Tuesdays are Top 10 Tuesdays where I count down a topic in the TV realm. This week is Top 10 Theme Songs of the 90s! A reminder, it had to be any show that premiered in that timeframe even if it ran well into another decade. Also, the song had to have been written for the show (for example, Party of Five or The Sopranos wouldn't count).
Close Calls
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Frasier
My So-Called Life
The 90s were basically the last decade to have a decent number of "premise" theme songs that were popular back to the 1960s. Between the animated visuals and the jazzy theme, this song had a throwback feel to a show that (to my understanding) also felt throwback at times (I'm not a regular viewer).
9. 7th Heaven (1996-2007)
Oh sure, it is super cheesy. But it's cheesy in the best kind of way. Anyone who watched this show at some point in their life can probably sing most or all of the song and that will of course involve a belting of "where can you goooo."
8. Law & Order (1990-2010)
The original "dun dun" song that is still carrying on with Law & Order: SVU, this theme has the intensity that matches the show but has also become at times iconic and at times worthy of parody. That's pretty inevitable for a franchise that runs as long as this one has.
7. The Magic School Bus (1994-1997)
Another decade, another educational show's theme song makes the list. This might again be nostalgia talking but this song is a whole bunch of fun. As a teacher who plays episodes from time to time, kids are still singing along to this song in 2021.
6. That 70s Show (1998-2006)
I love the pure joy of this theme song. It's one of the themes that's enhanced greatly by the opening credits. The cast singing along to the theme song as they travel in all combinations in the vista cruiser makes a wholly more enjoyable experience.
"Move it football head!" This underrated Nickelodeon gem had a theme song that completely matched its noir city feel. The show had a sophistication that even the fairly sophisticated Nicktoons didn't have and the theme song reflected that.
4. Mad About You (1992-1999)
This romantic show had a romantic theme. I've always loved the simplicity of the black and white credits with this soft jazz theme. It's an underrated song in an underrated show. I just wish they didn't shorten it for so many episodes.
3. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)
I've never watched a full episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air but that doesn't stop me from being a true member of my generation by loving the theme song to Fresh Prince. And yes, of course I can sing all the lyrics. Who can't?
2. Friends (1994-2004)
Some may think this song is overrated but I think they're confusing overrated with overplayed. It really is a great song, it's just been rammed down our throats for nearly 30 years. If you can take that out of your mind, it's a perfect song for its shows and its extremely catchy. It deserves to be among the best TV theme songs and not just from the many fanboys and fangirls.
This theme song feels more presidential than "Hail to the Chief." Only the great W.G. Snuffy Walden could come up with the most perfect instrumental theme for a show about a fictional President of the United States. It's so regal, so distinguished and could be a patriotic song.
Tomorrow: A One Season Wonder look at 1990s flop The Bonnie Hunt Show!
Next Tuesday: Top 10 Theme Songs of the 2000s!
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