Jan Hammer 'Miami Vice Theme'

Chart Peak: 5

YouTube

The biggest instrumental hit of the year was recorded by a German - Harold Faltermeyer. The second biggest has been recorded by a Czech - Jan Hammer. The 'Miami Vice Theme' raced to No. 5 in late October.

So, er, well done Mr Hammer. He fared even better in the US, where this topped the chart (the last instrumental to date to have done so). Even though I wasn't allowed to watch it, I know that Miami Vice was a popular TV show but I don't really get why anybody would want to buy a single of this. Sure, it works pretty well as a soundtrack to people running along with immaculate hair and guns in their hands, preparing to burst through a doorway; mind you, of course, my idea of how to soundtrack that is doubtless influenced by having grown up in the 1980s. But what I struggle to imagine is somebody going out and buying the 7" single, taking it home and playing it. When would that be appropriate? If you were actually running about with a gun in your hand and bursting through a doorway, you'd probably make the needle jump.

As far as I can tell, it wasn't that uncommon for a TV theme tune to be released as a single in the 1970s and 1980s, but only a few charted, especially non-vocal ones. There must have been something particular about this (and Howard's Way) that crossed over. Maybe it was some aspirational way for people to buy a piece of the programme itself. Either way, it's kind of lost on me now.

Also appearing on: Now 10
Available on: '80s Pop #1's

Jan Hammer 'Crockett's Theme'

Chart Peak: 2

YouTube

OK, so Karel Fialka is of partly Czech parentage, and Jan Hammer is also Czech. Were they doing this on purpose?

I've never seen an episode of Miami Vice, and at the time I didn't really know what it was about (when you're nine, a vice is something in the woodwork room) or who Crockett might be, but I was dimly aware that it was supposed to be a big deal, which would explain the two big hit singles from the soundtrack; this one charted higher in the UK than the actual theme tune.

Chiefly, I remember seeing this performed on Top Of The Pops, and my dad sagely commenting that the whole thing sounded like an intro. I don't think I could put it better than that myself. Nowadays, I have more appreciation for the work that would go into creating music with the technology of the day, and I'm prepared to be generous and assume that it sounded good in the TV show itself. But listened to as a stand-alone tune it's just dreary.

Also appearing on: Now 6
Available on: Escape From Television