Favorite Television Theme Songs

[Gideon58]

I was interested in what some people's favorite TV theme songs are and I am particularly interested in separate opinions regarding themes with lyrics and themes without lyrics.

[gbgoodies]

This is my favorite TV theme song.

Greatest American Hero - Believe It Or Not

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsWgG5v7A3A

[gbgoodies]

This is my second favorite TV theme song:

Nilsson - "Courtship of Eddie's Father" Theme Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGu0m08Etm8

[Gideon58]

Absolutely crazy about the theme song to The Courtship of Eddie's Father...I was hoping someone would mention it.

[Thursday Next]

I like the theme tune to Peep Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFgB3aCPMyg

[honeykid]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1QJ8ijnNxM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-xnvdtuRRo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D99O6oTJVHo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCFVEvZvo3g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDrfHj3j398
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KtAgAMzaeg

[gbgoodies]

The themes for "Taxi" and "The Odd Couple" are pretty good, but the theme for "Cheers" is great.

[R.P. McMurphy]

Cheers RULES.

[gbgoodies]

Steve Carlisle - "WKRP in Cincinnati" Theme Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=levn6o4aoMI

[R.P. McMurphy]

These are some of my favorites not just because of the music but also the imagery. A good pairing makes for such an exciting opening to each show.

The Sopranos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLxSUKA--Dg


Twin Peaks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7d0Lm_31BE

True Detective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRPpCqXYoos


True Blood (Not a big fan of the show, but the opening is incredible)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxINMuOgAu8

[honeykid]

OK, one more just because I bloody love it. It's not just the theme, but every episode starts the same. However, if I start on kids tv, I'm gonna be here for the next hour or so, so I'll limit myself to one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpwhohWhrEE

[cricket]

Too many videos for my phone to see the whole page; my favorites are from The Fall Guy, The Love Boat, and All in the Family.

[gbgoodies]

Too many videos for my phone to see the whole page; my favorites are from The Fall Guy, The Love Boat, and All in the Family.


Three great themes, especially The Fall Guy".

[Arcanis]

My perennial favorite has always been the theme from Angel. I've always loved lyric-less opening themes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpAol_17mO0

[honeykid]

After some thought, this is probably my favourite theme tune ever. As a small child, this was the most confusing programme of all time. This theme tune, then the world's driest, most boring (to a 4 year old) programme an evil mind could devise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2dpq4sExgs

If you want the whole thing, it's here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qip4aQLc7L0

I think that's as good as it gets, but this comes close. I'm sure there's at least a couple of Brits on the site that'd agree with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfoLMa8bET4

[Gideon58]

The themes for "Taxi" and "The Odd Couple" are pretty good, but the theme for "Cheers" is great.
Never really cared for the the Taxi theme.

[The Sci-Fi Slob]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5kcBxL7-qI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc_0ii3SLp0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhkmglawA2w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI3pd-dNN-0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyz_2DEah4o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9d9UrK0Jsw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQoRXhS7vlU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV0hwZwNQZc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaYonB4G40c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc4Hqde7aDA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa1RMD1f5Es

[earlsmoviepicks]

This one is permanently ingrained in my psyche

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlkxcC79LA8

[christine]

The themes to The Sweeney and The Professionals are great, so evocative now of those times. Also like Bagpuss, The Bill, True Detective (the music and all the sound in that programme was excellent) . I like the Formula 1 theme tune although I always switch channels when it comes on cos I hate motor racing.

This of course is the greatest of all theme tunes ;)
Z Cars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWflrCrwUSw

Some of my faves from childhood

Robinson Crusoe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE10msGsCn4

Belle and Sebastian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wauuYrVQ4y8

Champion the Wonder Horse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5i_pEYGe1o

White Horses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR6z8GUywyc

Black Beauty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flvxbw8YYM8

Casey Jones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig3GcDBjQN4

and one from the recent Skandinavian series The Bridge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdcrN9Vggck

[Voigan]

The Japanese version of the Puella Magi song is easily my favorite theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YByj8YgVLYw

[gbgoodies]

Here's another favorite TV theme song:

Greg Evigan - BJ and the Bear

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY4L1xQIl0g

[gbgoodies]

Also, this one:

Waylon Jennings - Dukes Of Hazzard Theme Song ("Good Ol' Boys" )
(This is the full version with an extra verse at the end.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qogVHlmFcx0

[Gideon58]

LOVED the Twin Peaks theme.

[Citizen Rules]

Laverne and Shirley Theme Lyrics: 'Making our Dreams Come True'

I love the lyrics, they both tell a story and set the mood, while doing it in a creative prose-lyrical writing style.
(1 min. video clip at bottom of post)

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Schlemeel, schlemazel, hasenfeffer incorporated.
We're gonna do it!

Give us any chance, we'll take it.
Give us any rule, we'll break it.
We're gonna make our dreams come true.
Doin' it our way.

Nothin's gonna turn us back now,
Straight ahead and on the track now.
We're gonna make our dreams come true,
Doin' it our way.

There is nothing we won't try,
Never heard the word impossible.
This time there's no stopping us.
We're gonna do it.

On your mark, get set, and go now,
Got a dream and we just know now,
We're gonna make our dream come true.
And we'll do it our way, yes our way.
Make all our dreams come true,
And do it our way, yes our way,
Make all our dreams come true
For me and you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd9UQQEOI78

[WoOdWoRk]

I liked True Detective's theme song, reminded me of some Johnny Cash.

