What are some of yr favorite TV themes/Music ? Doesn't necessarily have to be the opening theme, just a bar or 2 that was played in the show. F'r instance, the "Tender love" theme in the original "Star Trek"- They played it for Mr Spock in that episode w/the funky plants that shot spores & Spock got emotions. They played it every time Jill Ireland's character, Spock's G/F comes around. Another one of my faves was the opening theme from "Crime Story", a bitchin' Version of "Runaway" by Del Shannon. Sadly, Shannon killed himself not long after the show was on the air. One of the prettiest TV themes was Dominic Frontiere's score for the 1975 TV movie "THe Black Dahlia", starring Lucy Arnaz, & Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., about a famous 1947 murder in Los Angeles that was never really solved. And, going back a little, I LOVED "The Banana Splits' "Tra-La-La" song from 1969, when I was a kid. What are some of yours?

Bonanza,was one of my favs.If I hear it today I am back in 1964,

Also enjoyed the theme from The green Hornet.



Alan

The theme from Baretta by Dave Grusin, and the theme from Taxi by Bob James.

Suicide is Painless(Theme from Mash)
Welcome Back- John Sebastion

Gotta love The Munsters "Surf Rock" theme!

On a more nostalgic note, A few years ago I was dozing :boring: off in the recliner when the Green Acres theme started playing on TV Land, just for a brief moment I was a 6 year old kid again falling asleep on my parents couch, it was quite a disappointment to wake up and realize it was a dream. :D

Dum, da dum dum. Dragnet. Everybody knows it instantly.


And how could you not like Frankie Laine, belting out the "Rawhide" theme?


And Johnny Rivers doing "Secret Agent Man" (which was released as a single.)


The minimalist "dee-dee-dee-dee, dee-dee-dee-dee" theme from "The Twilight Zone" is a classic.

As is the Funeral March of the Marionette, which was Alfred Hitchcock's theme.

"Hill Street Blues" was a good one, as was "WKRP in Cincinnati". Here's a couple of VERY obscure ones:"Tucker's Witch" & "The Feather & Father Gang".

To name a few

Unsolved Mysteries
Knight Rider
Space 1999
Star Trek Voyager

The bluesy theme from Becker is killer. Whoever is playing guitar has killer tone.

I second Hill Street Blues, it has always been one of my faves...now, let's be careful out there!

The theme song from Sanford and Son is one of my all time faves. I rescently scored a Lou Donaldson LP and low and behold there was the tune.
The theme for Enterprise is also kinda cool.

The very first original "I Dream Of Jeannie" song from the first 1965 season. Music by "Duval". It was the slow one with a lot of strings instruments. That was lush and romantic. :beatnik:

"Hill Street Blues" was a good one, as was "WKRP in Cincinnati". Here's a couple of VERY obscure ones:"Tucker's Witch" & "The Feather & Father Gang".

I liked the closing music of "WKRP Cincinnati" at the end of the show...pretty rockin'. The theme song was great too! Funny I was just humming it the other day :guitar:

I always liked the "1965" "Jeanie" theme better, too

Hawaii Five-O. Where's Jack Lord when you need him?

Besides all the ones mentioned above I remember watching as a kid Gilligan's Island and the Banana Splits after school.

The more contemporary ones I like is the theme to X-Files, Twin Peaks, and Alias.

:thmbsp: The Greatest American Hero....Cheesy? Yes. I used to watch this show in re-runs in the early 90s afternoons after school....it was on before Gilligans Island...and let's not forget George Costanza's answering machine "Believe it or not, Geroge isn't at home...." :D

Oh, the theme to seinfeld....do do do do do do dooo do do do do do do do do dodo do do (puh) bunununu!

Can't believe no one's mentioned "The Batman Theme" by Neal Hefti from the old Adam West TV show.

Heck, it actually was a 45 and got airplay

The theme from Barney Miller. Cool bass riff. Also The theme at the end of Sesame Street circa 1970. "Sesame Street was brought to you by the childrens television workshop"...then a cool funky tune would play. Lots of wah wah pedal action. Almost like pRon music :scratch2: I'm trying to find a recording of it.

