# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/21 "2015-03-21T18:54:03Z")
The Prisoner Danger Man Secret Agent Man ---
**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, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/22 "2015-03-21T18:55:45Z")
Lots and lots and lots o’ good tunes being shared. Do keep 'em coming. Meanwhile, as far as children’s shows go, I’m at a loss as to which is superior, [the Banana Splits Adventure Hour theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yqAaejuRn8), [the circa-1970s Sesame Street theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmcdBnj4ZOg), or the Vince Guaraldi-esque [Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtc7A67kZlQ). ---
**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, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/23 "2015-03-21T18:57:43Z")
I liked _ **The Dickies** _ punk version of the theme to the Banana Splits Show. TCMF-2L ---
**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, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/24 "2015-03-21T19:02:00Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > I liked _ **The Dickies** _ punk version of the theme to the Banana Splits Show. > > TCMF-2L That is _choice_. ---
**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, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/25 "2015-03-21T19:08:28Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > I liked _ **The Dickies** _ punk version of the theme to the Banana Splits Show. > > TCMF-2L > [@Eddie\_F](#): > > That is _choice_. A link [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flMS2gHFOH0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flMS2gHFOH0) ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/26 "2015-03-21T19:08:51Z")
Mission: Impossible The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Sanford & Son Honourable mention: Archer ---
**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, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/27 "2015-03-21T19:24:39Z")
Wait! I want to go again. Theme to _ **Star Fleet** _ (In truth I have never watched the show - a Japanese Sci-Fi puppet show similar, I believe, to Thunderbirds crossed with Transformers - but _ **Queen** _’s guitarist _ **Brian May** _ and _ **Eddie Van Halen** _ did a version of the theme tune. Complete with guitar duel!) [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9dvOM44Noc) _ **Brunnen-G Battle Song** _ (Sometimes used as a pre-theme in the uneven but occasionally hilarious Sci-Fi show _ **Lexx** _. Only 40s or so long. It was used regularly in the show and on one occasion it was even reworked as an Irish Pub Singalong Shanty) Standard version [Brunnen-G Fight Song from the series Lexx - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYoq6sovr8Y) Pub Version [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXMB3HJUt6Y) Theme from _ **Miami Vice** _ (\*\*\*Jan Hammer \*\*\*- This was shockingly good when it came out. A totally fresh sound. Back then…) [Miami Vice Theme - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTPu4hjfHKg) And still a bonus fourth track. Theme from _ **Xena** _? Theme from _ **Oz** _? Or how about Theme from _**Ed (Foo Fighters with Next Year,**_ a poppy song for the US Comedy drama) [Foo Fighters - Next Year - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnEOxEvotHE) TCMF-2L ---
**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, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/28 "2015-03-21T19:30:54Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > I liked _ **The Dickies** _ punk version of the theme to the Banana Splits Show. > > TCMF-2L Liz Phair’s [version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JvB5AL59fM) with Material Issue is quite good, also. > [@Uniqueorn](#): > > [True Blood](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiBhZIaJsQ4) Good 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, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/29 "2015-03-21T19:39:31Z")
Something else that may not get mentioned if I know the board is the theme to _Dallas_. Terrible show, IMO, but great theme. I uses to tune in on some nights just to listen to the theme, but I never watched the show-- well, I tried to watch the “Who Shot JR” ep, but I fell asleep. I actually tuned in also to some reruns once I’d figured out who Barbara Bel Geddes was. Could not stomach the show. But great theme. I also love the _Law & Order_ theme, but I figured that was just because I love the show so much. ---
**Author:** ![Evin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@Evin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evin)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/30 "2015-03-21T19:41:10Z")
Can’t name 3 favorites not already mentioned. This is End Credits theme music, but it’s my fave: [Forbrydelsen](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu98hFJNWss&index=18&list=FLgZaIdTDhe9Te-146VgsSNg) ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/31 "2015-03-21T20:21:35Z")
[ol] [li][The Goldbergs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NItH5P7gd6k) (original, not the new fangled one). Not too long of a tune, but what’s there is solid gold.[/li][li][Car 54 Where Are You?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFuet1hES-M) I’m flabbergasted this is not on everyone’s top 3 list.[/li][li][My Mother the Car](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kz3hfJweE0) I still sing this toe tapper in the shower every day.[/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/32 "2015-03-21T20:27:47Z")
Only three huh? That is tough. I like a lot of TV themes and have several rotated in my paylists. Here’s three I pick right now: 1. [The Rockford Files](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO0Vq4fj3ho) 2. [Charles in Charge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdVFmjYe9Pc) 3. The original [Battlestar Galactica](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHp9oZPqs8E) 3a. I somehow missed that the Rockford Files was in the OP so my alternate is [My So Called Life](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znVBqSI4ghQ) ---
**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, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/33 "2015-03-21T20:46:29Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > [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) I forgot my Honorable Mention: [Mad About You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY3C67LxRGA) ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/34 "2015-03-21T20:48:50Z")
**Peter Gunn** theme by Henry Mancini: [Peter Gunn Theme - YouTube](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oysMt8iL9UE) **Pink Panther** theme by Henry Mancini - hey, it was the theme of the cartoons! [- YouTube](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9OPc7MRm4Y8) The theme from the Japanese anime **Cowboy Bebop** which is just as cool as the first two - Tank! by The Seatbelts: [Cowboy Bebop opening (Tank!) - YouTube](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T6zDfxZ4NcE) Also love the themes from **Sanford and Son** and **Barney Miller** ---
**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, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/35 "2015-03-21T20:53:47Z")
I could probably do three just from _Masterpiece Theater_’s mini-series: 1. The Duchess of Duke Street 2. Flickers 3. Danger: UXB Too bad more non-US posters aren’t on the thread. And, I’m not going to try linking to the themes. That didn’t work well the first time. People are smart enough to type the names into youtube. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/36 "2015-03-21T20:56:47Z")
Actually, the two _coolest_ TV theme songs are associated with perhaps the most famous American Boulevard and Highway: [77 Sunset Strip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrrcSieqMH8) [Route 66](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw1tiNGQ4wI&list=RDzw1tiNGQ4wI) And, baby, as a kid, I sure snapped my fingers to: [Courageous Cat & Minute Mouse](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-44zvFjJ8E)! 🆒🆒🆒 ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/37 "2015-03-21T21:00:38Z")
An unforgettable one was [the US national anthem](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4yP1uyGg58). ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/38 "2015-03-21T21:18:33Z")
1. Hawaii Five-0 (original version) 2. Miami Vice 3. Mission: Impossible ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/39 "2015-03-21T21:34:22Z")
In no particular order: - The Fall Guy - The Dukes of Hazzard - The Greatest American Hero ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618/40 "2015-03-21T22:49:08Z")
[Hong Kong Phooey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va_Rmpd3PZI) [Highlander](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypyvcfnu4Gg) – hard to miss with Queen. [Hawaii Five-O](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwhvByj8YG8) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-three-tv-show-theme-songs/715618.md?page=3)