What's your theme song? [Archive] - Straight Dope Message Board

infinitii

10-12-2009, 09:54 PM

I've been watching the complete series of "Ally McBeal", just released on DVD, and I came upon an episode where Ally's therapist (played hilariously by Tracy Ullman) tells her to pick a theme song. The only requirements she gives are that it needs to be upbeat, something that can give you a life as you walk down the street, and that it's something she can play in her head to make her feel better. The therapist chose "Tracy" (HAH!!) by the Cufflinks, and Ally ended up picking The Exciter's "Tell Him" (after her therapist rejected "Searchin' My Soul -- HAH!!).

I'm not going to be as strict in my requirements though. I was initially going to go with Jobim's "Waters of March", as it's one of my favorite songs, but in the spirit of Ally's therapist I'm going to have to go with something completely different, the Dollyrots' "Because I'm Awesome". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2pgbjPzF2k

So...what's yours?

Ephemera

10-12-2009, 10:12 PM

I Don't Know What to Do With My Life
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLrsJa0cuvI)

ToeJam

10-13-2009, 12:03 AM

Steve Miller Band's "The Joker" or "Take the Money and Run"

Though recently I've been getting turned onto The Eels' Souljacker part1. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCgB871XKV8)

But SMB has always been my standard.

Snowboarder Bo

10-13-2009, 12:25 AM

Motörhead's Ace Of Spades (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZyEbdQpPE).

Live loud, take risks, and if ya gotta go out, go out in a blaze of glory.

cmyk

10-13-2009, 01:02 AM

If it's gotta be upbeat, then I gotta go with Pinch Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k70i9HarXB4) by Barenaked Ladies.

Runners up:
One Thing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnOvGGGf6qA) by Finger Eleven

or

Excuses (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkVobEYm3Us) by Alanis Morissette.

elfkin477

10-13-2009, 01:38 AM

"It All Comes Out In The Wash (http://beemp3.com/download.php?file=2390277&song=It+All+Comes+Out+In+The+Wash)" by Self (the studio version is much better, but this seems to be the only way you can hear it on the internet.)

Stan Shmenge

10-13-2009, 03:37 AM

The theme from the TV show "One Day at a Time".

http://www.cfhf.net/lyrics/one-day.htm

Lynn Bodoni

10-13-2009, 04:05 AM

Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, or Meatloaf's Paradise by the Dashboard Light. It depends on my mood.

Lacunae Matata

10-13-2009, 04:25 AM

The Ramones' "I Wanna Be Sedated" springs to mind immediately...

Captain_Awesome

10-13-2009, 04:33 AM

Isamu

10-13-2009, 05:29 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXj2TudPCYU&feature=PlayList&p=658701D1F087BE6A&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=21

Hi Medlo

10-13-2009, 07:28 AM

Pink Floyd, Comfortably Numb.

Haunted

10-13-2009, 07:33 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCssYzVl6oQ&feature=PlayList&p=BC47D02C6CE772F0&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=17

wolf-alice

10-13-2009, 07:47 AM

Coachwhips, Hands on the Controls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbTWFj2SMX8)

Oh little baby oh baby be bold yeah
Get your hands on the fucking controls yeah

*raises eyebrow*
I'm not sure, but I think there might be some innuendo in that.

WordMan

10-13-2009, 08:05 AM

Too many to list. But if I had to pick one, I suppose it would be AC/DC's If You Want Blood - I know, sounds delightful, eh? If you ever saw the obscure movie Empire Records, which had everyone from Robin Tunney, Liv Tyler and Renee Zellweger - when Anthony LaPaglia goes back in his office, gets behind his drum kit and puts on a song to play along to, get pumped up and block out his problems, that's the song he goes with. For me, it was the song I played before most of my tests in high school, college and grad school to get pumped up. I know - how pathetic is that, getting pumped up before a test?? :smack: but it totally worked. ;)

And it's really fun to play. :D

Sateryn76

10-13-2009, 09:16 AM

Mine is Time Out of Mind by Steely Dan. It speaks to my desire to take chances and really live my life. I like the imagery of "chasing the dragon" as a metaphor for going for it.

I steadfastly refuse to give any creedence to the notion that it's about doing heroin.

::I'm not listening! I'm not listening:: :)

silenus

10-13-2009, 09:47 AM

For the longest time mine alternated between Jackson Browne's The Pretender and U2's I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. Now, I think it's When I Said I Do by Clint Black.

Or maybe Jimmy Buffett's That's My Story and I'm Stickin' To It. :D

cjepson

10-13-2009, 11:12 AM

Probably either "And Your Bird Can Sing" by the Beatles, or "Lay Down" by the Strawbs. Although "When I Get to the Border" by Richard & Linda Thompson is up there too.