Thomas

I'll second the Barney Miller mention, very cool little walking line! :thmbsp:

I have to put in a vote for The Rockford Files, and Simon & Simon too.

I have to put in a vote for The Rockford Files, and Simon & Simon too.
Man! I missed it by 4 minutes. The Rockford Files was what I was going to say.

The theme from Barney Miller. Cool bass riff. Thirded. One of the first moments that came to mind for this thread.

Also dig:

I Spy -- the moment right as the three gunshots sounded and it went a little harder and rhythmic.

Dark Shadows -- theremin!

opening few notes of Angel -- I always pleasantly anticipate that door coming off its hinges. I always liked this theme, from the first time I heard it. The use of cello/violin/viola/whatever that instrument is, is brilliant. I think it sets exactly the mood that the show is going for.

And yeah, "one banana two banana three banana four..." I have a t-shirt that says "One tequila two tequila three tequila floor" that always brings a smile to my face.

:thmbsp: The Greatest American Hero....Cheesy? Yes.
Seconded! When I was about 8 or 9, this was my favorite song, and I wanted to play it so much that my parents (who had the LP) gave it to me to play in my room upstairs on my Yorx all-in-one so they wouldn't have to listen to it so much...
I also have fond memories of the MacGyver theme
And of course, the Simpsons theme can't be overlooked

"where everybody knows your name"

Dark Shadows -- theremin!



Far out.

I just had to ask the wife about another one I remembered. I mentioned this thread and me cranking up the opening music to a TV show we used to watch a while back....

She blurted out VEGAS without even batting an eye. "A little less conversation"
That remix was pretty cool.

Seconded! When I was about 8 or 9, this was my favorite song, and I wanted to play it so much that my parents (who had the LP) gave it to me to play in my room upstairs on my Yorx all-in-one so they wouldn't have to listen to it so much...
I also have fond memories of the MacGyver theme
And of course, the Simpsons theme can't be overlooked

Just to be a jerk about things, I thought I'd mention....the theme to....BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD

What are some of yr favorite TV themes/Music ? Doesn't necessarily have to be the opening theme, just a bar or 2 that was played in the show. F'r instance, the "Tender love" theme in the original "Star Trek"- They played it for Mr Spock in that episode w/the funky plants that shot spores & Spock got emotions. They played it every time Jill Ireland's character, Spock's G/F comes around. Another one of my faves was the opening theme from "Crime Story", a bitchin' Version of "Runaway" by Del Shannon. Sadly, Shannon killed himself not long after the show was on the air. One of the prettiest TV themes was Dominic Frontiere's score for the 1975 TV movie "THe Black Dahlia", starring Lucy Arnaz, & Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., about a famous 1947 murder in Los Angeles that was never really solved. And, going back a little, I LOVED "The Banana Splits' "Tra-La-La" song from 1969, when I was a kid. What are some of yours?

Lost in Space (B&W era)
Peter Gunn
Adams Family
Wild, Wild, West
Miami Vice
H.R. PuffnStuff

The rest were already mentioned -

Banana Splits (Absolutely! I recall being yelled at on a car trip for endlessly singing it. "One banana, two banana, three banana, four.....")
Batman
Munsters
Secret Agent
Hawaii 5-0
Crime Story

Nothing current though strikes a chord.

Hi Guys,

I love the following :-

1. Hawaii Five O.
2. SWAT.
3. COMBAT! Great, great show. I still watch this show. Sergeant Saunders, Little John, Kirby, Doc and Lt. Rick Jason.

All three theme songs above were played by my Alma Mater's marching Band!

4. Paladin. They don't show this anymore and I miss it. Have Gun Will Travel.
5. Happy Days with the Fonz.
6. Lucky Luke. 'Twas an old French cowboy cartoon show. I liked the theme song.

Thanks :-)
cosmicdust.

My absolute fave.....

