by Brightman and Michael Crawford in their roles as Christine Daaé and the Phantom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Matter What (Boyzone song)</span> 1998 single by Boyzone

"No Matter What" is a song from the 1996 musical Whistle Down the Wind that was popularised by Irish boyband Boyzone in 1998 when they recorded it to tie in with the show's first UK production. The song was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman, while Lloyd Webber, Steinman and Nigel Wright produced the track, with additional production by Franglen & Lupino. The song was also featured on the US edition of the soundtrack to the 1999 film Notting Hill, and was released to American radio on 10 May 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lifted (Lighthouse Family song)</span> 1995 single by Lighthouse Family

"Lifted" is a song written by British musical duo Lighthouse Family for their 1995 debut album, Ocean Drive. The track was produced by Mike Peden and was released as the album's lead single on 8 May 1995, reaching the top 75 in the UK. In January 1996, "Lifted" was re-released, reaching a new peak of number four in the UK and entering the top 40 in Austria, Iceland, and Ireland, as well as on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. In the UK, it was the most-played single on radio during the first quarter of 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paying the Price of Love</span> 1993 single by Bee Gees

"Paying the Price of Love" is the first single from the Bee Gees' 20th studio album, Size Isn't Everything (1993). The song was released in August 1993 by Polydor, reaching the top-10 in Belgium and Portugal, and the top-40 in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it charted on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 74, and peaked within the top-30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The promotional video for the song, directed by Andy Delaney and Monty Whitebloom, shows the brothers performing the song as holograms on a futuristic version of MTV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freeek!</span> 2002 single by George Michael

"Freeek!" is a song written and performed by English singer George Michael. The song contains samples from "Try Again" by Aaliyah, "Breathe and Stop" by Q-Tip, and "N.T." by Kool & the Gang. A remastered version called "Freeek! '04" was later included on Michael's fifth and final studio album, Patience (2004).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Ask of You</span> 1986 single by Sarah Brightman and Cliff Richard

"All I Ask of You" is a song from the 1986 English musical The Phantom of the Opera, between characters Christine Daaé and Raoul, originally played on stage by Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton, respectively. It was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, and solely produced by Lloyd Webber. An operatic pop piece, its lyrics serve as dialogue between the two characters and discuss themes such as commitment and romance. Like Lloyd Webber's song "The Music of the Night", "All I Ask of You" was compared to the music found in Giacomo Puccini's 1910 opera La fanciulla del West.

"I Love the Way You Love Me" is a song recorded by American country music singer John Michael Montgomery from his debut album, Life's a Dance (1992). It was written by Victoria Shaw and Chuck Cannon, and released in March 1993 as the album's second single. The song reached the top of the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It became Montgomery's first number-one single and was named Song of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. In 2024, Montgomery's son Walker released a cover version of his father's song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automatic High</span> 2002 single by S Club Juniors

"Automatic High" is a song by British pop group S Club Juniors, released as the second single from their debut album, Together (2002). Released on 22 July 2002, the song peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, becoming their second single to reach the position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Takes More</span> 2002 single by Ms. Dynamite

"It Takes More" is a song by British rapper Ms. Dynamite, released as her debut single from her first album, A Little Deeper (2002), on 20 May 2002. It reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart, her second-highest-charting song on the chart. The melody is taken from the song "Chitarra romana", a popular Roman song written by C. Bruno and Eldo Di Lazzaro in 1934.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universe (Slade song)</span> 1991 single by Slade

"Universe" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in December 1991 as the second single from their compilation album Wall of Hits (1991). It was written and produced by bassist Jim Lea. "Universe" reached number 76 in the UK Singles Chart and was the band's last single before disbanding in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supermarioland (song)</span> 1992 single by Ambassadors of Funk

"Supermarioland" is a song by Ambassadors of Funk, a musical project managed by British musician Simon Harris. Vocals on the song are provided by British rapper Einstein, who performed under the name MC Mario for the track. The song is heavily based on the music and sound effects from the 1989 platform video game Super Mario Land, developed by Nintendo and composed by Hirokazu Tanaka. Nintendo game director Shigeru Miyamoto gave permission for Harris to release the song and record an album featuring similar material.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Look Back (Lloyd Cole song)</span> 1990 song by Lloyd Cole

"Don't Look Back" is a song by English singer, songwriter and musician Lloyd Cole, released in 1990 as the second single from his self-titled studio album. The song was written by Cole and produced by Cole, Fred Maher and Paul Hardiman. It peaked at number 59 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butterfly (Lloyd Cole song)</span> 1991 song by Lloyd Cole

"Butterfly" is a song by English singer, songwriter and musician Lloyd Cole, released in 1991 as the third and final single from his second studio album, Don't Get Weird on Me Babe. The song was written by Cole, and produced by Cole, Fred Maher and Paul Hardiman. It peaked at number 90 in the UK Singles Chart.

References

  1. ↑ Shaver, Morgan (8 June 2017). "The History of the Tetris Theme Music". tetris.com. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  2. ↑ Lambie, Ryan (6 June 2019). "Tetris: 10 Facts You Need to Know About the Game's History". Den of Geek . Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  3. ↑ "5 songs you never knew were written by Andrew Lloyd Webber". BBC Radio 2 . Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  4. ↑ "Did Andrew Lloyd Webber Have a Hit Dance Song About the Video Game Tetris?". Legends Revealed. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  5. ↑ "Andrew Lloyd Webber: the legendary composer's musicals, wife, net worth and more". Classic FM. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Tetris (UK and European CD single liner notes). Doctor Spin. Polydor Records, Carpet Records. 1992. 865 537-2, CRPCD 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 19 September 1992. p. 19. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  9. 1 2 "Year End Charts: Top Singles". Music Week. 16 January 1993. p. 8.
  10. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Tetris". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  11. ↑ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 45. 7 November 1992. p. 46. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  12. ↑ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 46. 14 November 1992. p. 22. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  13. 1 2 Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN   951-31-2503-3.
  14. 1 2 "Doctor Spin – Tetris" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  15. 1 2 "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 45. 7 November 1992. p. 47. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  16. 1 2 Diver, Mike (12 November 2017). "Revisiting Nintendo's novelty pop hit". Eurogamer . Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  17. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 75: 25 October 1992 – 31 October 1992". Official Charts Company. 25 October 1992. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  18. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 45. 19 December 1992. p. 10. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  19. ↑ "Supersonic". Amazon . Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  20. ↑ Tetris (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Doctor Spin. Polydor Records, Carpet Records. 1992. 865 536-7, CRPT 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ Tetris (UK cassette single sleeve). Doctor Spin. Polydor Records, Carpet Records. 1992. 865 536-4, CRPCS 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ↑ Tetris (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Doctor Spin. Polydor Records, Carpet Records. 1992. 865 537-1, CRPTX 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 49. 5 December 1992. p. 18. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.