It's time for the next ten theme songs on my Top 50 list! For #50-41, click here. For #40-31, click here.
30. "That 70s Song" (That 70s Show, 1998-2006)
That 70s Show is not an award winning sitcom but it is a lot of fun and the theme song reflects that. It's always fun when the cast sings the theme song as it plays and that was the case here with the ever changing combinations driving in the car. The version by Cheap Trick that I put here aired for the majority of the series and was far superior to the season 1 version. This is one of the more recent shows to have a theme song longer than a few seconds. It's a complete shame that there isn't more on TV today, what would it hurt?
29. The Munsters Theme (The Munsters, 1964-1966)
Of the two 1960s spooky shows, The Addams Family has the much more recognizable theme but I would argue that its actually The Munsters with the better theme song. If anything, this theme song is creepier, kookier, mysteriouser, and spookier than their fright family rivals. I'm not a big fan of The Munsters but I've always enjoyed the theme song. Hopefully NBC's upcoming Mockingbird Lane will give us an updated version of the song that stays true to the original at the same time.
28. "The Fishin' Hole" (The Andy Griffith Show, 1960-1968)
One of the simplest TV themes of all time, this song perfectly captured the mood of the down-home show that followed it each episode. There were lyrics for this song but they went with a simple whistle instead, which was a good move. Singing along would have put it closer to the campy shows from the 60s while this show really stood above those types of shows at that time. And to be called "The Fishin' Hole" also helps capture the simpler, idyllic life in Mayberry.
27. The Flintstones Theme (The Flintstones, 1960-1966)
A very classic theme song from the 1960s, The Flintstones actually didn't use this famous theme for its first couple seasons but it has since gone back and added it to the syndicated episodes. And why wouldn't it? It's very iconically linked to the show - it introduces us to the "modern Stone Age family" and includes Fred's excited "Yabba Dabba Do." This is another show that you can't think of without thinking of the song. It's another show that is coming back, by Seth McFarlane. Surely he will use a version of the theme song? He'd be a fool not to.
26. "Theme of Law and Order" (Law & Order, 1990-2010)
Law & Order is old news now in the age of many procedurals but this drama was groundbreaking in many ways with its split down the middle view of a crime from the "law" side and the "order" side. This was reflected in the theme song, which almost treated it like two different shows. The famous gavel-pounding music has been used for many spinoffs and is an iconic dramatic theme. Unfortunately I couldn't find a good clip of the credits so just enjoy the song.
25. Parks and Recreation Theme (Parks and Recreation, 2009-present)
The best show on TV that no one is watching - Parks and Recreation also comes with a theme song which is a rarity among sitcoms today. The theme song perfectly captures the small town government show and the "can do" attitude of its lead character, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler). It's a happy tune that fits the show perfectly and can stick in your head for days! The version posted is from season 1, it has changed slightly since but you get the idea!
24. "Theme from The Monkees" (The Monkees, 1966-1968)
In my opinion, The Monkees is among the stupidest shows to ever grace the air. In spite of that, I can still recognize a good theme song when I hear one. The Beatles craze spread to TV with the fake band The Monkees and their adventures. Their theme song was probably the most 1960s-sounding theme to come out of the 1960s. I may think this about other shows, but this theme song is truly the only good thing about this show.
23. "Batman Theme" (Batman, 1966-1968)
The iconic 1960s TV version of an iconic superhero was a huge hit for a short time and the theme song of Batman was as campy and satirical as the show itself. With its "socks," "pows," and "zocks" and the fact that the only words sung being "Batman," this theme is just ridiculously silly. Just like the show itself, I loved the theme as a kid because it was exciting and as an adult I love it out of an appreciation for its satire.
22. "Kiss Me" (The Cosby Show, 1984-1992)
The Cosby Show was unique in that it changed its theme many times while still using the same basic tune. I wasn't a fan of all of those themes which is why this show is not higher on the list. But the best version - the jazzy "elevator music" one - is a classic. In fact, if this was the only theme song used on The Cosby Show, I might have been inclined to put it way higher, maybe even in the top 10.
