# Greatest TV Theme Song **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 22, 2000, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425 "2000-07-22T01:59:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hunsecker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d78d45/32.png) [@Hunsecker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunsecker)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/21 "2000-07-22T06:02:50Z")
The theme to **It’s Garry Shandlings Show** is hands down the best TV theme ever. The show was stupid, funny, ironic, and constantly broke down the fourth wall, and so did the theme song. “This is the theme to Garry’s show The theme to Garry’s show This is the music that you hear as you watch the credits…” ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/22 "2000-07-22T06:04:13Z")
Call me silly but the song to _The Flintstones_\* given the time period it came out. Of course I have to add _The Jetsons_. Both catchy tunes and like I said given the time these came out it made sense. ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/23 "2000-07-22T06:05:33Z")
Well, poo on a stick, I thought I had done the vB code right. This is the second time tonight it’s messed up on me and I am not even drunk! ---
**Author:** ![Myrr21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Myrr21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrr21)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/24 "2000-07-22T06:07:42Z")
Incidentally, do you know that you can sing the \* Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner \* to the tune of \* Gilligan’s Island? \* It is an acient mariner And he stoppeth one of three By your long grey beard and twinkling eye Wherfore thou stoppest me? And so on. Try it… ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/25 "2000-07-22T06:31:35Z")
The first thing that jumped to mind is “Peter Gunn”, followed closely by the theme from “Have Gun, Will Travel”. Waitaminnit…what’s that you say? “Who was ‘Palladin’???” ---
**Author:** ![kawliga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea666f/32.png) [@kawliga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kawliga)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/26 "2000-07-22T06:45:16Z")
Does anyone remember “Movin’ On”, with Claude Akins? It had a great theme song written and performed by Merle Haggard. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/27 "2000-07-22T06:53:38Z")
I’m gonna have to go with the _Perfect Strangers_ theme. “It’s my life, my dream, nothings gonna stop me now.” You may think I’m kidding, but I’m not. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/28 "2000-07-22T06:54:06Z")
For hummability - I go with “The Waltons” theme (by a favorite composer, Jerry Goldsmith.) “Route 66” (Nelson Riddle comp.) also comes to mind, and I also “Mission Impossible” (Lalo Schifrin). (I am really into remembering composer’s names.) ---
**Author:** ![irish\_bill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ac91a4/32.png) [@irish\_bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irish_bill)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/29 "2000-07-22T07:13:08Z")
I’m from the school that prefers instrumental theme tunes. I really like the theme from Taxi (especially the Picolo bit). And Star Trek (OF COURSE). And Batman (ok that did have lyrics! Dinner Dinner Dinner Duh BatMaaan) And Barney Miller (though I can’t actually remember it). The X-files is pretty cool… ---
**Author:** ![silent\_rob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@silent\_rob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silent_rob)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/30 "2000-07-22T08:43:15Z")
It didn’t have lyrics, but I think the _Night Court_ theme song was great. I especially liked the funky bass line. ---
**Author:** ![popokis5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@popokis5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/popokis5)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/31 "2000-07-22T08:55:28Z")
Excuuuse me but I think the Brady theme says the whole story AND the younger generation knows it. Just because you happen to pick the Jefferson’s theme (which I don’t object to by the way). But go find a 15-16-17 year old that knows that song. But they know the Brady song. I am also confused how a song with no words can tell the story. And don’t give me “Can’t you feel what they are saying” Crap. Actually, two of your three winners didn’t even meet your own criteria. Hello! ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/32 "2000-07-22T12:22:50Z")
Was Secret Agent Man from Peter Gunn? Or was it from another? Secret Agent Ma, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/33 "2000-07-22T12:44:01Z")
Well, while I am almost embarrassed to admit to knowing even parts of these them songs…I would say(while _Cheers_ had a great theme song) that these are 2 that I remember vividly… \*The Greatest American Hero Believe it or not, I’m walking on air Never thought I could feel so free\* and \*The Monkees Hey Hey we’re the monkees And people say we monkey around We’re too busy singing to put anybody down\* I never said the shows were good…but the songs were memorable -Lsura ---
**Author:** ![Gilligan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Gilligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gilligan)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/34 "2000-07-22T15:12:05Z")
Thanks to all who mentioned my theme song. You are right, you will never forget it even if you try. For theme songs with lyrics, I’ll have to go along with the already mentioned Fresh Prince, Mary Tyler Moore, Addams Family, and add Pinky and the Brain. Here’s three instrumentals that I think meet your criteria: The Benny Hill Show Tales from the Crypt The Twilight Zone And now for the worst: Land of the Lost ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/35 "2000-07-22T16:09:54Z")
no lyrics: Battlestar Galactica. Hands down. I love that song. close second: Barney Miller. with lyrics: This is tougher. I really like “good ol’ boys” by Waylon Jennings, for the Dukes of Hazzard. But Movin’ On Up is right up there as one of the best. ---
**Author:** ![Gregor\_Samsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@Gregor\_Samsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gregor_Samsa)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/36 "2000-07-22T17:10:45Z")
With no lyrics, I’d have to say Buffy the Vampire Slayer, followed by TV Nation. With lyrics, a tie between Cheers and Gilligan’s Island. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/37 "2000-07-22T18:13:53Z")
I can’t believe we’ve gone so far without anyone mentioning Laverne and Shirley or Three’s Company. Both of those theme songs certainly captured the essence of the shows. And as for this: > [@](#): > > Incidentally, do you know that you can sing the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner to the tune of Gilligan’s Island? You can do the same thing with 99% of Emily Dickinson’s poetry. > [@](#): > > Because I could not stop for Death– > He kindly stopped for me– > The Carriage held but just Ourselves– > and Immortality. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/38 "2000-07-22T18:15:44Z")
Damn. I just remembered The Dukes of Hazzard right after I hit “Submit.” And I’m not sure if this counts, but “Are You Ready for Some FOOTBALL?” always cheers me up. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/39 "2000-07-22T20:38:41Z")
My vote goes to Wonder Woman. All the world is waiting for you And the power you posess… Napster, here I come… ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/40 "2000-07-22T21:05:12Z")
Star Blazers! _We’re off to outer space Defending Mother Earth…_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425.md?page=3)