The most popular original TV theme songs

monica Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 10:00 PM EST

i like:
Big Bang Theory
One Tree Hill
Smallville

adam875 Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 12:30 PM EST

I don't think "I'll Be There For You" qualifies as it wasn't an original song written for the TV show. It was released on a Rembrandts album.

Vincentia Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 07:23 PM EST

Sorry, my mistake... that should have been "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now."

Vincentia Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 07:17 PM EST

My favorite is "No One's Gonna Stop Me Now" sung by David Pomeranz, from "Perfect Strangers" (you know, Larry and Balki). That is one of the ultimate feel good songs, I think.

Jakeem Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 02:53 PM EST

For the record, here's what the new "Smallville" opening looks like. It's similar to those of previous seasons, but there are several new (and good-looking)additions to the credits.
Does anyone have nicer eyes than Cassidy Freeman? And you gotta love Clark Kent with glasses now that he's a reporter for The Daily Planet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBv_Tzli95I

Jenn Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 02:25 PM EST

Some of my faves would be Magnum PI, Miami Vice, Rockford Files, Dallas, Cheers. Those are the classics.

Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 12:56 PM EST

I agree with what most have said,some of My favorites are,Threes Company, Beverly Hillbillies ,WKRP,Dukes Of Hazzard,The Jeffersons,,In The Heat Of The Night,Night Heat and Welcome Back Kotter.

V Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 09:30 AM EST

And I can't believe I forgot to include the Fall Guy!

V Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 09:26 AM EST

Man, I'm such a huge fan of TV theme songs! My all-time favorites include:
Chico and the Man
The Jeffersons
Good Times
Hawaii 5-0
Dynasty
Barney Miller (that bass line!)
Sanford and Son (bwamp bwamp bwa-dun!)

For new stuff:
The Office - I'm like Pavlov's dog when I hear it
30 Rock - I just love how they work that theme in throughout the show.
Swingtown - Liz Phair's "Give It Up For Love" is just perfect for the show.

Stephanie T. Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 09:00 AM EST

I totally rememeber when the themes from Hill Street, Magnum, Cheers, and The Greatest American Hero were on the American Top 40. lol Good times.

Sam Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 05:37 AM EST

Magnum PI was my all-time favorite. Also liked Hill Street Blues, Cheers, and Hawaii 5-O.

Jakeem Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 12:27 AM EST

Here are two unforgettable themes by the brilliant Thomas Newman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI9TQncmdI0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYAe0qwg9Yw

Em Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 07:39 PM EST

Chuck's theme song isn't original- it's part of Cake's "Short Skirt, Long Jacket".

kim in kentucky Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 05:38 PM EST

Shows that are currently on the air- The Office of course (have it as my ring tone) and Monk. Past ones - The West Wing - LOVE IT - always made me feel patriotic when I heard it and also liked The Nanny - it told the story/setup for the show!

RubyBaby Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 05:32 PM EST

Current shows:
Psych: fun theme tune that really fits the show, always sing along.
Chuck: wish there was more of it.
The Simpsons: Danny Elfman, say no more.
Entourage: okay, it's a song by Jane's Addiction but it is the best part of the show these days.
Damages: downloaded this one within days of seeing the first episode, from The VLA's Myspace page.

Oldies and classics:
Can't go past Dr Who. The tweaked theme used currently isn't quite the same. BBC Radiophonic Workshop, excellent work.

Buffy
Miami Vice
Anything by Mike Post - especially Hill St
Dallas and Dynasty
Welcome Back Kotter - ah, John Sebastian

And finally, pretty much anything animated from the '60s had a fun and memorable(though annoying to parents, I'm sure) theme - particularly, The Flintsones and The Jetsons. Oh, and, "one banana, two banana, three banana, four".

AC Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 05:19 PM EST

I thought the theme song for Malcolm in the Middle was so perfect for the show. "You're not the boss of me!"

