Where does the famous “Tudum”, the introductory sound that can be heard before Netflix productions, come from? A generally accepted idea is that the series would come House of Cards. However, it is also claimed that it is an original composition. Added to this are theories accusing Netflix of rewriting history, to erase Kevin Spacey.
“Tudum”: these few notes, millions of people have already heard them. This is the sound that plays when the Netflix logo is displayed on the screen, before the works produced by the streaming platform. Appeared in 2015, this tudum has quickly become one of the most distinctive elements of Netflix, like Leo the roaring lion from the production company MGMOr Pixar's jumping lamp.
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If the tudum is now Netflix's signature sound, its origin is the subject of disagreement. Roughly speaking, two theories clash on the Internet about the genesis of this jingle. There are many, notably in the mediato associate it with one of the most emblematic series of the platform, House of Cards.
With six seasons and seventy-three episodes, House of Cards was the first studio-produced TV series for Netflix — and incidentally one of its biggest hits. The story develops a political intrigue in the United States around Frank Underwood, a very influential and power-hungry politician, played by Kevin Spacey.
But the filiation of this sound to House of Cards is not unanimous. Other sources state that this tudum has no connection with this production. There was even talk of replacing it with… the cry of a goat.
Why do we associate the tudum has House of Cards ?
It all starts from a scene at the very end of season 2 – be careful, the rest contains spoilers. At this point in the story, the hero of the series, Frank Underwood, manages to achieve his goal. He becomes the president of the United States. And, to mark the occasion, he hits the Oval Office with his fist, twice and very quickly. Many extracts run online to provide proof.
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The sound heard when Frank Underwood's hand hits the wood is indeed very close to the tudum, not to say identical. Same rhythm, same resonance, same sound characteristics. Closing your eyes, you can easily imagine the glowing Netflix logo appearing at the same time.
An urban legend, according to Netflix veterans
But this connection would be an illusion, according to Netflix veterans. In any case, this is what Todd Yellin says, who worked for 17 years at the platform, from 2006 to 2022, notably as product manager. This is also what Lon Bender, a sound designer who won the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing in 1996, says.
Interviewed in 2020 by the Twenty Thousands Hertz podcast, covered by Entertainment Weeklythe two returned to the creation of their logo in 2015 – after the broadcast of the final episode of season 2 of House of Cardswhich took place in February 2014. The first season aired a year before, with filming taking place in 2012.
Lon Bender, who participated in the creation of this famous sound identity, explains that he created this sound by being inspired by the sound of his wedding ring hitting a wooden cabinet. He says he then added sound effects, like depth and a reversed electric guitar sound. A coincidence, therefore, to hear it.
For a time, the Netflix teams hesitated with other avenues, according to Todd Yellin. Two ideas particularly stood out: a “ sound of bubbles coming from the depths of the ocean » and… a goat cry. “ I liked the sound of the goat. It was funny. It was eccentric. He was our version of Leo the Lion “, he said in the podcast.
A rewriting of history, according to fans
This official explanation, however, is not likely to suit some fans of House of Cards. Some suggest that the theory that the tudum The series just started being shared on Twitter in 2020.
However, at this time, Kevin Spacey was not in the odor of sanctity: he was accused of sexual assault on several men (he has since been found not guilty), and was excluded from the end of House of Cards. On the Reddit forum dedicated to the seriesfans are sure: the story told in the podcast was constructed to distance Kevin Spacey from Netflix's signature sound.
“ They claim that their tudum sound is not the sound of Frank banging on the Oval Office table, even though it first appeared in a credits after this episode, and clearly sounds the same, and that there would be no links between the two. As a fan, this annoys me. They are trying to erase the incredible effect that House of Cards had on Netflix », Says a particularly bitter Internet user.
Others see it as a targeted attack against the actor, and accuse Netflix of rewriting history. One of them even launched a call to find someone capable of “ professionally compare the two sounds, to see if they have the same source. “. The official version, however, remains the one presented by Todd Yellin and Lon Bender.
