As a long-time fan of television themes, I must say that the connection between these iconic tunes and their respective shows is simply magical! It’s fascinating to see how artists like Gloria Estefan, Frank Sinatra, and The Foo Fighters have left an indelible mark on our collective consciousness through their timeless melodies.
It’s no wonder that some exceptional TV theme songs have been composed by renowned musicians in pop culture. Iconic television theme tunes can often be as cherished as the characters themselves, sometimes even more so. These are melodies that still pack a punch because they were crafted by the best in the business. Here is our selection of some of the most iconic TV theme songs ever created.
Friends – The Rembrandts
As a devoted fan, I’ve always wondered: It’s said that REM was initially offered to compose “Shiny Happy People” as the theme tune for Friends, but they declined. Michael Stipe shares that the producers then sought out The Rembrandts, an LA-based duo, to craft a song reminiscent of REM. While “I’ll Be There For You,” the hit theme that ensued doesn’t bear much resemblance to REM’s sound, it’s undeniably a fantastic tune. Yet, fame proved overwhelming for the band, causing them such stress that they nearly disbanded over it.
Orange Is The New Black – Regina Spektor
The group responsible for producing Orange Is The New Black discovered an ideal match in Regina Spektor to create and sing the theme song for the series. The song, “You’ve Got Time,” was specifically written for the show, and its lyrical and musical elements align seamlessly with the program.
The Wire – Tom Waits
The HBO series “The Wire” used its theme song in a distinctive manner, altering the performer for each of its five seasons. In the first season, “Way Down In The Hole,” a haunting composition by Tom Waits, was sung by The Blind Boys of Alabama. Waits himself performed the original version for Season 2. Seasons three and four featured performances by The Neville Brothers and Baltimore children’s group DoMaJe, respectively. For the final season, Steve Earle, who played Waylon on the show, took on the theme song.
The Golden Girls – Andrew Gold
“Although ‘Thank You For Being a Friend’ is primarily recognized as the theme song for the iconic sitcom ‘The Golden Girls’, it was penned and performed by singer Andrew Gold about a decade before its television debut in 1978, reaching the top 25 charts. The TV rendition was sung by Cindy Fee.”
Get A Life – REM
Back in the golden days of Fox TV, they were firing off ideas left and right to see what would resonate with viewers. One gem that unfortunately flew under the radar was a series called “Get A Life”, starring Chris Elliott – yes, the same guy who’s now known for his role on Schitt’s Creek. In fact, this underrated show boasted “Stand” by REM as its opening theme song.
Boardwalk Empire – The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Although “Boardwalk Empire,” produced by HBO, is set in the 1920s, its themes are more reminiscent of the 1990s. The song, “Straight Up and Down,” can be found on the exceptional 1996 album “Take It From The Man” by the famously named Brian Jonestown Massacre. By the way, that’s one of the best band names I’ve ever heard!
A Different World – Aretha Franklin
Initially, when A Different World was derived from the highly acclaimed sitcom of its time, The Cosby Show, they decided to go grand with the opening theme. There’s no greater than the iconic Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, who sang the theme song for Seasons 2 through 5 following Phoebe Snow’s performance in the first season. Eventually, Boyz II Men took charge.
Freaks And Geeks – Joan Jett
As a die-hard fan, I can attest that Joan Jett’s indifference towards her tarnished image mirrors perfectly with the characters in “Freaks and Geeks.” Hence, “Bad Reputation” resonates profoundly as an ideal theme song for this cherished cult series.
The Big Bang Theory – The Barenaked Ladies
For a TV series centered around intellectuals, having a band known for their geeky, upbeat melodies like “Brian Wilson” and “If I Had A Million Dollars,” such as Barenaked Ladies, compose the theme song would be fitting. This was particularly true for The Big Bang Theory, given its focus on the beginnings of the universe.
