# TV closing themes with sung lyrics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [March 14, 2022, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019 "2022-03-14T11:47:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/1 "2022-03-14T11:47:55Z")
It seems that the vast majority of television shows’ closing themes (i.e., the music played over the end credits) are instrumental. If the opening theme has sung lyrics, then the closing theme is usually an instrumental version of the same theme. If the opening theme is itself instrumental, then the closing theme may be the exact same music, or maybe a slightly different recording of it. What are some notable exceptions to this general rule? That is, which TV shows have closing themes with sung lyrics? The only one I can think of offhand is _Frasier_. This show doesn’t have an opening theme as such—just a title card with a brief musical cue—but the closing theme is a song, “Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs”, sung by Kelsey Grammer. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/2 "2022-03-14T11:55:38Z")
Off the top of my head, there’s the extra verse to the Ballad of Gilligan’s Island: > _No phone, no lights , no motor car , Not a single luxury, Like Robinson Crusoe, It’s primitive as can be._ And the rockin’ song at the end of WKRP in Cincinnati, which may not count because the lyrics are nonsense gibberish: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/FhAfXTzR2rQ/hqdefault.jpg "WKRP End Theme") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhAfXTzR2rQ) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/3 "2022-03-14T12:00:58Z")
Beverly Hillbillies had a closing song [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/dWko5bkG5Uk/maxresdefault.jpg "Beverly Hillbillies Closing (1966)/ Viacom Enterprises (1990) [1080p60]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWko5bkG5Uk) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OvE9zJgm8OY/hqdefault.jpg "The Beverly Hillbillies Opening and Closing Theme 1962 - 1971 HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvE9zJgm8OY) ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/4 "2022-03-14T12:01:59Z")
Red Dwarf: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/n9xTRpDqWkw/maxresdefault.jpg "Red Dwarf Outro Theme - Standard Version") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9xTRpDqWkw) The soundtrack album version had an extra verse; I don’t know if that one was ever used on air. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/5 "2022-03-14T12:05:02Z")
The short-lived CBS series **It’s About Time** had both opening and closing themes. I forgot about that [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/DsJhBn0I9U4/maxresdefault.jpg "It's About Time TV Series Opening and Closing Theme Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsJhBn0I9U4) ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/6 "2022-03-14T12:06:36Z")
Gilligan’s Island closes with > Now this is the tale of our castaways, > They’re here for a long, long time, > They’ll have to make the best of things, > It’s an uphill climb. > > The first mate and his Skipper too, > Will do their very best, > To make the others comfortable, > In their tropic island nest. > > No phone, no lights, no motor car, > Not a single luxury, > Like Robinson Crusoe, > It’s primitive as can be. > > So join us here each week my friend, > You’re sure to get a smile, > From seven stranded castaways, > Here on “Gilligan’s Isle.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/7 "2022-03-14T12:12:35Z")
The Flintstones. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/8 "2022-03-14T13:05:08Z")
_Bojack_. (But not _Kojack_.) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/4NP44EC2EkU/maxresdefault.jpg "Grouplove - Back in the 90's | BoJack Horseman - End Credits Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NP44EC2EkU) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/9 "2022-03-14T13:07:44Z")
_Corner Gas_ has separate opening and closing theme songs. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/10 "2022-03-14T13:08:09Z")
Also, I’m currently working my way through _Corner Gas_ as the mood hits. It has an end song. (ETA: dang, what an obscure coincidence.) ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/11 "2022-03-14T13:20:42Z")
The Carol Burnett Show ended with the “I’m so glad we had this time together” song. That may not be what we are looking for here. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/12 "2022-03-14T13:40:55Z")
I know you are implying US-only, but closing lyrics are very common in anime. This is one of my favorites: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_Q6YS3MVwXU/hqdefault.jpg "Mahoutsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto - Under the Blue Sky (English Subtitles)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q6YS3MVwXU) ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/13 "2022-03-14T14:17:19Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > _Corner Gas_ has separate opening and closing theme songs. As does another Canadian series, _Slings and Arrows_. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/14 "2022-03-14T16:12:10Z")
_Have Gun – Will Travel_ ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/15 "2022-03-14T16:23:45Z")
_Blackadder II_ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/16 "2022-03-14T16:28:38Z")
_The Monkees_ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/17 "2022-03-14T16:32:03Z")
The end credits to _Excel Saga_ had lyrics…sort of. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/vuel3m5VFQA/hqdefault.jpg "excel saga ED credits theme w/ sub") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuel3m5VFQA) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/18 "2022-03-14T16:37:47Z")
**The Book of Boba Fett** added lyrics (of a sort) to the closing credits for the finale episode. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-VsNhb0i1fg/hqdefault.jpg "The Book of Boba Fett Finale Theme Song + Lyrics Full Version") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VsNhb0i1fg) ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/19 "2022-03-14T16:43:46Z")
The first season of _Simon & Simon_ played an instrumental version of the theme song for the opening credits, and a sung version for the closing credits. “Best of Friends” written by Barry de Vorzon and Linda Creed, performed by the Thrasher Brothers. In the second season they replaced it with a different song (also by Barry de Vorzon), instrumental for both opening and closing. Here are both versions of both songs: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_Lt6y-4rbAI/maxresdefault.jpg "Classic TV Theme: Simon & Simon (two versions)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lt6y-4rbAI) ---
**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:** [March 14, 2022, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019/20 "2022-03-14T16:54:34Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > The Monkees Technically, For Pete’s Sake was just a regular song used at the end, as opposed to a true theme. But to this day, I associate it with the end of sitting around. When the Monkees was done, it was the last kid show of the day and I had to get up and do something. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-closing-themes-with-sung-lyrics/961019.md?page=2)