# What are your top three TV show theme songs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 21, 2015, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618 "2015-03-21T17:32:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eddie\_F](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/22d042/32.png) [@Eddie\_F](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eddie_F)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/1 "2015-03-21T17:32:32Z")
Boy, there surely are a _lot_ o’ good ones to choose from. Mine are as follows: 1. [“The Streetbeater” (a.k.a. the Sanford and Son theme)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O20Sljxmy9M), by Quincy Jones 2. [the Rockford Files Theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg1Cx26-928), by Mike Post 3. [“Woke Up This Morning (Chosen One Mix)”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW3LikcBL68), by Alabama 3 What are yours? ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/2 "2015-03-21T17:44:32Z")
[Firefly](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPwkDF5AxQM) [Muppet babies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znwaVBtVtxA) [Justified](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9BEoG0e-L8) ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/3 "2015-03-21T17:47:36Z")
[Welcome Back, Kotter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZzEzDkeHzI) [Animaniacs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWnWwN1z_UM) [Psych](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_Gced_Z_KU) ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/4 "2015-03-21T18:12:29Z")
1. [Twin Peaks](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2lkvrMa27c) 2. [Psych](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo9TboRlsxo) 3. [Masterpiece Theater](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9UfSYr7E4) Honorable Mention: [Scooby-doo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_C2HJvtRDY) ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/5 "2015-03-21T18:14:21Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > 1. [Psych](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo9TboRlsxo) Linky no worky ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/6 "2015-03-21T18:16:19Z")
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE wins it for the '60s. TAXI for the '70s. THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO (_“Believe It Or Not, I’m Walking On Air”_), the '80s. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/7 "2015-03-21T18:19:48Z")
Well, you got my #1 with “The Streetbeater.” For #2, I’d go with “The Simpsons.” #3 is a tough one. I think I’ll put in a vote for “The Andy Griffith Show.” ETA: Shit, although maybe “Cheers” should be in there… ---
**Author:** ![Eddie\_F](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/22d042/32.png) [@Eddie\_F](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eddie_F)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/8 "2015-03-21T18:20:24Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > 1. [Twin Peaks](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2lkvrMa27c) Ooh! Excellent choice! ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/9 "2015-03-21T18:24:48Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > 1. [Twin Peaks](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2lkvrMa27c) > 2. [Psych](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo9TboRlsxo) > 3. [Masterpiece Theater](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9UfSYr7E4) > Honorable Mention: [Scooby-doo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_C2HJvtRDY) Tried to get a couple of those fixed before the editing window closed. Here’s _Psych_: [www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo9TboRlsxo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo9TboRlsxo) Here’s _Masterpiece Theater_: [www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Uf1SYr7E4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Uf1SYr7E4) Maybe a mod can fix them for me. ETA: I have no idea why those still don’t work, but I see someone else already posted _Psych_. Just put Masterpiece Theater, 1983 in the youtube search bar. ---
**Author:** ![Eddie\_F](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/22d042/32.png) [@Eddie\_F](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eddie_F)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/10 "2015-03-21T18:30:34Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Well, you got my #1 with “The Streetbeater.” > > For #2, I’d go with “The Simpsons.” > > #3 is a tough one. I think I’ll put in a vote for “The Andy Griffith Show.” > > ETA: Shit, although maybe “Cheers” should be in there… Yeah, I had to make a few Sophie’s choices as well. Three that came close, but ultimately didn’t make the cut: [The Fat Albert Theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au5cUpUT2ig) [“Funeral March of a Marionette” (a.k.a. the Alfred Hitchcock Presents theme)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmeb-f4pthA) [The Muppet Show theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ9yAV8uQ7g) ---
**Author:** ![Uniqueorn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uniqueorn/32/2807_2.png) [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/11 "2015-03-21T18:34:42Z")
[Community](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEGbjR1Y9Qo) [True Blood](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiBhZIaJsQ4) [Friends](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCQGnVrTsAM) ---
