# What's the best TV theme song? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 26, 2001, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985 "2001-09-26T20:42:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/21 "2001-09-27T03:59:09Z")
Angie had one of if not the most commercablity. And definitely sung by the best. Perhaps up there with Greatest American Hero. Welcome Back Kotter and Happy Days were commercial but the song really was more or less popular because of the series. Gilligan and Brady Bunch, and Beverly Hillbillies lead the pack for story. Along with the Mary Tyler Moore show. (Honorable mention to Dobbie Gillis and Phyllis) Andy Griffith for whistleability. I have yet to see the theme to that show play in public where SOMEONE isn’t whistling along with it. ---
**Author:** ![gypsy\_gurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@gypsy\_gurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gypsy_gurl)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/22 "2001-09-27T05:39:53Z")
Wow…not even one vote for **Highlander** yet??? Count me in…80’s metal with that twang of hot guys with swords _swoon_ ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/23 "2001-09-27T06:13:39Z")
I can tell you one thing. It is NOT the one for “Enterprise”. ---
**Author:** ![officeslave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/41988e/32.png) [@officeslave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/officeslave)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/24 "2001-09-27T07:01:36Z")
The ones that have always send shots of excitement to the parts of my body one can not talk about in polite society are M_A_S\*H (its sad I know the lyrics to it) Facts of Life Red Dwarf Young Ones Family Ties Golden Girls (I’ve wasted my life…) Good Times Laverne & Shirley ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/25 "2001-09-27T09:57:45Z")
I’m with **Muad’dib**. I haven’t seen the whole show yet, because I went into shock. Lyrics. They have lyrics to a Star Trek opening. A speech I can handle. Pompous music, yes. But this sounds vaguely like country music. It’s just wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Ewdlorr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@Ewdlorr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ewdlorr)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/26 "2001-09-27T11:55:11Z")
I’ll agree with **Cisco** on _The Simpsons_. I’d love to see the score. I’d also love to see the score to _The Jetsons_. The “his boy Elroy”-type stupid lyrics I can do without, but the rest is magically delicious! Also, what about: _The Sopranos_ _Drew Carey_’s “Cleveland Rocks” theme _Malcolm in the Middle_ (I’m waiting for someone to criticize me on these – that they’re actually songs just chosen for the show, but they rock. Sorry.) _The Muppet Show_ – can’t believe nobody’s said that one yet _Mystery Science Theatre 3000_, anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/27 "2001-09-27T12:32:16Z")
Lost in Space. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/28 "2001-09-27T12:36:56Z")
The Brady Bunch was the first to come to mind. Now that I’m through vomiting I’ll propose; - King of the Hill - The Daily Show. ---
**Author:** ![audient](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@audient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audient)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/29 "2001-09-27T12:57:34Z")
excellent choices, all. Many of my favorites have already been named, but you’re missing out on some sizzlin’ big band tunes. Namely - Munsters Flinststones Also, The Addams Family (_snap_ _snap_) can’t be left out. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/30 "2001-09-27T14:00:44Z")
You people are still talking about this? Why is this even in IMHO? There’s such a clear right answer. Maybe the OP said “What’s the best TV theme song _besides_ **Peter Gunn**?” and I misread it. Or maybe a Mod’ll move it to General Questions soon. ---
**Author:** ![pestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e5b9ba/32.png) [@pestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pestie)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/31 "2001-09-27T15:17:26Z")
I think **Hawaii 5-0** and **Peter Gunn** tie for first place. **Mission: Impossible** kicks some serious ass, too. One I haven’t seen mentioned yet is the theme to the now-defunct **The Lone Gunmen**. I love that one! As for British TV, I’d have to vote for **Blackadder** and **Benny Hill**. ---
**Author:** ![slackergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@slackergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slackergirl)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/32 "2001-09-27T15:28:41Z")
Gack, the Enterprise theme is awful. Diane Warren. Yuck. My favorite theme from a current show is Angel - cool cello stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/33 "2001-09-27T15:36:18Z")