China Beach – The Supremes
During the late 80s, there was a surge of nostalgia among Baby Boomers, leading to numerous ’60s shows being revived on TV. Shows such as China Beach, which explored the Vietnam War, became popular. To match the era’s atmosphere, the producers selected “Reflections” by Diana Ross and The Supremes for the theme song, a track from 1967.
South Park – Primus
To create a fitting tune for an unconventional cartoon such as South Park, there was no better option than to get Les Claypool and Primus on board to compose and perform the theme song. This theme has since earned its iconic status, with Primus occasionally performing it during their concerts. It’s hard to envision the series starting without that distinctive intro riff.
The Proud Family – Solange And Destiny’s Child
Frankly speaking, it’s quite surprising that the animated series The Proud Family ran for just two seasons on Disney Channel in the early 2000s. Given its innovative portrayal of an African-American family, it seemed fitting that musical legends like Solange and Destiny’s Child would have composed its theme song.
Entourage – Jane’s Addiction
HBO’s TV series Entourage boasts one of the most stylish introductions among shows of its time, as characters glide through Hollywood in a classic convertible. The tune “Superhero” by Jane’s Addiction is played during these scenes, enhancing the cool factor. This song hails from JA’s 2003 album Strays, yet it seems tailor-made for the show.
Dog The Bounty Hunter – Ozzy Osbourne
The reality series “Dog The Bounty Hunter” was quite extraordinary, and featuring Ozzy Osbourne, one of rock’s most unpredictable figures, as the theme song performer was a brilliant pairing. It might not have been the kind of tune you’d typically associate with the heavy metal icon, but his distinctive vocals were unmistakable. In truth, they made the show stand out, if we’re being honest.
Miami Vice – Jan Hammer
Although you may not recognize the name Jan Hammer, he has collaborated with some of the most renowned jazz and rock musicians in history. His career dates back to the late ’60s, during which time he worked with musical greats like Billy Cobham, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, and John McLaughlin. Furthermore, he was responsible for creating nearly all of the music featured in Miami Vice, including its memorable theme song, throughout the entire series.
House – Massive Attack
Watching the TV show House on a streaming platform usually means you won’t encounter the original theme song “Teardrop” by Massive Attack. Instead, you’ll find a generic tune that somewhat resembles it, but lacks the same quality and impact.
That ’70s Show – Cheap Trick
The tune that introduces “That ’70s Show” has an intriguing evolution. Originally penned and sung by Big Star in 1972 as “In the Street,” a slightly altered rendition titled “That ’70s Song” was performed by Todd Griffin for the series’ inaugural season. From Season 2 onwards, Cheap Trick took over recording the theme song, which continued to be used throughout the show’s eight-season span.
The Drew Carey Show – The Presidents Of The United States of America
In the popular sitcom, The Drew Carey Show, the well-recognized theme tune is “Cleveland Rocks” by The Presidents of the United States of America. Interestingly, during its first season, a different theme was played – a song titled “Moon Over Parma,” which was actually composed and sung by Drew Carey himself.
All That – TLC
Nickelodeon’s All That was revolutionary in numerous aspects, serving as a junior version of Saturday Night Live (SNL). This innovative program played a significant role in kick-starting the acting careers of celebrities like Nick Cannon, Kennan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Gabriel Iglesias, and Jamie Lynn Spears. It’s worth mentioning that the group TLC, who sang the theme song, also benefited from the show, though they were already quite popular when they recorded it.
Malcolm in the Middle – They Might Be Giants
As a child of the early 2000s, Malcolm in the Middle truly encapsulated my experience. Although it portrayed the Millennial childhood, the band that composed the theme song, They Might Be Giants, were Gen X veterans. Notably, their hit “Boss of Me” earned them a Grammy.
Dawson’s Creek – Paula Cole
Back in the late ’90s, I stumbled upon Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Want To Wait” on her album “This Fire.” It didn’t take long for it to climb up the Billboard charts, peaking at #11 in 1997. But things really took off when it became the theme song for Dawson’s Creek in ’98. Since then, it’s been a timeless tune that’s left an indelible mark on pop culture.
