TV Themes

Today I want to write about something that's always been a guilty pleasure to me and that is tv theme songs!

In the early 90's a number of shows were created with minimal or no opening theme in order to save money but, in my mind, the tv theme song is one of the key branding elements you will find with a majority of hit series.

The only evidence I have of this is annecdotal but honestly what tv fan would NOT be able to recognize the theme to The Flintstones? Dallas? or Cheers?

Heck the theme to the Greatest American Hero made it to the American top 40 radio charts and is probably more popular than the short-lived show itself.

How about the line, "I'll be there for you..." from Friends? And when it comes to the Friends theme, this comedian on YouTube has a great take on how the lyrics to the full version don't actually make sense.

Do you think Will Smith is thankful that the producers of his sitcom didn't cut the awesome theme that drew it's inspiration from his smash video for "Parents Just Don't Understand"? Sure people already knew the Fresh Prince from his rapper days and minor acting roles but I can't help wondering if that successful TV exposure served as the launching pad for his blockbuster film career. And the theme song was the hook that brought viewers in to the show.

One of my all time favourites was of course Henry Mancini's composition that became best known as the theme to the Pink Panther. Did you know that the first animated Pink Panther short actually won an Academy Award?

I love the great electric guitar theme of Simon & Simon that also featured a smooth sax solo.

Lee Majors' post-Bionic Man show about a stunt man called The Fall Guy had a great theme. Here's part of the chorus to refresh your memory about this bit of early 80's pop-culture... "I might fall from a tall building, or roll a brand new car... cuz I'm the unknown stuntman that made Redford such a star."

One other factoid... did you know that Markie Post starred in The Fall Guy as well as playing characters on the previously mentioned shows Simon & Simon, Greatest American Hero, and Cheers and may be best known for playing "Christine Sullivan" on another show with a truly funky opening theme - Night Court.

That's just a short sample of music from the small screen.

How many TV themes can you think of?