Great piece, Chris. Thanks for the link to the Guardian piece. I loved the Succession theme- it put me in the right frame of mind for what I was about to watch. My sister, Ann Hampton Callaway wrote and sang the lead vocal for the theme to The Nanny. ( I sang backup vocals) Whenever she (or we) sing it live in concert it’s amazing the response from the audience- everyone knows the words! Those iconic theme songs connect us. It’s a shame to skip them.
Thanks for reading, Liz. The Nanny themes is one of the all-time greats. It’s funny because I think theme songs are some of the music that people most closely identify with
If Hill Street Blues was streaming on Netflix, the skip button wouldn't be of much use anymore: who can resist this legendary tune by Mike Post https://youtu.be/pThIeuKD6uM?si=OoeYf6sfwxuG-hK4
Rolling Stone doesn't mention: The Facts of Life or Different Strokes, both written by a sitcom star himself: Alan Thicke, https://people.com/tv/alan-thicke-tv-theme-songs/ who is wonderfully played by Paul F. Thompkins in Comedy Bang Bang podcasts!!! ALSO MASH AND TAXI.
Such a great topic for your surgical precision! I started to write an earworm piece on the Rockford Files theme song, which was stuck in my head and I will get back to it, but the topic of TV themes is, as you show here, a massive one with lots of directions to follow. I have noticed the increased use of popular songs as themes, which you of course do mention. I thought of R.E.M.'s "Stand" used for the Chris Elliott 90's sitcom, Get A Life. And They Might Be Giants' "Boss of Me" for Malcolm in the Middle. And more recently, the use of The Grass Roots' "Let's Live For Today," in the AppleTV+ series, Pachinko. That one might be my favorite usage of a known classic. Or, maybe this amazing usage of Sofi Tukker's "Good Time Girl" one from HBO's brilliant 2020 series, "The New Pope."
Two of my favorite recent TV theme songs from the past five years: 1) The Mandalorian, by Ludwig Goransson, which is the best Star Wars theme since the Duel of the Fates. 2) Foundation, by Bear McCreary, which is also great. Hans Zimmer's theme for The Crown is also quite good. I actually think a lot of prestige streaming dramas (which expensive-looking credits) have pretty good theme music. Schitt's Creek also had a really great outro theme.
100%. A lot of newer shows have great themes, but we're not listening to them week in/week out the way we used to, because we (collectively) don't have to.
Someone up thread mentioned Hill St. Blues. I'll bet it's been 30+ years since I've seen an epsiode or heard the theme, yet I instantly had it in my head. If you aksed me to do the same with The Mandalorian, I couldn't do it.
That Gilligan theme song is a hoot. I like how “Crusoe” is sung with 3 syllables (sounding like “Caruso”) to fit the ballad meter.
I’ve seen mentions that the first season theme song referred to the characters of the Professor and Mary Ann as “and the rest” and their names were only added to the lyrics when the song was re-recorded for season two (the version linked to here). The various explanations for this change all sound a bit apocryphal though.
I couldn't agree more. One of the all-time best TV intros (in my opinion) is The Sopranos. Who could possibly skip that?!? It captures the entire ethos of the show. And what about Game of Thrones?! The intro actually gives you subtle clues into who the episode is going to be about. Some of my favorite composers of recent years have been TV composers. Let those unsung heroes have their day in the sun!
TV theme songs of the 70s have been a staple of a working musician's repertoire....even if it was only to make the cats crack up during rehearsal.
Once I played an event in NY at which Tony Randall was the featured speaker, so of course we played the theme to The Odd Couple (Neal Hefti, composer) for his walk-on. When Tony reached the podium his first remark was "You can't imagine how much I detest that song." LOL
More contemporary ones that really set the tone perfectly and I rarely skip even when I’m bingeing -- Parks & Rec and The Great North, also Taskmaster which is different each season with the slapstick sounds of the new contestants adding to its brassy cacophony. And way more obvious in the drama-sphere I guess but Succession and of course White Lotus. I listen to their music outside of the shows all the time. I feel like HBO are one of the only studios investing in this as an artform seriously still.
