# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![bwv881](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@bwv881](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bwv881)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/41 "2000-07-22T22:06:09Z")
The jazzy instrumental theme from “Barney Miller” was great. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/42 "2000-07-22T22:57:01Z")
Remember Angie? With Robert Hayes ---
**Author:** ![Rosebud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rosebud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rosebud)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/43 "2000-07-22T23:04:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Drain Bead \* > \*\*I can’t believe we’ve gone so far without anyone > You can do the same thing with 99% of Emily Dickinson’s poetry. > > [\*\* And, with Amazing Grace! Amazing Grace how sweet the sound That save and set me free I once was lost but now am found Was blind but now I see Was blind but now I see… ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/44 "2000-07-22T23:20:54Z")
The thread about cancelled, obscure TV shows inspired me to post here too. One of my fave TV shows was “Nichols” starring James Garner around 1971-72. I also loved the theme music, a haunting horn solo I remember to this day. Does anyone know where I can find a recording of the theme, preferably on the web? The song did not rate inclusion in any of the TV theme CDs I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Rosebud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rosebud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rosebud)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/45 "2000-07-22T23:27:16Z")
I completely screwed up the quote thing… that’ll teach me to post while dealing with a migraine! Carry on… I’m gonna go sleep it off… ---
**Author:** ![Peta\_Tzunami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b487fb/32.png) [@Peta\_Tzunami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peta_Tzunami)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/46 "2000-07-22T23:44:14Z")
As an obsessed fan if I did not push for _The Monkees_ theme song. Having been to several (okay lots) of Monkees’ concerts I can say they have fans from 6 to 60 and all know the theme. Further, I’ve heard non-fans of the show respond to the words “Hey, hey” by singing the opening lines of the song AND if you say the name to people, most everyone goes “you mean: ‘hey, hey, we’re the Monkees…’?” Interestingly enough, Peter Tork (former member of the Monkees cast/group) appeared on VH1’s _The List_ with the category was Best TV Theme songs, but I digress… Cheers, Peta ---
**Author:** ![Kilgore\_Trout\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Kilgore\_Trout\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilgore_Trout_1)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2000, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/47 "2000-07-23T00:46:06Z")
star trek tng fat albert he-man ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2000, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/48 "2000-07-23T01:16:34Z")
> [@](#): > > Steve Austin , a man barely alive . We have the technology … My childhood hero . _The six million dollar man_ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![vandal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/858c86/32.png) [@vandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vandal)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2000, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/49 "2000-07-23T01:49:17Z")
Airwolf. No lyrics; it just had a good beat I guess. ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2000, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/50 "2000-07-23T02:02:29Z")
How about cartoons? _Pinky and the Brain, Animanacs, Tiny Toon Adventures_ and _Freakaziod_ have great theme songs. Also like the _X-Men_, and the 60’s _Spiderman_: “Spiderman, Spiderman, friendly neighborhood Spiderman”. But none of them can compare to the immortal (American version) of…_Speed Racer_\*\*!\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2000, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/51 "2000-07-23T02:18:38Z")
Route 66 Peter Gunn Battlestar Galactica 6 Million Dollar Man Thunderbirds Dr. Who And , of course: _ **Superfriends** _ ---
**Author:** ![brachyrhynchos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brachyrhynchos/32/376_2.png) [@brachyrhynchos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brachyrhynchos)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2000, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/52 "2000-07-23T03:24:59Z")
Well, I think the universality of Gilligan’s Island has been established by this thread. It’s strength is in its creeping pervasiveness - I can no longer read poetry without trying to fit the words to that tune. Other strong candidates: Hawaii 5-O and Mission Impossible. **But** my candidate is the theme to Underdog. It has pathos, tension, hope, and justice, all to a great tune. Okay, everbody, [sing along!](http://www2.wi.net/~rkurer/underdog.ram) There’s no need to fear - Underdog is here! [words from sponsors] ooowwwaaah…oooowwwwaah…oooowwwaaah…ooowwwaaah… When in this world while headlines read, Are those whose hearts are filled with greed, Who rob and steal from those in need. To right this wrong with mighty speed goes Underdog (Underdog) Underdog (Underdog) Speed of lightening, power of thunder, Fighting all who rob or plunder, Underdog Underdog Underdog! I rest my case. ---
