A No. The best TV theme songs and TV intros of all time will take you back to some of the greatest moments in TV. Though the song never charted, Jones nevertheless included it in his Greatest Hits collection. When the show was retooled for season 2 (which included replacing four of the girls — one of whom was a young Molly Ringwald — with Nancy McKeon’s Jo), portions of the lyrics were rewritten, including the addition of the more famous “You take the good, you take the bad” opening line. Happy Days generated a remarkable seven spin-offs (two of which were animated). We begin with Part 1: Theme songs for live-action shows. The Saturday Evening Post is a nonprofit organization funded primarily by our members. Thanks for putting these together. I could go on and on but you get the idea. Check. only lasted two seasons. It was revived for a short run in the early 1990s, and retained the theme (albeit updated a bit, musically). Tom Morello of the band Rage Against the Machine suggested that bands should be considered for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the basis of “impact, influence, and awesomeness”; we’ll use a similar criteria of catchiness, memorability, and appropriateness to rank TV theme songs. The theme opens with portentous classical sounds, and then kicks into full-on sci-fi disco. Check. We are the Famous Five, Julian, d___ and Anne, George and Timmy the dog, We are the Famous Five, We're coming back to you, When ever there's time, Time after time. 2 on the Hot 100 in America and charting in five other countries. The first, and most successful, was Laverne & Shirley, which followed two single gals who first appeared on Days as friends of the Fonz. The first one he did for ‘Crime Story’ was too close to the 1961 version. This video is a compilation of top series of all time. Given the greenlight for a series after a TV movie, actress Cathy Lee Crosby was replaced with Lynda Carter. The tune, set against a spare opening of mafia underboss Tony Soprano driving home through New Jersey, evokes the dark tone of the series. Raymond Burr headlined two much-loved dramas with highly regarded theme songs. The ’68-’80 episodes otherwise were great, of course. Uploaded to YouTube by GreatestShowsOnEarth. The theme’s lyrics reference the hardships that the Evans family faced in the projects, notably the hard-to-hear-unless-you-know-the-words “hangin’ in a chow line.”. The release was a massive hit around the world between 1995 and 1997, and notched No. In fact you ignore every theme song from the early TV years. The gypsies seem in a hurry to leave, and when the five follow, they are told to "clear off and leave us alone." Do they realize that that is the only television theme song to reach #1 on the Billboard Top 100…to the creators of this list…up your nose with a rubber hose. Impossible Missions Force trivia tidbit: In the 1980s series, Phil Morris plays the son of the character that his father, Greg Morris, played on the original series. He would go on to write the theme for Dallas and score 55 episodes of the show. Abbott and Costello; Addams Family; All in the Family; Andy Griffith Show; Beverly Hillbillies; Brady Bunch; Dick Van Dyke Show; Honeymooners; I Love Lucy; Monty Python’s Flying Circus; Sesame Street; The Muppet Show; The Three Stooges; TV Theme Songs… The Adventures of William Tell - Gioachino Rossini, lyrics were added by Harold Purcell and were sung by David... C - D. Car 54, Where Are You? The show also had the distinction of being one of the few hour-long American series to employ a laugh track. Famous Opening Theme (54) Cult Tv (48) Sitcom (44) Male Protagonist (30) 1970s (23) Husband Wife Relationship (23) ... specializing in security assignments against any subversive element which threatened world peace. Become a Saturday Evening Post member and enjoy unlimited access. Visit Tunefind for music from your favorite TV shows and movies. Your email address will not be published. Wonder Woman had an unusual production history. The elder Altman would later note on The Tonight Show that the song’s use in the film and TV series had subsequently earned his son over $1 million in royalties. The first version was used for season 1 and featured star Charlotte Rae and a number of the seven featured young ladies trading lines. The Famous Five is a British television series based on the children's books of the same name by Enid Blyton.It was broadcast on ITV over two series in 1978 and 1979. The first season, set during World War II, ran on ABC. However, difficulties with the network, a loss of momentum after the revelation of Laura Palmer’s killer, and constant time-slot disruptions (due, in part, to the Gulf War) led to the show not being renewed after the second season. Genres (Tv): Animation, Sitcom, Animated cartoon, Children's television series, Comedy, Genres (Tv): Black comedy, Sitcom, Comedy, Fantasy, Genres (Tv): Sitcom, Musical, Comedy, Family Film, Genres (Tv): Comedy, Fantasy, Animation, Mystery, Situation comedy, Genres (Tv): Animation, Children's television series, Comedy, Genres (Tv): Sketch comedy, Variety show, Children's television series, Live action, Comedy, Genres (Tv): Black comedy, Medical drama, Sitcom, Satire, Military, Genres (Tv): Action/Adventure, Sitcom, Comedy, Action, Camp, Genres (Tv): Crime Fiction, Action/Adventure, Police procedural, Crime, Drama, Genres (Tv): Animation, Television comedy, Comedy, Family Film, Genres (Tv): Espionage, Crime Fiction, Action/Adventure, Drama, Adventure film, Genres (Tv): Sketch comedy, Education, Animation, Children's television series, Live action, Genres (Tv): Anthology, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction, Genres (Tv): Sitcom, Children's television series, Comedy, Family Film, Genres (Tv): Action/Adventure, Drama, Adventure film, Action, Science Fiction, Genres (Tv): Action/Adventure, Drama, Adventure film, Comedy-drama, Comedy. We all have a special connection to what we think are the best TV … Dont forget to subscribe my channel. Sometimes the best is just the best. Though most people associate this song with the TV series, Gold’s original recording of Thank You for Being a Friend hit No. Also, Dr. Who should be much higher IMHO. Jim Rockford was conveyed in this terrific number by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter. Covers by members of U2. It was the first TV theme to have its sound rooted in synthesizer. Jerrold Immel broke into television composing scores for Gunsmoke in the early 1970s. Some readers might recognize the song from Fall Out Boy’s 2015 song “Uma Thurman,” which used the theme as the source for its primary sample. We’ll also be breaking this list into three distinct categories: live-action, animated, and spoken-word/voiceover themes. What about the mod squad and Barney miller those were also great tunes. CSI? The Leftovers (Season 2) Aired: June 29, 2014 – June 4, 2017 (HBO) Theme Song: Iris DeMent “Let … Though there have been a number of versions, you know that theme when you hear it. Legal drama Perry Mason’s theme had a jazzy swagger that befitted the character borne from Erle Stanley Gardner’s detective stories (some of which ran in The Saturday Evening Post). 12 Songs Given Second Lives as Famous TV Show Themes ... tune “Far from Any Road” as the opening theme to the 2014 series. This is another theme that switched between seasons. The words and music were by George Wyle and show creator Sherwood Schwartz. Mauldo, you’re right about ‘Dallas’ being too low, but at least it was included. Sherwood Schwartz again? Innumerable references in popular culture. Song explains the plot? What are the best TV theme songs? Not sure how/why the “Fresh Prince” theme was even chosen at all, but oh well. It goes on a bit too long however at the end, as much as I love the saxophone. Jazz composer Neal Hefti was nominated for three Grammys and won one for his work on Batman. Missing from this list has to be Knight Rider, Party of Five, E.R., Blue Bloods, all the CSI’s even NCIS. Those lyrics were written by the director’s son, who was only 14 at the time. A version of the music was used in the 2003 film adaptation, which starred Samuel L. Jackson. ER? Your email address will not be published. However, on this earlier program, Thicke sang lead. If you think The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song was the coolest or you loved the Friends intro song...by all means, vote! Troy, Troy, Troy…. Producer Glen A. Larson wanted to develop a show featuring a stunt man. Hawaii Five-0. He hit with The Odd Couple and followed with phenom Happy Days. From the first talkie, theme songs in movies have found a treasured place in the popular consciousness, as these 50 best film songs prove. This series' track was noticeably more upbeat than that of Jimmy Neutron but still had the same pop-rock vibe the band is … Television theme songs set the tone for the entire series, and for the beginning of each episode. Both of those are in the Spoken Word List; the link is at the top of this story. The short first season was a critically praised, must-watch hit. Inspired by the song, Larson created the character of Colt Seavers, a stunt man and bounty hunter. Of course the same can be said for the even more awful 2010-20?? Mission: Impossible Another TV theme composed by Lalo Schifrin and played by the ferociously talented “Working Crew” of L.A. sidemen. The Famous Five are holidaying at a Riding School, when a group of gypsies traveling by turn up with an injured horse. The theme, Falling, was derived from a song that Lynch and his frequent collaborator Angelo Badalamenti wrote for singer Julee Cruise. Both fantastic lists, yet I think I like the ‘Spoken-Word’ list better. From its diverse cast to its multi-episode stories to its handheld cameras and innovative editing, the show broke ground in different levels of writing and production, earning 98 Emmys during its run. The tic-tac-toe board layout of the opening sequence and the song itself have been parodied many times, including a recent take by the actors of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hey guys I need