The theme to the FX show Justified was a great song by Gangstagrass - Long Hard Times To Come! It had the right feel to it & invoked the mood of the show & of the main character Raylen Givens! Made me a fan of Gangstagrass & their music!
I remember Heroes starting the trend of a shorter title card, however, so Netflix may surely have contributed but I've been thinking about this trend for a while. I actually don't wholly disapprove, since not all theme songs are created equal, nor are all title sequences.
There was also the True Blood trend of title cards (killer song, that), of which TB was not the first but stands out to me, where all the titles followed the vaguely sexual vaguely bloody association of disparate artistically famed photography/images. Now I feel like I watch title songs when they really catch me—like I dig Only Murders in the Building theme song and title cards. And the Pixies cover of "Que Sera Sera" is more reliable than any given episode of "From." Every time I mean to skip it I end up listening all the way through, and that's an ambitiously long title.
There was a show in 1988 and 89 (cancelled before it’s first full season ended) where Tim Daly played I think a DJ or radio programmer. At least for the first few shows each episode featured a song that worked into the plot or Daly’s character’s recollection of a certain period in his life. I recall Elvis Costello’s “Accidents Will Happen” in maybe the first episode and in another episode a song by the Del Fuegos that I can’t recall. According to Wikipedia the show was the first show created by David Chase (later famous for the Sopranos among other shows) and while it got some positive critical reviews it wasn’t popular enough for the network to keep it on the air. Hard to remember much about the show at this point but I thought it was a cool musical hook to work into a TV show.
Great piece, Chris. Thanks for the link to the Guardian piece. I loved the Succession theme- it put me in the right frame of mind for what I was about to watch. My sister, Ann Hampton Callaway wrote and sang the lead vocal for the theme to The Nanny. ( I sang backup vocals) Whenever she (or we) sing it live in concert it’s amazing the response from the audience- everyone knows the words! Those iconic theme songs connect us. It’s a shame to skip them.
Also, Liz, any good way to contact you? We do an interview series here with people who work in music. Would love to chat
Hi Chris. Would love to chat. If you send me a message on my website, it will go straight to my email. https://lizcallaway.com/
Thanks for reading, Liz. The Nanny themes is one of the all-time greats. It’s funny because I think theme songs are some of the music that people most closely identify with
If Hill Street Blues was streaming on Netflix, the skip button wouldn't be of much use anymore: who can resist this legendary tune by Mike Post https://youtu.be/pThIeuKD6uM?si=OoeYf6sfwxuG-hK4
The day I saw the skip intro button on cheers I almost lost it
Great stuff!
Rolling Stone doesn't mention: The Facts of Life or Different Strokes, both written by a sitcom star himself: Alan Thicke, https://people.com/tv/alan-thicke-tv-theme-songs/ who is wonderfully played by Paul F. Thompkins in Comedy Bang Bang podcasts!!! ALSO MASH AND TAXI.
I just started watching Taxi. Loving it
Such a great topic for your surgical precision! I started to write an earworm piece on the Rockford Files theme song, which was stuck in my head and I will get back to it, but the topic of TV themes is, as you show here, a massive one with lots of directions to follow. I have noticed the increased use of popular songs as themes, which you of course do mention. I thought of R.E.M.'s "Stand" used for the Chris Elliott 90's sitcom, Get A Life. And They Might Be Giants' "Boss of Me" for Malcolm in the Middle. And more recently, the use of The Grass Roots' "Let's Live For Today," in the AppleTV+ series, Pachinko. That one might be my favorite usage of a known classic. Or, maybe this amazing usage of Sofi Tukker's "Good Time Girl" one from HBO's brilliant 2020 series, "The New Pope."
https://youtu.be/sgwYToaSQ90?si=o9bfzEEAvwvcaRqJ
Great article! I may rip this concept and look at movie theme songs 🤔
Do it! I don’t know who generates these Wikipedia lists but bless them
Great piece. I take it you're the same guy who wrote about Eminem and Dear Stan?
The Kardashians' theme gets me though.
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Two of my favorite recent TV theme songs from the past five years: 1) The Mandalorian, by Ludwig Goransson, which is the best Star Wars theme since the Duel of the Fates. 2) Foundation, by Bear McCreary, which is also great. Hans Zimmer's theme for The Crown is also quite good. I actually think a lot of prestige streaming dramas (which expensive-looking credits) have pretty good theme music. Schitt's Creek also had a really great outro theme.
