Rainn Wilson says The Office theme song was almost Mr. Blue Sky or Float On

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The American version of The Office employed a simple, piano-driven theme song that is inextricably tied to the show. It was made for the show by former Spirit singer Jay Ferguson, but a few existing tracks were also considered.

In his new memoir The Bassoon King, Rainn Wilson, the actor behind the inimitable Dwight Schrute, has a section titled “Random Office Memories,” in which he lists a bevy of pop classics that might have served as the show’s theme.

“Many songs were being considered seriously, including ‘Better Things’ by the Kinks and ‘Float On’ by Modest Mouse,” Wilson writes. “The one we all wanted most of all was ‘Mr. Blue Sky’ by Electric Light Orchestra. It’s a sensational song and its jubilant, upbeat refrain would have fit perfectly over the drab video of the opening credits.”

Alas, designs for the ELO number were crushed when the short-lived Heather Locklear series LAX used “Mr. Blue Sky” as its theme. But it’s hard to knock Ferguson’s composition. Maybe a Scrantonicity cover of “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” would have been the best.

The Bassoon King is available now.