Game of Thrones theme - wikipedia Game of Thrones theme `` Game of Thrones Main Title Theme '' Song by Ramin Djawadi from the album Game of Thrones : Season 1 Released June 14, 2011 Recorded 2011 Genre Television soundtrack Length 1 : 51 Label Varèse Sarabande Songwriter ( s ) Ramin Djawadi Producer ( s ) Ramin Djawadi Audio sample `` Game of Throne 's main title theme '' file help `` Game of Thrones Theme '', also referred to as `` Game of Thrones Main Title Theme '', is the theme music of the television series Game of Thrones. It plays during the title sequence and was composed by Ramin Djawadi in 2011, after series creator David Benioff and D.B. Weiss approached him requesting a theme. Asked to avoid flutes and violins, which the producers felt were overused in fantasy themes, Djawadi used the cello as the lead instrument. The piece begins in a minor key, then switches between corresponding major and minor keys repeatedly. Djawadi was shown a preliminary rendering of the title sequence before composing this music to accompany it. Several artists have covered or parodied the music, sometimes adding lyrics to the originally instrumental work. Contents 1 Composition 2 Cover versions and parodies 3 Credits and personnel 4 See also 5 References Composition Ramin Djawadi is the composer of the Game of Thrones score. Ramin Djawadi began composing the music for the show after he had watched the first two episodes of the series that the showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss sent him, and discussed the concepts of the show with them. According to Djawadi, the show creators wanted the main title theme to be about a journey as there are many locations, characters in the show and involves much traveling. Djawadi was shown a preliminary animated Game of Thrones title sequence the visual effect artists were still working on, he was inspired to write the piece. He said that he started humming what would become the theme tune in the car after seeing the visuals for the title sequence, and conceived of the idea for the theme on the drive back to his studio. The finished theme music was presented to the producer three days later. Djawadi said he intended to capture the overall impression of the show with the theme tune. Cello is featured strongly as Benioff and Weiss wanted to avoid the flutes or solo vocals found in many other productions in the fantasy genre so as to give the show a distinctive sound, and Djawadi chose cello as the main instrument for the music as he thought it has a `` darker sound '' that suited the show. Djawadi started with a riff and he built the title theme around the riff. The tune begins with the riff played on strings in a minor key, then changed to a major key after 2 bars, and back to minor again. Djawadi said that he wanted to reflect the `` backstabbing and conspiracy '' and the unpredictability of the show : ``... I thought it would be cool to kinda do the same play with the music. So even though the majority of the piece is in minor, there 's that little hint of major in there where it kinda switches and then it changes back again. '' The main melody is then introduced with the cello, joined later by a solo violin that may suggest an interplay between different characters. The melody is then repeated with the entire orchestra. The next section introduces a change in melody, described by Djawadi as giving `` a sense of adventure '', and continues with a repeat that involves a choir of twenty female voices - recorded in Prague, like the instrumental parts. The title theme ends with a combination of dulcimer and kantele, producing a `` shimmery quality '' in its sound that Djawadi thought would give a sense of mystery and anticipation for the episode. The title music is reprised as a global theme in the soundtracks for the series. It may be played occasionally on its own in fragments, sometimes as part of the theme of individual characters or in combination with other pieces of music, and may also be played in large section during particularly important scenes. Cover versions and parodies The main theme of Game of Thrones has inspired many tributes and cover versions, including a rendition by the electropop band Chvrches. Lyrics were added for the first time in 2014, when `` Weird Al '' Yankovic performed a parody version during the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards. In March 2015, FORTE added lyrics based on High Valyrian text for an operatic performance and music video. Some of the cover and parody versions mentioned by news media include : a violin version by Jason Yang, a metal version by Roger Lima, an electric harp duet version by the `` Harp Twins '', Camille and Kennerly Kitt, a bleeping `` 8 - bit '' remix in the style of early video game music, a rendition in the noise of floppy disk drives, a violin and voice duet by Lindsey Stirling and Peter Hollens, a cello version by Break of Reality, a cello version by 2Cellos a ska interpretation by Pannonia Allstars Ska Orchestra, a chamber music version by Aston, a Ragtime Piano Rendition by Jonny May, a choral parody used in two episodes of South Park, with lyrics solely about `` wieners '', an elaborate parody of the opening at the beginning of a 2012 episode of The Simpsons, `` Exit Through the Kwik - E-Mart '', a parody performed by `` Weird Al '' Yankovic at the 2014 Emmy awards, an orchestra version performed at Illich Steel and Iron Works by Mariupol orchestra `` Renaissance '', a remix by KSHMR and The Golden Army. In 2017, Canadian band Barenaked Ladies opened and closed their end - of - show popular music medley / parody with the Game of Thrones Theme with lead singer Ed Robertson adding the lyrics `` Horses - tits and horses ( repeated ) and some dong ! '', poking fun and the content of the series. A trans cover by `` Khumariyaan '' Credits and personnel Personnel adapted from the album liner notes. Ramin Djawadi -- composer, primary artist, producer David Benioff -- liner notes D.B. Weiss -- liner notes See also Game of Thrones title sequence Music of Game of Thrones References ^ Jump up to : Hirway, Hrishikesh. `` Song Exploder 40 : RAMIN DJAWADI ( '' Game of Thrones `` ) ''. Soundcloud. Jump up ^ Renfro, Kim ( July 7, 2016 ). `` Meet the musical genius behind the Game of Thrones soundtrack who watches each season before anyone else ''. Tech Insider. Archived from the original on July 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` ' Game Of Thrones ' Composer Ramin Djawadi On Melodies That Stick ''. NPR. February 14, 2017. Jump up ^ C.A. Taylor ( November 6, 2014 ). `` Creating the Title Sequence ''. Inside HBO 's Game of Thrones II : Seasons 3 & 4. Gollancz. ISBN 978 - 1473206182. ^ Jump up to : `` Composer Interview : Ramin Djawadi ''. Filmmusicmedia.com. December 22, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Hrishikesh Hirway, Ramin Djawadi ( June 11, 2015 ). `` Here 's Why ' Game of Thrones ' Theme Song Is as Treacherous as Westeros ''. The Creators Project / Song Exploder. CS1 maint : Uses authors parameter ( link ) Jump up ^ Abramovitch, Seth ( July 14, 2011 ). `` Emmys 2011 : The Forgotten Categories ''. TV.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011. Jump up ^ Watercutter, Angela ( April 15, 2013 ). `` Why HBO Turned to Indie Bands for the Medieval Tunes of Game of Thrones ''. Wired. Retrieved April 17, 2013. Jump up ^ Grow, Kory ( August 25, 2014 ). `` '' Weird Al '' Parodies Game of Thrones, Mad Men Themes at the Emmys ``. Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 4, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Giving a classical edge to Game of Thrones soundtrack ''. The Sunday Times. Sri Lanka. March 22, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015. Jump up ^ Dooling, Annemarie ( July 6, 2011 ). `` '' Game of Thrones '' Gets A Violin Cover ``. Huffington Post. Retrieved July 20, 2011. Jump up ^ Bricken, Rob. `` Game of Thrones Opening - Metal Edition ''. Topless Robot. Retrieved March 9, 2012. Jump up ^ Rao, Malika ( May 15, 2012 ). `` The Harp Twins ' ' Game Of Thrones ' Intro : Camille And Kennerly Kitt Serenade The 7 Kingdoms ( VIDEO ) ''. Huffington Post. Retrieved August 22, 2012. Jump up ^ Harrison, Josh ( June 18, 2011 ). `` ' Game of Thrones ' Theme, 8 - Bit Style ''. Ology. Retrieved July 20, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Super-geeky ' Game of Thrones ' theme played on hard drives ''. Jump up ^ `` ' Game Of Thrones ' Theme Song Covered By Lindsey Stirling And Peter Hollens ''. Forbes. September 5, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2012. Jump up ^ `` '' Game of Thrones '' gets an awesome cello tribute ``. CBS News. April 8, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013. Jump up ^ `` 2CELLOS Rock Out in King 's Landing for GAME OF THRONES Medley Nerdist ''. Nerdist. 