I don’t watch a lot of network TV programming nowadays. That also means I don’t pay much attention to TV shows’ theme songs. That was not the case in years gone by. Sometimes my favorite programs were introduced by a really butt kicking theme song. Others, didn’t necessarily kick butt, but were memorable.
For example, “All in the Family’s leading with Archie and Edith singing, “Those were the Days” isn’t a musical masterpiece, but it is memorable.
Some songs gave the backstory to the show it introduced. The theme to “Gilligan’s Island” is an example of that. Having that background information made it easier to follow the complex plots involving those seven stranded castaways.
The following TV themes are my personal favorites.
15: “Dukes of Hazzard “ theme.
There was a time when Bo and Luke Duke’s legal problems didn’t extend beyond Boss Hogg and the General Lee’s paint job was tolerated. During that time Wayland Jennings introduced the Duke family’s latest adventure involving outsmarting Boss Hogg and Roscoe while kissing some girls.
14: Theme to “Dallas.”
The musical theme to Dallas projected a certain expansiveness about it. Expansive like J R Ewings’ greed, debauchery and general meanness.
13: Theme to “MASH.”
The song has a certain calmness about it, doesn’t it. Do you know the actual name of the song? “Suicide is Painless.” Probably best to listen to the song sans lyrics.
12: “Mary Tyler Moore” theme.
So, I was surprised to learn that legendary TV ditty was written by the legendary Sonny Curtis. Actually, Curtis had a pretty good career. He was a member of “The Crickets.” Curtis stayed with the band after the death of Buddy Holly.
11: Theme to ‘The Monkeys.”
I might have to revisit this later, but for now this song is stuck in my head. The song purports to have a message but I’m not sure what it is.
They sing:
We’re the young generation, And we’ve got something to say. Hey, hey, we’re the monkees Hey, hey, we’re the monkees
Their message seems to have a limited scope.
10: “Welcome Back Kotter”
I believe you can figure out the show this song went with. This John Sebastian special led into the story of a former gang member who returned to the high school where he was a noted character, but not in a good way.
There he taught academic underachievers who were also members of a gang, but never did anything really bad. I miss the gritty realism of shows like that.
9: Thank You for Being a Friend.”
An excellent summary of the relationship of the four main characters of “The Golden Girls.” The girls have now traveled down the road. The back again part remains to be seen. Confession: I thought the writing on the show was great.
8: Theme to “Rawhide”
Whenever hear that stirring “Head um up, move em out,” followed by the the iconic “Rolling, rolling,” I’m moved to action. I saddle up the old recliner and watch me some Rawhide. Go get em Gil Favor and Rowdy Yates!
7: “Beverly Hillbillies” theme.
This tune tells the Clampetts’ story, as well as being really catchy. I can still sing to this day. Until people tell me to shut up.
6: Theme to “WKRP in Cincinnati.”
Once again, a song that tells a story. The story of Andy Travis, program director for WKRP. I came across the extended version of the song while listening to “Yacht Rock” on SiriusXM. Sorry to get uppity on you.
5: Theme to “Mannix.”
Anybody else remember Mike Connors as Mannix? It was a pretty good detective show with a nice montage of clips of the show as the song played.
I recently watched the theme on YouTube and one of the clips really took me back. That used a giant computer that spit out a punch card with the name “Mannix. It reminded me of Herman Hollerith in my old data processing class.
Anybody have Herman Hollerith in the “What will Lambert write about today’ pool?
4: “Cheers” theme.
Ah yes, where everybody knows your name. And it’s not the unemployment office. There’s an extended version of this song which is pretty neat.
As I’ve said before, Jim Rockford was my favorite detective, and the show had a great Mike Post theme song. The theme song, followed by the message on the answering machine got the show off to a great start.
2: Theme to “Hawaii 50.”
I have to admit, I like the song more than the show. For whatever reason, I’ve never watched either version of the show, but the song definitely gets my attention.
1: ”Mission Impossible” theme.
When that song came on you knew the good guys were going to do some smart, brainy stuff and thwart the bad guys.
It made me want to do something smart and brainy, like word finder puzzle. Inspiring!
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