Malleus, Incus, Stapes!

10-13-2009, 11:17 AM

Rihanna's Disturbia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6zdhHLvT7k).

Honestly, something about that song captures the... how should I put this... the chaos, the sense you're sliding towards the abyss and the branch you're grabbing might break any moment, the horrifying unpredictability of living with mental illness. You think you've got control, but you know in the back of your mind you're walking a tightrope. Whenever things get worse you tell yourself that you've always gotten over these things eventually, but you don't quite believe it. You worry that there's a bridge between having a hard time functioning, and not being able to function, and that someday you may lose your mind altogether.

Anyway, when I was going through a tough time last year Disturbia was my theme song. Still goes through my head whenever I'm having one of my bad days.

Haunted

10-13-2009, 11:19 AM

Too many to list. But if I had to pick one, I suppose it would be AC/DC's If You Want Blood - I know, sounds delightful, eh?

That's my favorite song!
Yes, my theme song and my favorite song are different. It happens.

ArrMatey!

10-13-2009, 11:26 AM

"Into the Fire" from the Scarlet Pimpernel musical, if we have to do upbeat. Or perhaps the Bad Examples recordings of "Not Dead Yet" (Which I find infinitely better than the Styx version). If upbeat is not a requirement, "A Criminal Mind." I get to feel all cold and calculating* when I listen to that.

*like a computer in a freezer.

An Arky

10-13-2009, 11:31 AM

Nirvana - I Hate Myself and I Want to Die (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vwwFiaSXHk) . I'm not big on the song itself, but the title is a nifty mantra.

blondebear

10-13-2009, 11:32 AM

removed:duplicate post

blondebear

10-13-2009, 11:35 AM

"Pure And Easy" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x430XNZhnWs)

"There once was a note....listen!"

Biggirl

10-13-2009, 11:44 AM

I already have two picked, it matters what mood I'm in: Baby Elephant Walk or Yakity Sax.

Intergalactic Gladiator

10-13-2009, 11:48 AM

To the tune of My Country Tis of The/ God Save the Queen

God bless my underpants
And when I get the chance
In them I dance
And when I take this stance
My package is enhanced
I saw you take a glance
God bless my underpants!

Then I down a beer.

Yllaria

10-13-2009, 11:50 AM

The only one I can think of right now is I'm So Excited by the Pointer Sisters, and that got me a speeding ticket once. I need something similar, but slower tempo. Let me ponder that awhile.

TruCelt

10-13-2009, 11:56 AM

Sorry - I can't send youTube links from work. But youprobably have to listen to these to understand.

My old one was: neal-mccoy-you-gotta-love-that (http://lyrics.duble.com/lyrics/n/neal-mccoy-lyrics/neal-mccoy-you-gotta-love-that-lyrics.htm)

Which I recently realized needed an update, so I went with:

Montgomery_Gentry_what_do_ya_think_about_that (http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/montgomerygentry/whatdoyathinkaboutthat.html)

I'm not a farm girl, but I do have a bit of a redneck mind underneath this business suit and I have to say it has served me well. ;-)

koeeoaddi

10-13-2009, 12:13 PM

You're Aging Well (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uIAVpM-D_A) :)

Or, if I have a headache, then Cure for Pain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=985JGeGq_tc), of course.

Oakminster

10-13-2009, 12:31 PM

Known in Surefall Glade as "Oak's Anthem", you mere mortals call it Free Bird (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkTQUtx818w) :D

Carl Corey

10-13-2009, 01:08 PM

"The Ecstasy of Gold" by Ennio Morricone, from the soundtrack to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Wheelz

10-13-2009, 02:03 PM

It's not my favorite song ever, but it's one that pops into my head a lot when I'm in a good mood. And Mrs Wheelz claims it fits my personality (believe it or not!):

Katrina & the Waves - Walkin' on Sunshine

Malleus, Incus, Stapes!

10-13-2009, 02:46 PM

maladroit

10-13-2009, 03:28 PM

"Oh My What a Shame" Don McLean
sample here (29 sec) http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B0000011NT/ref=pd_krex_listen_dp_img?ie=UTF8&refTagSuffix=dp_img

lyrics here: http://www.songlyrics.com/mclean-don/oh-my-what-a-shame-lyrics/

the part that most speaks to me:

For there's nothing you can say when it's over
And there's nothing you can do when it's done
there's no battle you can win
and there's nothing to begin that's not begun

In this moment, I recall your face and I wonder if you still
think about me, occasionally I still think of you
and I watch the river flow and I know I must let go
but it's oh so hard for the waves are all around my small canoe
I had always hoped this boat could carry two

This has been one of my favorite songs for almost 40 years. I was lots of fun as a kid :P

10-13-2009, 04:41 PM

If You Want to Sing Out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDq36YD1ESM).

