Song Exploder is a podcast where musicians deconstruct their songs and tell the stories behind how they were made. In the past, it’s explored tracks from Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron music to the tUnE-yArDs and more. In the newest episode, musician, creator, and host Hrishikesh Hirway and Ramin Djawadi break down the tune that gets us every time: Game of Thrones (Main Title Theme).
Game of Thrones premiered on HBO in April 2011, and soon became the most watched show in HBO’s history. The main title theme was written by Emmy-nominated composer Ramin Djawadi. In this episode, he’ll break down the different elements in the piece, and how themes within the show, like the treachery of Westeros, inspired his composition and choice of instruments.
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Watch the main title sequence for Game of Thrones:
And check out this great deconstruction of the visuals over at Art of the Title. Buy the Game of Thrones original soundtrack here.
Referenced in this episode
There are many, many more cover versions out there.
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How tUnE-yArDs Turned the Drought into a Dance Song
Hear the Original Demos That Became the “Downton Abbey” Theme Music
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