The Wonder Years – Joe Cocker
Without a doubt, a TV series set in the ’60s needed an iconic ’60s tune for its theme song. For the show The Wonder Years, this meant selecting Joe Cocker’s rendition of The Beatles’ “A Little Help From My Friends.” Since it played at the start of every episode, Joe Cocker’s version has become as familiar to Generation X as the original by The Beatles, and perhaps even more so.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – The Who
Originally, the popular TV show “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” based in Las Vegas, led to spin-offs located in Miami and New York. These derivative shows, as well as the original, chose songs by The Who for their theme tunes. Specifically, “Who Are You” was the choice for the initial series, while “Won’t Get Fooled Again” was used for “CSI: Miami,” and “Baba O’Riley” was selected for “CSI: NY.” Even the brief run of “CSI: Cyber,” with just 31 episodes, incorporated a song by The Who titled “I Can See For Miles.”
One Day At A Time – Gloria Estefan
In 2017, when the TV show “One Day At A Time” was rebooted on Netflix and centered around a Latino family, the iconic theme song was re-recorded by none other than Gloria Estefan, one of the most renowned Latin artists ever. It couldn’t have been a more fitting choice.
Weeds – Malvina Reynolds
Malvina Reynolds has one of the most fascinating stories in 20th-century music. She didn’t even start her career in earnest until she was in her forties and her biggest hit, “Little Boxes,” was written and recorded until she was in her 60s. The song, first released in 1962, became a hit again as the theme song to Weeds in the ’00s.
The O.C. – Phantom Planet
It’s no surprise that Phantom Planet achieved their greatest success when their hit song “California,” featuring actor and drummer Jason Schwartzman, was chosen as the theme for The O.C.. Undeniably, it’s a catchy tune that suits the series perfectly.
Gilmore Girls – Carole King
Carole King’s iconic album Tapestry, famous for its millions of sales, was powered primarily by two hit tracks: “I Feel The Earth Move” and “It’s Too Late.” A third song from that collection, titled “Where You Lead,” was later re-recorded by King and subsequently became the theme tune for Gilmore Girls, many years after its original composition.
Married… With Children – Frank Sinatra
In terms of notable singers from the 20th Century, none are more iconic than Frank Sinatra, popularly known as “Old Blue Eyes.” It may seem unusual that one of his most famous songs, “Love and Marriage,” is used as the theme for a risqué sitcom like Married… With Children, but it surprisingly fits the bill perfectly.
Veronica Mars – The Dandy Warhols
In a fascinating connection, both the TV series Veronica Mars and the band The Dandy Warhols, who sang its theme tune “We Used to Be Friends,” share an intriguing similarity. Both garnered significant critical acclaim and amassed dedicated fanbases that were passionate and enthusiastic. However, neither managed to penetrate the broader mainstream audience in a substantial way. It’s as if they were made for each other!
Party Of Five – BoDeans
Since the 1980s, Wisconsin’s BoDeans diligently built their music career, eventually achieving significant success in the early ’90s with their album “Go Slow Down,” which included their popular track “Closer To Free.” This song was later adopted as the theme for the television series “Party Of Five” and has since gained iconic status.
Sanford & Son – Quincy Jones
In terms of TV theme songs, none pack a punchier beat than the theme from “Sanford & Son.” This catchy, incredibly funky melody was penned by one of music’s legends, Quincy Jones, a renowned composer and producer. If you’ve ever pondered what made it so fantastic, here’s your explanation!
Ed – Foo Fighters
For many years, The Foo Fighters have dominated the rock n’ roll scene, with little left unaccomplished by their leader Dave Grohl. One of their achievements includes providing the theme song for a TV show. In the early 2000s, “Ed,” an underrated hit on NBC, featured “Next Year” by The Foo Fighters as its excellent opening tune.
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2024-08-07 22:37