That, or Loser (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJN3PGqDRNg). Two sides of the same coin, really.

Ranchoth

10-13-2009, 06:46 PM

Well, I'm going to have to say...John Barry's Main Theme to The Last Valley (Choral version) (http://www.amazon.com/Last-Valley-Main-Theme-choral/dp/B002GQE9LM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1255476720&sr=1-1). I'm a very cheerful person.

Atomicflea

10-13-2009, 07:50 PM

Lately, whenever I need to feel my oats and stomp it out, Madonna's Revolver (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FM9J2HM5NY) does the trick.

FoieGrasIsEvil

10-13-2009, 08:28 PM

I've repeatedly told my wife and my parents that at my funeral, I want Bowie's "Space Odyssey" and Marley's "Redemption Songs" to be played, and loudly.

I only wish I could afford to blast my ashes into the stratosphere like Hunter Thompson had done.

StuffLikeThatThere

10-13-2009, 09:38 PM

I find myself singing the Stones to myself pretty frequently.

You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You get what you need

RealityChuck

10-13-2009, 10:01 PM

The Doctor Who Theme -- the rock version used during the Peter Davison days.

For a song with lyrics, then Paperback Writer (for obvious reasons).

Colibri

10-13-2009, 11:50 PM

Jimmy Cliff's You Can Get It If You Really Want

You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
But you must try, try and try
Try and try, you'll succeed at last

Sampiro

10-13-2009, 11:57 PM

I'd have John Barry especially compose one for me of course, but meanwhile I'll use the part of t he The Lion in Winter Suite that begins at 8:15 in this clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5B28w51ygQ).

I'm also partial to the theme to HBOs Rome (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8faqWJ96IQ&feature=PlayList&p=D2F19C1C41D97DB4&index=0).

Czarcasm

10-14-2009, 12:36 AM

Meatloaf-Dead Ringer
or
Donovan-Intergalactic Laxative

Stink Fish Pot

10-14-2009, 01:28 AM

Radar Love - Golden Earring
and from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly soundtrack, I'd have to go with "Carriage of the Spirits"

Sampiro

10-14-2009, 03:23 PM

I'm changing my answer to Winchester Cathedral. In addition to being memorable but not overused it was the number 1 song (http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneinhistory/SelectMonth.htm)the day I was born.

Dr. Rieux

10-14-2009, 04:16 PM

Either "Peace of Mind" or "A Man I'll Never Be" by Boston.

Or maybe just John Lennon's "Imagine."

faithfool

10-14-2009, 04:25 PM

You May be Right by Billy Joel. Gets both sides of my personality right on the money. :D

Angel of the Lord

10-14-2009, 05:25 PM

Probably the closest thing I have is NQ Arbuckle's "Don't Remember Me." Mostly for the lines, "If you're so fuckin' clever/what're you doin' with me" and "Don't you ever stop talking?/Don't you ever fall asleep?"

Or, if you want a song that I can actually link to...The Apologist (http://lyrics.wikia.com/R.E.M.:The_Apologist), by REM.

SSgtBaloo

10-14-2009, 06:31 PM

Dr. Hook: Millionaire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5s3kvo0aQ8)

My first choice was Everybody Loves Me (But I'm Paranoid) but I couldn't find a link to the song.

salinqmind

10-14-2009, 11:26 PM

My theme song has changed over the years. It used to be "Real Wild Child (wild one)" by Iggy Pop. Now it's "Everything I Do I Do It For You" by Bryan Adams. What can I say? I live to serve!

tr0psn4j

10-14-2009, 11:36 PM

Statler Brothers - Flowers on the Wall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s8nRL2bPCU)

ryan

10-16-2009, 05:15 PM

"Much too young (to feel this damn old)" by Garth Brooks.

dhkendall

10-26-2009, 08:56 AM

Don't know what one would use a "theme song" for, when I go to baseball games I see the players have theme songs, though. I've told myself if I ever get to be a baseball player that requires a theme song, there is but only one choice: Entrance of the Gladiators (http://wurlitzer-rolls.com/6526-9.mp3) - really the best choice on oh so many levels.

Guinastasia

10-26-2009, 09:29 PM

Splendora, You're Standing On My Neck (aka, the "Daria" theme)

frootle

10-27-2009, 10:05 PM

The Benny Hill theme song.

Taenia spp.

10-28-2009, 12:56 AM

A couple of my friends and I got hooked on Arrested Development, so of course whenever we get together nowadays, our theme song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZkllM8znx4) always finds its way into the music playlist.

For those of you that are link-averse, the song is The Final Countdown by Europe.