Where did all the good T.V. theme songs go?

[sydaud]

Anyone of a certain age can still sing the (most of the) lyrics to "Diff'rent Strokes", "All in the Family", "The Jeffersons", "The Courtship of Eddie's Father", "The Brady Bunch"....any number of tv theme songs. Hell, several tv theme songs over the years have actually made the charts (Welcome Back, I'll Be There For You, Hawaii Five-O come to mind).

Now? Not so much, so it seems.

Who's got a favorite tv theme song? What show today has a theme song that has stuck in your head? Who has ever whistled the Sanford and Son theme song?

[Aurgasm]

South Park's is cool. Primus

[higgybaby23]

I am a sucker for TV Theme songs. Favorites include the themes from: The A-Team, Sanford & Son and The Love Boat.

Sometime in the mid to late 90's, the big three (ABC,NBC,CBS) decided to forgo theme songs so that they would have a few more seconds of commercial time. Remember when they actually showed the credits for a TV show? Now the credits whiz by in a tiny box while a commercial plays. I'm not a fan of credits, but it must suck to work on these shows and try to see your name fly by, lol.

[garrett222]

Lost has a great theme song....not very singable though..so does House.

[samiksha]

family matters.

and of course fresh prince. has any one else ever seen the extended version with a verse about being on the plane?

[Aurgasm]

^yea, hahahaha

[davrone]

I love the Fringe theme. Short, sweet and mysterious.

[woogie846]

FD8ljNobUys

[I'm an alias...]

The original Charles In Charge theme had a creepy Lolita and/or incest vibe.

km22zWPz4uY

It was toned down later when they swapped the entire family out. That's how life usually works...family sells their house, but the nanny stays there and takes care of the next people who move in.

[chairmenmeow47]

i love the mad men intro theme.

other than that, lost is my favourite because there isn't really a theme at all.

[locachica73]

I like the Weeds theme song, and I love that they have a different version with each episode.

My favorite from younger years... The Facts of Life, you take the good, you take the bad, you take em both and then you have, the facts of life.... doododoodod

[I'm an alias...]

sPEGt4A7zjA

[BROKENDOLL]

I love thrift store shopping for unique and restorable items, but everytime I walk in the door with them I have to endure shit from Suffacated as he starts in with the theme song for Sanford and Son! Whatever floats his boat, I guess...Speaking of which...How about Gilligan's Island theme song?

[I'm an alias...]

I will admit to not fast forwarding past the Psych theme. It's no Diff'rnt Strokes, though.

EobpraAqhJE

[marooko]

family matters.

and of course fresh prince. has any one else ever seen the extended version with a verse about being on the plane?

hell yes. its freaking awesome.

[bmack86]

My favorite theme songs of all time are Andy Griffith and The Odd Couple.

[locachica73]

The Munsters, I was never a fan of the show but I love the theme song.

[C DUB YA]

True Blood's is good.

FOC is good.

[I'm an alias...]

caoYdiq3kak

[Cdubby]

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-CZRudxD-NQ

[I'm an alias...]

CKj88uuoObQ

[Boourns]

The worst TV theme ever was Blossom.

[kitt kat]

Lost has a great theme song....

Wooosh?


I loved the Arrested Development song; the 30 Rock one is pretty similar, but also enjoyable.

Oh, and Flight of the Conchords.

[kitt kat]

My favorite theme songs of all time are Andy Griffith....

do do do
DOOOO do do do
DOOOO do do do
do do dooooo doo do

DAMN YOU. It's going to be stuck in my head ALL DAY.

[kitt kat]

triple post extravaganza, but how could I forget...

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[Boourns]

MAAAAAAAATLOCK!

[sydaud]

Sometime in the mid to late 90's, the big three (ABC,NBC,CBS) decided to forgo theme songs so that they would have a few more seconds of commercial time. Remember when they actually showed the credits for a TV show? Now the credits whiz by in a tiny box while a commercial plays. I'm not a fan of credits, but it must suck to work on these shows and try to see your name fly by, lol.

Well, I guess that answers my question. It just dawned on me that theme songs don't seem to "exist" anymore. To me, a memorable theme song, goes a long way in remembering the show that the networks want you to watch. Just a thought.