21. Roseanne Theme (Roseanne, 1988-1997)
Another show that used multiple versions of the same theme and could have charted higher if there weren't some versions I really didn't like. This show and its theme song got more obnoxious as it went on but the early episodes and the early theme song perfectly captured the brassy, blue collar tone that the show became famous for. It's not a song I love by itself like other theme songs, but it so perfectly fits the show that it belongs on this list.
That 70s Show is not an award winning sitcom but it is a lot of fun and the theme song reflects that. It's always fun when the cast sings the theme song as it plays and that was the case here with the ever changing combinations driving in the car. The version by Cheap Trick that I put here aired for the majority of the series and was far superior to the season 1 version. This is one of the more recent shows to have a theme song longer than a few seconds. It's a complete shame that there isn't more on TV today, what would it hurt?
Of the two 1960s spooky shows, The Addams Family has the much more recognizable theme but I would argue that its actually The Munsters with the better theme song. If anything, this theme song is creepier, kookier, mysteriouser, and spookier than their fright family rivals. I'm not a big fan of The Munsters but I've always enjoyed the theme song. Hopefully NBC's upcoming Mockingbird Lane will give us an updated version of the song that stays true to the original at the same time.
One of the simplest TV themes of all time, this song perfectly captured the mood of the down-home show that followed it each episode. There were lyrics for this song but they went with a simple whistle instead, which was a good move. Singing along would have put it closer to the campy shows from the 60s while this show really stood above those types of shows at that time. And to be called "The Fishin' Hole" also helps capture the simpler, idyllic life in Mayberry.
A very classic theme song from the 1960s, The Flintstones actually didn't use this famous theme for its first couple seasons but it has since gone back and added it to the syndicated episodes. And why wouldn't it? It's very iconically linked to the show - it introduces us to the "modern Stone Age family" and includes Fred's excited "Yabba Dabba Do." This is another show that you can't think of without thinking of the song. It's another show that is coming back, by Seth McFarlane. Surely he will use a version of the theme song? He'd be a fool not to.
Law & Order is old news now in the age of many procedurals but this drama was groundbreaking in many ways with its split down the middle view of a crime from the "law" side and the "order" side. This was reflected in the theme song, which almost treated it like two different shows. The famous gavel-pounding music has been used for many spinoffs and is an iconic dramatic theme. Unfortunately I couldn't find a good clip of the credits so just enjoy the song.
25. Parks and Recreation Theme (Parks and Recreation, 2009-present)
The best show on TV that no one is watching - Parks and Recreation also comes with a theme song which is a rarity among sitcoms today. The theme song perfectly captures the small town government show and the "can do" attitude of its lead character, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler). It's a happy tune that fits the show perfectly and can stick in your head for days! The version posted is from season 1, it has changed slightly since but you get the idea!
24. "Theme from The Monkees" (The Monkees, 1966-1968)
In my opinion, The Monkees is among the stupidest shows to ever grace the air. In spite of that, I can still recognize a good theme song when I hear one. The Beatles craze spread to TV with the fake band The Monkees and their adventures. Their theme song was probably the most 1960s-sounding theme to come out of the 1960s. I may think this about other shows, but this theme song is truly the only good thing about this show.
The iconic 1960s TV version of an iconic superhero was a huge hit for a short time and the theme song of Batman was as campy and satirical as the show itself. With its "socks," "pows," and "zocks" and the fact that the only words sung being "Batman," this theme is just ridiculously silly. Just like the show itself, I loved the theme as a kid because it was exciting and as an adult I love it out of an appreciation for its satire.
The Cosby Show was unique in that it changed its theme many times while still using the same basic tune. I wasn't a fan of all of those themes which is why this show is not higher on the list. But the best version - the jazzy "elevator music" one - is a classic. In fact, if this was the only theme song used on The Cosby Show, I might have been inclined to put it way higher, maybe even in the top 10.
Another show that used multiple versions of the same theme and could have charted higher if there weren't some versions I really didn't like. This show and its theme song got more obnoxious as it went on but the early episodes and the early theme song perfectly captured the brassy, blue collar tone that the show became famous for. It's not a song I love by itself like other theme songs, but it so perfectly fits the show that it belongs on this list.
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