Oh good, another poll!
Greatest TV theme song?
by Anonymous | reply 224 | April 26, 2020 6:58 AM |
Andy Griffith (no words) and Beverly Hillbillies (the entire show premiss) not on the list. Twilight Zone for most unconventional.
by Anonymous | reply 2 | August 4, 2015 2:44 AM |
Green Acres and Rawhide
by Anonymous | reply 3 | August 4, 2015 2:47 AM |
Hill Street Blues
The Greatest American Hero
by Anonymous | reply 4 | August 4, 2015 2:48 AM |
The Avengers. No, the TV series, not the movie.
by Anonymous | reply 6 | August 4, 2015 2:53 AM |
Can't believe Mannix is getting no love. And I stupidly forgot to add Welcome Back Kotter!
by Anonymous | reply 7 | August 4, 2015 2:54 AM |
The Big Valley which starred Miss Barbara Stanwyck
by Anonymous | reply 9 | August 4, 2015 3:00 AM |
Not prime time, but the theme from the Young and the Restless.
by Anonymous | reply 10 | August 4, 2015 3:02 AM |
I second Mission Impossible!
by Anonymous | reply 11 | August 4, 2015 3:02 AM |
If you didn't vote for Mary Tyler Moore, you're not gay.
by Anonymous | reply 12 | August 4, 2015 3:04 AM |
What, no love for.......
by Anonymous | reply 14 | August 4, 2015 3:09 AM |
Dynasty - Season 6 - Episode 6 - Opening Titles (Featuring The Colbys)
by Anonymous | reply 16 | August 4, 2015 3:10 AM |
I'm torn between Green Acres and The Addams Family.
by Anonymous | reply 17 | August 4, 2015 3:12 AM |
The Doris Day Show (Season 1): Opening Credits
by Anonymous | reply 18 | August 4, 2015 3:20 AM |
JENNIFER SLEPT HERE opening credits NBC sitcom
by Anonymous | reply 21 | August 4, 2015 3:26 AM |
There's a difference between theme and theme SONG.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show for song.
The Rockford Files for theme.
by Anonymous | reply 22 | August 4, 2015 3:28 AM |
Masterpiece Mystery
by Anonymous | reply 23 | August 4, 2015 3:28 AM |
TV INTROS TO 18 SHORT-LIVED SITCOMS OF THE 70s
by Anonymous | reply 24 | August 4, 2015 3:31 AM |
Stingray - best ever opening and closing themes.
by Anonymous | reply 25 | August 4, 2015 3:59 AM |
Those Were The Days--rarely-seen pilot version:
by Anonymous | reply 26 | August 4, 2015 4:04 AM |
It ain't a Datalounge "Greatest TV Themes" thread without this showstopper:
by Anonymous | reply 27 | August 4, 2015 4:08 AM |
OP, how could you forget this one, you silly bitch?
by Anonymous | reply 28 | August 4, 2015 4:10 AM |
R24, fantastic YouTube clip -- I love obscurities like that. That John Schuck show "Turnabout" -- my god I can't imagine watching that long expositionary cartoon opening every week without blowing my brains out.
I grew up in the 70s but the only two shows in that compilation I'd ever even heard of were "Bridget Loved Bernie" and "Bad News Bears."
I looked up one of the shows, a sitcom called "Nancy," which had one of those oddly haunting early 70s show openings. I was interested to read that it regularly killed The Odd Couple in the ratings but was canceled anyway, because it was so low-rated for an NBC show.
by Anonymous | reply 30 | August 4, 2015 4:22 AM |
I second Greatest American Hero. theme song, although it would have to come after MTM and Golden Girls.
by Anonymous | reply 31 | August 4, 2015 4:24 AM |
Henry Mancini's theme for PETER GUNN was pretty good !
by Anonymous | reply 34 | August 4, 2015 4:35 AM |
THE PRUITTS OF SOUTHAMPTON
was simply marvy-poo
by Anonymous | reply 36 | August 4, 2015 4:39 AM |
The intro for PHYLLIS was better than that for MARY TYLER MOORE !
by Anonymous | reply 37 | August 4, 2015 4:41 AM |
Best songs with Lyrics:
1. Beverly Hillbillies 2. Gilligan's Island 3. Green Acres 4. Flintstones 5. Brady Bunch 6 Rawhide (admit it, you have every one of them memorized)
Best Theme Music
1. Hawaii 5-0 2. Addams Family 3. Andy Griffith 4. Mission Impossible 5. Hogan's Heroes 6. MASH 7. Peter Gunn
by Anonymous | reply 39 | August 4, 2015 4:47 AM |
Maude
by Anonymous | reply 41 | August 4, 2015 4:51 AM |
Alice!
by Anonymous | reply 43 | August 4, 2015 4:57 AM |
Hands down, this one has to be the absolute worst. It was an honest to God theme.