Raven_Moon Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 05:07 PM EST

I always liked Due South's theme by Jay Semko. I'm not sure if it was written for the show specifically, but I always liked the intro theme from Six Feet Under.

Sarah Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 04:54 PM EST

Last year when I watched the entire series of Buffy on DVD, I never skipped the theme song the entire time I watched it. Such a great theme.

Danielle Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 04:52 PM EST

Oops, my mistake.

caknuck Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 04:40 PM EST

And nobody's mentioned "The Simpsons"?

sarcastro Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 04:37 PM EST

The A-Team...perfect.
And Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I remember catching a rerun an ep from the first season of the show, still not sure if I was going to like the show(I was severely disappointed in the movie years before)...and then by the end of the theme song I KNEW that I was going to love it.

caknuck Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 04:35 PM EST

My top eight (in no particular order) is: "Simon & Simon", "The Rockford Files", "The Dukes of Hazzard", "Hockey Night In Canada", "The A-Team", "The Wire", "WKRP in Cincinnati" and "The Gary Shandling Show"

fancypants Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 04:26 PM EST

why has no one said HAPPY DAYS??!! that is a great theme song!

Debbie Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 04:11 PM EST

Obviously, CHiPs and Dallas. These instrumentals ooze excitement.

Kami Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 04:02 PM EST

Some of my favorites that weren't previously mentioned: The Price is Right, the Young and the Restless, Hustle, Eastenders, the People's Court, Matlock, and Perry Mason to name a few.

HD Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 03:57 PM EST

I know some of these have already been mentioned but here is my list:
All In The Family
I Love Lucy
Sanford & Son
Gilligan's Island
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Peter Gunn
The Dick Van Dyke Show
Fresh Prince of Bel Air
The Beverly Hillbillies
Living Single
Dallas
The Flintstones
Perry Mason
Three's Company
The Andy Griffith Show
Welcome Back Kotter

Lindsay Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 03:45 PM EST

It's creepy, cooky, and classic...The Addams Family!!

I also randomly find myself singing Patty Duke. I miss "classic" Nick and Nite.

Gustavo Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 03:30 PM EST

And where is the "Sopranos" love? Talk about classic...

And I'm glad someone mentioned the lovely Bionic Woman melody ( needless to say, orginal flavor ).

Maybe Tonight Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 03:15 PM EST

I can't believe no one has mentioned Six Feet Under. I never fastforwarded through the credits on that one.
Also, Alias. Well, the first three seasons of Alias, I didn't like the techno remix as much.
Dead Like Me and Wonderfalls also had great theme songs.
Other favorites:
Arrested Development
Firefly
Flight of the Conchords
Battlestar Galactica
Cheers
I miss theme songs, but I understand that they need to be cut to fit more of the program in. With the trimming each and every year of programs to put more commercials in, I can see why producers would want the additional 30-45 seconds that cutting the theme song could do.

LL Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 02:42 PM EST

The theme song to 30 Rock rules - my boyfriend has it as a ringtone and I'm totally jealous.

econruth Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 02:27 PM EST

I love the theme to Survivor.. keep looking for it as a ringtone but can't find it!

tambot5000 Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 02:21 PM EST

Good Times, people, good times.

Karrah Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 02:06 PM EST

The Growing Pains theme makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Others I love...
-Grey's
-The Office
-My So-Called Life
-Full House
-Family Matters
-90210
-Gilmore Girls
-Golden Girls
-Fresh Prince

Melinda65 Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 02:03 PM EST

I love TV theme songs, and have a CD of TV Guide's choice of 50 best themes, and have a bunch on my computer. Some of my favorites are those from Firefly, Angel, Psych, Newhart, Taxi and a short-lived sitcom called Grand. FF and Angel are ringtones on my cell phone.

Speaking of the Psych theme, The Friendly Indians, which performs the theme song, is the band of Steve Franks, the creator of the show.

As for Billboard's list, they're only looking at theme songs that actually charted (although I would think that the Rembrandt's "I'll Be There for You" would have made it) so a theme song like that from "The Brady Bunch," despite the fact that pretty much everyone in the country recognizes it, wouldn't be on the list.

