A very recognizable theme, Get Smart was a spoof of the very popular spy genre in the 1960s and the theme song reflects that. The show and its theme song are overly dramatic in a tongue-and-cheek, satirical way. Yet it still has a sense of excitement and intensity that was another part of the show. And of course it has an excellent title sequence too including all the contraptions Max must get through to get to CONTROL.
Another song that trumps the show itself, Family Matters was a shrill show that made Urkel a household name. But it was originally intended to be less about Urkel and more about a family and I think the theme song reflects the original intent of the show. It's too bad that one of the most annoying personalities in sitcom history became a breakout character or this show may have been much more tolerable. Who can resist a theme song that starts with such a great piano intro?
If you were asked to write a theme song for a show about a mid-level paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania, would you be able to do so and capture that mood? I know I wouldn't and yet this theme song does it perfectly. Its mundane feel perfectly fits the culture of the office that has no glitz or glamor to it. Networks don't care about theme songs anymore but look at how this song has been such an iconic part of the show. Theme songs still work when they're good and appropriate and this one is both.
It may only be #17 on my all-time theme song list but it is without a doubt the best game show theme of all time. The theme has undergone many transformations but the basic melody remains the same and iconic. It has had such an impact that people will sing or play that song while waiting for an answer in everyday conversations. You can't think of Jeopardy without thinking of the song and let's face it, it could be a pretty dull show without that music to jazz it up! This version is the original 1984-1991 version of the theme, probably the best one.
Another annoying show but there was nothing quite like this theme song performed by series star Will Smith. This is the 1990s version of the 60s theme songs that told the plot of the show in the theme song. I can't even think of another sitcom with a hip-hop opening off the top of my head and this one is so funny and memorable. Many kids of the 1990s can sing this whole song and that's a testament to its strength.
The Dick Van Dyke Show had a classy theme for a classy show. This show had a lot of glamor as the plot about a TV Writer lent itself to a lot of showbiz moments. The theme and show had a sophistication to it that wasn't present in most 1960s shows or theme songs. I couldn't find any clip of the actual sequence involving the famous trouble with the ottoman but you can still enjoy the theme here without the sequence.
There are so many 1980s and 1990s family sitcoms that have theme songs in this family and I don't even really know how to describe it but I know that this is the best one. Yes, the show and theme song are as corny as anything out there but there's something familiar and comforting about this song. It's one of those themes that you realize how hokey and silly it is, but yet you love it deep down. I don't feel that way about the show (though many do) but I do about the theme. There's a familiarity to it that's impossible to escape.
13. "I Love Lucy" (I Love Lucy, 1951-1957)
One of the most recognizable theme songs of all time, it's a very simple opener that probably wouldn't chart as high except that there's so many other factors at work here. One is that it was the first truly great theme song in television history as this show was the first for so many things. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, hearing Desi Arnaz sing the theme song about his crazy redheaded wedding is touching and also heartbreaking when you think about what happened to this dream couple. It may be cheating since it wasn't the actual theme song but that's the version I'm putting here.
The best 1960s theme (yes it is the highest charting one on my list), Bewitched has a magical theme song for a magical show and its theme song had a great animated sequence to accompany it. One of the best parts about this theme song in my opinion is actually the very first part where Samantha is flying through the air before she spells out the title with her broom. It has a melody line that perfectly fits Samantha flying. A close second would be the iconic nose twitch sound built into the theme song.
A great theme song from the 1990s, Mad About You hits all the right notes for its romantic sitcom that followed it. This is one that's also really helped by the sequence that accompanied it with the black and white pictures of the young couple in New York City. Unfortunately I couldn't find the longer version which is much better but enjoy the short version for now and treat yourself to the full thing sometime! A sign of strength for this song is that I'd like it on its own even if it wasn't connected to a show.
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