"Here we come, walkin'
Down the street.
We get the funniest looks from
Ev'ry one we meet.
Hey, hey, we're the Monkees
And people say we monkey around.
But we're too busy singing
To put anybody down."

I like the X-Files theme, its perfect for that show and the opening credit sequence, guess thats why they didn't change it for so many years. I see your Cheers nomination and raise you one Family Ties, gotta love those eighties sitcoms...or not.

"Gotcha" - the Tom Scott composed theme from "Starsky & Hutch" (second season) is a good one, also. :)

M Squad
Perry Mason
Peter Gunn
Man From Uncle(later funky version)
NYPD(the late '60's version)
Name Of The Game
Secret Agent Man
The Avengers(60's version)
The Prisoner
77 Sunset Strip
Richard Diamond
Combat
Wild Wild West
Mission Impossible
Beverly Hillbillies(Ballad of Jed Clampett)

In a recent pile of vinyl, I found an album "Goldfinger The Big Sound of Billy Strange His Guitar & Orchestra" with Peter Gunn, Paladin aka Have Gun, Will Travel & The Munsters Theme. It even had a testimonial on the back from Mr Tic-Tac-Dough Wink Martindale.

Fun album to listen to. Forced me to put a TT back in my main system (and add more rack space)

Most of Corporalcripp's list matches mine (with the addition of I Spy), but I have a few to add:

From the obscure file, does anybody remember Man in a Suitcase or The Outcasts?

Some more common favorites are Bat Masterson, Burke's Law, and, of course, Maverick!

There sure isn't much to choose from currently, but I think Remy Zero's "Save Me" is a great opener for Smallville.

The theme from "UFO" (composed by Barry Grey). It was a TV series created by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson (of Supercar [sweet avatar, MACAROON :thmbsp: ], Thunderbirds, Fireball XL-5, Stingray, and Space: 1999 fame). I'm sure no one else probably remembers it... :scratch2:

Also the theme from the original Battlestar Galactica. Quite a majestic sounding tune. :yes:

The Man From UNCLE theme was cool.

Jonny Quest's theme was pretty jazzy too.

Jeff

P.S. Almost forgot. The theme from Hardcastle & McCormick :thmbsp: :

Drive! (First Season Theme)

Drive, push it to the floor till the engine screams.

Drive, driving like the demon that drives your dreams.

You're on a hard road, nobody cares if you hit the brakes.

You've got to think fast, keep it in gear, one slip is all it takes.

You gotta keep your wheels on the straight and narrow,

If you wanta' survive.

Slow motion man, iron and steel in the palm of your hand.

High flyin' heart, bettin' your life on the state of the art.


Lay down the law. Don't you let 'em cross the line.

Under the hood, got the bad and the good. Everybody's doin' time.

Drive, push it to the floor till the engine screams.

Drive, driving like the demon that drives your dreams.
Drive!

The theme from "UFO" (composed by Barry Grey). It was a TV series created by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson (of Supercar [sweet avatar, MACAROON :thmbsp: ], Thunderbirds, Fireball XL-5, Stingray, and Space: 1999 fame). I'm sure no one else probably remembers it... :scratch2: Actually, I remember sitting with a tape recorder in front of the television when I was a kid, just to get its theme (did the same with Space:1999).

Gunsmoke
Have Gun, Will Travel
Rawhide
Wagon Train

Magilla Gorilla
Top Cat
The Jetsons

St. Elsewhere...another nice Dave Grusin piece.

I s thinking of Peter Gunn too, but thank goodness someone else did too.

Sanford and Son! Written by Smokey Robinson brother.

Listen to the full version it's pretty cool.

This is the big one...........

:D

Actually, I remember sitting with a tape recorder in front of the television when I was a kid, just to get its theme (did the same with Space:1999).

Ha! Good to hear I wasn't the only one that did that (LOL)! :smoke:

Jeff

"Green Acres" that wonderfully bizarre "Beverly Hillbillies" ripoff had some wonderfully bizarre music by some guy named Vic Mizzy. I also LOVED the big 1966 Lincoln convertible Olivahh drove...