2017 - 01 - 16. Retrieved 2018 - 07 - 10. Jump up ^ Lough, Chris ( June 20, 2013 ). `` Dance it Up to This Slick Ska Version of the Game of Thrones Theme ''. Tor.com. Retrieved June 20, 2013. Jump up ^ Cooper, Nathanael ( March 31, 2014 ). `` Classic music ensemble Aston post tribute to Game of Thrones ''. Courier Mail. Retrieved April 6, 2014. Jump up ^ pianowithjonny ( 2015 - 04 - 08 ), Game of Thrones - Ragtime Piano Rendition by Jonny May, retrieved 2016 - 02 - 16 ^ Jump up to : `` Game of Thrones : Watch the top seven most amazing parodies from The Simpsons to the Romantic Comedy version ''. Jump up ^ `` Emmys 2014 : ' Weird Al ' Yankovic parodies ' Game of Thrones, ' ' Scandal ' theme songs ''. Jump up ^ Mariupol orchestra performs `` Game of thrones theme '' at metallurgical plant - video Jump up ^ Game Of Thrones ( KSHMR & The Golden Army Remix ) Jump up ^ `` Game of Thrones by Ramin Djawadi ''. Retrieved July 20, 2011. George R.R. Martin 's A Song of Ice and Fire A Game of Thrones ( 1996 ) A Clash of Kings ( 1998 ) A Storm of Swords ( 2000 ) A Feast for Crows ( 2005 ) A Dance with Dragons ( 2011 ) The Winds of Winter ( TBA ) Franchise media Novellas Tales of Dunk and Egg ( 1998 -- 2010 ) The Princess and the Queen ( 2013 ) The Rogue Prince ( 2014 ) The Sons of the Dragon ( 2017 ) TV series Episodes Season 1 5 6 7 8 Awards Characters Music `` Game of Thrones Theme '' `` The Rains of Castamere '' `` The Bear and the Maiden Fair '' `` Light of the Seven '' Catch the Throne Live Concert Experience Soundtracks Season 1 5 6 7 Title sequence After the Thrones Thronecast Video games A Game of Thrones : Genesis Game of Thrones ( 2012 ) Game of Thrones Ascent Game of Thrones ( 2014 ) Other media The World of Ice & Fire ( 2014 ) Fire and Blood ( 2018 ) Board game Card game ( Second edition ) Comic book series Characters Petyr Baelish Myrcella Baratheon Joffrey Baratheon Renly Baratheon Robert Baratheon Stannis Baratheon Tommen Baratheon Ramsay Bolton Roose Bolton Bronn Gregor Clegane Sandor Clegane Khal Drogo Gendry Tormund Giantsbane Gilly Theon Greyjoy Cersei Lannister Jaime Lannister Tyrion Lannister Tywin Lannister Oberyn Martell Melisandre Missandei Jorah Mormont Daario Naharis Ellaria Sand Davos Seaworth Jon Snow High Sparrow Arya Stark Bran Stark Catelyn Stark Ned Stark Rickon Stark Robb Stark Sansa Stark Daenerys Targaryen Viserys Targaryen Samwell Tarly Brienne of Tarth Margaery Tyrell Olenna Tyrell Varys Ygritte World Languages Dothraki Valyrian Themes Iron Throne White Walker Miscellaneous Fandom Book Ramin Djawadi Soundtracks Film Beat the Drum Thunderbirds Blade : Trinity Open Season Mr. Brooks Iron Man The Unborn Clash of the Titans A Turtle 's Tale : Sammy 's Adventures Fright Night Safe House Red Dawn Pacific Rim Dracula Untold Warcraft The Great Wall The Mountain Between Us A Wrinkle in Time Television Prison Break Prison Break : Season 3 & 4 Person of Interest Person of Interest : Season 2 Person of Interest : Season 3 & 4 Game of Thrones Season 1 5 6 7 Westworld Video game Medal of Honor Need for Speed : Shift 2 -- Unleashed Medal of Honor : Warfighter Gears of War 4 Songs `` Game of Thrones Theme '' `` The Rains of Castamere '' `` The Bear and the Maiden Fair '' `` Light of the Seven '' Tours Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience Related Discography Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Game_of_Thrones_Theme&oldid=855651800 '' Categories : Music of Game of Thrones Television theme songs 2011 songs 2011 compositions Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Uses authors parameter All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from August 2018 Articles with hAudio microformats Audio sample to be checked Talk Contents About Wikipedia Languages Ελληνικά Edit links This page was last edited on 19 August 2018, at 21 : 51 ( UTC ). 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Question: what is the game of thrones theme song called
Answer: Game of Thrones Main Title Theme