# What show had the worst theme song? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 8, 2018, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256 "2018-08-08T00:39:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/21 "2018-08-08T08:34:59Z")
Luke Cage. ---
**Author:** ![Lorne\_Armstrong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@Lorne\_Armstrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorne_Armstrong)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/22 "2018-08-08T08:52:25Z")
The second theme song (the one with lyrics) from Eight Is Enough. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/23 "2018-08-08T09:32:47Z")
The theme to **The Nanny** always went through my head like a nail. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2018, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/24 "2018-08-08T09:59:30Z")
[quote=“terentii, post:8, topic:819256”] In the same vein, there’s _ **Two and a Half Men** _: [/QUOTE] But it’s a riff on “Stout-Hearted Men”! I thought it was hilarious, since the men on that show were the exact not what the song was asking for. The theme song that always annoyed me was the one for _Family Ties_. I don’t know why. Maybe because they were essentially bragging about what a great family they were, when the show suggested that they were maybe in the 75th percentile on a good day, and sometimes they failed miserably. _Diff’rent Strokes_ was pretty bad too. It sort of explained the show, but was kind of cryptic. I guess if you put the words with the opening credits, it worked, but it annoyed me-- maybe it was just the whole show that annoyed me, and my brother insisted on watching it, so when I’d hear that theme, it was time to stuff a towel under my door. _The Love Boat_ was a terrible song, but I think it did succeed in catching the “70s lounge singer” sound, which, while I’ve never been on a pleasure cruise myself, I understand usually features entertainment like this. I think the effect was deliberate. Perhaps it didn’t come off, because not enough people picked up on it, but still, I think whoever gave the go-ahead on the song wanted a particular effect. I liked _The Brady Bunch_ theme song because it was so utilitarian. If you’d never seen the show before, but you paid attention to the words of the theme song, you were all caught up. All theme songs should be like that. _The Beverly Hillbillies_ theme song personally annoys me (again, it might just be the whole show that does), but I give it credit for doing what it ought to do-- introduce the audience to the backstory of the show. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2018, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/25 "2018-08-08T11:03:40Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > And I’ll throw in [Small Wonder](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5bZ8z4OIMo), because that show was a contender for “worst” in every possible category. If I heard someone singing “fantastic, made of plastic, microchips here and there”, I’d think it was silly but harmless. If I heard some singing “howdy folks, I’m Louis Armstrong squeedily doo-doo doot I couldn’t stop 9/11” (or humming the theme “song” to Homicide), I’d think they were having a stroke. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/26 "2018-08-08T13:44:16Z")
The theme to _Newhart_ was pretty sickening, but it fit the overall feel of the show pretty well. > [@snfaulkner](#): > > [The Banana Splits](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u1VCPdplQ4) Even as a kid, I hated every single thing about that show. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/27 "2018-08-08T13:54:55Z")
The theme to Anthony Bourdain’s **[Parts Unknown](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWKmBrp8-7A)** show. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/28 "2018-08-08T14:08:16Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Personally I’ve always found the _Love Boat_ theme repulsive, but for pure, unimaginative schlock, it’s had to beat [From a Birds-Eye View](https://youtu.be/OpGybFEcLxA?t=121), a short-lived sitcom from the 1970s. > > And I’ll throw in [Small Wonder](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5bZ8z4OIMo), because that show was a contender for “worst” in every possible category. I would love to see some of the short-lived sitcoms from the 1970s. I don’t remember any of them except for Bridget Loves Bernie. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/29 "2018-08-08T14:23:17Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > [The Banana Splits](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u1VCPdplQ4) Liz Phair did a great [cover version](https://youtu.be/-JvB5AL59fM). She could sing “Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snork” and make it sound sexy. > [@Gatopescado](#): > > The theme to _Newhart_ was pretty sickening, but it fit the overall feel of the show pretty well. Sickening? Gato, that was Henry Freakin’ Mancini. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/30 "2018-08-08T14:28:26Z")
If we want to veer off into movies as well: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=850276](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=850276) ---