Some Cartoon favorites:

George of the Jungle :thmbsp:
Tom Slick
Scooby Doo song
Wally Gator, the swingingest Aligator in the swamp
Woody Woodpecker

From TV
Along with some others of the era

Petticoat Junction
Who else remembers the theme to Flipper?
The theme to Ivanhoe

Jim

"They call him Flipper, Flipper, Faster than lightning; No one you see, is smarter than he...And we know Flipper, Flipper lives in a world full of Won-Der, lying there under, Under the Sea..." How DO I know all this stuff ?!? No, I DON'T Google it, either...

I've got a big collection of TV themes. Here's some of my favorites-

90's TV-
"Ren& Stimpy"

Primetime late 70's/80's action-
"Dukes of Hazard"
"Fall Guy"
"Incredible Hulk" (both beginning and end)
"Bionic Man"
"Night Rider"
"A-Team"
"Wonder Woman"

60's/70's kids shows/Cartoons-
"Pink Panther"
"Speed Racer"
"Land of the Lost"
"Tom & Jerry" (Spike Jones era)
"Road Runner"
"Fat Albert"
"Sigmund the Sea Monster"
"Speed-Buggy"
"Spider Man"

60's Television-
"Lost in Space"
"Mr. Ed"
"Addams Family"
"I Dream of Genie"
"Bewitched"

70's television-
"Courtship of Eddie's Father"
"Partrige Family"

Sit-com-
"Good Times"
"Three's Company"
"The Jeffersons"
"All in the Family"

By the way, remember the Banana Split segment that began with "Oh-oh! Congo!!!"

'Twas Danger Island, if memory serves right, starring a young Jan-Michael Vincent as Lincoln "Link" Simmons.

By the way, remember the Banana Split segment that began with "Oh-oh! Congo!!!"

'Twas Danger Island, if memory serves right, starring a young Jan-Michael Vincent as Lincoln "Link" Simmons.

I remember it well, as I had a crush on the blonde daughter. :D And what a train wreck Jan-Michael Vincent eventually made out of his life. What a dumbass. :yes:

Jeff

I always liked the theme song from the original Doctor Who from the 60's.

David

There was a series from the early '80s, "Tucker's Witch" that had a very pretty theme. I don't know if it even made it one whole season, though.

Once upon a time when things were rotten. Not just food, but also kings were rotten
Everybody kicked the peasants. Things were bad and that ain't good
Then came Robin Hood
Soon the band of merry men begotten. They wore outfits made of plain green cotton.
Helping victims was their business. Boy oh boy was business good.
Good for Robin Hood
etc.

Honest to God, I never watched the show. But I gotta admit that I liked the opening theme to "Dynasty," written by the talented Bill Conti. A rather stately and impressive piece of orchestral music, especially the main melody played by the trumpets.

[And now, I'm ducking to avoid the rotten tomatoes...]

Lancelot Link What'ya Gonna Do About It?

Hawaii Five-O. Loved the theme song...hated the show...

Hawaii Five-O. Loved the theme song...hated the show...

Definitely one of the best! Had the Ventures version on 45 when I was a kid. Way cool! :thmbsp:

Jeff

P.S. Wow, my 500th post, and I STILL haven't said anything (I'm so ashamed)!

Theme from the "Match Game" gameshow in the 70's. Weird...I know.

just to recogonize a few current shows

what about

House (teardrop by massive attack)

The sopranos (I thinks its called I woke up, but I don’t remember the band right now)

The office (no idea who its by, but i hurd a rumor that it was by one of the acters in the show)

Theme to Barnaby Jones (TV Land, why ain't you showing this one?)
Theme from Tic-Tac-Dough w/ Wink Martindale
Theme from Dallas (learned to play this one on guitar!)
Ballad of Jed Clampett
1st season theme from Gilligan's Island
Theme from Emergency!

