#87

Transformers

The original theme for the Transformers animated series was written by Ford Kinder and Anne Bryant.

The line “More than meets the eye” is a line that I will use to this day. The theme was adjusted and changed over the different iterations of the franchise, but “Robots in Disguise” found its way into most of them.

The original theme also gave us the Transform sound that would become iconic in the world of entertainment. When you hear the sound, you know what it is. It is like the starting up of a light saber. Everyone knows what that sound means.

#88

Taxi

The Taxi theme song was composed by Bob James.

Entitled “Angela”, it was originally intended as background music for episode three and a character named Angela. It was so liked by the producers that it became the shows permanent theme.

The song was jazz-fusion and used Rhodes electric piano, a soft, high-pitched recorder (or flute/oboe) lead melody, and a smooth rhythm section.

#89

IT: Welcome to Derry

Theme Song:  “A Smile and a Ribbon” by Patience and Prudence (1956). 

The song was written by Mark McIntyre and Robert Wells.

The song originally served as a B-side to Patience and Prudence’s smash hit “Tonight You Belong to Me.”

The song is the most recent additions to the list as IT: Welcome to Derry has just aired on HBO Max, finishing its 8-episode season. The theme was so weird the first week, but grew on me as each week progressed. It is so creepy and odd for this sweet, little song to be placed on this horror series with images of Derry’s dark history behind it. The use of this theme is genius and this is an example of a theme that, if I redid this list in a year or two, would be way higher than it is now.

#90

The A-Team

Composed by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter. Arranged by Paul Murta.

The voice over that started the theme off was spoken by John Ashley.

According to Google, the them was “known for its military-inspired, lighthearted tone, the theme was designed to reflect the show’s action-comedy nature rather than pure reality. “

The A-Team was fun and the beginning worked to get the viewer into the show. I was always the biggest fan of Murdock, as I felt he was the most original character around.

#91

Hawaii Five-O

The Hawaii Five-O theme song was composed by Morton Stevens.

Originally performed by the Ventures.

The theme spent 14 weeks in the Billboard Top 100 chart, reaching as high as #4.

This is an example of a show that I never watched, but a show that had a theme song that I knew and enjoyed. The theme is as iconic of a TV show theme as you will find.

#92

The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams

Written, composed and performed by Thom Pace.

Theme song was titled “Maybe.”

Originally written as a theme for a movie, “Maybe” was a hit in Europe. It spent nine weeks in the number one spot on the charts in Germany in 1979/1980.

The opening is one of the most memorable parts of the series. The beginning narration by the character Mad Jack, played by Denver Pyle, added that little bit to the theme and it worked so well with the song.

#93

Hogan’s Heroes

Known as the “Hogan’s Heroes March” this theme was composed by Jerry Fielding.

It is one of the most remembered instrumental themes of all time. Who would guess that a TV COMEDY about a prison camp in Nazi Germany would work? Portraying the Nazis as bumbling idiots helped, I guess. Still….

The theme outlasted the show, as it has been used and performed many times over the years. And you cannot deny the catchiness of the tune.

#94

Roseanne

The theme was primarily composed by Dan Foliart & Howard Pearl.

Some listings added W. G. Snuffy Walden and John Popper to the credits.

The start off with the harmonica is iconic and helps set the feel for this series.

#95

Night Court

Theme song was composed by Jack Elliot.

The theme to Night Court is one of the many instrumental themes appearing in the Top 100.

Notable musicians who played on the theme included Ernie Watts (Saxophone), Dave Hamlin (Drums), Kip Sophos (Bass).

#96

American Horror Story

Theme originally written by César Dávila-Irizarry and then reworked by former Nine Inch Nails keyboardist Charlie Clouser.

The theme of AHS was extremely creepy and fit right into the tone that the show was going for. The iconic movie Se7en was an inspiration for the theme and what creator Ryan Murphy wanted to get across.

#97

Inspector Gadget

Theme written and composed by Shuki Levy and Haim Saban.

Performance often credited to the Towenda Choir Orchestra

Here is an interesting tidbit for this theme. I never watched this show. I bet you could count the number of Inspector Gadget episodes I watched on one hand. Yet, the theme song has entered the zeitgeist enough for it to be in my Top 100 TV Theme Songs list. Wild.

There are other TV shows on this list that would not be considered my favorite TV shows, or even something that I would like. The only qualification for this list is the theme song, and Inspector Gadget’s theme is fun and entertaining.

#98

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

“Heroes in a Half-shell. TURTLE POWER!”

Written by Chuck Lorre and Dennis C. Brown.

This is the first animated series to appear in the Top 100 TV Show Themes list. There are 21 total animated programs in the list, 21% of the list. Animated shows have had some great themes and this one, with the “Turtle Power” line is one of the tops.

#99

Stranger Things

written by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, members of the Austin-based synth band S U R V I V E.

Stranger Things is one of the biggest hits from Netflix, and the music is part of the reason. Set in the 1980s, the show featured this theme, recorded with the heavy use of analog synthesizers.

Dixon and Stein won an Emmy for the main title theme.

#100

Mad About You

Title: Final Frontier

Performed by Andrew Gold; Anita Baker performed a version later in the show’s run.

Written by Paul Reiser and Don Was

The first song to kick off the new Daily Countdown is from NBC’s long running show, Mad About You, starring Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt.

Interestingly enough, the first song on this new list is from a TV Show that did not appear in the Top 100 TV Shows list. There are several others that will be on the theme song list but would fall short of the Top 100 TV Shows.

With the first Daily Countdown complete and our #1 TV show, LOST, revealed, it is time for another Daily Countdown. I considered a lot of different possibilities (and I am not brave enough to do movies yet), but when I came up with this idea, it felt right.

TV Show theme songs was a fun choice to do next. I have to tell you, I was surprised how hard compiling this list was. I found it much more difficult than the TV Shows list. Maybe that was because I knew from the beginning what my favorite TV show would be, but this list did not have one specific obvious #1. In fact, I think there could have been four or five possible themes that would reach the top. Still, it was really tough to make this list. Still, I am very happy with it.

Just like the TV Show list, as of right now, this list is locked in, even if it could be fluid.

TOP 100 TV SHOW THEMES

#100. Mad About You

#99. Stranger Things

#98. Inspector Gadget

#97. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 animated)

#96. American Horror Story

#95. Night Court

#94. Roseanne

#93. Hogan’s Heroes

#92. The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams

#91. Hawaii Five-O

#90. The A-Team

#89. IT: Welcome to Derry

#88. Taxi

#87. Transformers (G1)

#86. Picket Fences

#85. Maude

#84. Who’s the Boss

#83. One Day at a Time

#82. I Dream of Jeannie

#81. Growing Pains

#80. Family Ties

#79. The Lone Ranger

#78. Orange is the New Black

#77. Benson

#76. The Tick (animated)

#75. The Simpsons

#74. The Munsters

#73. True Detective: Night Country

#72. Spider-Man (1967)

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