Composer Barry De Vorzon shared the history of "The Young and the Restless" theme song with The Tennessean in 2022, explaining that he originally wrote the song for the 1971 movie "Bless the Beasts and Children." It was called "Cotton's Dream" and played during a climatic scene in which a young boy named Cotton died. "It was such a sad, meaningful moment," De Vorzon said. "I worked on that little cue the same way I would work on a hit song because, the only way I know how to speak through the emotions is with melody." De Vorzon's music from the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song, but when he didn't win, he moved on to other projects.
Then, he received a call in 1973 from a producer who wanted to use the song as the theme to "The Young and the Restless." De Vorzon didn't hesitate. "I said, 'Well, if you were here, I'd be kissing your hands. Of course! Yeah, let's do it.' So "Cotton's Dream" becomes 'Theme from The Young and Restless,'" he explained.
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