[Shooters08]

I will admit to not fast forwarding past the Psych theme. It's no Diff'rnt Strokes, though.

EobpraAqhJE

I was gonna put this one. It's a lot like the old schools theme songs. Funny f'n show.

[kitt kat]

Best use of a popular song:

g_tdyISAylE

[kreutz2112]

Step by motherfucking Step

[I'm an alias...]

I was gonna put this one. It's a lot like the old schools theme songs.

Yeah, if this were 1982, it would be on AM radio between Greatest American Hero and Welcome Back Kotter. Bland, but catchy.

[kitt kat]

Step by motherfucking Step

I always wanted to go to that carnival.

[I'm an alias...]

The worst TV theme ever was Blossom.

Oh yeah man. Well, that's just, like, your "opinionation".

[locachica73]

I was trying to think of the greatest american hero, i loved that show. what was the one tom hanks was in where he dressed as a girl, bousom buddies or something like that. That was a pretty good theme song as well.

[sydaud]

"The Facts of Life" theme song rules.

[kreutz2112]

Duck Tales

[I'm an alias...]

HnsHpPNltBw

Even at age 9...the crotch shot of Fergie was a staple. Sickos.

[Sigur Ros Stache]

I was trying to think of the greatest american hero, i loved that show. what was the one tom hanks was in where he dressed as a girl, bousom buddies or something like that. That was a pretty good theme song as well.

Bosom Buddies actually used Billy Joels' "Its my life" as its theme but I don't think they used the original version (different singer I think)

The Love Boat....soon will be making another run
The Love Boat....promises something for everyone
set your course for adventure your mind on a new ro-mance.....

or

Love American Style
Truer than the red white and blue - ooh - ooh -ooh
Love American Sty- I - Ile
For me and you....

[I'm an alias...]

Bosom Buddies actually used Billy Joels' "Its my life" as its theme but I don't think they used the original version (different singer I think)

Yup...and supposedly, Tom Hanks is one of the singers.

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That's another thing shows don't do anymore...explain the premise at the begining of each episode.

[sydaud]

How the hell did I forget about "The Love Boat"? I STILL know all the words to that one.

[Alchemy]

I love the Fringe theme. Short, sweet and mysterious.

Very true. I want to learn how to play it on the piano.

[I'm an alias...]

The Krofft brothers always had memorable ones...
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And of course, the CTW could be counted on...
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[amyzzz]

I was trying to think of the greatest american hero, i loved that show.
We sang that theme song in my grade school choir. GREAT SONG.
"Believe it or not
I'm walking on air
I've never thought I could feel so freeeeee..."
etc

[locachica73]

great, now its stuck in my head. quick, make it stop.

[AlecEiffel]

Duck Tales

TRUE! What a great Hall & Oates ripoff!

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kO5qwNG4U18

[stuporfly]

As far as current shows go, The Big Bang Theory has a quirky quirky and not completely terrible theme song. I was horrified to learn it's performed by the fucking Barenaked Ladies.

I'll throw in The Cosby Show for classic themes, though I confess to having a personal connection to it.

[tessalasset]

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[I'm an alias...]

We sang that theme song in my grade school choir. GREAT SONG.
"Believe it or not
I'm walking on air
I've never thought I could feel so freeeeee..."
etc

Since it keeps coming up...
wzEb5IzdcrU

I am shocked...SHOCKED...at the sloppy line spacing on those title cards.

[MissingPerson]

The Six Feet Under intro was wonderful.

[AlecEiffel]

Tales From the Crypt.

[HunterGather]

34Sb0hGUNIQ

That's the best!

[MarkO]

- Magnum
- Knight Rider (Daft should sample that Dunna ..... dunnadunnadunna line at the start)
- The Rockford files
- The Six Million Dollar Man
- The Fall Guy

[CrimesceneCookie]

United States of Tara
Pretty sure it's by Polyphonic Spree.

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by the way, this is the best new show on tv.

[MissingPerson]

I am intrigued and wish to know more about United States of Tara. Which counts as a win for an opening sequence, as far as I'm concerned.

[M Sparks]

- Knight Rider (Daft should sample that Dunna ..... dunnadunnadunna line at the start)

My wife listens to the cheesy dance channel on XM all the time...someone's already done it.

