# TV theme songs you like or hate **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 9, 2003, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094 "2003-08-09T22:25:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Xander\_Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ce73a5/32.png) [@Xander\_Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xander_Cane)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/41 "2003-08-10T20:29:37Z")
O dear gods… the one typo I make is a racial slur! I meant LIKE! ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2003, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/42 "2003-08-10T20:40:06Z")
Angel (that cello is haunting) The World at War (another haunting theme) Mission: Impossible Peter Gunn Babylon 5 – I like all 5 years, but I think year 3 is my favourite Inspector Morse Midsommer Murders Barney Miller Night Court errr, there are lots more I really like, but I think I have to go make a CD now. 'scuse me. ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/43 "2003-08-10T20:56:17Z")
Like: Cowboy Bebop Due South The Saint Rockford Files The John Larroquette Show (first version) Scrubs Sanford And Son The Bill Cosby Show (“Hikky-Burr”) Hill Street Blues A new one that I just heard that I like is the closing theme to the anime show _FLCL_ (Foolie Coolie) on Cartoon Network. Hate: Doogie Howser MD NYPD Blue Enterprise Leave It To Beaver Perfect Strangers But the worst TV theme song I’ve heard is to a gold panning show on The Outdoor Channel called _Gold Fever_. It is so ridiculously bad I’m surprised anyone would claim it. Echjoing reverb on parts of the vocals, spoken dialogue in “character” of an old prospector, silly psuedo-bluegrass music. Hypnotically bad. ---
**Author:** ![Sylkyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sylkyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylkyn)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/44 "2003-08-10T21:20:43Z")
Mission Impossible _is_ one of the all time greats! Hawaii Five-O…(Book 'em, Dano!) St. Elsewhere. Cheers. (Of course…this one is a given.) I love the theme song to The Shield, but there’s really _nothing_ about that show I don’t like! ---
**Author:** ![baileyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@baileyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baileyk)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2003, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/45 "2003-08-10T23:49:18Z")
But aren’t we forgetting the theme to “Good Times”? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/46 "2003-08-11T00:01:10Z")
How can no one have said the theme from SWAT yet? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/47 "2003-08-11T00:42:30Z")
Love: X-files Glory Days (it was a song by Tricky, got to love that) X-files Golden Girls Facts of Life Angel Charmed Hate: Party of Five Felicity (the second version) Smallville, even though I usually don’t watch it (Remy Zero had _one_ good song, and this is not it) ---
**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:** [August 11, 2003, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/48 "2003-08-11T00:54:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cholo \* > \*\*The WHO covered it in their early years. \*\* It shows up on the Kinks’ “Live from Kelvin Hall” album. Is that what you’re thinking of, or did the Who do it too? [Yeesh, that sounds like Dr. Seuss!] I’ll second The Jeffersons and Malcolm In The Middle, and while we’re on FOX Sunday Nights I’ll throw in The Simpsons and King Of The Hill. And of course, Monty Python now _own_ Sousa’s Liberty Bell March. Can anyone hear it nowadays without expecting the **PPLPBPHLP!** at the end? ---
**Author:** ![Murcielago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Murcielago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Murcielago)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/49 "2003-08-11T01:47:08Z")
Late Show with David Letterman (great brass) The Sopranos The X-Files King of the Hill ---
