BY MIKEY MIGO
While television is mainly mindless entertainment set to let our minds at rest from our everyday lives, it does have many redeeming values. The best shows allow you to connect with characters, follow closely along, and give you something to do for a half hour or hour on a weekday night.
Since the creation of the picture box, we've been blessed with some great entertainment. A lot of these shows have one thing in common, a very memorable theme song. If it's not a song you know all the words to, it's one you can whistle or hum along with. Like a top radio single or entrance music for a pro wrestler, the best TV theme songs instantly pop out at you and stick in your head. Go to any bar on karaoke night and look at their selections. I guarantee that you'll find a slew of TV theme songs to attempt to "sing" a long to. These songs have become apart of Americana and I don't see that changing in the future.
I had originally planned to do my Top 10 theme songs of all time, but that's too tough of a task. Instead, I'm going to look at some of the more memorable theme songs from television history.
TV Theme: MASH
Originally written by Robert Altman's son Mike for the movie. It was sung by Johnny Mandel in the opening sequence, but then by XXX in the movie as part of the Dentist's character's attempted suicide scene. The movie would then be adapted to what I consider one of, if not THEE best television show of all time. The words to the original song were a bit too depressing for a national television audience so they went with an instrumental version of the song. Marilyn Manson went on to cover the song for Blair Witch 2 and even he considers it more depressing and offensive than anything he ever did. That says a lot, but in reality the timeless show always starts off with a familiar tune that readies you for one of the best.
TV Theme: Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Who would of thought that the "Fresh Prince" would go on to become one of the hottest box office draws of all time. The likeability, charm, and charisma of Will Smith have a huge part in all of that. This is why the theme song is probably so memorable. In one of the rare cases in TV history, Smith performs the theme song to this show himself with the help of long time ally DJ Jazzy Jeff. I'm fairly certain that anyone with a pulse and a television know most of the words and make asses out of themselves when singing a long. What's more fun than that?
TV Theme: The Simpsons
This show is also considered one of the greatest television shows of all time, and with great reason. The fade in of the clouds with the choir-like "The Simpsons" is the only lyrics to this Danny Elfman classic. Since the shows inception in the late 80's, there has been a plethora of famous musicians to "revamp" the song including Sonic Youth, Phish and most recently Green Day for the movie just to name a few. If bands like that want to cover this animated sitcom's theme song then it goes to show the importance of the show and it's theme.
TV Theme: All In The Family
Based off the UK show "Till Death Us Do Part", Norman Lear brought the rights and made it into the TV land classic that we all know and (should) love. This groundbreaking show featured Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton singing in character the song "Those Were The Days" at a piano in the house. What was originally done as a cost cutting measure turned out to be one of my most remembered opening theme songs in television history.
TV Theme: Threes Company
Of course we all love John Ritter and miss him dearly. I remember watching this show all the time when I was younger and still find myself watching it whenever I find it on syndication. One thing about this ahead of it's time show, was the theme song. It's one of those songs that you should all know just from watching it so much. "Come and knock on my door. We've been waiting for you. Where the kisses are hers and hers and his. Threes Company too!" It's that easy.
TV Theme: Friends
I've seen a lot of episodes, but for some reason it just never really clicked with me. Yet, I still know the theme song thanks to it being played like crazy on the radio in the 90s. It was specifically written for the show and was offered to REM and They Might Be Giants, but was finally given to The Rembrandts to record. It was originally just supposed to be a theme song, but the popularity was so big that they had to finish the song and release it on their next album. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any theme song from that period of time that had that much commercial success. With commercial success comes being played on constant rotation. I'm not sure if I like the song, but dammit I know it.
TV Theme: Happy Days
In the first few seasons it was "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Hailey and His Comets, but was then changed to the more known "Happy Days" song done by mainly studio musicians. I have no problems with the later theme, but I'll always remember the show with the Bill Hailey tune more so than what would last the majority of the show's run. This was one of those songs you hear as kid on a TV show and always relate back to where you first heard it. For me, this is where I heard "Rock Around the Clock" for the first time.
TV Theme: The Honeymooners
Despite there not being words to this classic theme song, it's oddly enough the first song I knew the words to. I know that makes no sense, but let me explain. The song was actually composed by Mr. Jackie Gleason himself and was done by Ray Bloch and his orchestra. The opening of the show was like the Simpsons to the effect that the title of the show was said. But the words that I remembered was from the announcer(Gaylord Avery) saying the names of each actor out loud. "The Honeymooners! Starring Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows, and Joyce Randolf". Lame? Sure. But I was five and there's a lot worst things to remember. I bought my father the DVD set for Christmas a few years ago and it's still a great show to watch.
TV Theme: Cheers
NORM! Okay, now that I got that out of my system I can get to the theme song. It's often parodied and always remembered, but it was actually performed by Gary Portnoy. The last line heard in the theme is "where everybody knows your name" actually went on to become the show's tagline. The piano playing and voice of this song is perfect for the Boston bar setting and complimented the show as much as any other great theme song.
TV Theme: Married With Children
This is another famous song that I remember more because of a TV show than the actual artist's work on it. Of course it's "Love and Marriage" by Frank Sinatra. I've just recently started watching this show in syndication again and I think it might of sparked this entire column's idea. The song is catchy, classy, and has great melody. Which is, if you ever watched this cult classic, the exact opposite of the Bundy family. Sadly, the company putting out the seasons on DVD didn't get the rights to the Chairman of the Board's classic.
What are your favorite TV Theme Songs? I'm sure I had to miss a few of your favorites, what are they and why?
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