Tetris (Doctor Spin song)

The original composition that the main theme of Tetris is based on is the Russian folk song "Korobeiniki", which is a musical recreation of a poem by Russian poet Nikolay Nekrasov.{{cite web|url=https://tetris.com/article/9/the-history-of-the-tetris-theme-music|title=The History of the Tetris Theme Music|last=Shaver|first=Morgan|website=tetris.com|date=8 June 2017|access-date=20 June 2021}} The song used in the Game Boy version of Tetris was composed by Hirokazu Tanaka.{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/tetris-game-weird-history/|title=Tetris: 10 Facts You Need to Know About the Game's History|last=Lambie|first=Ryan|publisher=Den of Geek|date=6 June 2019|access-date=20 June 2021}} In 1992, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Nigel Wright collaborated under the name Doctor Spin to record and release a Eurodance version of Tanaka's arrangement.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/535GfLRzB7sY8VxK3qmQz0l/5-songs-you-never-knew-were-written-by-andrew-lloyd-webber|title=5 songs you never knew were written by Andrew Lloyd Webber|publisher=BBC Radio 2|access-date=20 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://legendsrevealed.com/entertainment/2013/12/16/did-andrew-lloyd-webber-have-a-hit-dance-song-about-the-video-game-tetris/|title=Did Andrew Lloyd Webber Have a Hit Dance Song About the Video Game Tetris?|publisher=Legends Revealed|date=16 December 2013|access-date=20 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.classicfm.com/composers/lloyd-webber/andrew-lloyd-webber-facts/|title=Andrew Lloyd Webber: the legendary composer's musicals, wife, net worth and more|publisher=Classic FM|date=15 May 2020|access-date=20 June 2021}} The track was officially licensed by Nintendo.{{cite AV media notes|title=Tetris|others=Doctor Spin|year=1992|type=UK and European CD single liner notes|publisher=Polydor Records, Carpet Records|id=865 537-2, CRPCD 4}}

Doctor Spin released "Tetris" through Polydor Records and Lloyd Webber's sublabel of Polydor, Carpet Records, on 21 September 1992 in four formats: CD, cassette, 7-inch vinyl, and 12-inch vinyl.{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/Music-Week-1992-09-19-S-OCR.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=19|date=19 September 1992|access-date=20 June 2021}} The song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 22 on 27 September 1992 and ascended to its peak of number 6 three weeks later; it spent a total of eight weeks in the top 50 and was the 75th-best-selling hit of 1992 in the UK. In Ireland, "Tetris" debuted on the chart dated 8 October 1992 and peaked at number seven for two weeks.{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-11-07.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=45|page=46|date=7 November 1992|access-date=20 June 2021}}{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-11-14.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=46|page=22|date=14 November 1992|access-date=20 June 2021}} In mainland Europe, the song charted in Austria and Finland. In the latter country, "Tetris" peaked at number four on the Finnish Singles Chart in November 1992, while in Austria, the single peaked at number 23 and spent three weeks on the chart, in December 1992 and January 1993. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song achieved a peak of number 26 on 7 November 1992.

On British music television programme Top of the Pops, the song was played as several dancers dressed in outfits resembling the Tetrominos from Tetris danced along.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-12-revisiting-nintendos-novelty-pop-hit|title=Revisiting Nintendo's novelty pop hit|last=Diver|first=Mike|website=Eurogamer|date=12 November 2017|access-date=20 June 2021}} Along with "Supermarioland" by Ambassadors of Funk (which charted simultaneously with "Tetris"),{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19921025/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 75: 25 October 1992 – 31 October 1992|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=25 October 1992|access-date=24 October 2021}} "Supersonic" by H.W.A. (a charity single based on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise) and "Pac-Man" by Power-Pill, the success of the composition began a brief period of popularity for novelty rave music.{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-12-19.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=45|page=10|date=19 December 1992|access-date=20 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Supersonic-Hwa-Featuring-Sonic-Hedgehog/dp/B07DJMXXP5|title=Supersonic|publisher=Amazon|access-date=20 June 2021}}

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UK and European CD single

1. "Tetris" (7-inch mix)
2. "Tetris" (12-inch mix)
3. "Tetris" (hardcore mix)
4. "Play Game Boy"

UK 7-inch and cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Tetris|others=Doctor Spin|year=1992|type=UK 7-inch single sleeve|publisher=Polydor Records, Carpet Records|id=865 536-7, CRPT 4}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Tetris|others=Doctor Spin|year=1992|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Polydor Records, Carpet Records|id=865 536-4, CRPCS 4}}

1. "Tetris"
2. "Play Game Boy"

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UK 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Tetris|others=Doctor Spin|year=1992|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Polydor Records, Carpet Records|id=865 537-1, CRPTX 4}}

:A1. "Tetris" (12-inch mix)

:A1. "Tetris" (hardcore mix)

:B1. "Tetris" (7-inch mix)

:B2. "Play Game Boy"

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Credits are lifted from the UK CD single liner notes.

Studio

• "Play Game Boy" recorded at Skratch Studios (Surrey, England)

Personnel

• Andrew Lloyd Webber – traditional arrangement, executive production
• Nigel Wright – traditional arrangement, production
• Robin Sellars – engineering

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{{Reflist}}

{{Andrew Lloyd Webber}}

Category:1992 songs

Category:1992 singles

Category:Andrew Lloyd Webber

Category:Eurodance songs

Category:Polydor Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Nigel Wright (record producer)

Category:Songs with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Category:Songs about video games

Category:Songs based on poems

Category:Tetris