#6

Welcome Back, Kotter

Title: “Welcome Back”

Written: John Sebastian

Performed: John Sebastian

John Sebastian, formerly of Lovin’ Spoonful, recorded this song, which went to #1 on the Billboard charts in 1976. According to Wikipedia, the success of the song convinced the producers of the show to change its title from Kotter to Welcome Back, Kotter.

John Sebastian included a harmonica solo in the full version.

#7

The Muppet Show

 “It’s time to play the music / It’s time to light the lights…”.

Written: Jim Henson and Sam Pottle

Performed: The Muppets

On the most sensational inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational

The Muppet Show was such an epic variety show featuring all of the greatest celebrities of the time. The opening theme, done in a vaudeville style, is one of the reasons this was such an amazing show.

They had Fozzie Bear early in the show’s run doing a joke in the middle of the theme. This was replaced later by Staler and Waldorf singing a verse.

First season theme

#8

Peacemaker

Season One

Season Two

James Gunn is renown for his choices in music to use with his projects. However, no one expected the opening title sequence to his HBO Max series Peacemaker to be what we got. The dance routine done by John Cena and the rest of the cast was absolutely amazing and was something that no one would skip. It was must watch every week.

Title: “Do Ya Wanna Taste It”

Composed: Trond Holter

Lyrics: Åge Sten Nilsen

Performed: Wig Wam

Then, came season two and the new theme was anticipated almost as much as the show. The new song was “Oh Lord” by Foxy Shazam. My first reaction to the new opening was… “It’s fine… it just can’t compare to the first season.” Then after about two or three weeks, it was every bit as great as the firs tone.

Title: “Oh Lord”

Composer: Foxy Shazam (Eric Nally, Loren Turner, Sky White, Daisy Caplan, Alex Nauth & Thomas Pridgen)

Lyrics: Eric Nally and Alex Nauth.

Performed: Foxy Shazam

#9

Underdog

“There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here!”

Composed: W. Watts “Buck” Biggers

Performed: Rober Ragaini

This was one of my earliest superhero TV memories. I loved these themes, with their different lyrics. I would look forward to the theme every episode to see which one would be the one.

It was apparently designed to be similar to the William Tell Overture (Lone Ranger theme).

#10

M.A.S.H.

We are into the TOP 10!!!!

Title: “Suicide is Painless”

Composed: Johnny Mandel

The MASH theme song was an instrumental version of the song “Suicide is Painless” which was the theme of the original motion picture MASH (1970). The film version of the song featured lyrics from Michael Altman and was performed by The Ron Hicklin Singers.

The MASH theme is an iconic piece of music that delivered a feeling of melancholy that echoed the show.

#11

Scooby Doo… Where Are You?

Written: David Mook & Ben Raleigh

Performed: Larry Marks (Season One); George A. Robinson Jr.

Iconic music to the classic Scooby Doo show, Scooby Doo… Where Are You? has been used in countless other projects over the year featuring Scoob and the gang.

Season Two

#12

Animaniacs

Composed: Richard Stone

Lyrics: Tom Ruegger

Performed: Yakko, Wakko and Dot (Rob Paulsen, Jess Harnell, Tress MacNeille)

…Bill Clinton plays the sax

The Animaniacs theme is frantic, chaotic and full of energy, a perfect example of what the show was going to be like.

#13

Fame

“You’ve got big dreams? You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying… in sweat”.

Composed: Michael Gore

Lyrics: Erica Gimpel

Performed: Erica Gimpel

The song was originally from the movie Fame, that the TV show was based upon and the song from the film was performed by Irene Cara. That version won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for best Song in 1980.

#14

Golden Girls

Title: “Thank You for Being a Friend”

Written: Andrew Gold

Performed: Cynthia “Cindy” Fee

Originally released as a single by Andrew Gold, the song was re-recorded by Cynthia “Cindy” Fee for the series. This theme was also used for the Golden Girls’ spin off, The Golden Palace.

#15

Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes

Title: “Fight as One”

Composed: Guy Michelmore

Performed by Bad City

One of the best superhero theme songs around. The tagline “Avengers… Assemble” really worked in the middle of the song.

This show was too short as it was really a great adaptation of the Avengers into animation.

#16

The Weird Al Show

Written: Al Yankovic

Performed: Al Yankovic

Appeared: Running With Scissors album

Weird Al wound up with a Saturday morning program on CBS and this was the theme song he wrote for the show. The theme has been used by Al to kick off his concerts since the ending of his TV show.

#17

F Troop

Composed: William Lava

Lyrics: Irving Taylor

The opening of F Troop was funny and set the slapstick tone for the series as a whole.

#18

Friends

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Title: “I’ll Be There For You”

Written: Michael Skloff (music), Allee Willis (lyrics), and show creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman.

Performed: The Rembrandts

The Friends theme started the show with high energy and a lot of fun. Seeing the cast dance around in a fountain, set the tone for the show.

#19

Big Bang Theory

Title: “The History of Everything”

Written: Ed Robertson

Composed: Barenaked Ladies

Performed: Barenaked Ladies

Bazinga!

CBS’s long-running show had this frenetic theme song that followed every cold open of the show (except the finale, which had an accustic version recorded).

#20

Gilligan’s Island

The Professor and Mary Ann get their credit in this version. They are no longer just “AND THE REST.”

We enter the Top 20 of the Top 100 with one of the most famous sitcoms of all time.

Title: “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Island”

Written:  Sherwood Schwartz and George Wyle

Performed: The Wellingtons (season one); The Eligibles (season two and on)

Fact: The original theme that was replaced was a calypso version composed by EYG Hall of Famer John Williams.

Fact: Bob Denver (Gilligan) went to the studio and requested that “..the Professor and Mary Ann” was added to the theme song, and that Denver was willing to move his own credit to the end in order to accomplish this.