Has anyone mentioned E.R., yet? I've always liked the theme to that show (gets my blood pumping), and I've wanted to do a industrial/rock'n'roll cover of it as a tribute to all EMTs everywhere.

Once upon a time when things were rotten. Not just food, but also kings were rotten
Everybody kicked the peasants. Things were bad and that ain't good
Then came Robin Hood
Soon the band of merry men begotten. They wore outfits made of plain green cotton.
Helping victims was their business. Boy oh boy was business good.
Good for Robin Hood
etc.

Haven't even thought of that show for years!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane...

Peter Gunn

:thmbsp:

Jonny Quest's theme was pretty jazzy too.

Man, THAT's an understatement. Jonny Quest's theme was HOT!

"Gotcha" - the Tom Scott composed theme from "Starsky & Hutch" (second season) is a good one, also. :)

:thmbsp: Tom's on the cover of my catalog... Really! Here's his bio from the endorser's section:

Tom Scott is a renowned composer, arranger, producer, musical director, and saxophonist. He has twenty-six solo recordings to his credit and for these efforts has earned twelve Grammy nominations and three Grammy Awards. His other career achievements include composing film scores, among them Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, Uptown Saturday Night, Stir Crazy, Hanky Panky, The Sure Thing, Just One Of The Guys, Soul Man, and Shakes the Clown. His television composing and conducting credits include themes for Family Ties, Starsky & Hutch, Square Pegs, the Academy Awards, the Emmy Awards, the Celebration At Ford's Theater, the People's Choice Awards, Comic Relief, the Carol Burnett Show, the Pat Sajak Show, and background scores for Baretta, Cannon, Barnaby Jones, Streets Of San Francisco, National Geographic Explorer, and numerous T.V. Specials and Network Movies. He has served as Musical Director for Joni Mitchell, George Harrison, Olivia Newton-John, and the GRP All-Star Big Band--and has toured five continents as leader of his own group. He recently produced two CD's for tenor vocalist Daniel Rodriguez (a.k.a. "The Singing Policeman") and is currently serving as Daniel's Music Director/Symphony conductor.

Tom's career as a guest recording artist spans more than 500 recordings by such diverse artists as Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, Thelonius Monk, Pink Floyd, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin and Ravi Shankar.

His numerous contributions as a player and arranger include Joni Mitchell's Court And Spark, Steely Dan's Aja; hit singles like Carole Kings Jazzman , Paul McCartney's Listen To What The Man Said, Rod Stewarts Do You Think I'm Sexy, Blondie's Rapture , Captain & Tenilles Do That To Me One More Time, Whitney Houston's Saving All My Love For You; and on movie soundtracks such as Taxi Driver, Bladerunner, Heaven Can Wait, Sea Of Love, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc. He is featured in a highly-acclaimed performance of Shotgun in the Grammy-winning movie Standing In The Shadows Of Motown. His latest solo CD entitled "Newfound Freedom" was released in 2003.

www.tomscottmusic.com

Peter Gunn

:thmbsp:

Very cool! :smoke:

I may be a bit strange, but I've always especially liked ELP's live cover version of Peter Gunn. :thmbsp:

Jeff

I may be a bit strange, but I've always especially liked ELP's live cover version of Peter Gunn. :thmbsp: I'm not sure what one has to do with the other, but...me too! (On both: being strange, and the liking of ELP's version.)

Monk and The Wire both have great theme songs, along with being great shows, at least the early seasons that I've seen. The Randy Newman song that popped up in the 2nd or 3rd season of Monk is perfect for the show. Love the closing credit music for the Wire. I've had a mini-Monk marathon the past couple days and remembered this antiquated thread.

The Randy Newman song that popped up in the 2nd or 3rd season of Monk is perfect for the show.

Personally, I liked the season 1 Monk theme with just the guitar. It was one of my favorite themes.

Another that I loved was the reggae number for the short lived series "Going To Extremes" about a med school on a tropical island. The show never made it but the theme was fantastic.

Ray

I find it interesting that ALL 3 of the "CSI" shows use music from The Who for theme music :yes: