# TV theme song questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [April 25, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510 "2025-04-25T22:43:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**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:** [May 2, 2025, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/81 "2025-05-02T18:39:36Z")
Has the theramin ever been used in a TV theme besides this one? [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dvD73A9eXXk/hqdefault.jpg "Midsomer Murders Theme") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvD73A9eXXk) ---
**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:** [May 2, 2025, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/82 "2025-05-02T22:14:03Z")
First and second seasons of _Lost in Space_. ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/83 "2025-05-03T18:06:34Z")
I had forgotten that I once knew those lyrics. And now I have them stuck in my head. Thanks so much! 😆 ---
**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:** [May 3, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/84 "2025-05-03T18:52:40Z")
During my academic year in Moscow, I taught this theme to one of my Russian friends. It took him a while to memorize it (I had to write it down for him), but once he did he really jived! ---
**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:** [May 3, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/85 "2025-05-03T20:30:47Z")
Not that it matters much, but the first word is “Now,” not “So.” (I just listened to the theme on YouTube.) ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2025, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/86 "2025-05-03T22:50:09Z")
A thousand times yes! It could have been resolved by changing the line to: “Just like Robinson Crusoe”. Instead I have visions of an Italian tenor singing on a desert island beach. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/87 "2025-05-04T02:03:53Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Has the theramin ever been used in a TV theme besides this one? Besides **Star Trek**? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/88 "2025-05-04T02:14:01Z")
Actually no. The Star Trek theme was a soprano vocalist. ---
**Author:** ![papermache](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@papermache](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papermache)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/89 "2025-05-04T02:34:43Z")
I thought I remembered a theremin in **One Step Beyond** but listening to it [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbUEfmw2ZGE) it sounds like a violin. > **[Alcoa Presents One Step Beyond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoa_Presents_One_Step_Beyond)** > > Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond (also known as One Step Beyond) is an American anthology series created by Merwin Gerard. The original series was broadcast for three seasons by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) from January 1959 to July 1961. > Created by Merwin Gerard and produced by Collier Young, One Step Beyond was hosted by John Newland, "your guide to the supernatural" (also credited as "Our guide into the world of the unknown"). Newland, who also directed every episode, presented ta... ---
**Author:** ![papermache](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@papermache](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papermache)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/90 "2025-05-04T02:39:06Z")
I see that it could have been a theremin in **One Step Beyond**. - The theme song of “The Outer Limits” prominently [features a theremin](https://search.brave.com/search?q=outer+limits+theme+song+theremin&source=desktop&summary=1&conversation=56e018cc558f6c952257c2), an electronic instrument known for its eerie sound. The theremin was extensively used by composer Harry Lubin in his scores for both the second season of “The Outer Limits” and “One Step Beyond,” adding to the series’ atmospheric and otherworldly feel. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/91 "2025-05-04T02:40:16Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Actually no. The Star Trek theme was a soprano vocalist. Huh - the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention in Bellingham, WA needs to update their theremin exhibit. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/92 "2025-05-04T03:20:55Z")
Maybe its the movies or something that they are proposing. The TV show was a soprano singer. Thereby losing me a bet with my brother. I just knew it was Ben Franklins _Armonica_. Yep. Lost those PokĂ©mon cards. (If I’m not mistaken the singer was a Male soprano) ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/93 "2025-05-04T05:04:46Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > (If I’m not mistaken the singer was a Male soprano) The interwebs says it’s Loulie Jean Norman, very much a woman. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/94 "2025-05-04T05:42:26Z")
Don’t tell my brother. He has a very high falsetto voice he does, all too often, tyvm. But, he has used that example for years saying a good falsetto _could_ get you a job in the music industry. He could do the Star Trek theme, perfectly. Drunk ---
**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:** [May 4, 2025, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/95 "2025-05-04T07:08:56Z")
A female soloist sings the theme at the end of this concert. > [https://youtu.be/yySw7vkdkZY](https://youtu.be/yySw7vkdkZY) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/96 "2025-05-04T12:14:44Z")
The _My Favorite Martian_ opening theme used a theremin. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2025, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/97 "2025-05-04T12:24:34Z")
I would have guessed the _X-Files_ theme used a theremin
in fact, it’s a synthesized “whistling” effect combined with actual whistling by the composer’s wife. [https://www.npr.org/2016/01/22/463971641/as-x-files-returns-meet-the-man-behind-the-theme-song](https://www.npr.org/2016/01/22/463971641/as-x-files-returns-meet-the-man-behind-the-theme-song) ---
**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:** [May 4, 2025, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/98 "2025-05-04T14:16:39Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > He could do the Star Trek theme, perfectly. My brother and I used to “sing” along. Strangely, Star Trek was not frequently watched in our household. đŸ€” ---
**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:** [May 4, 2025, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/99 "2025-05-04T18:44:05Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > The Beverly Hillbillies had a theme song which included a final stanza at the end of the show. > > Were they unique in that regard? Blackadder had different end credit lyrics for nearly all of the episodes, written to summarize or comment on the plot. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510/100 "2025-05-04T21:01:55Z")
[Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Favorite_Martian) says it was an Electro-Theramin, not a theramin. It also says that it was performed by Paul Tanner, a member of Glenn Miller’s band, and that the theme song “was influential in Brian Wilson’s engagement of Tanner in 1965 and 1966 to work with the Beach Boys on their landmark hit, _Good Vibrations_”. That’s an interesting bit of trivia. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-song-questions/1017510.md?page=6)