MY MOTHER THE CAR
"Timeless," said Sophia Petrillo
by Anonymous | reply 48 | August 4, 2015 5:13 AM |
LOL R48 I remember the show. Ann Southern was the voice of Mother who was reincarnated as the Car.
by Anonymous | reply 49 | August 4, 2015 5:18 AM |
Well, all of you fraus overlooked the great "theme from MASH"!
by Anonymous | reply 50 | August 4, 2015 5:20 AM |
Theme from Brady Bunch! Theme from Gilligan's Island
by Anonymous | reply 51 | August 4, 2015 5:25 AM |
The theme from Bonanza, since it was the music on Big Daddy's mystery music box.
by Anonymous | reply 54 | August 4, 2015 5:44 AM |
I thing that once you scrape the Cheston of our collective fingers that there are many, many great theme song greats. Everyone posted is wonderful and a classic. I appreciate everyone's input but for once in a fucking while EVERYONE IS RIGHT! Loved them all!!!
by Anonymous | reply 56 | August 4, 2015 6:03 AM |
Chesterton = Cheetos
by Anonymous | reply 57 | August 4, 2015 6:04 AM |
Tie with "Happy Days" and "Laverne & Shirley" both radio hits
by Anonymous | reply 58 | August 4, 2015 6:16 AM |
R39, Petticoat Junction as another best song with lyrics.
by Anonymous | reply 59 | August 4, 2015 6:17 AM |
Laverne & Shirley's "Making Our Dreams" ~ Cyndi Grecco
by Anonymous | reply 60 | August 4, 2015 6:17 AM |
Dallas
by Anonymous | reply 62 | August 4, 2015 6:31 AM |
BOSOM BUDDIES!!!!
by Anonymous | reply 63 | August 4, 2015 6:31 AM |
I would give honorable mention to:
The Jeffersons
Chips
Dukes of Hazzard
Greatest pull up thread:
Down to Earth
by Anonymous | reply 64 | August 4, 2015 6:34 AM |
64 replies and no one has posted this. Bitches be slipping
by Anonymous | reply 65 | August 4, 2015 6:38 AM |
[quote] Best Theme Music 1. Hawaii 5-0 2. Addams Family 3. Andy Griffith 4. Mission Impossible 5. Hogan's Heroes 6. MASH 7. Peter Gunn
Sorry "M*A*S*H" should be disqualified. "Suicide Is Painless" is from the motion picture, not an original TV theme song.
by Anonymous | reply 66 | August 4, 2015 6:43 AM |
The Nanny
by Anonymous | reply 67 | August 4, 2015 6:44 AM |
How can you forget the theme song for (the original) Route 66?! It is considered one of the best theme songs ever written. Legendary composer and band leader nelson Riddle penned it.
by Anonymous | reply 68 | August 4, 2015 6:46 AM |
Scooby Doo
Twilight Zone
Munsters
by Anonymous | reply 71 | August 4, 2015 6:49 AM |
Tossed salad and scrambled eggs - and, Golden Girls, 'Thank you for being a friend' for a theme with lyrics are two of my favorites.
by Anonymous | reply 75 | August 4, 2015 7:13 AM |
Different Strokes
Sanford & Son (by Quincy Jones?)
Friends (that song got a lot if radio airplay)
by Anonymous | reply 76 | August 4, 2015 7:38 AM |
If you're in doubt about angels being reeaaallll.....
by Anonymous | reply 77 | August 4, 2015 7:40 AM |
All in the Family's Those Were the Days.
by Anonymous | reply 78 | August 4, 2015 7:42 AM |
Wonder Woman Hill Street Blues Hawaii 5-0 (original) MASH
by Anonymous | reply 81 | August 4, 2015 8:09 AM |
Datalounge is dead. Eighty replies and no mention of Wonder Woman?
