# The Three Greatest TV Theme Songs Ever **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 9, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970 "2016-06-09T21:48:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/21 "2016-06-09T23:16:43Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > So many to choose from! ☹ > > My top 100 would probably start with these three: > > _ **The Untouchables** _ (1959) > > \*\*\*The Avengers\*\*\* (1965) > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELRaqSzEKew&list=PL4er8vcMr0IhIIKyi-egyKsmrpn3fxFhR&index=5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELRaqSzEKew&list=PL4er8vcMr0IhIIKyi-egyKsmrpn3fxFhR&index=5) > > _ **The Rat Patrol** _ (1966) > > Ah, to be back in sixth grade again.... :o Also if you were too old to do slow motion Six Million Dollar Man fights, you didn’t live… Though rolling around on big wheels playing Rat Patrol was probably fun too. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/22 "2016-06-09T23:17:01Z")
Giiligan’s Island has to be on the list for it’s lyrics. Peter Gunn is the best. Hawaii 5-0 comes in second. Others to consider, Mr. Ed, The Garry Shandling Show, The Beverly Hillbillies. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/23 "2016-06-09T23:20:40Z")
OK this is a wide topic. I’m gonna make an executive decision from a position of no authority at all, that 3 is not enough and I’m doing 5. Batman The Munsters The Avengers (60s) National Geographic Specials (60s) ABC Movie of the Week (Bacharach theme or “Nikki”) Honorable Mention: The Name of the Game, The Prisoner, Room 222, Wild Wild West, Mission Impossible, Perry Mason, Underdog, HR Pufnstuff, Josie and the Pussycats, Hawaii 5-0, The Bold Ones. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/24 "2016-06-09T23:22:28Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Also if you were too old to do slow motion Six Million Dollar Man fights, you didn’t live… You’re never too old for a slow-motion Six Million Dollar Man fight! :o ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/25 "2016-06-09T23:24:28Z")
Peter Gunn The winner in a landslide. Hawaii 5-0 (the original) Mission Impossible Those are all instrumentals. If I had to pick best lyrics, it would be harder. Perhaps Welcome Back Kotter Worst lyrics might go to Bonanza. You’ve probably never heard them, but I’m sure Lorne Greene “singing” the theme must be on the interwebs someplace ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/26 "2016-06-09T23:26:09Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Giiligan’s Island has to be on the list for it’s lyrics. I’ll see your _ **Gilligan’s Island** _ and raise you _ **Hogan’s Heroes** _ (with lyrics!) 🆒 [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ss7-8iBpIos/hqdefault.jpg "Hogan's Heroes Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss7-8iBpIos) ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/27 "2016-06-09T23:27:43Z")
In no particular order: _Barney Miller Firefly MASH_ ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/28 "2016-06-09T23:27:49Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Law & Order Ah, but WHICH L&O? the original long one, the mid-run shorter version, or the Power Version from the last seasons? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/29 "2016-06-09T23:28:43Z")
\*The Odd Couple \*(original) \*Peter Gunn Alfred Hitchcock Presents \* ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/30 "2016-06-09T23:29:39Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > Worst lyrics might go to Bonanza. You’ve probably never heard them, but I’m sure Lorne Greene “singing” the theme must be on the interwebs someplace [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kA-PdP4k4Xw/hqdefault.jpg "Bonanza Theme Song By Lorne Greene") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA-PdP4k4Xw) Or, you may prefer Johnny Cash: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Xd35tBlUlr8/hqdefault.jpg "Johnny Cash Sings the Bonanza Theme") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd35tBlUlr8) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/31 "2016-06-09T23:33:06Z")
_ **Hawaii Five-O** _ with lyrics! Don Ho: Sammy Davis, Jr: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wn06KJNbVEs/hqdefault.jpg "Sammy Davis Jr. Sings the theme from "Hawaii Five-O"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn06KJNbVEs) ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/32 "2016-06-09T23:37:10Z")
I like the instrumentals myself. My picks are: 1. The Lone Ranger (it is a part of an acclaimed classical orchestra piece after all but most people still immediately associate it with the Lone Ranger). 2. Hawaii 5-0 3. The original [Dallas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsBYBugvDek) Intros with vocals are harder but there are some very memorable ones. I think a good intro song can’t stand on its own. It has to instantly evoke memories of the show even decades later. Here are some that do that well: 1. Cheers 2. The Addams Family 3. Gilligan’s Island Other contenders are The Fresh Price of Belaire, The Mary Tyler Moore show, The Brady Bunch, Friends and The Greatest American Hero ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/33 "2016-06-09T23:39:17Z")
Gilligan’s Island Cheers Mission:Impossible ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/34 "2016-06-09T23:47:03Z")
_ **The Persuaders** _ (1971) \*\*\*The Prisoner \*\*\*(1967) Also one of the best lead-ins \*\*ever\*\*! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/zE-EMinj69o/hqdefault.jpg "The Prisoner Opening Theme") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE-EMinj69o) _ **The Protectors** _ (1972) (with lyrics) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8ihHjjfMf84/hqdefault.jpg "Avenues And Alleyways (From "The Protectors")") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ihHjjfMf84) ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/35 "2016-06-10T00:01:28Z")
The Avengers Sanford and Son (“Streetbeater”) The Bill Cosby Show (1969-71) (“Hikky Burr”) Honorable Mention: Perry Mason ---
**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:** [June 10, 2016, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/36 "2016-06-10T00:04:11Z")
- Doctor Who\* (during the Peter Davison era) _The Texas Wheelers_ (John Prime’s “Illegal Smile,” a song about smoking pot. Why this was chosen for the theme of a family comedy is anyone’s guess) [John Prine - Illegal Smile - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmjnQjRvPUQ) _Red Dwarf_ “it’s cold outside/there’s no kind of atmosphere …” ---
**Author:** ![HelenGawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/37 "2016-06-10T00:06:22Z")
[Hill Street Blues](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je2fGzKiqRM) [The Rockford Files](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg1Cx26-928) with answering machine And of course the bouncing ball and AUUGAAH of [My Mother The Car](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEmhb9I316M) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/38 "2016-06-10T00:08:10Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > Peter Gunn The winner in a landslide. I’ll see your _ **Peter Gunn** _ and raise you _ **77 Sunset Strip** _: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrrcSieqMH8&t=96) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/39 "2016-06-10T00:08:12Z")
[Bonanza](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpUd9KecPa4) - with lyrics!! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970/40 "2016-06-10T00:11:45Z")
#3 Theme from SWAT #2 Wild Wild West #1[(3rd season) Lost in Space](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp1bEpmmGMs) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-tv-theme-songs-ever/756970.md?page=3)