TMB Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 01:50 PM EST

oh, meant to say, if I had to pick an peice with words, I'd choose something like the theme from the Maverick TV show. Oh, I love The Big Valley's theme, too. No words, though.

TMB Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 01:48 PM EST

I have to say that my favorite is Cagney & Lacey- that sax line at the beginning- LOVE it. After that, probably buffy.

Cat Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 01:36 PM EST

Melrose Place
Buffy
Angel
Mad Men
Older shows: Fresh Prince, Different Strokes, Scooby-Doo, Golden Girls

Jakeem Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 01:32 PM EST

By the way, there surely should be a Hall of Fame award in honor of the great Mike Post, who gave us the theme songs for "The Rockford Files," "The A-Team," "Hill Street Blues," "L.A. Law," "Magnum, P.I.", "NYPD Blue," "Quantum Leap," "Law and Order," "Doogie Howser, M.D." and "The Greatest American Hero."

Johnny Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 01:07 PM EST

Jakeem: I was thinking the same thing about Smallville, how are they going to do the opening credits this year?
Two of my favorite theme songs are from Melrose Place and Dallas.
And I know everyone knows the words to the Brady Bunch Show.

cookiemac Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:58 PM EST

Hero, you must type faster than me!

Jakeem Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:51 PM EST

I always look forward to each new season's opening credits for "Smallville." With all of the recent cast and production departures, it's going to be interesting to see the changes tonight. Let's hope they'll use "Save Me" by Remy Zero at least one more season. It's the perfect superhero song.

Conor Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:47 PM EST

I have a file/album on my iPod with 78 TV themes, I usually add them to the mix to get other peoples reaction during my selection, they are like little time capsules! I do miss the TV themes, even Desperate Housewives dropped theirs this passed season, but I think they maybe too corny now-a-days, I did love the Falcon Crest theme as a child!

el Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:45 PM EST

The only shows I dont fast-forward through the themes are Big Bang Theory, Psych, and How I Met Your Mother.
The Bones one is awesome too, but gets pretty repetitive after a marathon of that show!

arahsae Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:43 PM EST

Jem! She's truly outrageous...truly, truly, truly outrageous.

To Danielle Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:42 PM EST

BBT theme is definitely sung by Barenaked Ladies... you can check the wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_bang_theory_(tv_series)

cookiemac Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:40 PM EST

Hero, you must type faster than me!

cookiemac Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:39 PM EST

"Believe it or not, I'm walkin on air, Never thougt I could be so free..." come on you know you want to sing along. Also the Big Bang Theory is Barenaked ladies, says so at the end of the episodes

Suzanne Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:37 PM EST

ANGIE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x7EB8NkL2o

Hero Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:34 PM EST

The Greatest American Hero.... come on, we all know it... "Look at what happened to me--ee...

Dinosaur Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:31 PM EST

If you like CSI: Miami's start and the Who, you might like this...

http://www.weebls-stuff.com/wab/CSI/

Snarf Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:23 PM EST

Doctor Who!
(I forgot it in my earlier post - note to self - no more posting till first coffee has hit bloodstream)

cap Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:15 PM EST

Oldie favorite - A Team!
Current (although cancelled) favorite - Gilmore Girls 'Where You Lead'

MsDaisy Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:02 PM EST

What about those classic theme songs from The Andy Griffith Show and The Beverly Hillbillies?

Danielle Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:00 PM EST

Theme from Angel by Darling Violetta
Theme from Chuck by Cake
Theme from Big Bang Theory which I believe is by They Might Be Giants and not Barenaked Ladies.

Laurel Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:56 AM EST

What about the Jeffersons, the Adams Family, the Mary Tyler Moore Show, Gilligans Island and Hawaii 5-0?

Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:52 AM EST

The Friends theme isn't on the list because there was no commercial single released for it, and thus it wasn't on the Hot 100 during it's peak because of the the chart rules at the time that didn't allow airplay only songs to chart.

