Who Sang The Theme Tune To Only Fools And Horses

Let’s be honest—there are some songs that just live in your head rent-free. You know the ones: the jingle from a takeaway ad, the tune your dad hums when he’s fixing the car, or that iconic theme from a TV show you’ve seen a thousand times. For millions of us, that tune is the one that kicks off Only Fools and Horses. It’s impossible to hear those first few notes without picturing a yellow Reliant Regal wobbling down a London street.

So, who actually sang that beloved theme song? The answer is John Sullivan, the show’s brilliant creator and writer. He wasn’t just the man behind the jokes—he also wrote and performed the theme himself. It’s a bit like finding out your favourite chef also bakes the bread rolls for your table. Sullivan didn’t have a professional singing career; he was a writer first. But he knew his characters so deeply that only he could capture that hopeful, cheeky spirit in a song.

A tune that feels like home

Think about the last time you heard that theme tune. Maybe you were flipping channels on a rainy Sunday, or your phone dinged with a meme of Del Boy falling through the bar. That melody—with its jaunty brass and warm, slightly cockney lilt—feels like a hug from an old friend. It’s not a flashy, overproduced pop hit. It’s simple, almost like a good cuppa tea: comforting and familiar.

What makes Sullivan’s version so special is that he sang it with a gentle, everyday voice. He wasn’t trying to be a star. He was just a bloke who loved his show, telling us that “this time next year, we’ll be millionaires.” That line alone is pure Del Boy—full of optimism, even when life is messy. And let’s face it, we’ve all had a moment where we’ve whispered that to ourselves before payday.

Why you should care (and it’s not just nostalgia)

You might be thinking, “Okay, but I’m not a superfan. Why does this matter?” Well, it matters because great themes make shows feel like family. When you hear that song, you’re not just remembering a programme—you’re remembering the person you watched it with. Maybe your nan used to sing it while stirring tea, or your mate did a terrible Del Boy impression every time it came on. It’s like the song is a little time machine wrapped in a brass band.

Plus, there’s a lovely lesson here: talent doesn’t have to be flashy. John Sullivan didn’t need a record label or a backing dancer. He just needed a lyric sheet and a bit of heart. In a world where everything feels polished and perfect, his theme tune is a reminder that being yourself is often the most memorable thing you can do. It’s the reason that song still pops up on pub jukeboxes and family playlists decades later.

The legend behind the lyrics

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. John Sullivan wrote the tune with his mate, Ronnie Hazlehurst, who arranged the music. But the voice? That’s all Sullivan. He recorded it in a single take, according to stories, because he was too busy writing the actual episodes to fuss over it. Can you imagine? He just strolled in, sang it, and went back to making us laugh. That’s the most Only Fools thing ever.

There’s a fun little twist, too. The theme we know today isn’t the original version. In the very first series, the song was slightly different—slower, with a bit less bounce. But as the show grew sillier and warmer, Sullivan tweaked it. He added that famous line about “the Trotters, independent traders.” It’s like updating your favourite jumper with new buttons. Same cosy feel, just a bit sharper.

What happens when you Google it?

If you search for “Only Fools and Horses theme song” right now, you’ll find a dozen covers by big bands and choirs. And sure, they’re good. But none of them have that warm crackle of the original. It’s like comparing a supermarket flat white to the one your mate makes at home. The heart is missing. Sullivan’s version has a slight roughness to it—a little vocal wobble—that makes it feel real.

That rawness is why the song works in daily life. Ever been in a traffic jam, and that tune pops into your head? Suddenly, you’re smiling. You’re not stuck in a queue; you’re on a mission with Del Boy to flog some dodgy Chinese knock-offs. That’s the power of a song sung by someone who meant every word.

So, why does it still matter?

Because life is full of noise—adverts, notifications, endless streaming. But a truly good theme tune cuts through all that. It’s a little anchor to simpler times. whether you grew up watching re-runs with your family or discovered it on BBC iPlayer last week, that song belongs to everyone. It’s a shared joke, a shared sigh, a shared dream of striking it rich.

Next time you hear it—maybe while making toast or shoving on the kettle—take a second. Think of John Sullivan, a writer with a voice that wasn’t perfect but was perfectly right. He gave us a theme that doesn’t just start a show; it starts a feeling. And honestly, isn’t that what we all need? A little bit of warmth, a bit of hope, and a promise that, one day, we might be millionaires too.