I recently was going through some old cd's deciding which ones to convert to a digital format, when I came across my collection of Television’s Greatest Hits. Bonus: I have more than one volume!! Then I started to think, T.V. shows don’t have good theme songs any more- assuming that they have any theme songs at all. Most just play credits while the opening scenes are going on.
As I was perusing my collection I came up with MY Top 10 T.V. Theme songs. Let me re-state these are MY Top 10 not anyone else’s and not subject for debate. I recognize the fact that there were/are many T.V. theme songs that were great – these are just MY 10 favorite ones.
Also let me preface this list by saying that just because it’s a memorable theme song, that does not mean I watched every single program on this list. But that just goes to my point as to how memorable a Theme Song can be – if you know what the theme song is and you never watched the program, then that’s good stuff. Again – only my opinion people.
#10 – The Facts of Life
Who can forget the escapades of the girls going to school at the prestigious all-girl boarding school, Eastland School in Peekskill, NY? This show was originally a spin-off of Diff'rent Strokes and centered around Ms. Edna Garrett as she became the housemother to the girls of Eastland. By the 2nd season Ms. Garrett was moved to the position of dietitian and the cast was whittled down to four main girls - spoiled rich girl Blair, impressionable and quick-witted, Natalie, naïve and adorable Tootie and rough, tumble, motorbike-loving Jo.
#9 - Scooby Doo, Where Are You!
This is the first incarnation of the famous gang from Mystery Inc. This one premiered in 1969 and far surpasses any other version - and there have been many other more recent versions, plus a couple of really bad movies that shouldn't even have been made. But if you really want to see how it all began, you should really see the original. Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and that big ole, goofy Great Dane, Scooby Doo are a true classic that still stands the test of time.
#8 - Wonder Woman
I don't remember much about it, other than it was based off the comic and starred Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince. I do remember she had a magic lasso and knew how to use it. It also starred Lyle Waggoner for any one who is interested. Check out the groovy theme music it had.
#7 - Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
I never saw this show. I do know that it was a children's game show based off a computer game of the same name. I did play the game a couple of times. Hey, don't judge. I worked in the Children's Dept. at the Library. Of course someone had to test it every now and then to make sure the disk still worked. Lynn Thigpin starred as "The Chief" on the show and from the few clips I've seen, I'd have to say she fit the part perfectly. But if anyone can listen to this Rockapella song and not tap their foot to it - kudos to you. I find the song infectious. You need to get past the 1st 20 seconds before the songs starts - sorry.
#6 - Simon & Simon
I loved Simon and Simon. My parents watched it so therefore, if I was watching T.V. at that time, I was watching what they were watching. Sigh ... those were the days of a one T.V. household. But I digress ... The premise of this show revolved around two private detective brothers that were total opposites from one another. Starring Gerald McRaney as Rick Simon and Jameson Parker (I had to look that one up) as A.J. (Andrew Jackson) Simon. Many of the shows revolved around the different ways the two would handle a case. Rick being more brash and combative and A.J. being a bit smoother and self-composed.
#5 - The Cosby Show
Bill Cosby as Cliff Huxtable - need I say more? Well, throw in Phylicia Rashad, Malcom-Jamal Warner and a slew of others, including Keshia Knight Pulliam and hilarity ensued. Bill Cosby is like every dad or the way every dad should be - a story-telling, fun-loving and sandwich eating dad everyone loves. This is my favorite version of the theme song. Actually, there were seven different versions of the theme song in all its years on the small screen. This particular one was performed by Bobby McFerrin of "Don't Worry, Be Happy" fame.
#4 - Roseanne
Say what you will about Roseanne Barr the person, but Roseanne Conners the character was the typical Mid-Western mom. This sitcom about a working middle class family dealing with every day struggles was one of television's 50 greatest shows. Roseanne had a smart-alec answer for most of her kids questions, didn't seem overly concerned that most of her dysfunctional family was coming unglued at the seams, but at the heart of it all, she did the best she could to raise her family and support her husband. The theme song fit into setting of the show perfectly. Plus, the laugh/cackle at the end is great. Like The Cosby Show, there were several different versions during it's run on T.V.
#3 - Family Feud
Originally airing in 1976 and hosted by Richard Dawson, this game show is on of television's most popular game show. It's been cancelled and revived almost as much as The Family Guy. Among Dawson's successors were Ray Coombs, Louie Anderson, Richard Karn, John O'Hurley and Steve Harvey, who is the current host. This is one of the catchiest game show theme songs ever!
#2 - Blossom
This teenage girl had a lot on her plate. Her mother walked out, her father had to cope with raising his family alone, her oldest brother was recovering from substance abuse and her other brother, while good-natured, was a complete idiot. But we forgave the latter half because he was played by Joey Lawrence and let's face it, he was a hottie - actually, he still is. Anyway, Blossom, along with her best friend Six, found humor and the positive in most situations. The words to the theme song suggest just that. Performed by the great Dr. John and you have a hit.
#1 - The Jeffersons
Starting as recurring characters on All In The Family, The Jeffersons spun off and ran for 11 seasons. George Jefferson's career as a dry cleaner took off and as a result, he packed his family up from Queens and moved to Manhattan where the fun began. Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford were George and Louise Jefferson, but it was their, wise-cracking, back-talking housekeeper, Florence Johnston, played by Marla Gibbs, that rounded out the show. "Movin' On Up" was the theme song and it is without a doubt one of the most memorable television theme songs in history - at least for me it is.
