Whatever happened to the great T.V. show theme song? It seems shows nowadays use cheesy classic rock songs (CSI) or no theme song at all (what’s up Lost and Heroes?). Where are the anthems of today that get us pumped up for the shows we’re about to see?! This calls for a list of the greatest T.V. theme songs in the history of the world! On this list you won’t find songs that were crossover radio hits (like Friends, Party of Five, and The O.C.) as well as songs that were established before the show even began (i.e. Married with Children, The (British) Office). Let the flashbacks begin!
The Situation Comedy
Sitcoms probably have the most recognizable theme songs in pop culture. We all know the themes to shows like Cheers, but what about some of the more obscure shows, those forgotten gems? Let’s find out. The original (and possibly most awesome) sitcom song was performed by The Monkees for their show of the same name. The seventies brought us more multicultural programming and the music only got funkier, as is heard in Sanford and Son and Good Times. However, Reagan (he was a President back in the day. For real) and his regime put the clampdown on funk (jerks!)
and sitcoms became more family oriented, giving us gems like Silver Spoons (“Together, we’re gonna find a way!”), Small Wonder (“She’s fantastic, made of plastic”), Family Ties (“What would we do, baby, without us”…what the hell does that mean really?), Growing Pains (“We’ve got each other, sharing the laughter and love”), and Family Matters (“It’s a rare condition…to read any good news on the newspaper page”). Some other great themes include Gimme a Break, Facts of Life, Punky Brewster, Different Strokes, Who’s The Boss and of course Perfect Stangers:
For the Kids
Some kids shows might just have the best theme songs…or at least the most memorable. Who can forget the themes to cartoons like GI Joe 
and Transformers?! Some other memorable themes include He-Man, Fraggle Rock, Thundercats, Care Bears, Captain Planet, TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the unhip) and the Smurfs.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Although Joss Whedon brought back the awesome action opening theme with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly (the best science-fiction western of all time), the best themes here are in the classics. Hawaii 5 0 has perhaps the most catchy theme of all time, but no one could dismiss the gun shot force of The A Team and of course the theme from Walker Texas Ranger. Umm, it’s sung by Chuck Norris! You know, the Chuck Norris whose tears are the cure for cancer…too bad he has never cried…ever. Of course we can’t forget Magnum P.I., Greatest American Hero, Quantum Leap and of course Knight Rider:
The Evolution of the Theme
Many shows change their characters so frequently that the theme song is the only constant from the shows conception to its ending, like Beverly Hills 90210. The 90210 season 1 opening credits show a group of (supposed) teens living the glamorous life at West Beverly High. The song is led by a horn section and then followed by a guitar lead, not the more traditional distorted guitar tones that would become a staple of the theme, as is seen in the 90210 season 5 opening credits. By season five Brenda is gone and the dorky kid who shot himself is gone, only to be replaced by some Latino guy and Kelly from Saved by the bell. Now flash to 90210 season 10 (yes, they made ten seasons of 90210). Who are all these people? A story that began as a tale of a Minneapolis family and their move to rich Southern California is now without any member of the Walsh clan. Still one of the best AND most culturally important shows of all time. To the Peach Pit!
How about some people doing awesome interpretations of their favorite theme songs and MP3s…check it after the jump!