# TV show changes theme song: Do you prefer the new one? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2026, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002 "2026-01-25T10:14:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/41 "2026-01-26T13:08:57Z")
I prefer the lonelier, frontiersy seasons 1-3 versions of the theme from _Star Trek: Deep Space Nine_ over the more bombastic theme from seasons 4-7. ---
**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:** [January 26, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/42 "2026-01-26T13:11:42Z")
The British series _ **The Avengers** _ (1961–1969) had two themes, the second one introduced along with Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in 1965. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/OejuE2MEWsI/maxresdefault.jpg "The Avengers . Los vengadores Music by Johnny Dankworth - Season 3 (Honor Blackman)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OejuE2MEWsI) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ogrgtzgn0oQ/hqdefault.jpg "Tv Theme Avengers (Full Version)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogrgtzgn0oQ) ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/43 "2026-01-26T13:11:43Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Crazy Ex-Girlfriend changed the theme song multiple times–I think every season–reflecting the main character’s character journey. It was a delight to hear each new theme. I was going to share the same thing. There’s also a meta-element throughout the show (which, for folks who don’t know, is a musical) where characters reference or quote the theme song(s) when appropriate. ---
**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:** [January 26, 2026, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/44 "2026-01-26T13:14:31Z")
**Land of the Giants** had a different theme song for the second season; typical John(ny) Williams. Second season theme nudges out the first season. ---
**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:** [January 26, 2026, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/45 "2026-01-26T13:20:36Z")
The final theme heard in the Tara King episodes was basically the same as the one for Emma Peel, with some trumpet flourishes to make it sound “sexier.” I vastly prefer the Emma Peel version over the other two. ---
**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:** [January 26, 2026, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/46 "2026-01-26T13:38:36Z")
Correction: The first _ **Match Game** _ theme was “Swingin’ Safari”: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ufpA8kEw69g/hqdefault.jpg "Match Game 1962 Theme Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufpA8kEw69g) ---
**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:** [January 26, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/47 "2026-01-26T14:03:45Z")
_Garfield and Friends_ changed its opening theme from “Friends Are There” to the more festive “Ready to Party,” which was probably the right choice. (The last season’s theme, though…) ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/48 "2026-01-26T14:40:18Z")
_Simon & Simon_ had a song called “Best of Friends” for the first two seasons. In the opening credits it was an instrumental version and the closing credits included the lyrics. Starting in season two, they switched over to a different instrumental for the opening credits and the end credits was the instrumental version of “Best of Friends.” I prefer the second season theme. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/49 "2026-01-26T14:40:21Z")
**Peep Show** changed it’s theme from some instrumental doodling which matched the interstitial music in the show, to Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta” in season 2. It’s quite a huge change. Personally I prefer the original music, it fit more with the vibe of the show. Also “Flagpole Sitta” is pretty jarring when you are binging the show and it comes on every 22 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/50 "2026-01-26T19:35:23Z")
Somebody should isolate the harpsichord and put it through some effects pedals. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/51 "2026-01-26T22:33:36Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > _Peaky Blinders_ used Nick Cave’s “Red Right Hand” for most episodes, but following an episode with a particularly traumatic character death, they played a haunted-up version with a female vocalist (can’t remember who). Couldn’t say one was better than another, but the change was apropos for the story. They used several versions at different times in the show. You are probably thinking of the PJ Harvey version. > **[Ranking Covers of Nick Cave’s “Red Right Hand” Based on How Dramatically...](https://americansongwriter.com/ranking-covers-of-nick-caves-red-right-hand-based-on-how-dramatically-theyre-used-in-peaky-blinders/)** > > The 'Peaky Blinders' theme, "Red Right Hand," is already dramatic, but what about all the covers the show uses? Here they are, ranked. ---
**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:** [January 26, 2026, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/52 "2026-01-26T23:15:43Z")
Probably not quite the OP had in mind, but in season two of The Monkees they changed the closing credits song from “Hey Hey We’re The Monkees” to “For Pete’s Sake”. I like both, but I’m glad they gave the nod to Peter Tork’s tune . ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/53 "2026-01-27T02:16:51Z")
Enterprise changed its’ theme at some point. I preferred the original to the later “dance mix” version. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/54 "2026-01-27T16:03:25Z")
Did it? I know the _title_ changed at some point, from just “Enterprise” to “Star Trek: Enterprise” but I thought they stuck with that “Faith of the Heart” (?) theme song for the entire series. ETA: I think there were a couple of “Mirror Universe” episodes that did not use that theme. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/55 "2026-01-27T18:55:51Z")
I also prefer the original theme song, though since they changed it to a popular tune I do wonder why they passed on Snow Patrol. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/56 "2026-01-27T20:43:53Z")
“Faith of the Heart” was the theme, but they changed the arrangement of it, making it less a ballad and more of a, I don’t know. ---
**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:** [January 27, 2026, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/57 "2026-01-27T20:54:10Z")
All in the Family and Reba had different versions of the same song. I think All in the Family had several versions. If I remember right, Reba sang a different version after the first season. ---
**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:** [January 29, 2026, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/58 "2026-01-29T01:07:23Z")
_Slings and Arrows_ did the same thing, with a new theme song each season based on the play being performed (_Hamlet_, _Macbeth_, and _King Lear_, respectively). IMO, the first theme was the best. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/59 "2026-01-29T01:23:53Z")
The Mary Tyler Moore Show changed the lyrics to its theme song after the first season. From Wikipedia: The first season’s lyrics are words of encouragement directed to the character, referring to the end of a previous relationship and making a fresh start, beginning with “How will you make it on your own?” and concluding with “You might just make it after all.” The more familiar version of the song used in seasons 2–7 changed the lyrics to affirm her optimistic character, beginning with the iconic line “Who can turn the world on with her smile?” and concluding with a more definitive “You’re gonna make it after all.” ---
**Author:** ![alfonzos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@alfonzos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alfonzos)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002/60 "2026-01-29T23:22:26Z")
As much as I like Anita Baker I didn’t enjoy her version of “Final Frontier” as much as the original theme of “Mad About You.” [Original “Mad About You” theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgX0STe8DqY&list=RDbgX0STe8DqY&start_radio=1) [Anita Baker’s version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2BVzAM62Uk&list=RDL2BVzAM62Uk&start_radio=1) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-show-changes-theme-song-do-you-prefer-the-new-one/1027002.md?page=4)