Absolutely Fabulous Theme Song
Comedy Theme Song Archive

Absolutely Fabulous Theme Song And Lyrics

updated on
Song TitleThis Wheel’s on Fire / Absolutely Fabulous
ComposersBob Dylan & Rick Danko
Performed ByJulie Driscoll & Adrian Edmondson
Premiere DateNovember 12, 1992
Final Episode DateDecember 24, 2003 (Original Run)
Total Episodes39 (5 Seasons) + Specials
Original NetworkBBC
CreatorsJennifer Saunders & Dawn French

Absolutely Fabulous Theme Song Lyrics

The main theme used for the series is a cover of “This Wheel’s on Fire,” while the “Absolutely Fabulous” dance mix by the Pet Shop Boys remains a cult classic associated with the series.

Lights! Models! Guest list! Just do your best, darling. Absolutely fabulous We’re absolutely fabulous Darling, you are a fabulous, wonderful individual… Oh thank you, darling. ..and remember, I’ve known you longer than your daughter. Champers all right for you, Pats? Lovely, Sweetie. Shall we finish off the beluga or shall we have some smoked salmon and nibbly things? Oh, whatever, Sweetie. All right, we’ll finish off the beluga. Dull, soulless dance music. Bip bip bip. Bop bop bop. Ride on time, ride on time. Techno, techno, bloody techno, darling! Chanel, Dior, Lagerfeld, Givenchy, Gaultier, darling. Names, names, names! Harper’s, Tatler, English Vogue, American Vogue, French Vogue, bloody Aby-bloody-ssinian bloody Vogue, darling! Lacroix, Sweetie, Lacroix. Lacroix, Sweetie, Lacroix. Sweetie! Sweetie! Sweetie! Sweetie! Absolutely fabulous…

Behind the Music: Meaning & Story

The Absolutely Fabulous theme song is a brilliant blend of classic rock history and modern camp. While the main opening credits use a cover of “This Wheel’s on Fire” (originally written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko), it is famously performed for the show by Julie Driscoll and Adrian Edmondson (Jennifer Saunders’ husband). The song’s psychedelic roots provide a “quirky vibe” that perfectly matches the drug-and-alcohol-fueled eccentricities of Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone.

Premiering on November 12, 1992, the sitcom was a spin-off of a sketch from French and Saunders. The lyrics and dialogue samples featured in the extended “Absolutely Fabulous” single by the Pet Shop Boys (released in 1994 for charity) became an anthem for the series. It features Edina’s obsession with high-fashion “names, names, names!” like Lacroix, Chanel, and Dior, and the “dull, soulless dance music” she ironically loves.

Throughout its 39 episodes, the music underscored the “legacy of laughter and glamour” that Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley brought to the screen. The theme song transitioned through various arrangements over the years, including a version by Debbie Harry for later specials, but the spirit of “This Wheel’s on Fire” remained the steady heartbeat of the show’s “irreverent spirit.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who originally wrote the theme song?
The main theme “This Wheel’s on Fire” was written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko (of The Band) in 1967.
What is ‘Lacroix’ and why do they say it so much?
Christian Lacroix is a high-fashion French couturier. Edina’s constant exclamation of “Lacroix, Sweetie!” became one of the show’s most famous catchphrases, symbolizing her obsession with luxury brands.
Did the Pet Shop Boys write the theme?
No, but they produced a special dance track called “Absolutely Fabulous” in 1994 for Comic Relief. It heavily sampled dialogue from the show and is often mistaken for the main theme due to its popularity in clubs.
✅
Editorial Note: Content for Absolutely Fabulous has been verified by the ThemeSong.info Editorial Team. Music credits for Bob Dylan, Rick Danko, and the Pet Shop Boys have been accurately cited based on BBC production records.