Bluey: The Album
| Bluey: The Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Soundtrack album by Joff Bush | ||||
| Released | 22 January 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2019–2020[1][2] | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 38:46 | |||
| Label | Demon | |||
| Producer |
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| Joff Bush chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Bluey: The Album | ||||
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Bluey: The Album is the soundtrack album for the first series of the Australian animated television series Bluey, which was released on 22 January 2021 by Demon Records. Most of the soundtrack's music was composed and performed by Joff Bush, the composer for the television program, alongside a team of musicians.[3]
The on-screen music for Bluey had previously been licensed by Universal Music Publishing on behalf of BBC Worldwide Music Publishing.[4] The soundtrack was released through Demon Music Group, a subdivision of BBC Studios, who hold global rights to release the show's music.[5]
The soundtrack debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart in February 2021.[6] It was recognised as the first children's album to reach the top of the charts in Australia.[7] It won Best Children's Album at the 2021 ARIA Music Awards,[8] and an APRA Screen Music Award for Best Soundtrack Album in 2021.[9]
Background and composition
Joff Bush serves as the primary composer of Bluey, writing half of the television show's score himself and leading a group of additional composers, including David Barber.[1][10] Bush graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium, where he met executive producer Daley Pearson, and before Bluey, worked on series such as The Family Law and Australian Survivor.[1] Bush has stated that each episode has its own unique musical style, and he likes to become involved in the episodes as they are scripted;[1] he regularly has detailed discussions with series creator Joe Brumm.[7] Live instruments are regularly played for the recordings.[1] Every episode of Bluey is individually scored, a decision made by Brumm, who was inspired by the original compositions for Charlie and Lola while working on the series in the United Kingdom.[11]
The soundtrack features arrangements of songs from the first series of the program,[7] including the scores of episodes "Keepy Uppy", "Grannies", "The Pool" and "The Creek".[12][13] It contains original compositions as well as arrangements of classical pieces such as "John Ryan's Polka" and "Pachelbel's Canon".[12] The first half of the album features upbeat songs, while the later tracks featured are the softer compositions.[12] Vocals by Helena Czajka and Jazz D'Arcy are featured on "I Know a Place (The Creek Song)".[12]
Release
It was reported that Bush was developing a music album for Bluey in July 2019.[1] By July 2020, the album was scheduled to be released in late 2020.[2] The first single from the album; the show's theme song, paired with an additional extended version, was released digitally on 6 November 2020.[5]
Pre-orders for the soundtrack were opened on 4 December 2020, with the release date also being revealed.[3][13] The single, "Keepy Uppy" was also released alongside the album announcement.[3][13] The complete soundtrack was released on 22 January 2021, digitally and physically, in a gatefold digipack sleeve with complementary stickers.[13] The cover art was designed by Brumm.[3]
The album was released on vinyl on 17 July 2021 for Record Store Day exclusively in Australia, pressed on a double-sided picture disc, limited to 500 copies.[14] It received a wider release on coloured blue vinyl on 1 October 2021 to coincide with the album's worldwide release.[15]
Track listing
All songs written and produced by Joff Bush except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bluey Theme Tune" (Instrument Parade) | 2:12 | |
| 2. | "Keepy Uppy" | 3:03 | |
| 3. | "Here Come the Grannies!" | 2:24 | |
| 4. | "A Message from the Fairies" (John Ryan's Polka) |
| 2:35 |
| 5. | "Taxi" | 2:46 | |
| 6. | "The Claw" (Pachelbel's Canon) |
| 1:37 |
| 7. | "Pool" | 2:59 | |
| 8. | "Who Likes to Dance?" | 2:27 | |
| 9. | "Bluey Theme Tune" (Extended) | 1:05 | |
| 10. | "The Weekend" |
| 2:37 |
| 11. | "Wagon Ride" | 3:22 | |
| 12. | "Camping" | 2:25 | |
| 13. | "Fruit Bat" |
| 1:36 |
| 14. | "The Creek" (Intro) |
| 0:48 |
| 15. | "Creek Is Beautiful!" |
| 3:09 |
| 16. | "I Know a Place (The Creek Song)" (vocals Helena Czajka & Jazz D'Arcy[12]) |
| 3:16 |
| 17. | "Bluey Theme Tune" | 0:25 | |
| Total length: | 38:46 | ||
Personnel
Joff Bush & The Bluey Music Team
- Joff Bush – guitar, melodica, percussion, accordion, keyboards, bass, vocals, kazoo, organ, drums, synths, ukulele, Mellotron, piano
- Stephen Peach – guitars, drums, banjo, tin whistle, bass, keys
- Marly Lüske – synths, bass, percussion, guitar
- David Barber – guitar, harmonica
- Pluto Jonze – guitars, piano, drums, bass
- Helena Czajka – vocals, synths
- Jazz D'Arcy – vocals
Additional performers
- Andrew Scrivens – guitar
- Anthony Garrett – drums
- Charlotte Stent – vocals
- Christopher Pearson – bass
- David Orr – electric guitar, guitar
- Jessica Pollard – vocals
- John Knowles – harmonica
- Joseph Roberts – clarinet, flute, baritone, tenor & alto sax
- Katherine Philp – cello
- Kevin Higgins – pipes, tin whistle, flute
- Luka Wall – vocals
- Pru Montin – trumpet
- Robert Schultz – trumpet
- Sara Glynn – violin
- Steven Washington – violin
- Youka Snell – violin & vocals
Technical
- Marly Lüske – mixing, mastering
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APRA Screen Music Awards | 2021 | Bluey: The Album | Best Soundtrack Album | Won | [9] |
| ARIA Music Awards | 2021 | Best Children's Album | Won | [8] |
References
- ^ a b c d e f Crossen, Louise (16 July 2019). "Meet the composer behind Australia's best-loved TV shows". Griffith News. Griffith University. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ a b "How Bluey is changing the way we parent". Tweed Daily News. News Corp Australia. 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
Season Two and a Bluey album due for release later this year.
- ^ a b c d Rouillon, Justin (4 December 2020). "Bluey: The Album Available to Pre-Order". 96five Family Radio. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ Knox, David (21 November 2019). "Screen Music Awards 2019: winners". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ a b "Bluey theme tune available online" (Press release). BBC Studios. November 2020. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Australiancharts.com – Soundtrack / Joff Bush – Bluey: The Album". Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ a b c Carmody, Broede (30 January 2021). "Bluey becomes first children's album to top ARIA music charts". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- ^ a b Knox, David (25 November 2021). "Bluey wins ARIA Award". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ a b Knox, David (22 February 2022). "Screen Music Awards 2021: winners". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ^ Barber, David. "Bluey Index". Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- S2CID 225404150. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "Bluey: The Album". JB Hi-Fi. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ a b c d Goulis, Leah (4 December 2020). "Cheese and Crackers! Bluey album is coming for those who love the ABC songs". Kidspot. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ "Bluey The Album". Record Store Day. 17 July 2021. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ Paez, Laura; Smith, Alastair; Gordon, Rachael (8 September 2021). "Award-winning, BBC Studios backed, global TV phenomenon Bluey releases chart-topping soundtrack on CD and vinyl" (Press release). BBC Studios. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Kid Albums Chart: Week of February 6, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ "Top Album Sales Chart: Week of February 6, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ "Top Current Album Sales Chart: Week of February 6, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 13 January 2022.