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The decline of the TV theme songTelevision theme songs can be something to revel in, and they can also drive you mad. They can rely on a lyrical message or an instrumental interlude. They can be made to order, or ripped from the pop charts. Love them or hate them, the best theme songs suck you in no matter when you hear them. Images of the show they represent saunter through your mind at the first word or the first chord. The X-Files theme is like that for me.
(Well, most of the images that come to mind when I hear it have more to do with my buddy Mo than with the show itself.) Here's that eerie theme: But according to some, the TV theme song is going the way of the dodo. ER's theme keeps getting shorter and shorter. The Closer doesn't really even have a theme. Other than the Who being used as the lead-in to CSI, I can't think of any current theme songs that really catch my attention and cause images to pop into my wacky brain unbidden. So maybe the TV theme song really is fading away. I mean, I'll admit that the L Word theme is memorable and causes reactions, but I wouldn't really consider those positive. Unless we go back to season three's opening credits so I can still see Erin Daniels on the back of that motorcycle. The theme songs I remember most fondly come from my childhood. And maybe that's why I remember them fondly. They don't just pull me into visions of the shows they introduced — they also take me back in time. Among my favorites is the theme from Cagney & Lacey. It takes me back to one of my favorite shows, but it also reminds me of being forced to watch it on my little 9-inch black-and-white while my dad watched Monday Night Football on the color TV in the living room. Cagney & Lacey takes me back to my first real girl-crush too. I thought I wanted to be Christine Cagney, but the truth is that I was infatuated with Sharon Gless. I also remember going to the place where everybody knows your name. And not just in TV land: It was on the list of stops when we took a family vacation out to Boston. So the theme song reminds me of the show, but more than that, it reminds me of the joy of my own family, my first ever bowl of clam chowder and all that time we spent driving crooked streets looking for Paul Revere's house. I also had a fondness for a couple of good ol' boys with the coolest car I'd ever seen. OK, and I really liked their cousin Daisy, too. Hearing Waylon Jennings belt out this toon reminds me of the toy jeep I had that looked just like Daisy's. My brother had the matchbox version of the General Lee, which I somehow managed to appropriate from him. Of course, I don't enjoy all theme songs. In fact, there are one or two that get stuck in my head for no apparent reason at the oddest times and simply won't go away. The Brady Bunch is one of those, as are C.O.P.S. and Gilligan's Island. But the one that drives me absolutely mad is The Love Boat. I offer you this warning: Do not watch this video if you do not want to be singing this song to yourself for the next hour or so. There are so many more good ones that come to mind, from M.A.S.H. to China Beach and The Facts of Life to Friends. And there a few that still make me cringe. Which ones do you revel in? Which ones drive you mad? Submitted by on January 9, 2008 - 4:03pm. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
Weeds
I do love the weeds theme and I like how its done by different people each week.
Also I've never found the L word theme to be that bad lol.
The L Word theme song...
... I had never actually seen it before, but wow, it really is as bad as everyone says it is.
I always absolutely loved the Jeeves and Wooster theme - the accompanying animation is great as well - but I don't know if it actually counts as a song, since it, er, doesn't have words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=190C8rRKe3w
Maybe there's a reason the theme song is dying out... they do kind of lend themselves to cheesiness.
30 Rock! 30 Rock has a
30 Rock! 30 Rock has a great theme. Bum-bum, ba-da-ba bum bum...
And Chuck has an eye- and ear-popping theme: http://youtube.com/watch?v=1azgd809aIY
Ugly Betty's is short, but distinctive, and I don't get tired of watching it.
Not on air anymore, but
The 4400
off topic but----
i can't believe they just cancelled the 4400. We should at least get a tv movie for some resolution.
TV themes
The one that drove me bananas as a kid because it would get stuck in my head for days was the Full House opening. I still know every word to that damn thing.
I have to agree with The Facts of Life opening, that's also because I'm a giant geek and own the first 3 seasons of the show. I wish they would release season 4.
