# TV shows which use existing songs for themes. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 18, 2016, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205 "2016-08-18T20:21:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/1 "2016-08-18T20:21:14Z")
Most TV shows have theme songs created for them. Some have had their themes reach the pop charts such as _The Rockford Files_, _Happy Days_, _Laverne and Shirley_, _Welcome Back, Kotter_, and _S.W.A.T._ I was listening to some TV themes on my iPod and noticed that a few of them used already existing songs for their themes. Here are some examples I came up with. What I Like About You - the Romantics’ “What I Like About You” covered by Lillix Bosom Buddies - cover of Billy Joel’s “My Life” Star Trek: Enterprise - Rod Stewart’s “Faith of the Heart” covered by Russell Watson Happy Days - “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Hailey and the Comets was used as the show’s first theme. Dirty Jobs - “We Care A Lot” by Faith No More Married With Children - “Love And Marriage” by Frank Sinatra The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (Johnny’s Theme) - “Toot Sweet” written by Paul Anka and originally recorded by Tutti Camarata in 1959. Anka later added lyrics and it was re-released as “It’s Only Love” by both Anka and Annette Funicello. The CSI franchise, which used songs by the Who: “Who Are You,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “Baba O’Riley,” and “I Can See For Miles” The Drew Carey Show had three, “Moon Over Parma,” “Five O’ Clock World,” and “Cleveland Rocks.” I could come up with more examples. What other TV shows used previously recorded songs for their themes instead of having one specifically created for the show? It could be the original recording or a cover, but the song should have existed before the TV show. ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/2 "2016-08-18T20:26:20Z")
The original theme to **Ed** was **Next Year** by the **Foo Fighters**. TCMF-2L ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/3 "2016-08-18T20:33:11Z")
The British show **Peep Show** had its own lovely theme song for a season but then switched to using Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta’” for the rest of its run. Boring. **House** used the song “Teardrop” by Massive Attack. **2 Broke Girls** uses the song “Second Change” by Peter, Bjorn and John ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/4 "2016-08-18T20:35:42Z")
The UK version of **The Office** used a version (put together by session artists I think) of **Handbags and Gladrags**. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/5 "2016-08-18T20:39:40Z")
That 70’s Show used a version of “In the Street”, originally by Big Star. ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/6 "2016-08-18T20:39:48Z")
UK sitcom **The Royle Family** used **Half The World Away** by **Oasis**. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/7 "2016-08-18T20:43:34Z")
The George Lopez Show used “Low Rider” by War. Thought of another: [Get A Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_a_Life_(TV_series)) starring Chris Elliott, used “Stand” by REM. ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/8 "2016-08-18T20:43:42Z")
The UK comedy **Knowing Me, Knowng You… With Alan Partridge** used a version of the **ABBA** song as the theme tune. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/9 "2016-08-18T20:44:48Z")
**Parenthood** used _Forever Young_ ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/10 "2016-08-18T20:44:50Z")
The hilarious Chris Eliot sit-com **Get A Life** used the R.E.M. song _“Stand”_ as it’s theme song, but when the show ran in reruns they used some incidental music in place of “Stand” since, I guess, they didn’t get the rights. Not sure if it was restored for the DVD. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/11 "2016-08-18T20:46:28Z")
_Absolutely Fabulous_ used a cover of Dylan’s “Wheel’s on Fire.” ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/12 "2016-08-18T20:46:59Z")
**House of the King** by **Focus** was used as the theme to UK comedy **Saxondale**. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/13 "2016-08-18T20:50:35Z")
It has become a tradition in the UK for coverage of Formula 1 motor racing to be introduced with **The Chain** by **Fleetwood Mac.** TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/14 "2016-08-18T21:03:33Z")
Nostalgic 1970s set UK comedy **The Grimleys** used **Bye Bye Baby** by the **Bay City Rollers** as the opening theme and several **Slade** songs over the end credits. It was a great show. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/15 "2016-08-18T21:06:27Z")
> **[List of television theme music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_television_theme_music)** > > The following list contains scores or songs which are the primary theme music of a television series or miniseries. > OTHERS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION (vERIFICATION REQUESTED, PLEASE; THANKS VERY MUCH! TAKE CARE!) > 20th Century, The; (1960’s Documentary, narrated by Walter Cronkite):: > 21st Century, The; successor to the 20th Century; (1960’s Documentary, narrated by Walter Cronkite):: > Adventures of Brisco County, Jr, The; (Starring Bruce Campbell):: > Amy Prentiss (NBC Mystery Movie starring Jessica... Looking through this list I spotted a few: China Beach - “Reflections” by Diana Ross Chuck - “Long Skirt, Short Jacket” by Cake Dave’s World - “You May Be Right” by Billy Joel Las Vegas - “A Little Less Conversation” by Elvis Presley Life Goes On - “Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da” by The Beatles Tour of Duty - “Paint it Black” by The Rolling Stones I’m sure there are others in the mix that I don’t recognize. Also “The Liberty Bell March” for Monty Python’s Flying Circus. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/16 "2016-08-18T21:16:51Z")
> [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](#): > > The hilarious Chris Eliot sit-com **Get A Life** used the R.E.M. song _“Stand”_ as it’s theme song, but when the show ran in reruns they used some incidental music in place of “Stand” since, I guess, they didn’t get the rights. Not sure if it was restored for the DVD. I don’t have the DVDs, but producer David Mirkin said the reason they took so long to be released was they wanted to secure the rights to all of the music used on the show. Presumably this includes _Stand_. > [@](#): > > It was noted by Mirkin that the reason the full DVD box set took so long to release is that the original producers of the show felt that all of the incidental music was very important to the series. They didn’t want to release the series until all the rights to the songs had been secured, and the series could be released with all of the original music intact. > **[Get a life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_a_Life_(TV_series)#Home_video)** > > Get a life or Get a Life may refer to: ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/17 "2016-08-18T21:19:35Z")
Sexy young witches TV show **Charmed** used a version of \*\*How Soon Is Now? \*\*originally by **The Smiths**. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/18 "2016-08-18T21:21:56Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > It has become a tradition in the UK for coverage of Formula 1 motor racing to be introduced with **The Chain** by **Fleetwood Mac.** I thought F1 gave up chain drives around 1928. ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/19 "2016-08-18T21:30:17Z")
I think I am finished. One more though: **The Sopranos** used **Woke Up This Morning** by **Alabama 3.** TCMF-2L ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205/20 "2016-08-18T21:37:44Z")
The short-lived _The Texas Wheelers_ - starring Jack Elam, Gary Buddy, and a pre-_Star Wars_ Mark Hamill - used John Prine’s “Illegal Smile,” probably the oddest choice ever for a TV theme song. Why a light-hearted comedy about a Texas family used a song about marijuana use seems inexplicable. [Here are the opening credits.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhUKVq7LyNw) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-use-existing-songs-for-themes/763205.md?page=2)