I’d say it’s the Superman theme from the 78 movie. I’d forgotten just how good it was until I downloaded an mp3 of it. Might have something to do with the movie being a childhood favorite but it’s still imho a really good piece of music.
As an aside, was there a memorable Spiderman theme from the movie? I saw it twice and don’t recall one at all.
60 Minutes
Star Trek: TNG
And the obligatory Star Wars Main Theme and the Imperial March.
Hawaii 5-0. No contest.
If we’re talking movies, I like Raiders of the Lost Ark.
If we’re talking TV, there are several:
Cheers
The Jeffersons
Sandford and Son
Night Court
Theme from Shaft.
No, but they did have a brief shot of a hippie street performer singing a variation of the classic Spiderman theme. Except instead of “he’s got radioactive blood”, it was “I think we should all just give him a hug”.
For TV themes, the synthesizer music from Doogie Howser did a great job of setting the tone for the show. With movies, I’d have to nominate Jaws and 2001. Yes, I know that the music for 2001 wasn’t written for the movie, but it was integrated very well.
Peter Gunn. I could hum that thing under my breath for hours and not notice it.
The Imperial March and March of the Raiders. The James Bond theme (the jazzy version, not the horrid techno thing).
Which was done by Lalo Shifrin (sp?). He also did the music for Enter the Dragon, which I was going to put for number 1.
For TV, the obvious outright winner, by a long streak, is Mission Impossible. Also written by Lalo Schiffrin.
For movies, I don’t really know, but I would have thought the sound track to ‘Psycho’ took some beating. Maybe that doesn’t really count as a theme tune, though, in that it’s not the opening titles music that anyone remembers. But Bernard Herrmann was a genius.
Agreed, runner up: SWAT
Simon and Simon.
[Tim Reid]Oh, you mean my cousin, Air-to-ground Brown.[/Tim Reid]
Movies: Bullitt, The Professionals, The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three
TV: Cowboy Bebop, Due South, Peter Gunn
James Bond
The Godfather
MIssion Impossible
Star Wars
Pink Panther
The theme to Welcome Back Kotter.
One of the few television theme songs to go to #1 on the Billboard charts, I believe…
I always liked the theme to Angel, even though I never watch it anymore.
The Tonight Show, With Johnny Carson. Instantly recognizable (but the frequent airings helped) and punchy, and I always liked it.
Are we talking personal favorites, critics’ choices, or the most easily recognizable trademark/branding/marketing sort of “best”?
I’ll see your Mission Impossible and raise you a Rockford Files.
Sorry to be picky, but Morton Stevens composed Hawaii 5-0.
My #1 favorite theme is “Patton” by Jerry Goldsmith. You’ll hear that theme used everywhere.
I also like “ST-TNG” (Goldsmith and Alexander Courage)
“The Imperial March” from “Star Wars” (John Williams).
“The Pink Panther” (Henry Mancini)
“The Poppy Fields” from “The Shadow” (w/ Alec Baldwin) by Jerry Goldsmith.
“Marco Polo” by Ennio Morricone.
“Days of Heaven” by Ennio Morricone
“Bajo Fuego” from “Under Fire” by Jerry Goldsmith
…and I could go on and on.
Jurassic Park has a soundtrack that actually feels like the movie is supposed to as well. Big, majestic, awe inspiring.