"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from."
tv themes
I kind of love Gossip Girls' theme if it can be considered a song ( Kristen Bell's voice rocks). I loved Veronica Mars , The 4400 and Buffy's and my cell phone ringtone is Angel's theme. I also used to love Grey's Anatomy theme. It was so colourful, I have an image of red pumps stuck in my brain. I miss the tv theme song. They shouldn't have gotten rid of it.
Edited to Add--- I forgot House. I love that theme song.
SHOW THEME SONGS...
I lOVE:
THE X-FILES!!! (I EVEN HAVE IT AS MY CELL RINGTONE!!!), other: ALF, THE PINK PANTHER SHOW, Oh, and the A TEAM had a cool theme too.
I HATE/LOATHE/WISH IT HAD NEVER BEEN CREATED: HEIDI (damn her... so annoying!)
And I'm sorry to say, Roseanne. The theme song horrible !!! I would go to the bathroom every time I heard it only to return as fast as I colud to see the show.
tv themes
I love The X files credits so much. The ones in this post are the sucky season eight ones. The 1-7 credits are the real thing.
One theme song that I can't get over, and it takes me back to my first TV crush Loretta Swit, is the theme from M*A*S*H. Thats a great theme song. Also the Golden Girls and Mary Tyler Moore are fantastic. The best cartoon themes are The Simpsons and Animaniacs. Baloney in our pants!
The ABC Movie of the Week
... had a great one. Of course only those of us who are terribly, terribly old will remember this one from the '70's but it was distinctive with a propulsive back beat, and if my memory serves - it was in a minor chord, which works well for dramas. Course, those were the days when folks like Quincy Jones wrote musical scores for tv shows.
China Beach: the Rolling Stones and Dana Delaney ... and "KC from KC" ... gawd I miss that show. *sneefle*
I like the 30 Rock theme,
I like the 30 Rock theme, too, but I miss the old-fashioned ones that actually explain the premise of the show. Of course, that's way too cheesy for today. Also, I think commercials take up a lot more time than they used to, so there's barely enough time to tell a story, much less put in a long redundant theme song. 30 Rock's seems only like 15 seconds long.
There are just way too many great theme songs to even name, but recently I've had the Star Trek Voyager theme stuck in my head thanks to Spike TV and long boring days at my parents' house over the holidays. That song so beautifully captures the magestic spirit of Voyager--and is long enough to allow you to run to the kitchen for a snack between the teaser and the beginning of the episode.
My favorite theme songs are
My favorite theme songs are M.A.S.H., Buffy, Damages, The Nanny and Boston Legal. I also liked this short theme song from the first season of The L Word
______________
check out Sarah Bettens at www.myspace.com/sarahbettens
helloooooooo!
I frequently bemoan the
I frequently bemoan the loss of the TV theme tune myself, in fact I have been planning to post a Facebook message on the topic for quite some time now!
What has happened to not only the theme tunes, but also the opening credits, I love watching my Buffy and having that instantly distinctive theme and the credits roll! It can honestly get you hooked on a show, something for you to sing along to as your show starts! I bit of Nerf Herder, Phantom Planet ('Caaaliiiifooorniaaaa!!'), the Firefly theme, Rembrandts..etc etc!! Now all we get is a piddly little title screen and then the cast names scrolling along the bottom of the first 10 minutes of the show. It started with Lost, but it worked for Lost, it fitted the tone of the show, but now een shows that started off having themes have lost them - Grey's, Housewives... I don't like it! I want the TV theme song back! There's no more being in the other room and hearing the theme tune to your favourite show and running in to catch it!! Damn you TV land people!! I don't want much!!
gilmore girls
just hearing that song made me really get into my "gilmore girls" mood, so I really like that one :). when I was a kid I used to have the baywatch intro in my head all the time (don't juge, I was little...), but thats not really a song, is it?? I think someone used it to make a song out of it, if I remember correctly
"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from." ~ Jodie Foster
six feet under
i loved the theme song. i loved the show period.
i use the theme to the brady bunch to chase other songs out of my head. it's my version of cranial white noise and eventually becomes a blissful rein.
yessss!