Lol as I was about to hit post R81 came along...
by Anonymous | reply 82 | August 4, 2015 8:13 AM |
Bless you, R29. Keep the dream alive!
by Anonymous | reply 83 | August 4, 2015 12:15 PM |
Whenever we have this thread, this is my contribution. Even though Gloria lasted only one season over 30 years ago, it's theme was an ear worm I've never been able to get rid of.
I also liked the early season themes of Knots Landing and Falcon Crest more than Dynasty.
by Anonymous | reply 84 | August 4, 2015 12:19 PM |
Tough call, it's either Good Times or Twin Peaks.
by Anonymous | reply 85 | August 4, 2015 12:21 PM |
The old theme for PBS Mystery was great. The theme music for Midsommer Murders is cool (it uses the theremin). For classic theme music, my favorites are Sanford & Son and Rockford Files. Mary Tyler Moore and the Beverly Hillbillies. It stinks that networks have cut the music down to mere snippets. This generation is truly musically deprived.
by Anonymous | reply 86 | August 4, 2015 1:04 PM |
WKRP in Cincinnati (intro and outro).
Honorable mentions include:
Too Close for Comfort
Gimme a Break (season 3 and later)
Night Court
Tracy Ullman Show
Amen
Bugs Bunny & Tweety Show
by Anonymous | reply 87 | August 4, 2015 1:08 PM |
I just remembered another great theme song: Get Smart.
by Anonymous | reply 88 | August 4, 2015 1:11 PM |
Taxi
Hill Street Blues
The Jetsons
by Anonymous | reply 89 | August 4, 2015 1:35 PM |
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
by Anonymous | reply 90 | August 4, 2015 2:14 PM |
Many outros are good too, although most shows put the better tune at the beginning. A notable exception was All in the Family, which has a corny opening and a beautifully nostalgic, bittersweet piano tune called "Remembering You" as an outro, written and performed by jazz pianist Roger Kellaway.
by Anonymous | reply 91 | August 4, 2015 2:46 PM |
The closing to "Gimme A Break" always sounded like it was Lara Jill Miller rocking out on her Casio keyboard.
by Anonymous | reply 92 | August 4, 2015 3:09 PM |
Oh my god R92, that was so saturated in the 80s I flashed on Reagan still being president and other, even worse things. Don't do that girl!
by Anonymous | reply 93 | August 4, 2015 3:17 PM |
Golden Girls, WKRP, I Dream of Jeannie all are great. But I'm going to have to put in a vote for the Price is Right. Loved Herb Alpert's "Spanish Flea" on The Dating Game as well, but I don't think it was the actual theme song.
by Anonymous | reply 94 | August 4, 2015 3:24 PM |
MTM, but 5-0 was a close 2nd.
by Anonymous | reply 95 | August 4, 2015 3:34 PM |
The Price is Right theme should have been on the list! I hang my head in shame.
by Anonymous | reply 96 | August 4, 2015 3:41 PM |
[quote]If you didn't vote for Mary Tyler Moore, you're not gay.
If you didn't vote for James Garner's ass, you're not gay.
by Anonymous | reply 98 | August 4, 2015 3:52 PM |
The theme from "S.W.A.T." was one of the last theme songs that became a huge radio hit. It fit perfectly with the disco era.
by Anonymous | reply 99 | August 4, 2015 4:00 PM |
R100, I prefer the theme to TNG (although I don't care for that show -- too squeaky clean for me).
Yes, I know it's cheating as it recycles the thrilling theme music from the otherwise quite mediocre Star Trek--The Motion Picture. What a great soundtrack that is. The Klingon Battle music is even better, so savage and militaristic.