your genuine support . The theme, which is actually called “Yo Home to Bel-Air,” puts the show’s premise and Smith’s talent on full display. Five years after "Jimmy Neutron" aired on Nick, "Phineas And Ferb" debuted on rival network the Disney Channel, with Bowling for Soup adding another theme song to their repertoire. Country legend Waylon Jennings nailed the spirit of a show about car chases and misadventures with his plot-explaining anthem. From Mad Men to Breaking Bad, check out the best TV theme songs here. Unlike some superhero themes that would never be used today, the classic still pops up in places like Wonder Woman’s guest appearance on Batman: The Brave and the Bold. NYPD Blue? In a move similar to the later “couch gag” on The Simpsons, each episode’s theme song ended with a different noise emanating from Gonzo’s horn, usually followed by a punch line. While season one did contain Rod Serling’s immortal speechifying in the intro, it had fairly standard music by Bernard Herrmann. For Part 3, read The 40 Greatest Animated TV Series Theme Songs. A few that were missed, Rawhide by frankie lane, Bonanza theme,and my top pick Runaway 1986, Del Shannon redid his original 1961 hit Runaway. I kept waiting for two of them….obviously The Rockford Files Which came in at number 2…and Welcome Back , Kotter …and that is a disgrace that it is not on the list at all never mind top 5. The No. The best TV theme songs and TV intros of all time will take you back to some of the greatest moments in TV. For Part 2, read The 25 Greatest TV Theme Songs of All Time: Spoken-Word. At the time, we commented on the “famously spooky opening theme.” Mark Snow composed the theme; it was used in the nine original seasons, the two revival seasons, and in both theatrical films. Visionary film director David Lynch did the unthinkable in 1990. Required fields are marked *. 25 on the Hot 100 in 1978. These are the 100 theme songs that have the right mix of excellence, memorability, and relevance. The TV series spun out of the successful 1970 film by Robert Altman; that movie featured a version of Suicide Is Painless complete with lyrics. 3 hit on the Hot 100. The indisputably awesome funk-driven theme song, however, was a No. The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! We’re practically legally obligated to include this one. The memorable track with a single lyric (“Batman!”) paired wonderfully with the animated intro, evoking the campy and comedic tone of the show. A giant of educational programming and the generator of countless beloved characters (and the proving ground for The Muppet Show), the show has won an unbelievable 189 Emmy awards during its run. Widely praised by a variety of publications and websites, it’s generally considered among the best of TV show theme music throughout the history of the medium. The popular Redd Foxx/Demond Wilson sitcom featured the catchy funk of Quincy Jones. His first hit, based on the film that he wrote, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, came packed with a great theme. 1 on the Billboard Album Chart. Martin, HBO’s Game of Thrones became a worldwide fantasy phenomenon. Subscribe now, Culture, Movies, Movies for the Rest of Us. It also won a Grammy in 1975. The Famous Five is a series of children's adventure novels written by English author Enid Blyton.The first book, Five on a Treasure Island, was published in 1942.The novels feature the adventures of a group of young children – Julian, Dick, Anne and Georgina (George) – and their dog Timmy. How do you determine the greatest TV show theme songs of all time? I agree with you Keith about ‘Runaway 1986’, but I’ll make it more specific for you. The first season used a re-recorded version of Bill Haley and His Comets seminal Rock Around the Clock for the opening, with the Happy Days theme (with Jimmy Haas on lead vocals) playing over the end credits. However, it earned a cult following and is fondly remembered by TV critics. Any list that does not include The Lone Ranger has absolutely no credibility. A theme song is a TV show's first impression. We’ve covered the origin of The Monkees more than once in this magazine. Incorporating electric guitar and some very 1970s keys, “The Rockford Files” had a four-month chart run in 1975, eventually hitting No. A single with both the instrumental and Cruise versions charted in over a dozen countries between 1990 and 1991. The majestic main theme is by composer Ramin Djawadi, whose body of work includes creating additional music for Hans Zimmer scores for movies like Iron Man, Batman Begins, and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. It’s very of its time, but awesome lives forever. Space 1999 made the list but not Star Trek? 10 on the Hot 100 in 1981. The theme itself was written by Boyce and Hart, the songwriting team that also composed other Monkees tunes, like “Last Train to Clarksville” and “(I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone,” as well as other 1960s hits like “Come a Little Bit Closer” for Jay and The Americans. The premise turned