Who Sang Only Fools And Horses Theme

So, you’ve got that iconic, jaunty tune stuck in your head, haven’t you? The one that makes you want to waddle like Del Boy, even if you’re just walking to the fridge. We’re talking, of course, about the theme song to Only Fools and Horses—the greatest sitcom about dodgy merchandise and sheer optimism ever made. But let’s be honest, who on earth is that chirpy voice?

Well, grab a cuppa and a slightly-too-warm slice of toast, because we’re about to spill the tea. The answer is as delightfully British as a cockney wheeze and a banger of a market stall. The voice you’re humming along to belongs to John Sullivan—yes, the show’s creator himself.

Cue the record scratch sound effect! Wait, what? You might be thinking, “John Sullivan? The bloke who wrote the lines ‘Lovely jubbly’ and ‘This time next year, we’ll be millionaires’?” Yep, that’s the one. He wasn’t just the mastermind behind the jokes; he also had a secret life as a singing sensation.

The Man Behind the Mic

John Sullivan didn’t just write the theme tune—he wrote and performed it. The song is called “Stickin’ the Kettle On,” and it’s as cheeky as a late-night wheeze. Sullivan was a proper wordsmith, and he originally recorded the theme as a demo for the BBC.

He used his own voice, with a bit of help from his mates in a pub session, and the network fell in love with it. So, that gravelly, jovial crooning you hear over the opening credits? That’s the same bloke who made Rodney feel permanently useless. Talk about multitasking!

If you listen closely, you’ll catch some of the most absurdly patriotic lyrics ever penned. “Where the ice-cream man sells winkles, and everybody’s called a duck.” It’s pure, unapologetic British nonsense, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Confusion Begins

For decades, people have argued about who sang that tune. Some swear it’s a session singer guitar-strumming in a studio. Others are convinced it’s a forgotten folk group from the 80s. But nope—it’s all John.

There’s a common myth that the theme was sung by a professional comedian like Bob Monkhouse or (bless you) Jim Davidson. Not even close. Sullivan’s delivery is so natural and unpolished that it sounds like your friendly local pub landlord just picked up a microphone. And that’s exactly why it works.

Fun fact: Sullivan actually re-recorded the song for the later series, giving it a slightly more polished, orchestral feel. But the core voice? Still him. He could have hired a celebrity singer, but he thought, “Nah, I’ll do it myself, save a few quid for the Jolly Boys’ Outing.”

The Lyrics: A Masterclass in Nonsense

Let’s break down the lyrics for a second, because they’re delightfully bonkers. “Stickin’ the kettle on, puttin’ the kettle on / There’s a lovely cuppa brew, a lovely cuppa brew.” It’s less a song and more a love poem to tea.

Then comes the part about “green and pleasant land,” stolen straight from Blake’s “Jerusalem,” because Sullivan thought, “Why not? It’s Britain, innit?” He even throws in a line about “the sound of the old banjo” and “the laugh of a jolly crow.” It’s like a fever dream of a warm Sunday afternoon.

And let’s not forget the immortal line: “We’ll be together, sharing a cup of tea / And the world will be a picnic, in a jolly old harmony.” Honestly, if that doesn’t make you want to hug your nan, nothing will.

The Hidden Guest Singer

Okay, here’s a little twist to keep you on your toes. While John Sullivan is the main voice, there’s a female vocalist harmonizing with him in the background. That’s his wife, Sharon Sullivan.

Yes, the whole thing was a family affair! Sharon lent her harmonies to the track, because apparently, the Sullivan household couldn’t stop humming even at dinner time. So, technically, you have a husband-and-wife duet on a song about tea and trousering your brother’s inheritance.

It’s adorable, really. They probably recorded it in their living room while Rodney was out buying a dodgy microwave. The lack of polish is what makes it so endearing—it’s a homemade song for a homemade sitcom about a homemade empire.

What About the Instrumental Version?

Ah, but you might be thinking of the instrumental theme from the later episodes, the one with the brass band and the triumphant trumpets. That’s a different beast altogether. The vocal version was used for the earlier series (1981 to 1993), while the instrumental became the new face in the 1990s specials.

The instrumental was arranged by the great Ronnie Hazlehurst, the same legend who wrote the themes for Yes Minister and The Two Ronnies. He turned Sullivan’s jolly ditty into something that could make a brass band parade through a council estate.

But the singing version? That’s pure, unfiltered John Sullivan magic. It’s a bit like finding out your dad used to be a rock star, except your dad also invented a character who fell through a bar.

A Quick Quiz to Impress Your Mates

Next time you’re at the pub and someone says, “Who sang the Only Fools theme?”, you can drop this knowledge like a bucket of fried chicken. Say, “It was John Sullivan, you muppet, and his missus sang backup.”

Then watch their face go from “Nah, that can’t be right” to “Blimey, you’re a genius.” You’ll instantly become the most interesting person at the table, beating out the bloke who’s still talking about his avocado toast.

And if they still don’t believe you, just hum the tune and point to the telly. “Stickin’ the kettle on…” they’ll know. They’ll always know.

The Uplifting Conclusion (You Were Promised)

So there you have it: the theme song to Only Fools and Horses was sung by its brilliant creator, John Sullivan. A man who didn’t just make us laugh—he also made us sing along to a ditty about putting the kettle on. He was a writer, a composer, a performer, and a proper Cockney philosopher.

Every time you hear that song, you’re hearing a bloke who loved Britain, loved tea, and loved a good wheeze. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best things in life aren’t polished or perfect—they’re a bit rough, a bit cheery, and made with love in a front room.

And isn’t that just like life? We’re all just sticking the kettle on, trying to be millionaires by next year, and hoping we don’t fall through the bar. So next time you brew a cuppa, give a little nod to John Sullivan. He’s the reason you’re smiling, and honestly, that’s a lovely jubbly legacy to leave behind. Cheers, mate.