EDIT...so I'm sure Daft Punk will copy it in a couple years.

[iv3rdawG]

Come on people. This is how they should be made. Simple, explain the entire premise of the show in the opening credits, no questions need to be asked about wtf is going on in the show:

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Keeping it simple all ten seasons. I watch them before every episode. No skipping.

[chiapet]

I am intrigued and wish to know more about United States of Tara. Which counts as a win for an opening sequence, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not sure It's a good show, yet, but I really love Toni Collette and have been enjoying some of her 'alters' (other personalities), Buck in particular.

[I'm an alias...]

wKvSfG_XYyU


Wow! I've never seen any of the KTMA shows.

I like how it used to say "The worst ever made" instead of "The worst we can find." I'm sure that was changed for rhyming reasons, but it's also a truth in advertising thing. There's no way they could ever get the rights to The Phantom Menace or any Michael Bay movies.

[I'm an alias...]

I'm not sure It's a good show, yet

I'm don't care for the structure. I've only seen the first couple of shows, but I don't like how there always has to be a conflict or some other kind of stress to set her off. I'm sure real life schizos are like that, but it wastes too much time.

Also, the half hour format is a bit short to deal with a serious issue. They are trying to make it look all important, but really it's just a sitcom where you laugh at the weirdo...it's just that they used a mentally ill person rather than Urkel or the guy with the tool show.

It's entertaining, but nothing more

[betao]

Gotta love House, with the mix of "teardrop" by Massive Attack.

[stuporfly]

There's no way they could ever get the rights to The Phantom Menace or any Michael Bay movies.

Mike Nelson found a loophole when he came up with Rifftrax.

www.rifftrax.com

[I'm an alias...]

Not so much a loophole as a different concept, but yeah.

I've never tried one. I should look through and see what they have.

[BeHereNOW]

that catchy intro from *curb your enthusiasm*

[JustSteve]

no one has mentioned full house? fail.
MO5oDScu4ps

what about alf? so smooth and so good it did not need words...
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pee-wee's playhouse?
BKcYGOIJhqo

[I'm an alias...]

/\ Pee Wee- absolutely.

The other two suffered from the problems so many 80's TV themes had...they were all interchangeble! Seriously, if you're just LISTENING to the theme songs, do you think you could match them to the right shows? Who's The Boss, Family Ties, Growing Pains, Perfect Strangers...any of those theme songs could be have been for any of those shows. At least the Full House one was a little more upbeat, but still, it doesn't tell me what I'm watching, or connect with the show in any way.

The Alf one was fine musically, but if I had heard it without the vid, I wouldn't have remembered what it was from.

EDIT...if it's going to be cheesy, be SUPER cheesy and sing about the show literally- like Charles In Charge, or even Cheers. Otherwise, it's just lame light pop.

[stuporfly]

Not so much a loophole as a different concept, but yeah.

I've never tried one. I should look through and see what they have.

Semantics.

I've downloaded two of them, and they're pretty funny. I think you can sample on the website.

[mattpach]

what about alf? so smooth and so good it did not need words...
z5VFngsQPok

pee-wee's playhouse?
BKcYGOIJhqo

Alf and Pee-wee used to scare the shit out of me but they do have good theme songs.

[TomAz]

weird fact.

the same person who wrote this song..

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also wrote this song..

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also, this guy was a Cricket. as in Buddy Holly and the.

[Jon Blazed]

CZ1NA7Mgzgw

[TomAz]

pearls before swine.

[I'm an alias...]

Semantics.

Seriously man...you want to do this? :) I hate to argue with a fellow MSTie.

A loophole would have allowed them to show big budget movies on the show. That never happened. In fact, a lot of episodes can't be released on DVD because they can't even afford the rights to these crappy movies they already showed.

Releasing MST eps with a greenscreen backdrop instead of the movie and instructions on how to reassemble the episode...a-la 1987 (The JAMMs 45 Edits)...would have been a loophole.

RiffTrax is actually cooler than a loophole...it's almost a whole new type of media.

[I'm an alias...]

pearls before swine.

Pearls and swine

k2WlYgDe1Vs

[I'm an alias...]

oBTWF1bDPn0


Bringing it back to Coachella...

uYxFD9YyknI

[lickety_spit]

you thought it was gold but it was br-ah-ha-ha-nze.
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and the old standby
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[I'm an alias...]