**Author:** ![Eddie\_F](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/22d042/32.png) [@Eddie\_F](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eddie_F)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/12 "2015-03-21T18:37:54Z")
Oh, and even though it was a TV special, and not a series, I did almost include the [Free to Be … You and Me theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_26FOHoaC78) in my original list. ---
**Author:** ![TheInimitableMaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TheInimitableMaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheInimitableMaven)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/13 "2015-03-21T18:41:23Z")
In order to come up with my top three, I had to combine 'Wow, that’s just a GREAT tune!" with personal resonance AND also do one each for my overall favorite TV genres. Otherwise, there’s no way, no how I could pick just three favorite TV themes (and as I demo, I still can’t)… Comedy: [_ **Taxi** _](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZvIHZk0ytM) barely, BARELY ekes it out over [_ **The Mary Tyler Moore Show** _](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1GC6yXZ4e4) and [_ **Cheers** _](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS0VQOHX7lM). Drama: Thanks to not only fond memories of my folks always tuning in, but also and especially my dad having Dave Grusin’s _Night-Lines_ CD and in turn cranking it a lot, [_ **St. Elsewhere** _](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9h7ugSzlEk) in a walk. Honorable mentions to [_ **Hill Street Blues** _](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqH3qCxz2x0) and [_ **thirtysomething** _](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wRqBV9VVuU). Game Shows (yes, Game Shows): It’s tricky, but I’d have to give the nod to **[the 80’s version\* of “Tuning Up” alias the _Pyramid_ theme](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSPGe_vGcBM)**…in addition to just being a damn catchy and groovy piece, it’s also probably the MOST PERFECT bonus round winning music ever. But it wasn’t easy to pick this one over the likes of [_ **Match Game** _](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXo9wAWn-hA) and [_ **Jeopardy!** _](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6rHqrLA7aw). - - And it should be noted that **[the funky 70’s version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3O6-CHQLgs)** is no slouch itself. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/14 "2015-03-21T18:42:41Z")
The original Doctor Who theme is utterly iconic - the BBC Radiophonic Workshop’s finest moment. Delia Derbyshire and pasted together tapes, scraping keys down piano strings etc [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8NPJ6GMXM3E/hqdefault.jpg "Doctor Who Theme Tune 1963-1969 by Ron Grainer and Delia Derbyshire") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NPJ6GMXM3E) ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/15 "2015-03-21T18:43:37Z")
[The Sopranos](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21puK0_2a4k)[Law & Order](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz4-aEGvqQM) [The Jeffersons](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYcqToQzzGY) ---
**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:** [March 21, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/16 "2015-03-21T18:45:54Z")
STAND BACK, old guy comin’ through: 1. [The Wild, Wild West](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu-8W-Sredo) 2. [Lost In Space (3rd season)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp1bEpmmGMs) 3. [Jonny Quest](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0kg_tzQvf4) ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/17 "2015-03-21T18:47:48Z")
[quote=“Baron\_Greenback, post:14, topic:715618”] The original Doctor Who theme is utterly iconic - the BBC Radiophonic Workshop’s finest moment. Delia Derbyshire and pasted together tapes, scraping keys down piano strings etc [/QUOTE] The Doctor himself helped out with a more recent version [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/X7NZx2mvL7U/hqdefault.jpg "Orbital Matt Smith - Doctor Who theme tune (remix) at Glastonbury Festival.2010") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7NZx2mvL7U) ---
**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:** [March 21, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/18 "2015-03-21T18:47:48Z")
I liked the Twin Peaks theme but for three original choices: _ **Suicide is Painless** _ (Theme from _MAS_H\*\*\*) [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlZdFmEdffg) _ **Jesse Stone Theme** _ (Theme from the flawed TV movie series starring Tom Selleck. Lovely piano riff in this instrumental piece) [Jesse Stone OST Main Theme - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfQv0KtIVSo) _ **Turning the Town Red** _ (Theme to largely forgotten British TV comedy drama _ **Scully** _. It’s basically a typical early Elvis Costello track) [Turning The Town Red - Elvis Costello - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L94GhgGRHrc) Can I have a fourth? _ **Flagpole Sitter** _ (Theme to POV utilising British comedy _ **Peep Show** _. Recorded by Harvey Danger. I think it really suits the show.) [Harvey Danger- Flagpole sitta - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBgmC_USeoM) TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/19 "2015-03-21T18:49:02Z")
1. [The Big Bang Theory](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES2OyRQeclk) 2. [Twlight Zone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b5aW08ivHU) 3. [Beverly Hillbillies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtvTE3m5jpM) ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/20 "2015-03-21T18:51:22Z")
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