Butterfly in the Synth: Reading Rainbow’s Magical Theme Song
1/12/202627 min
The theme song to Reading Rainbow has been delighting kids (and nostalgic grown-ups) for over 40 years. But how did this instantly iconic track come to be? In this episode, composer Steve Horelick reveals the unlikely story of its creation, from its empowering lyrics, to its “fluttering butterfly” synth sound, to how Chaka Khan and a mystery drummer helped shape one of its later versions. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Join our community on Reddit. Explore Steve Horelick's work on his website and YouTube channel. Visit expressvpn.com/20k to find out how you can get 4 extra months of protection. Get 3 months of free payroll at gusto.com/20k. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsDallas Taylor· Host0:00
... You're listening [ethereal music] To Twenty Thousand Hertz, the stories- Behind the world's- Most iconic- And fascinating sounds. I'm Dallas Taylor. [upbeat music] As an '80s kid who watched a lot of television, there are certain TV theme songs that instantly take me back to childhood, stuff like Fraggle Rock.
Speaker 10:23
Dance your cares away. Worries for another day. Let the music play!
Dallas Taylor· Host0:28
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles... And The Wonder Years.
Speaker 2· Soundbite0:36
What would you do if I sang out of tune?
Dallas Taylor· Host0:41
[upbeat music] Then there's Reading Rainbow. As a little kid, that song felt magical, and it still does, which is why I was so excited when, out of the blue, I got an email saying, "Hey, Dallas, I'm the original composer behind the Reading Rainbow theme, and I'd love to come on Twenty Thousand Hertz and talk about it." Um, yes, please.
Steve Horlick· Guest1:05
Hey, I'm Steve Horlick, composer, producer, performer of electronic music.
Dallas Taylor· Host1:10
[upbeat music] In the late '70s, Steve co-founded an experimental band called the Electronic Art Ensemble. They played wild, improvisational music through interconnected synthesizers and effects. This is a track called "Cauldron" from their album In Quietude.
Unknown speaker1:29
[upbeat music]