The recent 30th anniversary of the BBC soap opera (or ‘continuing drama’) EastEnders was given an extra subtle touch thanks to the on-set jukeboxes.
We’ve reported in the past on the playlist used on the Queen Vic jukebox, but for the anniversary episode it was given a one-off makeover.
Instead of the usual combination of classics and modern tracks, the music selection was limited just to the year 1985 – the year EastEnders was first broadcast.
The music was just one of several nods to the early days of the series, including a direct repeat of the first-ever line, “It stinks in here”.
But for those of us with an interest in jukebox hire, it’s nice to see the continued commitment to the background music, and the atmosphere it can create as part of the episode.
Back in September we reported on the EastEnders Spotify playlist, which provides the complete track listing for the Queen Vic jukebox.
With a total of 119 tracks, it’s far fewer than you might expect on a typical pub jukebox nowadays, and combines acts like Bucks Fizz and Madonna with modern-day counterparts like Paloma Faith and Cher Lloyd.