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.
The British series The Avengers (1961–1969) had two themes, the second one introduced along with Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in 1965.
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.
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.
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.
Correction: The first Match Game theme was “Swingin’ Safari”:
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…)
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.
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.
Somebody should isolate the harpsichord and put it through some effects pedals.
They used several versions at different times in the show. You are probably thinking of the PJ Harvey version.
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 .
Enterprise changed its’ theme at some point. I preferred the original to the later “dance mix” version.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”