"Behind the Scenes: The Unexplored Tale of ITV's Tour de France Theme Music Composer and His Cherished Creation"
In the heart of Surrey, a music producer named Jeff Ashitey crafted the melody that has become synonymous with the world's most prestigious cycling event - the Tour de France. The theme song, christened 'Beat Route', was born in 2001 in a flat in south London during a collaborative session with a sound engineer and a French accordionist.
The creation process was organic, with the accordion playing a significant role in steering the direction of the composition. Ashitey, impressed by the unique and fitting homage to the sport, offered the theme to ITV following his experience with their MotoGP theme. The broadcaster, impressed in turn, invited him to create the theme for their Tour de France highlights and live coverage.
The theme song, an anthemic accordion melody that starts with midi notes and a swooshing sound, has since become a staple in British living rooms during July. It symbolises the start of the biggest bike race in the world and the moment the season has been building up to.
As the Tour de France theme, 'Beat Route' has been more than just a song. It has resonated with cyclists worldwide, with Ashitey expressing surprise at its reception. In 2019, the ringtone of the theme song rose to third in the iTunes ringtone charts, testament to its enduring popularity.
Ashitey has retained the rights to 'Beat Route', allowing him to continue selling it as he pleases. He continues to work in the music industry, managing acts and putting on shows. Despite the theme song's impending departure from our televisions after this summer, as ITV has relinquished the rights to the Tour, the notes of the accordion will live on, immortalised in the hearts of cycling enthusiasts.
| Aspect | Details | |-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Composer | Jeff Ashitey | | Creation year | 2001 | | Location | Flat in south London | | Collaborators | Sound engineer and French accordionist | | Creation process | Organic, collaborative session with accordion influencing melody | | Usage | ITV's Tour de France coverage theme song since 2001 | | Popularity | One of the most played songs in British living rooms during July | | Ringtone success | Reached third place in iTunes ringtone charts in 2019 | | Rights | Retained by Ashitey | | Continued work | Ashitey continues to work in the music industry | | Departure | The theme song will likely disappear from our televisions after this summer, as ITV has relinquished the rights to the Tour. |
Jeff Ashitey, the composer of the iconic Tour de France theme song 'Beat Route', has been known to dabble in other music-related endeavors, such as managing acts and producing shows. The accordion, a key instrument in creating the distinctive melody of 'Beat Route', has not only captivated cycling enthusiasts but also music lovers, as the theme's ringtone reached third place in the iTunes ringtone charts in 2019.
