# Great TV theme songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 19, 2011, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939 "2011-04-19T08:11:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/41 "2011-04-21T00:11:21Z")
My favorite would be the theme song to the Canadian news magazine show “W5”. The opening theme was [Fool’s Overture](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLbYL10c1zo) by Supertramp. Also have to give a shout out to “WKRP in Cincinnati”, “Baretta”, and the old Bob Newhart show. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/42 "2011-04-21T03:11:08Z")
Two shows I primarily remember for the theme songs: [Courtship of Eddie’s Father](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpTDAow4XU8&feature=related) (by Harry Nilsson) [Angie](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9u71Qq3L58&feature=related)–a 1:40 intro for a half hour sitcom! And while we’re mentioning WKRP, the opening theme couldn’t hold a candle to the [closing theme.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTlz1BqS8A0) ---
**Author:** ![tavalla](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tavalla/32/89_2.png) [@tavalla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavalla)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/43 "2011-04-21T03:45:14Z")
Here’s the long version of the Eagles’ [Journey of the Sorceror](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rOMGIbY-9s), used as the theme for Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. The [Six Feet Under](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYAe0qwg9Yw) theme is gorgeous. Dexter’s already been mentioned; that’s forever one of my favourites too. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/44 "2011-04-21T03:52:15Z")
WKRP in Cincinnati. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/45 "2011-04-21T04:54:14Z")
Airwolf. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/46 "2011-04-21T05:08:35Z")
“Come and listen to a story 'bout a man named Jed …” I’ve found it to be the ultimate earworm. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/47 "2011-04-21T05:51:19Z")
Seconding True Blood. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/48 "2011-04-21T15:16:01Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > For sheer ridiculousness, nothing beats the theme to [_It’s Garry Shandling’s Show_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac8cQuEzDCQ). Similarly, the kids’ show the theme song for _Phineas and Ferb_ concludes with their sister, who’s always ineffectually tattle-taling, hollering “Mom! Phineas and Ferb are making a title sequence!” ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/49 "2011-04-21T15:29:46Z")
Penn and Teller’s Bullshit! TV show has an interesting intro theme. And the music somehow conveys in feelings what the show is like/about. I’m going to throw my vote to Space 1999. Good theme. But that theme thrown in with all the action packed scenes clipped and spliced together was one kick ass bucket of excitement. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/50 "2011-04-21T15:42:22Z")
Bonanza, first, last, and forever! I don’t even like Westerns, but just hearing that music makes me want to saddle up and punch doggies. And on obscure one, The Protectors. It was a really, really bad British detective show in the early 1970’s starring Robert Vaughn. My family used to watch it and make fun of it. But it had a cool theme song, _Avenues and Alleyways_ by Tony Christie. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/51 "2011-04-21T16:00:38Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > And on obscure one, The Protectors. It was a really, really bad British detective show in the early 1970’s starring Robert Vaughn. My family used to watch it and make fun of it. But it had a cool theme song, _Avenues and Alleyways_ by Tony Christie. Then there’s the classic [Persuaders](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99QQIXez4M) theme, by the late great John Barry. ---
**Author:** ![Jumpbass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jumpbass/32/147_2.png) [@Jumpbass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpbass)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/52 "2011-04-23T16:54:27Z")
Night Court [Night Court theme - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjiWblC_iG8) Sanford And Son [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5DnqW3F57E](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5DnqW3F57E) Third Rock From The Sun [Third Rock from the Sun Opening Theme - Only Theme - 3rd Rock - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmc7HKGChYE) Brian Setzer and his big band did the theme on some later episodes. Bill Cosby Show [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r\_Rppe\_MyM8](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Rppe_MyM8) The Jetsons [- YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qcMjG1KL2Q) Batman! [Old Batman TV Show Theme Song - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qP-NglUeZU&feature=related) I could do this all day. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2011, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/53 "2011-04-24T12:54:18Z")
i REALLY like ST Voyager’s theme [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6IpjBCVYo8) ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/54 "2011-04-24T19:22:26Z")
Going further afield from what we’ve been considering ‘TV shows’, the Cowboy Bebop anime has a wonderful opening theme: [Full version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6jCJZEFIto) ---
**Author:** ![FrustratedIdiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/77aa72/32.png) [@FrustratedIdiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrustratedIdiot)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/55 "2011-04-25T01:06:10Z")
The Streets of San Francisco: [- YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F0wlfmxKdU) ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/56 "2011-04-25T01:18:03Z")
Gonna hop across the pond… I would link to YouTube but I’m on the iPhone. Haven’t mastered that trick yet. Top of the Pops, BBC (Phil Lynott’s Yellow Pearl version) Tomorrow’s World, BBC (the early 80s theme) Jamie and the Magic Torch, ITV (cracking tune from a kids cartoon) World in Action, ITV (late 70s-early 80s… Had that awesome organ parping in the background, like someone dropped a load of acid before discussing the terrible state of Britain. Was there ever a cheery WiA programme?) EastEnders (BBC) Back to the US: Magnum, PI The A Team National Geographic NBC Nightly News ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/57 "2011-04-26T03:43:17Z")
> [@tavalla](#): > > The [Six Feet Under](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYAe0qwg9Yw) theme is gorgeous. Agreed! Also liked The Sopranos and Taxi. ---
**Author:** ![bahia\_hombre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@bahia\_hombre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bahia_hombre)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/58 "2011-04-26T04:05:34Z")
70’s stuff: mash, taxi, waltons, MTM, bob newhart, carol burnett, shaft, wide world of sports, laverne & shirley, happy days, partridge family, rockford files, abc sunday night movie, rockford files, und so weiter… ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939/59 "2011-04-28T00:48:52Z")
I always thought Baywatch had a really great theme. Better than the show, anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-tv-theme-songs/578939.md?page=2)