Hawaii Five-O - another vote here. _Bonanza_ and _Rawhide_…excellent cowboy themes. And for the newest…_Six Feet Under_. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/34 "2001-09-27T15:44:05Z")
I have to admit that the first thing I thought of was **Peter Gunn** , but **bup** beat me to it, so let me just throw the theme from **Twin Peaks** into the mix. ---
**Author:** ![Kittie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Kittie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kittie)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/35 "2001-09-27T15:59:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky \* > \*\*“Hawaii Five-O” or “Mission: Impossible” > > Duh! \*\* Damn straight! “Hawaii Five-O” is the shit! 😃 ~Kittie ---
**Author:** ![Zappo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b3f665/32.png) [@Zappo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zappo)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/36 "2001-09-27T16:02:10Z")
My faves have already been mentioned, so here’s my votes for “Six Feet Under” “The Rockford Files” “Hawaii Five-O” “WKRP In Cincinatti” Zappo ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/37 "2001-09-27T16:06:01Z")
Hawaii-5-O and Dr.Who are hands down the best. The A-Team is a close second and the Simpsons take the bronze. ---
**Author:** ![Kaotic\_Newtral](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@Kaotic\_Newtral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaotic_Newtral)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/38 "2001-09-27T16:07:28Z")
My personal favorite of all time has to be Fat Albert… [Insert groovy bass] Hey, hey, hey! Here’s Fat Albert And I’m gonna sing a song for you And this is gonna show you A thing or two You’ll have some fun now With me and the gang Learning from each other While we do our ??? Na, na, na Gonna have a good time Na, na, na Gonna have a good time Hey, hey, hey! [/bass off] ---
**Author:** ![dlb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@dlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dlb)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/39 "2001-09-27T18:01:18Z")
All right, Peter Gunn is the one. But I can still mention a few that no one else seems to have remembered. “T.H.E. Cat”. Strong horns, then the flute, going back to the horns. “It Takes a Thief”, second season. The violins going up into the brass theme. Dave Grusin, a famous name in jazz circles. “Search”, an old one. Dominic Frontiere. They would hit you with those brass pulses in the teaser, then fade into the melody. “Babylon 5”, fifth season. Yes, I know no one besides me likes the thing, but I can forget the music (not the words) of the other four. That martial theme sticks with me. Sorry again, but I _like_ the “Crusade” theme. Call me tasteless. The cold, metallic tones and rhythms reminded me of Galen. One thing about Irwin Allen: he may have done lousy science fiction, but the themes for his shows were great. Someone has already mentioned “Lost In Space”. Add “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” (the sonar pulse was a great draw into the rest of the show), “The Time Tunnel” (the horn riff, the loud base horn rumble, and the flute over all — it got me, as well as the “tick, tick, tick” at the beginning), and “Land of the Giants” (horns again, all low to represent the huge scale of things). Allen had a trick of tying the music of the themes to the show better than anyone I can think of, except perhaps: Both of the Whedon shows. Really. Someone has already mentioned the theme to “Angel” (the low chello, jazzing it up, the bell tolling at the end), and Buffy is just right (the organ at the beginning, the jazzy lift that just _shouts_ teenagers, the great guitar riffs at the end). Sorry, everyone, but I really like “NYPD Blue” as well. The incredible percussion at the start, fading into the peaceful electronic chords, puncutated with the percussion at the end. Great stuff. One more. No one has mentioned “Due South”. Not only was the theme great, but it has one of the best soundtracks ever. “Victoria’s Theme” is now my audio representation of unrequited love. I could go on, but that’s enough. I think I live in my head sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985/40 "2001-09-27T21:44:02Z")
We don’t have a TV but we’ve been going to our downstair’s neighbor’s to watch Farscape on Fridays. I like to stay for those first few moments of the opening credits of LEXX. (I haven’t watched the show, I just like that part!) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-tv-theme-song/83985.md?page=3)