Saddest theme songs that bring tears to my eyes even now
Losing lesbian street cred every second of the day @ www.attictales.com
My Cell
Popular
... had a great theme song. And so did Firefly.
and I totally agree with those previously mentioned like Charmed, Buffy, Angel and of course the X-files. As much as i loved Xena, the opening title is cringe worthy hehe.
"Even in death Gabrielle, I will never leave you"- Xena
tv theme songs
Friends!!!
I think mine is still 'Friends' or BtVS
Or the Charlie's Angels theme, not sure why... *looks at name* oh yeah! check out the new and improved version... for the ladies of WGN :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMlzzztpatc
My favorites (in no particular order)
Buffy (my ringtone)
Northern Exposure
Popular
Scrubs
X Files
Moonlighting
The Fall Guy
Twin Peaks
MASH
Xena's
I forgot to mention that Xena had one of those memerable theme songs. You can't mistake what show it is when you hear it.
"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from."
Love those great tv theme songs!
I have an ITunes playlist of tv theme songs actually, so this is a topic close to my tv-loving heart. It includes:
Patient: There's like this longing ... this pull. I mean, does that make me, you know, like, some kind of...?
Maeby: Homosexual.
Tobias: Maeby, please. She's right, though, you probably are a homosexual.theme song
Angel had a great dramatic theme song that combined orchestra with rock star that I loved. I also like 30 rock's, friend's, and Las Vegas'
"So put me on a plane, and fly me to anywhere...with you"-Augustana
I think the X Files is the
I think the X Files is the best, just because it's creepy and totally fitting with the show, not to mention instantly recognizeable. I had it on my phone for a while and would always get comments on it heh.
Beverly Hills 90210 had a horridly catchy theme song, and I think I'd hate it if I hadn't grown up with the show and it didn't have a special place in my heart, heh.
Dawson's Creek
What about Baywatch?
"I'm Always Here"
I LOVE that theme and have it on my Ipod. I also enjoyed the instrumental theme to NYPD Blue. The Ally McBeal theme was great as well.
Ooh, memories.
Hands down, the best theme song on Australian television was the one for police drama Water Rats.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgb-_ail1Sc
You'd hear it in the other room, and be all excited because "Water Rats is on!" If nothing else, isn't this what a theme song should be for?
Also fantastic:
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ETqaypkdKM8
Lisa McCune. Old School Blue Heelers.UK stuff.
Fav. TV Theme Songs
CSI Las Vegas---Who are you? Who? who? [I think that's the catchiest theme ever]
CSI MIAMI---------We won't be fooled again
CSI New York------ Teenage wasteland
[what can I say I'm a sucker for forensics]
Technically...
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince theme song can pop into my head with absolutely no provocation, and I must sing it all the way through, at least twice, before it will go away. It alternates between amusing and annoying (as so many things do).
Theme Songs
The only theme songs for currently-running shows I can think of right now are Disney shows and reality TV. So my favorites there would be:
Kim Possible (First two lines are "I'm your basic average girl//And I'm here to save the world". How awesome is that?)
Survivor (Tribal chanting stuff. I can do a pretty good imitation of it.)
Meh, that's it. But America's Next Top Model theme song stands out in my mind, 'cuz I used to like it, and then they remixed it with more Tyra singing or something. -_-
Favorite theme songs ever are:
The 4400
The Addams Family (*Snap, snap*)
Alias
As Told By Ginger
Bewitched
Blue's Clues
Buffy/Angel (Both suit the mood of the show perfectly and I never get sick of either.)
Charmed (I am human and I need to be loved//Just like everybody else does.)
Craft's Creatures
Dark Angel
Dead Like Me (Festive music and a funny opening credits. Perfection.)
Ellen (But only from Season 3 on)
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Hex ("#1 Crush" by Garbage)
Hey Arnold!
I Dream of Jeannie
I Love Lucy
Jeopardy
Joan of Arcadia ("One of Us"... should've used the Prince remix instead, though)
One Tree Hill (Even though I HATE the show)
Powerpuff Girls
Tru Calling
Wonder Woman
Wonderfalls (It took some getting used to, but I came to love it.)
Zoovoomafoo
_____________________
Obsessive? Me? Never!