It did eventually chart as a B-side to the follow up single. "I'll Be There For You" is credited because it had more radio airplay than "This House Is Not A Home", but airplay had dipped at that point so it's chart positioning (I think it peaked at sometime like #19) doesn't really reflect the song's popularity.

And this list doesn't really reflect popularity...it's just a list of the best performers on the Hot 100. Numerous theme songs that would be considered classics were never actually singles.

Rick Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:37 AM EST

WKRP in Cincinnati, Psych, Big Bang Theory, Welcome Back Kotter, Cheers, I love them all!

Michael Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:34 AM EST

Oh, come on. Even 50 years later...who doesn't know the theme song from Batman??

jj11 Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:24 AM EST

And speaking of PI's ....what about Magnum PI?

Craig Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:20 AM EST

Reading Rainbow. Butterfly in the sky... I can fly twice as high.

jj11 Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:18 AM EST

My mom used to watch a show called "Simon and Simon" I think it was about PI's anyhew, I remember totally jamming to the gee-tar in the theme song. It was awesome.

Carli Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:17 AM EST

There's no words, but I just love Mad Men's theme song. There's no fast-forwarding through that.

Ronda Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:15 AM EST

Who the hell remembers "The Heights." The theme from Hill Street Blues should be #1. Where is the theme from "Dynasty?" and "Sanford and Son?"

Cassie Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:15 AM EST

Theme songs also cut away at the total run time for a show. That's why How I Met Your Mother has such a short song. It let's them have more in an episode.

jackie Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:12 AM EST

Heloooo, How I Met Your Mother??? I always wanna bust out and "sing" along!! And what about The British Office?!?!? Is that an original song?

Shane Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 11:00 AM EST

Can't rule out "the fall guy." That was a good one!

Miriam Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:59 AM EST

It's a classic and iconic: my all time favourite theme song has got to be Doctor Who. It was great in the early days, and Murray Gold's new arrangements gave it even more vitality.

Erik Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:47 AM EST

The original 90210 theme song. Doing the claps at the beginning comes instinctively now. I also like Melrose Place's theme. One of my favorite Seinfeld episodes is when the four are bobbing their heads to the MP theme.

tia77 Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:43 AM EST

That list sucks. There were a few songs on there that I couldn't think of at all, yet, I can sing all the lyrics to The Addams Family, Scooby Doo, Cheers, Dukes of Hazzard, Family Ties, Three's Company, and countless others. As for those from the last decade: I love the theme for Psych, not just because it's awesome, but because they also did it in Spanish for their telenovela. I also like the Big Bang Theory theme.

Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:35 AM EST

The OC
How I Met Your Mother

mrs. puff Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:27 AM EST

The Love Boat song comes to mind. Also, Simon & Simon, Hogan's Heroes.

Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:25 AM EST

the theme song to The Office, of course! you just can't help but hum along

CAJUNSBLUES Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:22 AM EST

oh and King of the Hill

CAJUNSBLUES Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:21 AM EST

Psych
A-Team
Airwolf
Weeds
old theme to the Unit

Christine Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:20 AM EST

How can you not rock out everytime you hear the Buffy theme song? ;)

Jen in Tenn Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:13 AM EST

oooh, oooh, I know, the theme from The Jetsons! And Scooby Doo, Where Are You? Guess there'd have to be a separate list of all our "cartoon" fave themes! Now THOSE types of shows DO still feature themes -- Emperor's New Groove, Phineas and Ferb, Kim Possible... fun stuff!

Jen in Tenn Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:09 AM EST

FYI, the theme song used for Chuck is an established pop song already, not made-for-the-show...

Jen in Tenn Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:07 AM EST

Fave oldie: theme songs from Cheers and MASH. New fave (and I HAVE tried unsuccessfully to download it!) is the theme from Psych on USA Network; it's by "The Friendly Indians" or something like that, very Bob-Dylan-like but playful.