**Author:** ![KRC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@KRC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRC)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/50 "2003-08-11T02:29:20Z")
Hated: A song I heard years ago on a mercifully shortlived sitcom which I believe was called “Room for Two.” The lyrics went something like “Yubby Dubby dee, Yubby Dubby Da, Yubby Dubby Dub Dub,” and for all I know the stupid song may have been the reason the sitcom flopped. Can’t say I care much for the theme from “Malcolm in the Middle” either, though “King of the Hill’s” song kicks a$$. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/51 "2003-08-11T03:10:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zeldar \* > \*\* > Others I have liked: > > Whatever the show was that rotated Columbo and McMillan and Wife. Mystery something.\*\* That would be[The NBC Mystery Movie](http://www.streetcarmike.com/mysterymovie.html), which premiered in 1971 and featured Dennis Weaver’s _McCloud_ in addition to the segments you already mentioned. Later additions to the lineup included _Hec Ramsey_, _Banacek_, and _Quincy_. Henry Mancini composed the theme. I like the songs that basically explain the show if you’re watching it for the first time. Among the best (some already mentioned): [_Petticoat Junction_](http://petticoat.topcities.com/petticoat_junction_theme.htm) [“Ballad of Jed Clampett”](http://www.pcperspectives.com/hillbillies/ballad.html) (_Beverly Hillbillies_) [_Gilligan’s Island_](http://www.gilligansisle.com/theme.html) (check out the lyrics from the lost pilot episode – site contains sound) [_Green Acres_](http://www.maggiore.net/greenacres/gatheme.asp) [_The Brady Bunch_](http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Derby/5965/bbtheme.htm) ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/52 "2003-08-11T03:23:02Z")
_There’s a hold up in the Bronx, Brooklyn’s broken out in fights. There’s a traffic jam in Harlem That’s backed up to Jackson Heights. There’s a scout troup short a child, Kruschev’s due at Idlewild_ \*\*Car 54, Where Are You? \*\* er…or **The Sopranos**. ---
**Author:** ![Cholo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Cholo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cholo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/53 "2003-08-11T03:32:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Thudlow Boink \* > **It shows up on the Kinks’ “Live from Kelvin Hall” album. Is that what you’re thinking of, or did the Who do it too? [Yeesh, that sounds like Dr. Seuss!]** [Dr Seuss voice] \*It’s exactly as I told you I know it’s from the Who I didn’t know about the other Be it Ray Davies or his brother I will find a cite for it soon but I’m sure of Townsend and the Moon\* 😃 ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/54 "2003-08-11T04:38:29Z")
My favorite theme of all is **BTVS**. I listen to it all the time. In fact, it’s my #1 most listened to mp3 (thank you, iTunes). I also _love_ the old **Wonder Woman** theme song. “Stop a bullet cold! Make the Axis fold! Change their minds, And change the woooorld!” And yes, I have a dance remix of it. Why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/55 "2003-08-11T04:42:49Z")
Is the Frasier theme Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs part of a longer song? ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/56 "2003-08-11T04:43:24Z")
In the vein of funky bass lines like _Barney Miller_, there’s the very groovin’ theme song to _Night Court_. Love that one. I will also admit to a certain fondness for the Keb’ Mo’ version of the theme to _Martha Stewart Living_, a.k.a. Mm Mm Mm Mm. Worst. Theme. Song. Ever: _Facts of Life_ ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/57 "2003-08-11T04:46:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by shy guy \* > \*\*My favorite theme of all is **BTVS**. I listen to it all the time. In fact, it’s my #1 most listened to mp3 (thank you, iTunes). > > I also _love_ the old **Wonder Woman** theme song. > > “Stop a bullet cold! > Make the Axis fold! > Change their minds, > And change the woooorld!” > > And yes, I have a dance remix of it. Why do you ask? \*\* Just _one_? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/58 "2003-08-11T05:05:20Z")
If you have cable, keep an eye out for TV Land’s special on theme songs. I think it’s going to be on the 19[sup]th[/sup] and they include interviews with the various composers. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/59 "2003-08-11T05:33:12Z")
> [@](#): > > The Daily Show. You know it’s quality TV when the theme song is by They Might Be Giants. I’m not sure if this is a like or dislike. But I think The Daily Show theme is a song called _Dog on Fire_ by Bob Mould. Cowboy Bebop has a GREAT theme song. Mission Impossible is a good call, ditto The Sopranos. The theme to Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law is fun. ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094/60 "2003-08-11T06:47:19Z")
The Who’s cover of the _Batman_ theme is on the extended CD version of the album _A Quick One_. The liner notes for the album say that their version of the song was originally on the EP _Ready Steady Who!_ released in November of 1966. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-theme-songs-you-like-or-hate/194094.md?page=4)