Was Cousin Larry a newspaper writer? Why would he open a newspaper to a random page, smile proudly, and then close it? And even if he was a writer, I'd think you'd only do that the first time you had a story printed. "Hooray, I'm on page 17 again!"

[I'm an alias...]

This lays it all out...we know the main character's name, where he lives, what he does, how many kids he has, and what the main conflict is (an advice giver who's own life is a mess...clearly a precursor to Dr Laura.) You'd think it would have been a huge smash...

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Who knew there was a second season? Apparently, they blamed the failure of the first season on pretty much the entire supporting cast and the lack of basketball tricks.

JXroB-yhtfU

[All Your Base]

C'mon folks...

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Who remembers this crap though? I do.....

Somewhere, Henry Mancini is throwing up in his mouth. Dead, but throwing up none the less.

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[I'm an alias...]

AND THEN THERE'S MAUDE

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(Sorry, I can't find the actual credits, nor a good version of this.)

[All Your Base]

These are fairly annoying 'cause they've looped the shit out of them, but...

Hey Ant.....I'll huff! And I'll puff! And I'll suck you up my nose!

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Si! I mean, Oui!

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fGbaAWq12Tw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fGbaAWq12Tw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[I'm an alias...]

Pink Panther...technically a movie theme. I forgot about that second one though. Who thought it was a good idea to base a cartoon on the opening theme of a movie, then throw out the theme?

And Peter Sellers is throwing up way more from Steve Martin. That man should just be put down along with Eddie Murphy.

[All Your Base]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qHej4ZqZDwo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qHej4ZqZDwo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[All Your Base]

Pink Panther...technically a movie theme. I forgot about that second one though. Who thought it was a good idea to base a cartoon on the opening theme of a movie, then throw out the theme?

And Peter Sellers is throwing up way more from Steve Martin. That man should just be put down along with Eddie Murphy.

Good point. I've actually never seen any of the Pink Panther movies, but the Pink Panther (and Aardvark) catroons were some of my favorites growing up.

[All Your Base]

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[All Your Base]

http://pbpl.physics.ucla.edu/About_Us/Bios/Carl_Spackler/smails.jpg

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[All Your Base]

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[locachica73]

Ok I LOVED the superfriends but not with Wendy, Marvin and Wonderdog... I was a fan of the Wondertwins. Wondertwin powers...activate.

[I'm an alias...]

This is the only Wonder Dog I support...too bad his "theme" was lame.

VxxL2YvNkzE

But Hanna Barbera did have some dandy theme songs...

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[All Your Base]

Ok I LOVED the superfriends but not with Wendy, Marvin and Wonderdog... I was a fan of the Wondertwins. Wondertwin powers...activate.

LOL!

Shape of......an Eagle!
Form of......water!

[locachica73]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_C2HJvtRDY

And of course, my all time favorite!!!

[gmoneyak]

They don't make them like they used to..
JEsHUel04dY

5YjfGex5JHY

[Cherita Chen]

I never ever feel the need to skip this. I NEED to experience it everytime.

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uP1UDrWDSgc
q8HdpBXLVYk

[Ardentbiscuit]

Some of my favorites...

Duck Dodgers, how can you not love Tom Jones singing over Flaming Lips musical arrangements...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn4YzKxTJhA&feature=related

Josie and Pussycats...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzdaVKQvqQw&feature=related

The version of the Drew Carey opening by the Presidents of the United States of America...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmSW-OM8h8c

Not a theme song but I always liked the Dallas theme...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eruWNjXJuKA

[sportsbunny]

Rockford Files, Mary Tyler Moore and Bob Newhart show

Mike Post wrote the Rockford Files theme and also Magnum PI and Greatest American Hero, among many others. He was quite prolific when it came to TV theme songs. We've downloaded a bunch they are fun to listen to when you're feeling nostalgic.

[gmoneyak]

This show slayed;

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And I'm surprised at this omission..

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[kreutz2112]

I totally fucking forgot about Marshall Brave Star. Fuck that was an awesome show.

[gmoneyak]

That show had the best anti-drug episode ever.

"Spiiiin, flowers smiiiling.."