#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.