As told by ginger
this reminds me
Fav. TV Theme Songs
Alvin And The Chipmunks
Raggy Dolls (My favourite programme as a child)
Fireman Sam
Poddington Peas
Blood Ties
Mr. Ben
GhostBusters
Wonder Woman
Most of the ones i like are from childrens programmes from when i was younger
And yeah i really can't stand The L Word theme any more season 2 when it was first there i didnt mind but for 4 more season, its why i like watching it on video or dvd i can fast forward throught the theme
Mr. Belvedere
My Secret Identity
My Two Dads
Family Ties
China Beach...great song by the Supremes
Fraggle Rock
Charles in Charge
Who's the Boss?
Green Acres...thanks tvland
Out of this World
Perfect Strangers
227
Rags to Riches
Silver Spoons
Moonlighting
Blossom
Fresh Prince
227 How could I forget
227 How could I forget that? Loved that one. What about Small Wonder?
She's a small wonder.....
"I don't kiss girls who wear doilies"
www.myspace.com/xander121212
The Office
It is so memorable to me for some reason. It totally evokes the silly monotony, the laughs, and even the touch of lingering melancholy of the series. I think it's great.
I do hate that some shows just don't do theme songs any more. The Closer just seems to start, as you mentioned.
I think maybe my favorites of all time would include Roseanne (up until the season they included lyrics), Mary Tyler Moore, Happy Days, Gilmore Girls, the Law and Order series, and my favorite of all time, The Sopranos.
"Woke up this morning, got yourself a gun"
Love the Buffy theme song
Love the Buffy theme song so much that every time I turn on my computer I have it playing as the windows load up sound. I tend to like theme tunes better than theme songs. With that said I also like Angel's theme song with all of the violins and the actual kick to the uptempo change in the begining. And the Simpsons, hello.
Sidenote: The L word's theme song is kind of infectious and gets stuck in your head so I'm not that big of a fan of their theme song but I do like the way the images move like photo stills.... just saying...
"I don't kiss girls who wear doilies"
www.myspace.com/xander121212
TV show themes
sopranos
come on, sopranos should get mad props for Woke Up This Morning.
i also have a soft spot for the Friends theme song. Weeds' Little Boxes is great too. and Rick and Steve...the Happiest Gay Couple in All the World!
True
the sopranos was a cool one.
but also I love:
The OC
Baywatch
Melrose Place (love love loved that one)
Gilmore Girls (only because I like to sing along to it)
Wonderfalls (because I LOVED that show so it made me happy that it was starting)
That's all that come to mind right now.
More
Aaaaaaand you can pound my tom-tom...
Lucy, the Daughter of the Devil had great theme songs. Different for every episode, wonderful little ditties. The best are Let’s Go Paint the Town Red, Holding Hands Around the World and Pound My Tom-Tom.
Most theme songs I like are also from shows I watched when I was younger, although a few of them I still watch now. Ones that stick to my memory especially;
Dexter’s Laboratory
What! A! Cartoon!
Cow and Chicken
The Powerpuff Girls
TV Colosso
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
Pokemon
Captain Planet
The X-Files (of course)
Law & Order
Unsolved Mysteries
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Pop –Up Video
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers
Speed Racer
DragonBall Z
I would have to say that my favorite theme song of all time is the theme from Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040. It’s quite the headbanger.
[
"Suicide is man's way of telling God, 'You can't fire me: I quit.' "]Captain Planet!!
Totally! I don't know that I actually liked it but it still pops into my head on a quite frequent basis.
And I forgot to add that I too intensely dislike The L Word theme, it doesn't fit with the show at all plus it's just a bad song in my opinion.
"Captain Planet he's our
"Captain Planet he's our hero gonna take pollution down to zero... "
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was a good one and does anyone remeber Toxic Crusaders
Oh and I forgot the Roseanne theme song. "What doesn't kill us is making us stronger...."
Too many infectious tunes. My brain's on overload
"I don't kiss girls who wear doilies"
www.myspace.com/xander121212
I Love Theme Songs!
...and so naturally I have a few. These are the ones that come to mind now. Let's make a list (in no particular order).