[Arcanis]

Some of my favorite songs have been from anime. I think that it goes back to my previous point of liking instrumental openings, since not speaking Japanese basically amounts to the same thing for me.

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfNGe6VCbhc


Attack on Titan's theme weirdly syncs up with the new Sailor Moon's opening animation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJKowQCMZT4


Elfin Lied, which, when translated, amazingly invokes the major themes of the show:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQuKhpHm6Dk

"The mouth of the just one will prepare itself for wisdom
And his tongue is telling a judgement

Blessed is the one who bears a temptation
Since after being tested, he will receive the crown of life

Lord, the source of good-heartedness
Lord, the divine fire, be gracious

Oh how holy, how serene, how benign
How beautiful is the virgin believed to be

Oh how holy, how serene, how benign
How beautiful, Oh lily of chastity

[gbgoodies]

Laverne and Shirley Theme Lyrics: 'Making our Dreams Come True'




This reminded me of another great TV theme.


Happy Days theme song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGITFJr_4Po

[Citizen Rules]

I knew you would mention Happy Days;)

I just looked for the actual opening credits and realized at first there was a different song used.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t04gq_kYhOY

[gbgoodies]

I knew you would mention Happy Days;)

I just looked for the actual opening credits and realized at first there was a different song used.



I knew that the original "Happy Days" theme song was "Rock Around the Clock", but I prefer the later theme song.

[gbgoodies]

Here's another great TV theme song.

John Sebastian - "Welcome Back Kotter" Theme Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZzEzDkeHzI

[doubledenim]

@ cricket - Fall Guy :yup:

Glad that no one posted this yet. The best song, best pink flamingos, Jai alai footage, cigarette boats, ladies, drum machine, 80's greatness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTPu4hjfHKg

Hill Street Blues is another heavy.

[gbgoodies]

There are also a couple of sci-fi theme songs that The Sci-Fi Slob missed.


Russell Watson - "Star Trek: Enterprise" Theme Song ("Faith Of The Heart")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8OpsPok6iQ


"Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" ("Suspension")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM0p9VHeoyA



Also, I don't remember this TV show very well, but the theme song is great:

"Airwolf" Theme Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTb_5oPqCys

[Tenshi]

Do cartoon TV show's count?

Because I've always loved Inspector Gadget's and the pink panther :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO9xbbaBtiI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myvuv8Z-yHU

[Citizen Rules]

A lot of Star Trek fans hated the fact that Enterprise used a theme with lyrics.

I loved it. It defined a dream of reaching beyond and out to the stars. A haunting melody and lyrics with great graphics and scenes of early human flight endeavors.

Though in the last season they remixed the song, speed up the tempo.
I didn't care for that version as much.

ST Enterprise, Season 3 & 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4nceCmigAM

[gbgoodies]

If we're including cartoons, then I'd like to add a few to the list. They're short, but they're memorable.


Spiderman theme song 1960s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUtziaZlDeE


Captain America `66 cartoon theme song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dWIPUuTPB4


The Hulk - Cartoon Theme Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj26N10Ymlg


Speed Racer - The Original TV Theme Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9eCqwzAjTY

[gbgoodies]

A lot of Star Trek fans hated the fact that Enterprise used a theme with lyrics.

I loved it. It defined a dream of reaching beyond and out to the stars. A haunting melody and lyrics with great graphics and scenes of early human flight endeavors.

Though in the last season they remixed the song, speed up the tempo.
I didn't care for that version as much.




I think the Enterprise theme song is the best of the Star Trek themes, and I agree with you about the later version.

I don't know if you've heard it, but Rod Stewart recorded a nice version of the Enterprise theme song. He's got a great voice for that song.


Rod Stewart - Faith of the Heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1sYjDc8i4I

[Cynema De Bergerac]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJAgczPATug

[Stirchley]

Favorite TV theme song + lyrics of all time. I have more, but will start with this one. If I like a TV show, I think I always like its theme song. Not sure though.

https://youtu.be/NUT07eZoXPw

[Stirchley]

https://youtu.be/uaEffhhLQ9Q

[ash_is_the_gal]

i love the theme from Taxi. i don't really like the show all that much, but my mom used to watch it a lot when i was little and i used to get mesmerized by that opening theme.

but probably my favorite opening is The Sopranos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLxSUKA--Dg

also, i really liked the opening for Big Little Lies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF_1iPFr6Dw

[ash_is_the_gal]

i just realized all 3 of the opening themes i like are people riding in cars over bridges :D

[favabeans]

The Leftovers season 1 theme, I wish they never changed it. :(

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PTNHQND6MA

[Nausicaä]

Some opening credits/music themes I adore, sorry a mixture of music and actual openings... ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFds1gxjKW8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvkKag-UsrA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4msJoeYVUYE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0j_hA6aKQU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-00OeLUkrhc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gr1lTGUMeg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmUQAZ7K3co

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olgT6Iepjb0

And a really short one but I loveeee it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_9pRD3DMwU

One of my all time favourites, the series doesn't have an opening title sequence but this is the theme music more or less, the main part of it starts at 2.28 to about 3.10 on the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh6OW0oeN1g

Never seen this series but really like the opening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD_kCKiSkoI

[Dani8]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlkxcC79LA8

[Stirchley]

https://youtu.be/Wet5OM7RR8Q

[Stirchley]

https://youtu.be/M9whwF9YxaM