SJ Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:07 AM EST

What? No "Growing Pains" love? A friend of mine and I even did a lip sync to it in high school. I wonder if that video tape still exists.

Show me that smile again...

Snarf Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 10:06 AM EST

The theme from the Bionic Woman (original series)
The theme to Chuck (and accompanying graphics) is all sorts of awesome.

Sven Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 09:56 AM EST

Beverly Hillbillies (The Theme of Jed Clampett - Flatt & Scrugss)
Dukes of Hazzard (Waylon Jennings)

NineDaves.com Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 09:30 AM EST

um... degrassi the next generation!!! hello!!! that's one of the best theme songs in the history of theme songs.

mgm Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 09:28 AM EST

"Come and knock on our door, we've been waiting for you..."

DawnLD Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 09:13 AM EST

Um, hello? What about Magnum?!? You can't forget that one!

Lise Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 09:04 AM EST

I always liked the theme from Friends... and it's short, but I also love the Firefly theme.

Kathleen Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 09:04 AM EST

Oh, man - and "The Jeffersons"!!! Yes.
(And thanks to the mention of Fat Albert I'm going to be walking around work for possibly the next couple days going "bwow buh bwow, buh bwow, buh bwow . . . ")

Kathleen Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 09:01 AM EST

I can't believe the theme from "Cheers" didn't make that list. Because, really, sometimes you really do want to go where everybody knows your name.
"The Facts of Life" and "Different Strokes" are tops for me. "Golden Girls" is pretty boss too. "Fat Albert" was AWESOME.
A friend of mine has the "Walker Texas Ranger" theme as a ringtone, and it's soooo deliciously awful. It's so awesomely awful that everytime his phone rings, Chuck Norris punches an angel.

Ceballos Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 08:53 AM EST

Some of my favorite times are turning on Nick at Nite and singing along to the sort of sitcom cheese-tastic theme song they just don't make any more and we still know all the words to (Full House, Family Matters, Fresh Prince.)

I guess my favorite current theme music is Mad Men, 30 Rock and Boston Legal (say what you want about the show, but the theme music is funky).

Matt Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 08:49 AM EST

The Big Bang Theory has a pretty cool theme song.

snarky Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 08:33 AM EST

I actually have a lot of TV themes on the IPod, including Fat Albert, Rockford Files and Law and Order (original, with the voice over "In the criminal justice system...) My favorite is the theme from Miami Vice, just cuz it is sooooooo 80s.

Eric Friedmann Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 08:30 AM EST

The theme from S.W.A.T.

Arsenio Billingham Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 08:29 AM EST

The only thing that doesn't suck about the Big Bang Theory is its theme song, but only because it's performed by the Barenaked Ladies.

Annie Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 08:28 AM EST

I shouted out Greatest American Hero before I even saw the list. So when I saw it on there, I actually started singing the whole song! I was just a lttle kid(9-11 yrs old) when it was one but had a huge crush on William Katt! Oh, did I just admit that?!!

Tuzo Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 08:24 AM EST

I'm assuming this includes themes that are instrumentals since the list does contain some of those:
.
Secret Agent Man -- They got that right! So cool!
Cheers
What about Star Trek? It's a classic.
A-Team
Hawaii Five-O
The Prisoner -- great opening montage.
Twilight Zone
Batman
Gilligan's Island

myma Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 08:21 AM EST

What I want to know is where is the theme from Cheers, and the "moving on up" song?
Yeah, and Fat Albert too.

BijouxIce Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 08:17 AM EST

The Addams Family theme comes immediately to mind as a favorite. So does the original Dark Shadows theme. I most recently bought the theme to Deadwood on iTunes because I enjoyed the instrumental with fiddles so much.

joules Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 08:13 AM EST

I like the theme songs for Psych, The Big Bang Theory and the original theme for Monk (NOT the lame-ass Randy Newman song).

Moxie Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 08:10 AM EST

One Day at a Time. Greatest American Hero. Courtship of Eddie's Father.

professor74 Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 07:49 AM EST

Fat Albert.