So I'll just keep cheating and link to the TMP version rather than the TNG version. Well, they're pretty similar ....
by Anonymous | reply 101 | August 4, 2015 4:21 PM |
How about THE RIFLEMAN And how about Lucas McCain.
by Anonymous | reply 102 | August 4, 2015 4:22 PM |
Klingon Battle from Star Trek TMP, which I mentioned above. Always loved those battlecruisers -- very aggressive looking and phallic.
by Anonymous | reply 103 | August 4, 2015 4:36 PM |
Friends and Frasier
by Anonymous | reply 104 | August 4, 2015 4:47 PM |
Space: 1999, because it provided suitably dramatic music for Barbara Bain's epic pivot.
by Anonymous | reply 108 | August 4, 2015 5:04 PM |
And speaking of epic pivots... It's a Living!
by Anonymous | reply 109 | August 4, 2015 5:07 PM |
So no votes for F Troop....??? & after all the $$$ spent on production, too. Sad.
by Anonymous | reply 110 | August 4, 2015 5:27 PM |
What about The Friends theme. I remember my Mom and Dad watching that show when I was a little kid.
by Anonymous | reply 111 | August 4, 2015 5:27 PM |
Battle of the Planets , He-Man and the Masters Of The Universe and The Greatest American Hero
by Anonymous | reply 112 | August 4, 2015 5:42 PM |
Thank god for r110...I was just scrolling to the end to see if anyone had posted it. A true classic!
by Anonymous | reply 113 | August 4, 2015 6:16 PM |
Facts of Life is my all time favorite:
"When the world never seems/to be living up to your dreams/and suddenly you're finding out the facts of life are all about you"
Followed by One Day At a Time:
"This is it (this is it), this is life, the one you get, so go and have a ball...so while you're here, enjoy the view, keep on doing what you do, hold on tight we'll muddle through one day at a time"
My favorite theme to belt in the shower, however, is "Alice" (MARY!)
by Anonymous | reply 118 | August 4, 2015 6:48 PM |
OP is hopelessly white. How could any list of great tv show theme songs forget The Jeffersons, . Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, What's Happening, Good Times, Chico and the Man, or the Cosby Show? Also, the Dukes of Hazzard, the Brady Bunch, the Munsters, Addam's Family, One Day at a Time, The Twilight Zone, Laverne and Shirley, Three's Company, The Muppet Show, The Beverly Hillbillies, Gilligan's Isle, the Andy Griffith Show, All in the Family, and the Flintstones.
by Anonymous | reply 123 | August 4, 2015 7:07 PM |
The full version of the Cheers theme includes a funny 1980's style shoutout to our transgender sisters.
by Anonymous | reply 124 | August 4, 2015 7:24 PM |
Doctor Who - the classic series (until they changed it in the 1980s)
by Anonymous | reply 125 | August 4, 2015 7:32 PM |
To piggyback r123 , I also liked the theme songs for Martin, In Living Color (both themes), and MadTv.
If we're including non-primetime/network shows, I'll also add Darkwing Duck, All That, Nickelodeon Guts, and Jeopardy.
by Anonymous | reply 126 | August 4, 2015 7:34 PM |
So many great choices, but I have to go with Neal Hefti and Nelson Riddle's Batman theme. It just evokes the most pleasant memories, and anytime I show an episode to a friend(especially if they have kids), they just light up at the animated opening combined with the jazzy music. Love it. Here's a link to the opening of the show without any embellishment.
by Anonymous | reply 128 | August 4, 2015 7:45 PM |
Land of the Lost
by Anonymous | reply 129 | August 4, 2015 7:49 PM |
Speed Racer
by Anonymous | reply 130 | August 4, 2015 7:50 PM |
R10 - Y&R's theme is not original to the show, though. It was originally called "Cotton's Dream" and written for the 1971 film, "Bless the Beasts & the Children," which preceded the soap opera by two years.
by Anonymous | reply 131 | August 4, 2015 7:51 PM |
During the soap's first 20 years, The Edge of Night had thoset very simple, but dramatic and memorable piano chords. The more updated theme in the 80s was good too ... and with all those hot gay guys in the intro it was like a porn flick about to start.
by Anonymous | reply 133 | August 4, 2015 8:01 PM |
I love the ones where they free frame the actor when their credit comes up.
by Anonymous | reply 135 | August 4, 2015 8:03 PM |
Adventures of Pete and Pete.
I was older than the key demo... Was probably in my late 20s/early 30s when it first aired, but friends of mine watched with their kids and thought it was funny, so I started tuning in. It made me feel like a kid again, and still does.
by Anonymous | reply 139 | August 4, 2015 8:26 PM |
R137, I was going to post that one too, it's really cool, I watched the show just to hear it.
by Anonymous | reply 140 | August 4, 2015 8:31 PM |
I also liked the one for THE NAME OF THE GAME which was a precursor to NBC' rotating Sunday Night Mysteries which commenced about 2, 3 years later.