**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 23, 2000, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/53 "2000-07-23T06:04:38Z")
Forgot one: A-Team! _In 1972 a crack commando was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit…_ then the great music. Also, Knight Rider was pretty cool. And I’m also a Scooby Doo fan, so I have to say that too. Well, I guess I forgot more than one. ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2000, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/54 "2000-07-23T06:59:41Z")
Now for live-action TV shows: There is the _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_ and _Angel_. They are similar, but while Buffy’s theme depicts a romp in the night to slay demons, Angel’s is more melancholy, reflecting his angst of being a vampire with a soul. Then there is _Xena, Warrior Princess_. The theme song alone is a killer!! I also like the themes to: _The Jeffersons, Benny Hill, Dr. Who,_ Classic _Trek, S.W.A.T, Miami Vice, Law and Order, In Living Color_ (the first theme), and _The Andy Griffith Show_ I am going to bring up a question in great debates: does a great TV show need to have a great theme. ---
**Author:** ![Narile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@Narile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Narile)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2000, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/55 "2000-07-23T07:50:44Z")
My picks… M_A_S\*H - Just has the nostalgic feel to it. Star Trek - I grew up with it, what can I say. Dr. Who - I’m listening to it now. 🙂 Babylon 5 - I know, the song changed each season, but the music allways fit what was happening on the screen so _damn_ perfectly. Mission: Impossible - Yeap, great. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2000, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/56 "2000-07-23T10:12:00Z")
My picks are as follows: 1. Barney Miller 2. Rockford Files 3. MST3K 4. South Park 5. Night Court ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2000, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/57 "2000-07-23T23:50:06Z")
I have to go with the dramatic ones: Rawhide, Perry Mason. Barney Miller is pretty good, too. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by brachyrhynchos \* > \*\*Well, I think the universality of Gilligan’s Island has been established by this thread. It’s strength is in its creeping pervasiveness - I can no longer read poetry without trying to fit the words to that tune. > > **But** my candidate is the theme to Underdog. It has pathos, tension, hope, and justice, all to a great tune. \*\* “God rest ye merry, gentlemen,” “O little town of Bethlehem,” and “Stairway to Heaven” also can be sung to the Gilligan’s Island theme. And the Underdog theme **perfectly** fits Longfellow’s poem _Excelsior_. > [@](#): > > The shades of night were falling fast > As through an Alpine village passed > A youth, who bore 'mid snow and ice > A banner with a strange device: > _ **Excelsior!** _ ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2000, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/58 "2000-07-24T03:54:37Z")
O.K., “Movin’ On Up” is my favorite too. But “One Day At A Time” is a close second… Well this is it This is it This is life, the one you get So go and have a ball Well this it This is it Straight ahead and rest assured You can get through it all So while you’re here Enjoy the view Keep on doing what you do Hold on tight, we’ll muddle through One day at a time… ---
**Author:** ![brachyrhynchos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brachyrhynchos/32/376_2.png) [@brachyrhynchos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brachyrhynchos)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2000, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/59 "2000-07-24T04:35:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zgystardst \* > And the Underdog theme **perfectly** fits Longfellow’s poem _Excelsior_. lol! Wonderful! New words to a great tune! _Excelsior!_ ---
**Author:** ![PatrickM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@PatrickM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickM)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2000, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425/60 "2000-07-24T15:07:20Z")
1. Buffy 2. Maverick - "Who was the tall dark stranger there, Maverick is his name, wild as the wind in Or-e-gon, blowing up a canyon… 3. The Rockford Files 4. The Bob Newhart Show [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-tv-theme-song/26425.md?page=4)