March 26, 2012

The 15 Best TV Theme Songs of My Lifetime


Here's my rules:
  • Has to be a show that was originally on in my lifetime (1971-2012).
  • Has to be a show I watch or watched regularly.
  • Being recognizable isn't enough. Has to have what I consider real musical merit.

Enjoy ...

1. Cheers
"You wanna be where everybody knows your name."

2. Southland
Simple. Powerful.


3. Friday Night Lights
Clear eyes ... you know the rest.

4a. Ed "Moment in the Sun"
"When it's my moment in the sun, oh, how beautiful I'll be ..."

4b.  Ed "Next Year"
When Ed stopped using "Moment in the Sun" at least it had this one to fall back on.

5. Bonanza
I bet you've already started humming it.

6. Taxi
So sweet and melancholy.


7. Olympic Fanfare
It's just an amazing and stirring piece of music. Should probably be #1.

8. Star Trek: TNG
I grew up on Kirk but I'd give the chair to Picard.

9. Sherlock Holmes (2010)
Fits the show perfectly.

10. The Rockford Files
I'll tell you a secret. I wanted to be Jim Rockford so bad.


11. CSI: NY
This is my favorite The Who song of the three used in the CSI franchise.

12. Veronica Mars
"A long time ago, we used to be friends." Oh, high school.

13. Parks and Recreation
I think it's the tempo, percussion and wind instruments. Just makes me smile.


14. Dukes of Hazzard
It's the only way they know how, ya'll.

15. Doctor Who (early 80s)
He made a multi-colored scarf famous before Harry Potter.

My Honorable Mentions: Adventure Time w/ Finn and Jake, Six Feet Under, Scrubs, Pushing Daisies, The O.C., Rescue Me, Dexter, A-Team, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Greatest American Hero, M.A.S.H., The Muppet Show, The Simpsons, Taxi, Twin Peaks

What are the themes that shaped your TV-viewing lives?

5 comments:

The Grunt said...

Magnum P.I. and The Six Million Dollar Man are theme songs that made me want to grow up and be a man. Now they just seem silly to me.

Ryan said...

I guess it's not really a song, but I love the opening "music" to 24. I love the theme to Alias, Night Court and the synth/guitar twang of Arrested Development. I believe I broke some of your rules though.

The UnMighty said...

Good list. But I'm a little surprised "Mr. Belvedere" didn't make the cut.

The UnMighty said...
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Anonymous said...

oh yes, the orignal who theme was used when the show started in 1963 for a whole 12 years until the 4th Doctor Era.