Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 12:00 am
TV Poll: What's Your Favorite Theme Song?
I've been watching a lot of old DVDs and TV shows lately, and one thing that always does my heart good is hearing old theme songs. Not because they're better or worse necessarily than today's, but because they're so long. This is the thing about TV that most tells you how the world has changed since then--not the lack of cursing or sex or violence, but the reminder that once, for all its faults, our world was not yet a place where every spare second of human production was monetized down to the second to squeeze out every possible dime. All those extra verses and super-sized credits sequences--they left millions on the table.
Anyway, because it's summer, because it's slow and because I'm nosy, I want to know your favorite TV theme song, any era. Me, I'll always have a soft spot for Suicide Is Painless, from MASH, because my class sang it in a school concert when I was in fifth grade. If you had a group of ten-year-olds sing a song with "suicide" in the lyrics today, you'd be sued down to your last toenail, but what can I say? It was the '70s.
Let me hear you sing in the comments. Believe it or not, I'm walking on air!
About Tuned In
James Poniewozik writes TIME magazine's Tuned In column, about pop culture and society. Tuned In, the blog version, is about the stuff we used to call "TV," whether it's in your living room, on your computer or -- once the networks figure out the technology and line up the advertisers -- in your dreams themselves. Read more
RSS Feed
 |
Daily Email
Recent Posts
Tuned In - TIME.com Archives
Blogroll
- Aaron Barnhart’s TV Barn
- About Last Night
- Alan Sepinwall
- Arts & Letters Daily
- Blogher Career
- Brazen Careerist
- BuzzMachine
- Defamer
- Heather Havrilesky
- James Wolcott
- Matt Zoller Seitz
- Maureen Ryan
- Melanie McFarland
- Metafilter
- Peter Ames Carlin
- Popwatch
- Romenesko
- Television Without Pity
- Tim Goodman
- TV Guide blogs
- TV Newser
- TV Tattle
- Undercover Black Man
- Virginia Heffernan
- Zap2It’s TV Blog
More TIME Blogs
Top Stories
- Obama's Stimulus: Jump-Starting His Long-Term Agenda
- Prospects for a Truce Still Dim in Gaza
- New Data Says House Prices May Be Nearing a Bottom
- Dying for Journalism: Lasantha Wickrematunge of Sri Lanka
- The Bush Administration's Most Despicable Act
- Why Can't Big Oil Match Hugo ChÁvez?
- The Great California Fiscal Earthquake
- Why Are Deer Being Smuggled into Texas?
- Pakistan Continues to Resist India Pressure on Mumbai
- Where Has Bernie Madoff Buried His Loot?
Top Photoessays and Slideshows
- China's Electronic Waste Village
- Photos: Heartbreak in the Middle East
- Alfred Shaheen: Pioneer of the Hawaiian Shirt
- An Album of Presidents and Their Children
- Israeli Soldiers Sweep Into Gaza
- The Science of Snowflakes
- Five Years Roving the Red Planet
- Presidential Days at the Beach
- New Ways to Boost Energy Efficiency
- Fidel Castro in the Jungle
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 12:55 am
Soft spot here for the Doctor Who theme music. No lyrics, but it was composed by Ron Grainer and developed into the theme version by electronic music pioneer Delia Derbyshire--and it's lasted for decade after decade after decade... Just the first few thrums call me back to being a teenager (in good fun ways, not realistic awful ways).
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 3:04 am
Fresh Prince of BelAir
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 5:55 am
Suicide is Painless was the theme from the original Altman film on which the MASH was based. IIRC, the lyric itself was never used in the TV show. (but what kind of school has fifth graders singing a song called 'Suicide is Painless?')
I don't know if I have a favorite, but The theme from Laverne and Shirley is a great music.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 6:58 am
@p_luk: You are correct on both counts, although I don't recall whether the Altman film used the lyrics either. But I still have the lyrics committed to memory. Maybe we need two divisions, like the Oscars: best original theme and best "adapted" theme.
@ Richard: there's another thing we don't see any more--the theme with lyrics that tell you exactly what the premise and backstory of the show is. Someone should write one for Lost. It would be the length of an entire episode. And you could set it to the music of Fresh Prince. (Now this is the story all about how / My plane got ripped, turned upside down...)
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 7:17 am
The Altman film did use the lyrics. The song was sung during the suicide/last supper scene for The Dental Don Juan of Detroit, Walt Waldowski aka The Painless Pole.
BTW, the lyrics were written by Robert Altman son, Michael.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 8:06 am
Not sure I'm getting the idea of Theme Song as used in this question correctly but my girlfriend and I love the opening song for Firefly.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 8:22 am
The theme song that I will NEVER forget - and all the words to it and that best defines my childhood as well would be "The Brady Bunch". Come on, you know you're singing it too...! Cheesy, yes. Classic, yes.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 8:25 am
It's theme songs folks! Exactly what the TV brass do NO want these days. They are afraid of itchy remote fingers. But wow...back in the Day...60's...70's...and into the 80's....what a golden age of theme songs.
