Your Favourite Television Theme Music
While reading through the comments on Childhood Cartoons, I began thinking about the power of theme music. Several themes had made a lasting impression; Cibbuano cited the amazingly epic theme of Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light, while Gareth linked to the rocking intro from Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors. I found it incredible that, as soon as Adrienne mentioned Lady Lovely Locks, the theme tune sprung into my mind, despite the fact that I couldn’t actually remember the cartoon.
So there’s no doubt about it – television theme tunes are pervasive, captivating and can last the test of time. Here are some of my favourite theme tunes.
Futurama
This one is definitely one I love – it’s even my ringtone at the moment. Christopher Tyng has created a really unusual and distinctive opening theme. He also created a host of other fantastic songs throughout the series. It’s interesting to listen to the commentaries on the Futurama DVDs where Tyng is present, as he outlines the obscure instruments he incorporates into the music.
Angel
This theme was one of the more beautiful opening tunes on television. The solo cello is haunting and never fails to send shivers up my spine. The addition of the rock instruments gives it an edge which is fitting of the show. The final piano mirrors the isolation of the protagonist perfectly. Overall it’s an evocative theme, capable of being listened to as a piece of music in its own right.
Alias
This is another great theme worthy of mention. It’s sort of mysterious, kind of funky, and just downright cool. Like the Angel theme, there is a certain edginess to the music that matches the feel of the show, which I believe is an important attribute in making a theme memorable. I preferred the original to the remixed version of the later seasons, but both are entertaining.
Which theme tunes are you favourites? What do you think makes a good theme tune, and why does it stick with you even if the show doesn’t?
*All images courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for review and criticism.
So there’s no doubt about it – television theme tunes are pervasive, captivating and can last the test of time. Here are some of my favourite theme tunes.
Futurama*
Futurama
This one is definitely one I love – it’s even my ringtone at the moment. Christopher Tyng has created a really unusual and distinctive opening theme. He also created a host of other fantastic songs throughout the series. It’s interesting to listen to the commentaries on the Futurama DVDs where Tyng is present, as he outlines the obscure instruments he incorporates into the music.
Angel*
Angel
This theme was one of the more beautiful opening tunes on television. The solo cello is haunting and never fails to send shivers up my spine. The addition of the rock instruments gives it an edge which is fitting of the show. The final piano mirrors the isolation of the protagonist perfectly. Overall it’s an evocative theme, capable of being listened to as a piece of music in its own right.
Alias*
Alias
This is another great theme worthy of mention. It’s sort of mysterious, kind of funky, and just downright cool. Like the Angel theme, there is a certain edginess to the music that matches the feel of the show, which I believe is an important attribute in making a theme memorable. I preferred the original to the remixed version of the later seasons, but both are entertaining.
Which theme tunes are you favourites? What do you think makes a good theme tune, and why does it stick with you even if the show doesn’t?
*All images courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for review and criticism.
Aaron.
I agree with all three of those. I always used to hum to the Angel theme especially *smirks* And Futurama makes me sit there and bop up and down. Um, yes, because I'm weird.
Anyway, I also liked the Buffy theme just because it was edgy and I never got tired of hearing it. I've never really watched Six Feet Under but I used to love it's opening credits. Very haunting. And I quite like the House theme song as well. The Australian one especially - before they changed it.
I have a bit of a thing for opening credits music, lol.
Movies and Life
Rugby World Cup 2007
Fantastic post! I love TV theme songs. Have quite a collection of TV theme song CDs. I'm such a nerd.
'Angel' - love it, can hear it now...
'Six Feet Under'...very haunting...
My all time favourite - 'Hawaii 5-O'
Never actually watched this show but love the theme- 'Third Watch', an earth wind and fire show (medico, cops and er...firemen)
Also like the 'Cold Case' theme...the wail at the start is eerie
'Mission: Impossible'
'Miami Vice' quintessentially eighties
'Batman and Robin'...the Adam West Batman...
'Different Strokes'
'Gilligan's Island'
'Wonder Woman'
'Masters of The Universe; HeMan and SheRa'
Love this post...must stop...thanks Nina.
DuskDevi
Observer's Post
Death By Myopia
Cinema of Australia
Movies and Life
New Tricks is another example of a great theme tune. Big Cat's post begins with the opening lyrics of the tune which just sends it running into my head, despite only having actually watched the show once. I didn't realise it was sung by Dennis Waterman, one of the stars of the show. He's they guy that they make fun of on Little Britain as being a midget that loses roles because he insists on writing and singing the theme tune of the show! You learn something new every day.
Film & TV on DVD
5 Classic themes that I love-
Hawaii Five O
The Saint
X-Files
Twilight Zone
Rawhide
5 Newer ones:
Entourage
The Sopranos
Oz
Dead Like Me
WonderFalls
Celebrity Obsession
My other picks are :
- Angel
- Charmed - it's a bit grungy like the Angel and Buffy ones
- Futurama (I can't believe that I never watched this show up until a couple of months ago......and now I love it!)
- Simpsons
- The Smurfs......just cos once it's in your head, you can't get the damn thing out.
I could go on, but I won't.
Chatterpillar
I didn't know Dennis Waterman is the guy Little Britain sends up as the midget who loses roles by insisting on writing and singing the theme.
Good example of cross-fertilising between the generations.
Hey, all you Generation X, Y and younger Orblers!
How about telling your Mums and Dads to get cracking in Orble too?
Rugby World Cup 2007
'The X-Files'...definitely. Thanks JD.
Also;
'Knight Rider' KITT and The Hoff...classic!
and 'Secret Agent Man'...love this! From the 60s' British TV show 'Danger Man'.
Nina...how about a post along the lines of, "What's Your TV Theme Song?" or something like that...
I can't be the only one who secretly thinks 'Hawaii 5-O' was made to strut to...or am I??
DuskDevi
Horrorphile
As a boy I loved Mike Post's themes: Magnum P.I. and Hill Street Blues are two classic themes, one conjuring the rockin' pop funk of Thomas Magnum's wiley charm, and the other conjuring the melancholic humdrum of life on the streets of new york city.
Horrorphile
The Written Word
History Lass
Horrorphile
check us out
jaywalkers
that's my vocals on a couple of the tracks ... we use electronic sources (digital samples, manipulated loops, keyboards, fx, etc) and vox
Horrorphile
My Wedding
Horrorphile
Smallville
Sopranos
Rescue Me
Thats all I can think of right now
NerdBlog
Cinema of Australia
I agree, Captain Planet was another fave of mine. As was Roger Ramjet and Inspector Gadget!
Also I agree that captain planet rocks!
The Blog Formerly Known As Saturday Morning Movie Club
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Aaron.
Horrorphile
"I could be so good for you ...love ya like ya want me to" --- Dennis Waterman
"I could be so good for you ...love ya like ya want me to" --- Dennis Waterman
Oh, another Dennis Waterman theme tune! He must do them for almost every show he is in.
Horrorphile
Hardnosed "bounty hunter" played by Edward Woodward.
Theme and music by Stewart Copeland (drummer for The Police).
Horrorphile