OK, the correct answer is ‘of course not.’ But hang on. It’s not a superficial question - although I’m not sure I can actually explain what I mean either.
For the most part, I never notice soundtrack music. The only exception seems to be in those rare instances where it happens to be something I really, really like from an artist I already know. Even then, I wouldn’t bet the ranch.
Theme music seems to get treated differently, presumably because the visual element isn’t novel (being the show’s stock intro - usually). As a result, I notice it and to some extent, how it influences me. BTW, this seems to be true even though 95% of the time I fast forward over it.
So I’m working on the following theory: theme music that creates a favorable or otherwise rewarding emotional response causes you to stick with marginal shows. To be clear, that doesn’t mean the music necessarily has to be ‘good’ any objective aesthetic sense. It just has to be able to trip the switch that sends a food pellet to the rat inside the box that is your brain.
At first blush, it seems like a pretty flimsy theory, but then so do the theoretical underpinnings of virtually all advertising as far as I’m concerned. I think the only reliable test is ‘trial by dopers.’
I disagree. I would say that if a show is good, great music can make it great, but if the “bones” of the show - story, characters, overall tone - aren’t good, the best music can’t save it. They may get some attention or even a hit single, but no traction ratings-wise.
For some reason, I am not getting examples jumping into my brain. I am thinking about 24 - great overall structure for the show, and I seem to remember that their use of music upped the tension in a huge, cool way…if the show didn’t work, those tension-inducing music clips would’ve been silly…
I know bad music can definitely drive me off - the theme song to ST: Enterprise sends me screaming from the room - so I would think that good music would at the very least make me more well-disposed to a show than I might be otherwise. Can’t think of any examples off the top of my head, though.
Makes no difference to me. Music is best when you don’t notice it. You can’t salvage a show with a great them, nor will a bad theme hurt.
I’m thinking of Golden Boy on CBS. I’m trying to figure out why I’m still watching it and I think it’s the music.
Oh yeah. Why would anyone ever watch Green Acres otherwise?
Green Acres was a terrific show; I’ll even say it was the spiritual grandfather of Arrested Development
I’d say that the theme music contributed at least 30% to my enjoyment of The Man from U.N.C.L.E.