Here's a story...about a man named BRADY! (The Brady Bunch)
Now sit right back and hear a tale...a tale of a fateful trip...that started from this tropic port... (Gilligan's Island)
Who can turn the world on with her smile....who can take a NOTHING date...and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile.. (Mary Tyler Moore).
.....those were the daaaaaaaaaaaaaays. (All in the Family)
And the wordless themes....Lost in Space, Star Trek, Perry Mason, Peter Gunn, St. Elsewhere....
Just so many. Today...you are lucky to get a two note HOOK. It's sad...and I miss them all!
Who can tru
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 9:11 am
I'm working on writing a parody of a sitcom theme song as part of a project this summer, and as principal inspiration I'm drawing on two of my favorite sitcom theme songs, even though they are animated [which doesn't matter, as far as I'm concerned]: The Flintstones and The Jetsons.
There's that brassy element in both of them that I'm trying to use as a hook, not to mention that the lyrics are so classic.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 9:23 am
Theme from SWAT and Miami Vice are my votes.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 9:33 am
I love the Star Trek - Next Generation theme song, and love the Buffy the Vampire theme and the "somebody save me" theme from Smallville. The Brady Bunch theme song will, unfortunately, be stuck in my head ad nauseum in perpetuity, although I really wish it weren't!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 9:42 am
Magnum P.I., the one and only ringtone for my cellphone.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 9:48 am
Gotta go with the Lonely Man Theme from The Incredible Hulk. Still chokes me up.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 9:50 am
How can you not start at the top, at that "deeeluuuxe apartment in the skyyyy?" Although it's interesting that a remix is now being used in a flashy car commercial or something.
Since I was at the right impressionable age in the 70s, I also have a soft spot for the themes from "Alice" and "One Day at a Time." Singing along at the top of the show was the best part!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 9:54 am
There are so many I could list! The A-Team was a good one, and Miami Vice (I admit it, I had the soundtrack on cassette...) The Greatest American Hero theme was so good that I tracked it down and bought the 45. The original Battlestar Galactica opening, not so much the theme song, but the voiceover, is so classic (although the theme was good too!)
And all the kids shows I used to watch are springing to mind too. The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, The Great Space Coaster, and 321 Contact are all good ones. Sesame Street holds a special place in my heart.
But the Firefly theme is my all time favorite. It's such an amazing piece of music.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 9:59 am
Maybe it's generational but I remember some really great cartoon themes like Underdog and Hong-Kong Phooey (admittedly the cartoons themselves were debatable.)
And the A-team.. classic! And I fear for the day when there will be a generation that grows up not knowing all the words to the Gilligan's Island theme song.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 10:01 am
The Ponz:
Great topic. Might I suggest themes from The Rockford Files (instant wayback machine to the 70's watching TV with Dad) and Barney Miller (that fantastic opening base line).
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 10:01 am
I appreciate the fact that Gilmore Girls introduced Carol King to a new generation - the same teenage girls who complained relentlessly when I played James Taylor in my classroom simply started singing along when "Where You Lead" would come on.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 10:07 am
Bonanza, Cheers, Branded, Rifleman, Lost in Space, Star Trek (the Patrick Stewart one, used the Jerry Goldsmith theme from the Robert Wise film), Courtship of Eddie's Father, Six Feet Under, ROME, Dick Van Dyke Show, Beverly Hillbillies, etc. etc. For most of today's shows, I'd be hard pressed to recall an identifiable theme. In the glory days, the music theme got you excited as the show came on.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 10:28 am
Being from the UK I can think of some classics that stick in my head, The various versions of the Black Adder theme, especially season 2 with different lyrics for each show. The theme from Red Dwarf especially the line "goldfish shoals nibbling at my toes". US themes, currently Dexter it has that nice suburbia feel but with a creepy dark undertone. Fresh Prince, I sit there and rap along each time it comes on as I am sure most people do if not out loud. Tis true though that most new TV shows have unmemorable themes, very sad indeedy.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 10:41 am
GOOD TIMES. Though, as a 8-year-old white kid in the suburbs I didn't quite understand it all, I think I understood the bittersweet irony.
Also - Brady Bunch, Facts of Life, Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Mr. Ed.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 11:04 am
Youngins the lot of you... Two great oldies:
1. Hawaii 5-0
2. Dragnet
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 11:05 am
Ah, one more.
Mission Impossible
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 11:33 am
How can we have this discussion without mentioning the musical styling of Alan Thicke (a.k.a. Jason Seaver of "Growing Pains") who wrote the theme songs to "Diff'rent Strokes" AND "The Facts of Life"?
I really think, though, that the 80s were the golden era of TV theme songs - Airwolf, MacGyver, Greatest American Hero, Growing Pains, Who's the Boss?, Family Ties (Sha-na-na-naaaaa!), Miami Vice, Hill Street Blues, Cheers, and the "change it every season" theme song of the Cosby Show.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 11:36 am
Some moderns classics:
-Arrested Development
-Curb Your Enthusiasm
-Seinfeld
All understated (compared to the older songs), but all very memorable, recognizable, and hummable.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 11:52 am
I second the Rockford Files theme. Was also released as a hit single! When's that going to happen again?
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 11:57 am
ummmm.WKRP in Cincy....great opening and closing theme......
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Ronnie: Thanks for the second. And chris Larry: I second the WKRP suggestion. Awesome theme for an awesome show. Speaking of 'KRP, what about the jingle-within-a-theme which would be "Red wrigglers/They're the Cadillac of worms/Red wrigglers/They're the Cadillac of worms"?
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 12:14 pm
The Family Matters theme
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Some GREAT themes there folks! I'd entirely forgotten the cartoon themes! FLINTSTONES...meeeeeet the Flintsones...the Modern Stone-Age family! lolol
Meet George Jetson....his boy Elroy...daughter Judy...Jane his wife....duhduhduh duhduh duhhhh.....lolol
Man, this is fun!
Anyone remember those great CD's of original theme songs! They re-released them a couple years back...over 100 to a collection! The Holy Grail! lol TV Tunes...that was it! lol
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 12:17 pm
From KRP, the jingle for that funeral home.
Hey, you're young and swinging
No time to think about tomorrow
One thing that you can't deny it
One day, you're going to bite it
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 12:25 pm
"Boy the way Glenn Miller played...
Songs that made the HIT PARAAAAADE..."
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Does Law and Order's "Doink-Doink" count as a theme song?
And in terms of its appropriateness to the show, I think the Burke's Law theme is masterful (or, Mastersonful... ) It starts out slow and 'elegant' to reflect the "sophisticated millionaire" aspect of the Amos Burke, but slowly morphs into a brassy stacatto in keeping with the "detective/crime" show motif.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 12:41 pm
HAWAII 5-0
GREATEST AMERICAN HERO
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 12:46 pm
The Honeymooners.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I've only seen three episodes, but the Charles in Charge theme, "Charles in Charge."
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Hard to argue with Hawaii 5-0
Let's see what else I have on my iPod:
Monday Night Football
The Prisoner
Spider-Man (the 60s animated series)
Speed Racer
The "Get Smart" theme did a great job of sounding like a spy comedy.
We're DVRing some old Simon & Simon - that's an underrated theme song, at least based on how much it sticks in my head now.
Present Day:
The 4400
Psych
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 4:35 pm
I have a vinyl 45 of Jack Jones singing the theme to the Love Boat. To get it to a releasable length, they added in a long instrumental break... it's fan-freakin'-tastic!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Everyone that can hear knows that "The Jeffersons" and "Goodtimes" have the best theme songs.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 5:24 pm
The West Wing has a great theme song.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I may have the category killer here.
The Lone Ranger otherwise known as the William Tell Overture.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Im too young to know most of those but i definetly agree with the MNF and Simpons. I love the scrubs "theme" song though you only hear like one line on the show, the sopranos, and the family guy.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 9:28 pm
One of my favorite examples of a well known song being used was Homefront having "Don't Mess With Mr. In-Between" as its theme.
I echo the love for the "Firefly," "Barney Miller," "The Jeffersons" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" themes mentioned above. For a recent show, I loved Veronica Mars' "We Used to be Friends" - even the remix version of season 3.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Back in the day - "The Jeffersons"
Current - "The Sopranos"
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 11:25 pm
OK, I'm amazed no one else has mentioned it yet - "The Andy Griffith Show." Maybe it drove everyone else crazy, but I've always loved it.
I also agree on the theme from "The Simpsons." And as Conan O'Brien recently proved, the theme from "Full House" definitely has lasting power.
Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 6:27 am
I have ALWAYS, since I was a kid, loved the theme song to the movie: "MIDNIGHT COWBOY".
Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 6:39 am
Also, "Love Song for a Vampire", sung by Annie Lennox, from "Bram Stoker's Dracula". The song for "In the Heat of the Night" too.
Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 10:14 am
What?? No love for Three's Company? The wonderful show that gave us John Ritter, Suzanne 'Thigh Master Hormone WackJob' Summers and that other brunette?
C'mon!!! I wasn't even alive when that show was on tele and still know it!
I kind of like Lost's BOOM and Law and Order's Bong Bong and what about the chord progression from Heroes? Don't forget BSG's singing women and spoilerriffic poundy drums!
Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 10:20 am
Hawaii 5-0 ROCKS
...and the Adam's Family just for FUN
Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 10:49 am
All us "Scrubs" fans out there reading this surely have love for Ted and his acapella band, prowling the halls of Sacred Heart Hospital singing theme songs to prime-time shows (after deciding cartoon theme songs were SO lame).
-- "Gentlemen, we can rebuild him...."
-- "Charles in charge of our days and our nights..."
-- "You take the good, you take the bad, you take 'em both and there you have..."
Not to mention a stirring rendition of "Underdog."
Personally I have to show some love for The Rockford Files, Incredible Hulk, A-Team, Knight Rider, Love Boat, Hill Street Blues, Gilligan. Loved how creative Cosby was with his theme song; same basic tune every season, but reimagined.
I hate the way theme songs are so truncated now. The theme songs were part of the fun of watching all those great shows.