Arrested Development: Encyclopedia II - Arrested Development - Music

Arrested Development - Music

Besides the short ukulele-based theme song composed by David Schwartz, which is also used as Lindsay's cell phone ringtone, a couple of other songs are featured prominently in Arrested Development. GOB uses Europe's 1986 hit single, "The Final Countdown" in his magic acts, attempting to increase the audience's excitement through improvised dancing and rapid-fire magic tricks. The dramatic, synthesized chords, combined with GOB's high energy and overacting are a clear parody of modern magic acts. "The Final Countdown" is also GOB's ringtone. To add to this, on the season 2 finale, he sings a rendition of another 80's era song, Bryan Adams' (Everything I Do) I Do It For You.

"Free at Last", written by David Schwartz and Gabriel Mann, and performed by Mann and Maxayn Lewis, is used in conjunction with parties, protests, or other events involving gay men, transvestites, or male strippers. A recurring gay crossdresser holds a "Freedom" sign of various sizes under this music. An original song called "Big Yellow Joint," apparently written about the Bluth Banana Stand, sounds almost identical to Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant" and is often used in scenes with aged hippie Oscar Bluth or his stash of marijuana. Nikka Costa's "Everybody Got Their Something" is also used in the score for energetic segues.[2]

Short clips of music are also used to highlight recurring comedic themes in the series. For example, during George Sr.'s stints with religion, or other religious experiences, whether real or feigned, a duduk moans in the background. "Christmas Time Is Here," Vince Guaraldi's piano theme from A Charlie Brown Christmas, plays when George Michael Bluth is depressed. Mentions of Mexico get a Spanish guitar riff, dramatic soap opera piano enters when the identity of Buster's father is questioned, and displays of Balboa Bay Window magazine are accompanied by upbeat elevator music.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Music", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki