[MUSIC] THE SAVAGE ANIMAL "Current TV Theme Songs Part Two"
09.29.10
BY MIKEY MIGO
Last week, I went through 14 TV theme songs from shows that are still currently on the air. It was fun. The topic of TV theme songs is apparently one that people enjoy discussing and feel passionate about as I got emails, comments, and friends I didn't know that read the column telling me shows I snubbed.
I watch more television than the average viewer. It's just one of my many vices and something I'm a junkie for. I'm the type that'll torture myself and wait months to be able to sit down with a season of a show I like and binge on it for a few nights. I'm impatiently patient when it comes to this stuff. I watched the seventh season of Entourage in one late night sitting before bed and did a marathon to catch the entire third season of True Blood. That's just my viewing habit. Of course there are shows that I'm not going to watch. I can't get into cop dramas much at all. Just about anything on the CW/WGN/whatever it's called now is not on my radar. I don't watch much reality TV at all. That's about it. I'm pretty open. There's some shows that I plan on sitting down with in the future, but just haven't yet. For anyone complaining about a show I missed, chill out.
So…. Here's a SECOND BATCH of current TV theme songs:
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
[2005-Present – "Temptation Sensation" by Heinz Kiessling] There is something very pleasant about this song. The show is great, but far from pleasant. As it gets more and more popular, I've heard people call it "the new Seinfeld, but vulgar". Whatever. The use of this song is ironic, but used on the cheap. The show uses a lot of pre-made production music for the credits, transitions, and on the show itself from an easy listening production music collection called "Café Romantique". The song is okay, but it's like the last thing I think about when thinking or talking about this show. It does its job, but I'd rather have "Day Man" every episode.
How I Met Your Mother
[2005-Present – "Hey Beautiful" by The Solids] This song is literally like twelve seconds long. I like it, it's catchy, and it's a song that people can "sing" a long with. I guess that makes it successful. The Solids made this theme, the theme for FOX's "Oliver Veene", and a song for the NBC show "Ed". Other than that, not much else going on for them. Is this so much a "theme song" than a "jingle"?
South Park
[1997-Present – "South Park Theme" by Primus] To not consider South Park as one of the all time great shows is ridiculous. The show has been on for thirteen years and has managed to stay relevant. Not every episode is a big topical hoopla spectacular, but they still manage to get them in as time goes on. As long as there is something to make fun of, this show is going to survive. The theme is by Primus. Over the years, it's been remixed, altered, and evolved but the main course of it all has remained the same. Les Claypool is man we really need to thank here.
The Office
[2005-Present – "The Office Theme" by Jay Ferguson] I didn't think much about this theme song until the show went syndicated. When they were promoting the show on TBS, the ads were heavy on the theme. They had the characters "sing" along to it and it pretty much cemented itself into my brain. Now I think this may be one of the top modern theme songs.
Justified
[2010-Present – "Long Hard Times to Come" by Gangstagrass featuring T.O.N.E-z] This is one of those shows that I've not watched one minute of, but will eventually sit down and watch all. The theme must be interesting though because I've heard blurbs about it and it got nominated for an Emmy. It's a country-blue grassy tune with a rapper doing his thing over it. Eh. Was "My Medicine" by Snoop too expensive?
Mad Men
[2007-Present – "A Beautiful Mine" by RJD2] What makes this song so cool is the animation that accompanies it. The song is perfect for the tone of the show, but the black and white business man falling from the building is what we remember.
Californication
[2007-Present – "Main Title Theme From Californication" by Tree Adams & Tyler Bates] This show is probably one of my Top 5 favorites on TV right now. David Duchovny's "Hank Moody" is my favorite character to watch and the show is pretty much amazing. The theme is done by Tree Adams and Tyler Bates, who handle the majority of the music we hear on this show. I don't know how else to describe their work on the show other than "snazzy". So "snazzy" it is.
Smallville
[2001-Present – "Save Me" by Remy Zero] I remember this song from way back. It stood out to me because it sounded a bit like U2. I learned how very wrong I was shortly after, but I still dug this tune. I completely forgot about it until now. I've never watched Smallville. It seems like it could be a cool show, but 10 years worth of show is a lot to catch up on. I like the theme choice though. "Saaaaaave Meeee" works perfectly for a show about a super hero.
Hung
[2009-Present – "I'll Be Your Man" by The Black Keys] This awesome track is from The Black Key's debut album "The Big Come Up" and hits this show perfectly. I've finally gotten caught up on the first two seasons and it's finally coming into its own. The first season felt like HBO was providing their answer to Calfornication AND Weeds, but it's really meshed into one of the better low-key shows out there.
How To Make It In America
[2010-Present – "I Need a Dollar" by Aloe Blacc] This show is all about hustling and clawing towards your goals and dreams. It's by a lot of the same people who have brought us Entourage, but unlike that show it's a more realistic grind. It's a few people in NYC trying to get theirs. The show is okay and still need to grow a little more, but I'm going to give it another chance. The song is a good sign of things. It's a catchy tune that sums up what the show is about without being too cheesy about it. It's a good song.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
[2000-Present – "Aqua Teen Hunger Force Theme Song" by Schoolly D] Schoolly D is the man. He really was an old school rapper and not some writer or person behind the show. It's hard to believe this show was been on for ten years, 100 episodes, 7 seasons, and full length movie. I remember when I first got into the show it was addicting. After the second or third season I stopped watching, but I'll always have a place in my heart for this show, great theme song and all.
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