**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:** [August 8, 2018, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/31 "2018-08-08T14:35:23Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Liz Phair did a great [cover version](https://youtu.be/-JvB5AL59fM). She could sing “Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snork” and make it sound sexy. Liz Phair _and_ Material Issue (sorry, big fan of both artists. In fact, I’m wearing a Material Issue tee-shirt right now.) Great theme song if only for the fact that it begat the cover. They also did a decent cover of “Turning Japanese” together. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/32 "2018-08-08T14:36:09Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > I would love to see some of the short-lived sitcoms from the 1970s. I don’t remember any of them except for Bridget Loves Bernie. YouTube is your friend… but only if you have a spare couple of hours. I can’t watch just one episode of Dobie Gillis or WKRP (or Fernwood, or Quark, or Mr. T and Tina…) and then go to bed; instead I’m up til 2. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2018, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/33 "2018-08-08T14:43:16Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Liz Phair _and_ Material Issue (sorry, big fan of both artists. In fact, I’m wearing a Material Issue tee-shirt right now.) Great theme song if only for the fact that it begat the cover. I should also add a shout-out to the excellent straight-up punk Dickies cover, too. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/34 "2018-08-08T14:54:02Z")
> [@Lorne\_Armstrong](#): > > The second theme song (the one with lyrics) from Eight Is Enough. OMG, I haven’t thought about it or the show in years, yet the song instantly sprang right to mind - thank _you \*\*\* Lorne Armstong_\* :dubious: 😉 " Though we spend our days like bright and shiny new diiiiiiimes, If we’re ever puzzled by the changing times, There’s a plate of homemade wishes on the kitchen window sill, And eight is enough to fill our lives with love." The only thing worse than the glurgy lyrics was Grant Goodeve’s overly earnest warbling. Funny thing is, I think I actually liked it at the time. I certainly sang along with it :smack: _Thank You for Being a Friend_ was tolerable when you’d hear Andrew Gold’s original version occasionally on the radio but now if I hear the opening bars at the start of The Golden Girls I can’t change the channel fast enough. I’ve mentioned the theme to _Orange is the New Black_ before. I think a big part of it is the repugnant montage of extreme closeups of women’s faces. Also, when I watch OITNB I tend to watch several eps in a row and that song really only needs to be heard once. I had no trouble using the “skip into” feature this time around but for some reason in past seasons it would either not work or skip ahead a few minutes into the show so I’d just use that time to use the bathroom or get a snack or whatever. ---
**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:** [August 8, 2018, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/35 "2018-08-08T15:07:20Z")
It’s not the worst theme ever, but is anyone else old enough to remember the summer after the first season of _Friends_ premiered, when the theme to the show was every other song on the radio? You couldn’t get away from it. By the time season two premiered, I had to mute the theme song, because I was so sick of it. Are those the real words to _8 is Enough_? I watched it only sporadically, so I never really paid attention to the words of the song. They don’t even make any sense. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/36 "2018-08-08T15:19:01Z")
I’m sure I’m going to get murderized for shitting on the iconic folk song but Little Houses from the first (few?) season of Weeds was grating and terrible. I like that they started doing covers. Sorry Malvina. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/37 "2018-08-08T15:29:32Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > It’s not the worst theme ever, but is anyone else old enough to remember the summer after the first season of _Friends_ premiered, when the theme to the show was every other song on the radio? You couldn’t get away from it. By the time season two premiered, I had to mute the theme song, because I was so sick of it. > > Are those the real words to _8 is Enough_? I watched it only sporadically, so I never really paid attention to the words of the song. They don’t even make any sense. Oh, yes ma’am. [Behold the treacle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWMJoV0ozIM). Also, I can’t believe I forgot about the \*Friends \* theme. The Rembrandts actually had some good songs but that ain’t one of 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/38 "2018-08-08T15:29:55Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I’m sure I’m going to get murderized for shitting on the iconic folk song but Little Houses from the first (few?) season of Weeds was grating and terrible. I like that they started doing covers. Sorry Malvina. Trashed the song and couldn’t even get the name right. It’s Little _Boxes_. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/39 "2018-08-08T15:52:32Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > OMG, I haven’t thought about it or the show in years, yet the song instantly sprang right to mind - thank _you \*\*\* Lorne Armstong_\* :dubious: 😉 > > " Though we spend our days like bright and shiny new diiiiiiimes, > If we’re ever puzzled by the changing times, > There’s a plate of homemade wishes on the kitchen window sill, > And eight is enough to fill our lives with love." > > The only thing worse than the glurgy lyrics was Grant Goodeve’s overly earnest warbling. Funny thing is, I think I actually liked it at the time. I certainly sang along with it :smack: > > _Thank You for Being a Friend_ was tolerable when you’d hear Andrew Gold’s original version occasionally on the radio but now if I hear the opening bars at the start of The Golden Girls I can’t change the channel fast enough. > > I’ve mentioned the theme to _Orange is the New Black_ before. I think a big part of it is the repugnant montage of extreme closeups of women’s faces. Also, when I watch OITNB I tend to watch several eps in a row and that song really only needs to be heard once. I had no trouble using the “skip into” feature this time around but for some reason in past seasons it would either not work or skip ahead a few minutes into the show so I’d just use that time to use the bathroom or get a snack or whatever. The OITNB theme also jars my brain – thank gawd for the Skip Intro command. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256/40 "2018-08-08T16:30:01Z")
If we are including ring themes for pro wrestlers there is always this: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHAQiYz7NU0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHAQiYz7NU0) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-show-had-the-worst-theme-song/819256.md?page=3)