On THE NAME OF THE GAME, several lead actors rotated to have a case to resolve. The leads were Gene Barry, Tony Franciosa & Bob Stack.
The Sunday Night Mysteries alternated between McMILLAN & WIFE, McCLOUD, BANACEK, & COLUMBO.
by Anonymous | reply 141 | August 4, 2015 8:32 PM |
Room 222! Can't believe I forgot that. And the show opening ended with that funny moment with Karen Valentine, making fun of show openings.
by Anonymous | reply 142 | August 4, 2015 8:32 PM |
The Green Hornet. Unfortunately it only lasted one season. But the opening credits, the Black Beauty car and the music are great. Plus, Van Williams was such a hottie.
by Anonymous | reply 143 | August 4, 2015 8:38 PM |
The Farmer's Daughter - someone called this opening pretentious the last time I posted it but I just love the music.
by Anonymous | reply 144 | August 4, 2015 8:44 PM |
Poor Inger Stevens. So tragic.
by Anonymous | reply 145 | August 4, 2015 8:47 PM |
R144
Like Muzak, it sounds like elevator music, very bland, very mid 60s. Almost sounds like a score by Neal Hefti doesn't it ?
by Anonymous | reply 148 | August 4, 2015 9:10 PM |
Bravo to R146 and R147. Such memories!
by Anonymous | reply 150 | August 4, 2015 9:15 PM |
I like those jazzy schmaltzy themes from those old detective & spy shows like ....
I S*P*Y
by Anonymous | reply 151 | August 4, 2015 9:17 PM |
the late great Anne Francis as HONEY WEST
with John Ericson as Sam Bolt
by Anonymous | reply 153 | August 4, 2015 9:20 PM |
THE PATTY DUKE SHOW
"but Patty's only seen the sights a girl can see from Brooklyn Heights ...........'
by Anonymous | reply 155 | August 4, 2015 9:22 PM |
Go to 5:15 and watch this Patty Duke Show parody on an episode of NEWHART starring Julia Duffy as twins 'Judy & Jody'
"ever since their mom drowned in a lake, their father had to teach them how to bake .............. "
it gets worse
by Anonymous | reply 156 | August 4, 2015 9:25 PM |
Garry Shandling's Show – song starts at :32
by Anonymous | reply 159 | August 4, 2015 9:38 PM |
R148, Dave Grusin did the theme for Farmer's Daughter and I guess I love schmaltz and bland 60's muzak cos I kind of liked what you posted too.
by Anonymous | reply 161 | August 4, 2015 9:41 PM |
Rockford and Law and Order UK
by Anonymous | reply 162 | August 4, 2015 10:07 PM |
As far as television theme songs go, you can't get much better than one written by Lennon/McCartney.
And am I the only one who tuned into Life Goes On every week solely for the opening credits, with Patti diva-ing it out at the end?
by Anonymous | reply 166 | August 4, 2015 10:18 PM |
[quote]Go to 5:15 and watch this Patty Duke Show parody on an episode of NEWHART starring Julia Duffy as twins 'Judy & Jody'
I love "Roseanne"s parody, featuring the two actresses who played "Becky". Not to mention a cameo by William Schallert!
(go to 1:00 minute)
by Anonymous | reply 167 | August 4, 2015 10:24 PM |
Dark Shadows
by Anonymous | reply 168 | August 4, 2015 10:38 PM |
Speaking of Lennon-McCartney, I seem to remember that "Grace Under Fire" used "Lady Madonna" when it was run on ABC. But in syndication they use some other song-- must mean they couldn't get (or didn't want to pay for) the rights?
by Anonymous | reply 171 | August 4, 2015 10:51 PM |
Monday Night Football
by Anonymous | reply 173 | August 4, 2015 11:52 PM |
The Brady Bunch wins!!!!
by Anonymous | reply 174 | August 5, 2015 12:01 AM |
I wonder how much of our love of theme songs has to do with the music and how much of it is just anticipating a show we enjoy?
by Anonymous | reply 175 | August 5, 2015 12:10 AM |
Well, hellfire! I gotta whole durn thread named after the theme song that I done sang, honey!
by Anonymous | reply 176 | August 5, 2015 2:04 AM |
The greatest show ever had the greatest theme.
by Anonymous | reply 177 | August 5, 2015 2:41 AM |
And another one . . .
