Summary:
- Release year: 1986
- Songwriter: Jan Hammer
- Performers: Jan Hammer
- Album: Escape from television
- Duration: 3:31
- Achievements: #2 in the Netherlands and Belgium, #2 in the UK.
“Crockett’s Theme” is an instrumental song written for the 1980s hit NBC series Miami Vice. The last name Crockett refers to Don Johnson‘s character, James “Sonny” Crockett. The initial version of the theme 1st appeared in the episode “Calderone’s Return: Part 1 – The Hit List“, which aired on October 19, 1984. The song was composed by Czech-American musician, composer and record producer, Jan Hammer. Release date is December 29th, 1986. The song appears on the album Miami Vice II, the 2nd volume of music from the television show. It’s also the #1 track on Jan Hammer’s 1987 album Escape from Television.
The song was a hit in western Europe, reaching #1 in Belgium and the Netherlands, for 2 and 4 weeks respectively. It peaked at #2 in both Ireland and the UK, while #4 in West Germany. It also hit #9 in Switzerland and #29 in Austria. Interestingly, “Crockett’s Theme” had more success in Europe (Western) than in the US.
The video has no scenes or characters from Miami Vice. Instead, it’s about a man who can’t make a decision between a woman and a kaleidoscope. It’s the woman, then decides, in frustration, destroying his “competitor” kaleidoscope, but also abandoning him. Luckily, Jan Hammer is in the next room, playing a keytar.
Between 1991 and 1994, the song was featured in a series of adverts for NatWest in the UK. It was subsequently re-released as a single in May 1991 in the UK as an A-side and B-side with Hammer’s theme tune for Chancer. It reached #47 in the UK Singles Chart.
The purely instrumental song is 3:31 long and has a 96 BPM tempo, quite energetic and danceable.
In 2002, “Crockett’s Theme” was featured in the soundtrack of video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (as a part of Emotion 98.3 in-game radio station), itself heavily based on Miami Vice.
