# Popular songs used as tv or movie themes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 12, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280 "2008-02-12T14:45:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/21 "2008-02-12T20:07:15Z")
[QUOTE=Lunar Saltlick] For what it’s worth, I did check out the history of the song before posting. It’s a popular song, covered many times. And it was used as a TV show theme. So I posted. [/QUOTE] Forgive me, no offence intended. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/22 "2008-02-12T20:10:42Z")
_The Apprentice_ and _The Celebrity Apprentice_ use “For the Love of Money.” _The Apprentice: Martha Stewart_ used “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/23 "2008-02-12T20:16:59Z")
That song used for “Absolutely Fabulous,” Wheels go 'round or something…I don’t know the title. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/24 "2008-02-12T20:30:43Z")
[QUOTE=Hazle Weatherfield] That song used for “Absolutely Fabulous,” Wheels go 'round or something…I don’t know the title. [/QUOTE] This Wheel’s On Fire, Bob Dylan. Performed for AbFab by Julie Driscoll and Adrian Edmonson. For the Last Shout special it was done by Marianne Faithfull and P.P. Arnold. Georgia On My Mind was the theme for Designing Women, instrumental only for 2 seasons, then Doc Severinsen for 3 seasons and then performed by Ray Charles in season 6. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/25 "2008-02-12T21:00:22Z")
I thought the theme to _Chuck_ was just a zippy little instrumental, but then I was listening to a radio station and lo-and-behold, it’s the bridge to an actual song with lyrics and everything (though what the name of the song is, who sings it, or how old it might be–I have no clue). ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/26 "2008-02-12T21:15:20Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink] Does the William Tell Overture count? 🙂 [/QUOTE] YCDTOT? ---
**Author:** ![Tool\_of\_the\_Conspiracy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tool\_of\_the\_Conspiracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tool_of_the_Conspiracy)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/27 "2008-02-12T21:16:54Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] I thought the theme to _Chuck_ was just a zippy little instrumental, but then I was listening to a radio station and lo-and-behold, it’s the bridge to an actual song with lyrics and everything (though what the name of the song is, who sings it, or how old it might be–I have no clue). [/QUOTE] “Short Skirt / Long Jacket” by **Cake** , released in 2001. Another **Cake** song, “Italian Leather Sofa” from 1996, was used as the theme song to the short-lived animated show _Mission Hill_. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/28 "2008-02-12T21:19:54Z")
I’m not sure if this counts as a popular song, but the Rembrandt’s I’ll Be There For You was written specifically to be the theme for Friends. It was only later that they recorded a full version. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/29 "2008-02-12T23:38:28Z")
[QUOTE=MannyL] YCDTOT? [/QUOTE] I don’t know, kemosabe. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/30 "2008-02-13T01:37:15Z")
**"Long Lonesome Highway"** , a top 40 hit, was the theme song for _“Then Came Bronson”_ ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/31 "2008-02-13T02:04:22Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink] Does the William Tell Overture count? 🙂 [/QUOTE] If it does, then Sousa’s _Liberty Bell March_ should also. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/32 "2008-02-13T02:47:05Z")
Hell, Beethovan’s Ninth Symphony (second movement) was used for the **Huntley Brinkley Report** and now for **Countdown with Keith Obermann** (somewhat rocked up). **The Dean Martin Show** opened with his hit “Everybody Loves Somebody.” ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/33 "2008-02-13T03:01:23Z")
[Songs that have been used too much…](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=453845) ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/34 "2008-02-13T03:37:47Z")
Oh, yeah, the Eagles’ **Journey of the Sorcerer** was used as the main theme for _The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy_. The _Doris Day Show_ opened with **Que Sera Sera**. Not that I’m old or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/35 "2008-02-13T08:10:03Z")
“Thank You For Being A Friend” for “Golden Girls.” The U.S. version of “House” uses a song by Massive Attack, but i can’t remember the name of it. I think “It’s a Living” used a popular song as a theme too, but I can’t remember which one it was either. Anyone else know? ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/36 "2008-02-13T09:04:08Z")
The Young Ones used a version of the Cliff Richard song by the same name (performed by the show’s cast). (Keep the commentary to yourself, the only reason I even know who Cliff Richard is is the show.) All the others I can think of have been named. \>\_\> ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/37 "2008-02-13T13:41:35Z")
Charlie Brooker’s _Screen Wipe_ has Grandaddy’s ‘A M 180’ as its signature tune. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280/38 "2008-02-13T14:46:21Z")
I can’t believe nobody has mentioned “Happy Days”…whad’ya mean, see post #2? OK, well then, how about “The Peter Gunn Theme”? That was pretty popular for a tv theme song. :smack: OK, I got nothing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-used-as-tv-or-movie-themes/437280.md?page=1)