As I was perusing my collection I came up with MY Top 10 T.V. Theme songs. Let me re-state these are MY Top 10 not anyone else’s and not subject for debate. I recognize the fact that there were/are many T.V. theme songs that were great – these are just MY 10 favorite ones.
Also let me preface this list by saying that just because it’s a memorable theme song, that does not mean I watched every single program on this list. But that just goes to my point as to how memorable a Theme Song can be – if you know what the theme song is and you never watched the program, then that’s good stuff. Again – only my opinion people.
#10 – The Facts of Life
Who can forget the escapades of the girls going to school at the prestigious all-girl boarding school, Eastland School in Peekskill, NY? This show was originally a spin-off of Diff'rent Strokes and centered around Ms. Edna Garrett as she became the housemother to the girls of Eastland. By the 2nd season Ms. Garrett was moved to the position of dietitian and the cast was whittled down to four main girls - spoiled rich girl Blair, impressionable and quick-witted, Natalie, naïve and adorable Tootie and rough, tumble, motorbike-loving Jo.
#9 - Scooby Doo, Where Are You!
This is the first incarnation of the famous gang from Mystery Inc. This one premiered in 1969 and far surpasses any other version - and there have been many other more recent versions, plus a couple of really bad movies that shouldn't even have been made. But if you really want to see how it all began, you should really see the original. Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and that big ole, goofy Great Dane, Scooby Doo are a true classic that still stands the test of time.
#8 - Wonder Woman
I don't remember much about it, other than it was based off the comic and starred Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince. I do remember she had a magic lasso and knew how to use it. It also starred Lyle Waggoner for any one who is interested. Check out the groovy theme music it had.
#7 - Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
I never saw this show. I do know that it was a children's game show based off a computer game of the same name. I did play the game a couple of times. Hey, don't judge. I worked in the Children's Dept. at the Library. Of course someone had to test it every now and then to make sure the disk still worked. Lynn Thigpin starred as "The Chief" on the show and from the few clips I've seen, I'd have to say she fit the part perfectly. But if anyone can listen to this Rockapella song and not tap their foot to it - kudos to you. I find the song infectious. You need to get past the 1st 20 seconds before the songs starts - sorry.
#6 - Simon & Simon
I loved Simon and Simon. My parents watched it so therefore, if I was watching T.V. at that time, I was watching what they were watching. Sigh ... those were the days of a one T.V. household. But I digress ... The premise of this show revolved around two private detective brothers that were total opposites from one another. Starring Gerald McRaney as Rick Simon and Jameson Parker (I had to look that one up) as A.J. (Andrew Jackson) Simon. Many of the shows revolved around the different ways the two would handle a case. Rick being more brash and combative and A.J. being a bit smoother and self-composed.
#5 - The Cosby Show
Bill Cosby as Cliff Huxtable - need I say more? Well, throw in Phylicia Rashad, Malcom-Jamal Warner and a slew of others, including Keshia Knight Pulliam and hilarity ensued. Bill Cosby is like every dad or the way every dad should be - a story-telling, fun-loving and sandwich eating dad everyone loves. This is my favorite version of the theme song. Actually, there were seven different versions of the theme song in all its years on the small screen. This particular one was performed by Bobby McFerrin of "Don't Worry, Be Happy" fame.
#4 - Roseanne
Say what you will about Roseanne Barr the person, but Roseanne Conners the character was the typical Mid-Western mom. This sitcom about a working middle class family dealing with every day struggles was one of television's 50 greatest shows. Roseanne had a smart-alec answer for most of her kids questions, didn't seem overly concerned that most of her dysfunctional family was coming unglued at the seams, but at the heart of it all, she did the best she could to raise her family and support her husband. The theme song fit into setting of the show perfectly. Plus, the laugh/cackle at the end is great. Like The Cosby Show, there were several different versions during it's run on T.V.
#3 - Family Feud
Originally airing in 1976 and hosted by Richard Dawson, this game show is on of television's most popular game show. It's been cancelled and revived almost as much as The Family Guy. Among Dawson's successors were Ray Coombs, Louie Anderson, Richard Karn, John O'Hurley and Steve Harvey, who is the current host. This is one of the catchiest game show theme songs ever!
#2 - Blossom
This teenage girl had a lot on her plate. Her mother walked out, her father had to cope with raising his family alone, her oldest brother was recovering from substance abuse and her other brother, while good-natured, was a complete idiot. But we forgave the latter half because he was played by Joey Lawrence and let's face it, he was a hottie - actually, he still is. Anyway, Blossom, along with her best friend Six, found humor and the positive in most situations. The words to the theme song suggest just that. Performed by the great Dr. John and you have a hit.
#1 - The Jeffersons
Starting as recurring characters on All In The Family, The Jeffersons spun off and ran for 11 seasons. George Jefferson's career as a dry cleaner took off and as a result, he packed his family up from Queens and moved to Manhattan where the fun began. Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford were George and Louise Jefferson, but it was their, wise-cracking, back-talking housekeeper, Florence Johnston, played by Marla Gibbs, that rounded out the show. "Movin' On Up" was the theme song and it is without a doubt one of the most memorable television theme songs in history - at least for me it is.
