#43

Batman (1966)

Na na na na na na… Batman!

Composed: Neal Hefti

Vocals: The Ron Hicklin Singers

Note: a famous 12-bar blues instrumental featuring a driving surf-guitar riff, prominent horns, and a vocal chorus chanting “Batman!” 11 times

Campy and energetic, this theme fits the tone of this Adam West/Burt Ward series to a tee. This theme has become iconic over the years throughout all the various iterations of Batman.

#44

Sanford and Son

Title: “The Streetbeater”

Composed: Quincy Jones

Harmonica performance: Tommy Morgan 

Sanford and Son was another show that I watched irregularly, but it definitely had an energy to it. I will say that the theme has a personal connection for me. Back when my friend group would be gaming, one of my more eccentric friends, David, would take the little noise maker (not exactly a kazoo, but in the same concept) and he would do the beginning of this theme. It became a regular part of the game session.

#45

The Bugs Bunny Show

Title: “This is It” or “Bugs Bunny Overture”

Written by: Jerry Livingston and Mack David

Performed: Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck (both voiced by Mel Blanc)

Animated by: Gerry Chiniquy

The Looney Tunes are all-time classic cartoons and I can remember watching this theme in multiple variations over my childhood years. Whether it was the Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Show or The Bugs Bunny Tweety Show or just the Looney Tunes, I would love this opening. There are many times where this just pops into my head and I have to sing. This had to have a spot on this list.

#46

The Flintstones

YABBA-DABBA-DOOOOOO!

Title: “Meet the Flintstones”

Composed: Hoyt Curtin

Lyrics: William Hanna and Joseph Barbera

Composition: The melody is derived from the ‘B’ section of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 17 (The Tempest).

Performed: The Randy Van Horne Singers with a 22-piece band

Fact: The first two seasons featured an instrumental theme called “Rise and Shine”

#47

The Andy Griffith Show

Title: “The Fishin’ Hole”

Composed: Earle Hagen and Herbert Spencer

Performed (whistling): Earle Hagen

The Andy Griffith TV Show theme is one of the most recognizable songs around. How many times do I whistle along as Andy and Opie walk to the fishin’ pond?

However, much like Bonanza, this well-known instrumental does feature lyrics.

Lyrics: Everett Sloane

Sung: Andy Griffith

#48

Bonanza

Composed: Jay Livingston and Ray Evans.

Arrangements & Lyrics: David Rose.

Lyrics were never used on the show. Lyrics were performed by Lorene Green

The theme is upbeat and energetic, creating a feel for the show and the Cartwrights.

#49

The Wonder Years

Title: “With a Little Help from my Friends”

Written: John Lennon & Paul McCartney

Performed: Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker originally recorded this song, a soulful remake of the Beatles hit, in 1968 and it was chosen for the theme of this series, which debuted in 1988 because of its nostalgic feel and the feeling of the 1960s. The show was set earlier that the 1968 song, but still fit perfectly.

Joe Cocker performed the song at Woodstock in 1969.

#50

Diff’rent Strokes

Title: “It Takes Diff’rent Strokes”

Written: Alan Thicke, Gloria Loring and Al Burton

Performed: Alan Thicke

We are into the Top 50 of our Daily Countdown: TV Show Themes list with a sitcom about to young black boys being raised by an affluent white man and their lives on Park Avenue, New York.

Alan Thicke has done several theme songs in his career, and has appeared already once in this Top 100 with the theme from Facts of Life, the spin off from Diff’rent Strokes.

#51

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Title: “Buffy the Vampire Slayer Theme”

Composer: Parry Gripp

Performed by: Nerf Herder

Alyson Hannigan (Willow) intoduced showrunner Joss Whedon to the music of Nerf Herder and one of their songs were chosen as the theme. Nerf Herder re-recorded a version for the show after season three.

The pop-punk track kicks off the episode with a fire track, generating great energy and excitement for out Vampire Slayer.

#52

WKRP in Cincinnati

Title: “Baby, If You’ve Ever Wondered”

Music by: Tom Wells

Lyrics: Hugh Wilson (series creator)

Performed: Steve Carlisle

WKRP in Cincinnati was inspired as a TV show by Harry Chapin’s song “W.O.L.D.” The theme song works well with the blend of eccentric characters on the show.

#53

Tiny Toon Adventures

 “We’re tiny, we’re toony, we’re all a little looney“

Composed: Bruce Broughton

Lyrics: Tom Ruegger, Wayne Kaatz, and Bruce Broughton

Performed: cast members Jeff Bergman (as Bugs Bunny), Joe Alaskey (Plucky Duck), Charlie Adler (Buster Bunny), and Tress MacNeille (Babs Bunny). 

Tiny Toons were reinvented for a more contemporary audience from the classic Looney Tunes characters. Steven Spielberg was attached to the project and brought a buzz to the cartoon. The energetic and funny theme song gave us that looney feel.

#54

The Partridge Family

Title: “When We’re Singin'” (sometimes referred to as “Come On Get Happy”)

Composed: Wes Farrell

Lyrics: Diane Hilderbrand

Performed: David Cassidy with backing vocals from The Ron Hicklin Singers. 

Here is another show that I never watched. I am not even sure if I have ever seen more than a few clips. It always felt like The Brady Bunch with music. I do like a few Partridge Family songs and this theme is one of them. “I Think I Love You” is my favorite Partridge Family song.

#55

The X-Files

Title: “Materia Primoris”

Composed: Mark Snow

The famous, haunting whistling sound was a preset called “Whistling Joe” from a Proteus synthesizer, layered with a vocal-like effect from a sound library.

The signature delay effect was created somewhat by accident when Snow rested his forearm on his keyboard while using a, setting the tone for the show’s mysterious feel.

The theme did change a bit near the end of the show, but it was always recognizable.

I Want to Believe !

#56

LOST

Composed: Michael Giacchino

This is the shortest of the themes in the top 100, and yet the music is so impactful. The theme song was intended to sound “ghostly” and to mysterious.

The short, iconic opening is often paired with a 4-note descending, somber, and reflective melody, which was first heard during the pilot’s crash aftermath.

LOST was the #1 TV Show on our previous list and its 16-second theme places at #56 on the list of TV Themes songs.

#57

Only Murders in the Building

Composer: Siddhartha Khosla

Khosla created the tune during the pandemic, using his own vocals/humming and a Mellotron. It features a “janky” piano pulse reminiscent of 1960s Brit-pop.

Instruments used: The track includes piano, cello, snare drums, screeches, and, notably, recordings of Home Depot buckets played by drummer James McAlister.

This theme fits perfectly with the feel of this show. It is mysterious, energetic and a little funny. The theme sticks with you and it creates a great tone for the Steve Martin-Martin Short-Selina Gomez vehicle.