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…”
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.
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!
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…
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’???”
Does anyone remember “Movin’ On”, with Claude Akins? It had a great theme song written and performed by Merle Haggard.
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.
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.)
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…
It didn’t have lyrics, but I think the Night Court theme song was great. I especially liked the funky bass line.
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!
Was Secret Agent Man from Peter Gunn? Or was it from another? Secret Agent Ma, maybe?
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
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
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.
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.
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:
You can do the same thing with 99% of Emily Dickinson’s poetry.
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.
My vote goes to Wonder Woman.
All the world is waiting for you
And the power you posess…
Napster, here I come…
Star Blazers!
We’re off to outer space
Defending Mother Earth…