In Depth
J.J. Abrams Pens ‘Fringe’ Theme Song
J.J. Abrams is putting his musical stamp on another series.
The prolific writer-producer told TelevisionWeek on Monday that, yes, he has penned the theme song for "Fringe," the new Fox drama he created with Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. By doing so, Mr. Abrams is following a pattern that's been in place since he first started writing for television.
Mr. Abrams' TV songwriting career began when he wrote "A New Version of You," the second of two themes used on his WB drama "Felicity." He followed that with the elecronica-inspired beats used to open "Alias." And most recently, Mr. Abrams came up with the familiar tones heard at the beginning of every episode of "Lost."
The string-heavy introduction to "Fringe" came to Mr. Abrams while he was getting ready to go to bed one night. Check out this exclusive video interview and watch him explain exactly how the "Fringe" theme was born.
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Comments 11
The Tonic
Did he happen to be listening to Philip Glass when this theme "came to him"?
Aoibheann
That´s exactly who I thought. Cyclical melody, quick scales--Philip Glass, anyone?
Pennillion
I have to admit, it is so Philip Glass that i cant believe he did not give at least SOME credit for the tune to him.
Kolchak
Listen to Philip Glass' theme for the "Nightstalker" tv show - it is exactly the same as the theme for "Fringe".
BR
Umm... Sorry. Im a big JJ fan, but listen to the quite frankly genious band MUSE. on their album Origin of Symmetry, the first track 'New Born' sounds almost EXACTLY like the intro song... (listen here http://bittersweet.blogs.psychologies.com/bittersweet/files/muse_new_born.mp3 )
Maybe not EXACTLY the same - but too close to not be inspired by.
Torley
I've noticed uncanny similarities too, as noted here: http://torley.com/was-the-fringe-theme-strongly-influenced-by-night-stalker
All roads here so far (including Muse) lead back to Philip Glass popularizing "that sound".
Frolly
Definitely a rip off of Muse's New Born on Origin of Symmetry. No doubt about it.
Torley
@Frolly: Well, Muse came later and was more likely influenced by Glass, so if we're tracing tunes back to a common lineage, then Philip Glass popularized ostinatos and highly harmonic chording like that.
Kratos
In one of the videoes of promotion of the series where the doctor divides(departs) the apple of bottom(fund) a feminine vos is listened singing a song it(he,she) wanted to know like it is called the song and the one who is the author
leacy
Sounds like a 'classical' version of the Ace of Base song: "Its a beautiful life" to me.
writer_monkey
Agreed re: Nightstalker theme. Trained in classical piano and other strings as a kid, and my finely tuned ear recognized the Fringe theme immediately, though I didn't know who originally composed it until now (TY Philip Glass fans!). Methinks JJ is trying too hard to make us believe he really can do everything.