100%. A lot of newer shows have great themes, but we're not listening to them week in/week out the way we used to, because we (collectively) don't have to.
Someone up thread mentioned Hill St. Blues. I'll bet it's been 30+ years since I've seen an epsiode or heard the theme, yet I instantly had it in my head. If you aksed me to do the same with The Mandalorian, I couldn't do it.
True. Very true.
I agree with you on The Mandalorian, so so good.
That Gilligan theme song is a hoot. I like how “Crusoe” is sung with 3 syllables (sounding like “Caruso”) to fit the ballad meter.
I’ve seen mentions that the first season theme song referred to the characters of the Professor and Mary Ann as “and the rest” and their names were only added to the lyrics when the song was re-recorded for season two (the version linked to here). The various explanations for this change all sound a bit apocryphal though.
I couldn't agree more. One of the all-time best TV intros (in my opinion) is The Sopranos. Who could possibly skip that?!? It captures the entire ethos of the show. And what about Game of Thrones?! The intro actually gives you subtle clues into who the episode is going to be about. Some of my favorite composers of recent years have been TV composers. Let those unsung heroes have their day in the sun!
I actually listen to A3’s song on rotation but have never seen the Sopranos! That’s a great song
TV theme songs of the 70s have been a staple of a working musician's repertoire....even if it was only to make the cats crack up during rehearsal.
Once I played an event in NY at which Tony Randall was the featured speaker, so of course we played the theme to The Odd Couple (Neal Hefti, composer) for his walk-on. When Tony reached the podium his first remark was "You can't imagine how much I detest that song." LOL
Very interesting and enjoyable article.
Two TV theme songs I enjoy watching every single time for the music and visuals:
Entourage - Superhero by Jane's Addiction
The Morning Show (Apple TV) - song is Nemesis by Benjamin Clementine - interesting article on the design of the visuals here - https://deadline.com/2020/08/the-morning-show-main-title-designers-angus-wall-hazel-baird-emmys-apple-tv-plus-interview-news-1203007627/
More contemporary ones that really set the tone perfectly and I rarely skip even when I’m bingeing -- Parks & Rec and The Great North, also Taskmaster which is different each season with the slapstick sounds of the new contestants adding to its brassy cacophony. And way more obvious in the drama-sphere I guess but Succession and of course White Lotus. I listen to their music outside of the shows all the time. I feel like HBO are one of the only studios investing in this as an artform seriously still.
The theme to the FX show Justified was a great song by Gangstagrass - Long Hard Times To Come! It had the right feel to it & invoked the mood of the show & of the main character Raylen Givens! Made me a fan of Gangstagrass & their music!
I nominate Robot Chicken for a great theme song.
I remember Heroes starting the trend of a shorter title card, however, so Netflix may surely have contributed but I've been thinking about this trend for a while. I actually don't wholly disapprove, since not all theme songs are created equal, nor are all title sequences.
There was also the True Blood trend of title cards (killer song, that), of which TB was not the first but stands out to me, where all the titles followed the vaguely sexual vaguely bloody association of disparate artistically famed photography/images. Now I feel like I watch title songs when they really catch me—like I dig Only Murders in the Building theme song and title cards. And the Pixies cover of "Que Sera Sera" is more reliable than any given episode of "From." Every time I mean to skip it I end up listening all the way through, and that's an ambitiously long title.
There was a show in 1988 and 89 (cancelled before it’s first full season ended) where Tim Daly played I think a DJ or radio programmer. At least for the first few shows each episode featured a song that worked into the plot or Daly’s character’s recollection of a certain period in his life. I recall Elvis Costello’s “Accidents Will Happen” in maybe the first episode and in another episode a song by the Del Fuegos that I can’t recall. According to Wikipedia the show was the first show created by David Chase (later famous for the Sopranos among other shows) and while it got some positive critical reviews it wasn’t popular enough for the network to keep it on the air. Hard to remember much about the show at this point but I thought it was a cool musical hook to work into a TV show.