Nearly 200 posts and no one mentioned this yet . . .
by Anonymous | reply 180 | August 5, 2015 3:05 AM |
I had forgotten how much I used to love the theme music from Buck
by Anonymous | reply 181 | August 5, 2015 3:11 AM |
R173 if you mean the Hank Williams Jr one, yes! MNF hasn't been the same since they dumped Hank
by Anonymous | reply 182 | August 5, 2015 3:14 AM |
Another vote for Mission: Impossible
by Anonymous | reply 184 | August 5, 2015 4:01 AM |
Going by the age of these theme songs, I think we all are R191 .
by Anonymous | reply 192 | August 5, 2015 4:34 AM |
R192, I think it's more that TV shows of more recent generations don't have theme songs. Gen Xers and especially millenials just don't sit through them -- they change the channel.
My niece, who is 14, thinks just about everything is boring.
by Anonymous | reply 195 | August 5, 2015 5:10 AM |
[quote]I had forgotten how much I used to love the theme music from Buck
Buck would NEVER have had theme music.
by Anonymous | reply 196 | August 5, 2015 6:02 AM |
The original theme from Starsky & Hutch--much better than that porn music they used for subsequent seasons:
by Anonymous | reply 197 | August 5, 2015 6:19 AM |
Bill Conti's Falcon Crest theme
Main Title Score and End Credits.
by Anonymous | reply 198 | August 5, 2015 7:01 AM |
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
The best show on television ever...even the theme song was the greatest.
by Anonymous | reply 201 | August 5, 2015 7:13 AM |
I Love Lucy!
by Anonymous | reply 202 | August 5, 2015 7:13 AM |
202 posts and no Peter Gunn?
[quote] How can you forget the theme song for (the original) Route 66?! It is considered one of the best theme songs ever written. Legendary composer and band leader nelson Riddle penned it.
There are lots of great theme songs here but in my opinion Route66 ties for the greatest with the theme from Peter Gunn.
Not only is it one of the great TV theme songs it's one of the greatest jazz numbers period.
by Anonymous | reply 203 | August 5, 2015 7:23 AM |
"Shut it, you SLAG!"
The Sweeney opening credits. Closing credits were also great - melancholic.
by Anonymous | reply 204 | August 5, 2015 8:19 AM |
The Tomorrow People - original series from the early '70s.
by Anonymous | reply 205 | August 5, 2015 8:24 AM |
Start R210 @ 1:41. ^^^
by Anonymous | reply 211 | August 5, 2015 11:03 AM |
Aussie futurist show Beyond 2000, once a US Discovery Channel staple.
by Anonymous | reply 212 | August 5, 2015 11:20 AM |
This really is the epitome of tacky 70s music, but I always found it catchy. Another Mike Post special.
I was too embarrassed to post it until I saw the Car 54 theme, and though fuck it!
by Anonymous | reply 214 | August 5, 2015 12:41 PM |
I love when British tough guys from the 70s say "shut it" -- reminds me of Peter Jackson's Uruk hai....
by Anonymous | reply 215 | August 5, 2015 6:22 PM |
Craig Ferguson performing the classic theme to 1965's Fireball XL5
by Anonymous | reply 216 | August 5, 2015 8:23 PM |
Greatest American Hero
by Anonymous | reply 217 | August 5, 2015 8:39 PM |
I love this classic Cartoon Network bumper--"Josie & the Pussycats" theme in done in six musical styles:
by Anonymous | reply 219 | August 5, 2015 10:23 PM |
The theme song to Lotsa Luck is worthy of a better series than the one they came up with for Dom DeLuise and his truly funny cast mates. This had the makings of a great show but it was a shade too vulgar and depressing. The jaunty theme is the most memorable thing about it.
by Anonymous | reply 220 | August 6, 2015 6:04 AM |
The Wild Wild West .. I see where it's even performed by symphony orchestras.
by Anonymous | reply 222 | August 7, 2015 6:42 AM |
I think my favorite is "Night Court." Those first few bars are so 80s NYC.
by Anonymous | reply 223 | April 26, 2020 6:37 AM |