The Magnum PI thread got me thinking about iconic theme songs and that they seem to have died out recently. I'm talking about songs that within a measure or even a first few notes you know what show it is and the feel for the show and were recognized widely in pop culture In some cases, like with Peter Gunn and Rawhide the themes outlived and were more popular than the shows themselves. Here's my list by decade: 1950's: Gunsmoke Peter Gunn Rawhide Twilight Zone The Andy Griffith Show 1960's: Beverly Hill Billies Adam's' Family Bonanza Star Trek, The Original Series Batman The Flintstones The Jetsons Get Smart 1970's: MASH (this is a tough one since it was the same theme from the Movie but the instrumental version in the show is far more popular and recognizable. I wonder how many people even know there are words or that the song is called "Suicide is Painless") Rockford Files Mary Tyler Moore Good Times All in the Family The Jeffersons Sanford and Son Hawaii 5-0 The Love Boat Maude Welcome back Cotter Taxi Baranby Miller 1980's WKRP in Cincinnati Greatest American Hero Different Strokes Magnum PI Dukes of Hazzard Miami Vice The A-Team Cheers The Cosby Show Facts of Life Hill Street Blues The Equalizer 1990's Seinfeld The Simpsons Friends The X-Files Twin Peaks Law and Order The Animaniacs 2000's The Sopranos King of The Hill Family Guy Sponge Bob Square Pants Two and a Half Men 2010's Archer Bob's Burgers Game of Thrones Big Bang Theory ? My own opinion it looks like there has been a real decline in iconic TV Show theme songs. The role that a theme song in setting up a show and creating an identity for that seems less important now. In fact it seems like many shows are not bothering with themes and just going right into the show. Part of this probably has to do with the fracturing of media but I doubt we'll see again something like Miami Vice, Friends or Peter Gunn where an original TV theme song becomes a popular hit apart from the show.
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I think partly due to the increase in alternative entertainment (NetFlix, Amazon) and also the huge increase in alternative TV entertainment (reality tv, sports, movie channels, shopping networks) that has weakened network TV. Less iconic shows, less iconic theme songs. And some of the more popular shows didn't feature a theme song. You did miss some shows like The Walking Dead.
rocketsjudoka How old are you around 45? Because I beelieve that thinking some theme songs are iconic is because we heard them when we were kids. For me most iconic songs are form the 80's. Since you list many from the 70's I expect that you were young during this time. Am I wrong? That being said I think you list most songs.
Great selections and huge oversight on my part. While great shows I haven't really heard their themes as being iconic to being widely recognized such as the Brady Bunch theme is. Also "Way Down in a Hole" wasn't originally made for the show. I didn't want to include themes that weren't original (Wonder Years, CSI Franchise) because there the show is using something those to define it rather than creating something new.
Yes. I'm in my 40's and point well taken about songs that we heard as a kid being more iconic. Even though that list was off of the top of my head I was thinking about themes that have been mentioned in other shows and media. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zv1IDV9Y1ak" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> At the same time though I wasn't alive to see the shows from the 50's or 60's and barely have any memory of seeing the shows from the first half of the 70's. Many of those themes are still very well known. I've never seen and I bet few here have ever seen an episode of Peter Gunn or Rawhide but would recognize the theme. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oysMt8iL9UE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> I'm guessing most people probably recognize that from the video game Spy Hunter but that the creators of a video game in the 1980's chose to use that music shows how iconic the theme was.
For Me: Gilligans Island The Addams Family Beverley Hillbillies Green Acres Star Trek Hee Haw MASH All In The Family The Jeffersons Good Times Miami Vice Hill Street Blues Dukes of Hazzard Knight Rider The Simpsons
You have to be a little older but these are classics as well... 1. Police Squad 2. Baretta 3. Chico and the Man 4. All in the Family Spoiler <iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWOrtgiG7EI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0CAfQQTVOuI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k7FISjhfpmc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0d8FTPv955I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> ....... ....... .......
If we are going to be including animated shows I would also add: Ducktales (90s) Transformers (80s) Batman: The Animated Series (90s) Futurama (90s) As for other shows: Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2000s) Not sure if this would fit in but what about Game Shows? Price is Right would probably be my #1
I really like Game of Thrones but the intro music sucks. I like House of Cards, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul's intro music though.
Once again you have to be a little older.... 1. Lone Ranger 2. I Dream of Jeannie 3. The Monkees Spoiler <iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Td4RHvyAFsM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/98Kx6WJfkKI?list=PLX0QhAqFLAd579hJgpjW7dckbCPCh3CiF" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5X0NzFz8l0o?list=PLX0QhAqFLAd579hJgpjW7dckbCPCh3CiF" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> ....... ....... .......
I love the opening and theme song for Black Sails. Don't know how long the show will be around but they did a damn fine job with that one. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XFTcA4QLHw0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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I am going to have to second Dexter and the Sopranos. I caught myself whistling the Dexter theme song this morning after thinking about fried eggs. I think intros are mostly dumb and a waste of time except for a few like the Simpsons that are unique and add to the show. This Is Not Happening on Comedy Central has some cool intros and are now different every episode. Don't forget about Weeds, I liked that intro for the first couple of seasons.
Mission Impossible Looney Tunes Scooby Doo Not sure about these, but I loved them: Tom & Jerry Happy Days Love Boat
The four iconic 80s theme songs, in my opinion, are: Cheers The Unknown Stuntman (the fall guy) Greatest American Hero Dukes of Hazzard
Hehe, I almost forgot ...:grin: 1. The Odd Couple 2. Mission Impossible (Thx MoonBus) Spoiler <iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kDrfHj3j398" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iq-YeD4L-bg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> ....... ....... .......