on the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha, who have to try to survive when the moon is knocked out of Earth’s orbit. This prompted a resurrection of the show that ran from 1964 to 1968. It ended up being the 11th biggest hit song of 1981 in the States. From the second season to the tenth season, the Happy Days theme was moved to the front; the 11th season featured an updated version with Bobby Arvon on lead vocals. In one of the theme songs that actually states the show’s premise, “The Ballad” explains how the S.S. Minnow got lost in a storm with seven very different people aboard. The theme charts the Jefferson’s move from their old neighborhood to their new high-rise thanks to the success of George’s dry-cleaning chain. The Rembrandts co-wrote the original minute-long version of the tune with Friends producers David Crane and Marta Kauffman, Kaufman’s husband Michael Skloff, and musician Allee Willis. It’s hard to overestimate the impact of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Uploaded to YouTube by Ldolcebimbp francesco.C. Television theme songs set the tone for the entire series, and for the beginning of each episode. “Friday Night Lights” seems to be overlooked on all of these lists…. Frequently covered and used as a musical cue in film, the song received a second life in the 1980s as the music for the enormously popular Spy Hunter video game. Created by Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll, Hill Street Blues changed television almost immediately. All 2 songs featured in The Five season 1 episode 10: Episode 10, with scene descriptions. Both Sanford and Son and Good Times, along with a couple of upcoming entries on our list, were developed by super-producer Norman Lear. The theme song from “Route 66” should be on the list. 1 hit for Rhythm Heritage and sold over a million copies. Your support helps us preserve a great American legacy. Re-recorded for the series by Fee (and re-recorded again for later spin-off, The Golden Palace), the tune is now indelibly associated with Dorothy, Sophia, Rose, and Blanche. Along with writer Mark Frost, he created a TV series for a major broadcast network. These are the shows that you definitely should be watching, along with a few that you should avoid. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end? At the end of the final season, McGoohan left and launched the unofficial sequel, cult classic sci-fi show The Prisoner. Danger Man was a British TV series featuring Patrick McGoohan as secret agent John Drake. It was produced by Southern Television in 26 half-hour episodes. Largely whistled (by Hagen), actual musical instruments don’t come in until about halfway through the 30-second theme. Veronica Mars ran three seasons, had a film continuation released in 2014, and will return for a multi-episode run on Hulu this year. He also created themes for other shows like Dallas spin-off Knots Landing and the third season of Walker, Texas Ranger. British electronic act Alabama 3 (called A3 in the U.S. to avoid confusion with country band Alabama) blended their modern approach with the mood of a bluesy murder ballad. https://observer.com/2016/04/the-30-best-tv-theme-songs-of-all-time A spin-off of the hit show The Rookies, S.W.A.T. With Marcus Harris, Gary Russell, Jennifer Thanisch, Michele Galagher. CBS picked up the show for the next two seasons, but moved the setting to the 1970s. Why not 500? 1 hit for Jan Hammer in 1985, the Miami Vice theme was as cutting-edge and of-the-moment as you could find on TV. © Copyright 2021 Saturday Evening Post Society. Thanks Troy! 1968-1980, 2010-present; by Morton Stevens. All 28 songs featured in The Five Season 1 Soundtrack, listed by episode with scene descriptions. one Tree hill theme song for season 1 is amazing. You have obviously never heard of “Airwolf”, one of the greatest themes in the history of TV. All 4 songs featured in The Five season 1 episode 5: Episode 5, with scene descriptions. Singer Jack Jones performed the title tune that was used for the first eight seasons of the show; Dionne Warwick did the version used in the final season. No Star Trek or Hart to Hart is criminal. I think sing-along ability should count for something. TV Themes - 50s 60s 70s Lyrics; TV Themes - 80s 90s Lyrics Part of the new success was owed to the rocking U.S. theme song, which became a No. Talking to Sniffer, the boy whose horse has a bad leg, they hear the gypsies are traveling to Mystery Moor. This is the worst list of all time, this was probably made by some 90 year old. Lee Majors, having worked with Larson on The Six Million Dollar Man, signed on to play Seavers and even sang the theme song. In honor of the 30 th anniversary of "Growing Pains," a show that featured one of the most memorable openings of all time, we take a look at the greatest TV theme songs in history. Jennings also served as narrator for the series. Despite that, the original ’68 opening sequence of music, photography and editing cant’t be beat. Sometimes the best is just the best. The theme from The Brady Bunch serves as a microcosm of our bigger list. This 2003 Dandy Warhols track was both bracingly of-the-moment and completely appropriate for the Kristen Bell-led teen detective show. Someone had the idea to put the wildly charismatic Will Smith, the “Fresh Prince” of hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, in a sitcom. We revisited the history of The X-Files in September 2018 for the show’s 25th anniversary. The show was a huge hit and launched Smith into an even more successful film career. Though certain parts of the song changed over the course of the five seasons, the core of “The Muppet Show Theme” remained the same. The theme was also used for Sanford, a brief revival that Wilson declined to join. Television TV Theme Lyrics - 50s, 60s, 70s Lyrics. Ask questions and download or stream the entire soundtrack on Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, & Amazon. Check. The album itself hit No. Accordingly, the iconic theme song, with its World War II references, was retooled as an instrumental. This was, in part, because of controversy surrounding the level of violence on the show. It’s theme tune (Eye Level) reached No.1 in the U.K. It won two Grammys in 1986. The Famous Five Enid Blyton Le Club Writing Promps Comebacks Nostalgia Lyrics Tv Shows Childhood. If Norman Lear was the king of 1970s sitcoms on CBS, his counterpart at ABC was Garry Marshall. More information... People also love these ideas Theme song to “Prisoner Cell Block H” is VASTLY better than any other TV theme music. It was performed by Sonny Rhodes, and remarkably infused the space theme into a traditional country tune. Packed to bursting with synth, electric guitars, and Cuban rhythms, the piece aimed to evoke the titular city, action, and fashion all at the same time. 50's Themes: • The Benny Hill Show Lyrics • I Love Lucy Lyrics • I Married Joan Lyrics • The Honeymooners Lyrics • Leave it to Beaver Lyrics • The Lone Ranger Lyrics • The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis Lyrics • The Mickey Mouse Club Lyrics • The Patty Duke Show Lyrics Visit Tunefind for music from your favorite TV shows and movies. The theme itself ran in its original form until 1992; since then, occasional and subtle changes in pacing and instrumentation have been made, but it’s still a classic. There have been a lot of shows. After a decent run on CBS, the show became enormously popular in syndication. Played today by Jodie Whittaker, the official 13th doctor (and first female), the character continues to command a devoted international following. Here are the 50 best TV theme songs as determined by Paste writers and staffers. It’s a daunting task. Someone was a genius. 21 on the pop chart and hit the top of the Hot 100 Country chart in 1980. The tune is absolutely unmistakable. The song was performed by creator Henson, Frank Oz, and other operators via their various characters. List of television theme music A - B. Why just 50? The show had five definitive spin-offs (a couple of which spun off their own shows). The theme was composed by Grainer, but the studio wizardry of Delia Derbyshire and Dick Mills incorporated the electronic sounds that made it legendary. Laverne herself, Penny Marshall (Garry’s sister), contributed the hopscotch chant that comes before the song in the opening credits. Are you kidding me? The song became so popular, with DJs playing it on the radio, that the group recorded an extended version for a single, and a companion video was produced featuring the six leads of the show. On the whole, the series was less about historical accuracy and more about slapstick comedy … No Star Trek?! Oy, vey! The Twilight Zone is a 1959 American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. Saturday night live? The 40 Greatest Animated TV Series Theme Songs, Review: Herself — Movies for the Rest of Us with Bill Newcott, Celebrating 200 Years: The Saturday Evening Post Is Born. The “I’ve been seen with Farrah” line was a reference to Majors’ then-marriage to Farrah Fawcett of Charlie’s Angels; she also appeared in The Fall Guy pilot. But, yeah, Bonanza should probably be on the list! Space: 1999 didn’t have a long run, but it left behind several generations of fans. Coincidentally, his friend (and frontman of The Diamonds) Dave Somerville had written a song about a stunt man for a show that never went forward. Tom Howe composed this theme tune which encapsulates the joy of The Great British Bake Off.. ... Charmed (" How Soon Is Now? One of the most instantly recognizable pieces of television music ever created, the Peter Gunn theme brought Henry Mancini an Emmy and two Grammys, including Album of the Year in 1959 for The Music of Peter Gunn. The song certainly gets credit for quickly establishing the premise of a blended family, and it proved popular enough to generate variations or instrumental motifs used in the nine variation spin-offs and continuations of the show. It pretty much invented a whole genre (electronic) and was very popular on thee continents. The fantastic one was the harder rock, jazzy, sexed-up version found under Del Shannon-Runaway (Crime Story) where the lyrics were altered and updated. Mainstream, Adult Contemporary, and Airplay charts. An action-comedy about a high school teacher who gets a superhero suit from aliens (but loses the instructions), The Greatest American Hero had a decent three-season run in the early 1980s. We’re breaking our own rule by including an entry from the forthcoming Greatest Spoken-Word Themes list here, but we have to do it. Discover the benefits that come with your membership. This was just one facet of Thicke’s incredibly diverse career that ran the gamut from composer to singer to talk show host to lead actor on the successful sitcom Growing Pains. Maverick theme song deserves to be on this list. Lest you take the Wild West sitcom F Troop too seriously, the theme song let you know exactly what kind of farce you were in for: "The end of the Civil War was near when, quite accidentally, a hero who sneezed abruptly seized retreat and reversed it to victory." This theme joins The Fall Guy theme (and many others) in expressly describing what the show is about. 48. This weird western starring Bruce Campbell ran for only 27 episodes in the mid-1990s. Ironside featured Burr’s wheelchair-bound crime solver and a theme by the legendary composer and producer Quincy Jones. … All three of these shows were great too, and not just because I say so. Law and Order (original)? Ask questions and download or stream the entire soundtrack on Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, & Amazon. With subtle variations, it was used in the original series, the 1988 revival, and at varying points in each film of the Tom Cruise franchise. It certainly would have made a Top 100 by me, possibly Top 60. One of the most memorable themes ever is one of the simplest. It’s been 56 years since the first Doctor stole the TARDIS and began his adventures through space and time. version of ‘Hawaii 5-0’!! “Wings” had a great instrumental lead-in. Become a Saturday Evening Post member and enjoy unlimited access. Apart from composing film and television music, Morton Stevens was Sammy Davis Jr.’s arranger and occasional conductor from the 1950s until Davis’s death in 1990. 8 Saving Private Ryan – “Hymn to the Fallen” SWAT, no Star Trek? Both Incredible theme songs with the latter having an unexpected sexy ending! The effortless cool of James Garner as P.I. Ask questions and download or stream the entire soundtrack on Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, & Amazon. what happened to “Bonanza”? One of the great statement-of-purpose themes, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” received an Emmy nomination in 1983. The two series even had a crossover episode; another episode guest-starred Charlie’s Angels. In 2017, a CBS television reboot starring Shemar Moore debuted; it uses an updated version of De Vorzon’s theme by Robert Duncan. Joss Whedon gets a lot of credit for revitalizing genre TV. Check. Music was an integral element of the show, with classic and current hits splashed across every episode of its run. Co-written by a show creator? Six movies (and counting). These are the most famous opening theme songs from the most popular TV shows. We're warning you now: after reading this, you'll be humming these theme songs all day. The Facts of Life actually spun off from Diff’rent Strokes, so it was logical to have Burton, Thicke, and Loring write both themes. It starts with a nod to the old Universal horror days with a fugue on organ. Meet the Press? The theme has been covered by a number of artists, including Joan Jett and Minneapolis-based Hüsker Dü, who parodied the show’s opening in their music video; Hüsker Dü frontman Bob Mould still performs the song as an encore on his current solo tours. Consider that, in 2016, more than 1,400 shows ran on prime-time television in the United States — that doesn’t include streaming — and most of those shows had some kind of opening sequence with music. It’s not often that a second theme song becomes the one that’s most associated with a show. The 25 Greatest TV Theme Songs of All Time: Spoken-Word. (Resolution is poor but all the lyrics are there and the sound is okay). Please! Were was the AIRWOLF Theme that one is really good. The music of the show has inspired orchestral concerts and tours. A piece that’s destined to live forever on Halloween compilations and in sports arenas, The Addams Family theme might contain the most famous double-snaps of all time. Succession? Lynch, Frost, and much of the cast revived the series on Showtime in 2017. Help improve this list of the best TV theme songs of all time. What can you say about Sesame Street? "Here's the story … of a lovely lady …" sets the tone for the family-friendly fun of The Brady Bunch. TV Shows . The first Joss Whedon show on the list, the space western Firefly boasted a theme composed by the writer himself. The show was led by Martin Landau and Barbara Bain (who were married at the time and had starred in Mission: Impossible together) and shot in the U.K.