Some of the most revered and adored TV shows just so happen to also feature catchy and memorable theme songs, further cementing their superb legacies. While there may in fact be a slew of innovative and spectacular shows constantly being released to the masses, few are able to capture the magic of program’s past, as the twentieth century was undoubtedly a creative jackpot for the entertainment industry. Plenty of iconic and continuously popular shows have theme songs that have endured the tests of time, remaining easily recognizable tunes that faithful fans can’t help but tap their toes to.
From energetic instrumentals to catchy harmonies, storytelling raps and notorious earworms you just can’t seem to get out of your head, the small screen has been home to some seriously spectacular theme songs. With just the snap of your fingers, audiences instantly knew they were about to watch the sitcom classic The Addams Family, just like fans of Cheers couldn’t help but sing along to the feel-good, friendly theme “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.” These are some of the best TV theme songs.
12 Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
Following the adventures of a group of amateur teenage sleuths and their talking Great Dane dog, the beloved 1960s classic cartoon Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! launched a beloved and highly-revered franchise that led to countless films, animated series, spinoffs and merchandising. The world fell in love with Mystery Inc. members Fred, Daphne, Shaggy, Velma, and of course the iconic Scooby-Doo, watching in awe as they traveled in the Mystery Machine solving cases and unmasking bad guys. The toe-tapping theme song for the series is a playful and fast-paced musical number that describes the famously frightened canine as he shakes and shivers his way through the mysteries, all the while hoping to get that beloved Scooby Snack.
11 Friends
Undeniably one of the greatest television shows of all time, the legendary NBC sitcom Friends famously chronicles the lives of 6 close-knit New York City friends as they experience love, heartbreak, growth, and major personal and professional experiences in their 20s and 30s. Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, the groundbreaking series’ theme song is almost as well-known and recognizable as its stars, with the song “I’ll Be There For You” being performed by the pop rock duo The Rembrandts.
Fans can’t help but think of the cast of Friends in the giant fountain, or iconic orange couch and colorful umbrellas used in the opening title sequence, clapping along in unison as the band belts out the catchy earworm theme song. Interestingly enough, the original song chosen was “Shiny Happy People” by R.E.M., but when the band rejected the offer, The Rembrandts were enlisted to write the theme, cementing its place in TV history.
10 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The adored 1990s smash hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air stars Will Smith as a charming and streetwise West Philadelphia teenager who is sent to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in their upscale Bel-Air mansion. Portraying a fictionalized version of himself in his first leading role, the actor famously wrote and performed the comedy’s theme song, performing under his stage name “The Fresh Prince” alongside his disc jockey Jeffrey Townes, A.K.A. “DJ Jazzy Jeff.”
Using a storytelling narrative, Smith starts off the song with the notorious “In West Philadelphia, born and raised…”, going on to describe the fantasy scenario he finds himself that becomes the set-up for the show. “Yo Home to Bel-Air” has gone on to become an instantly recognizable song, with MTV stating, “Say what you want, but considering the sitcom wrapped up over 20 years ago and people are still able to start spitting out those lyrics on cue, its lasting appeal is undeniably impressive.”
9 The Addams Family
“They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky…” All it takes is the sound of the harpsichord and finger snaps to recognize the theme song for the 1960s dark comedy sitcom The Addams Family, which follows the eponymous macabre family and their entertaining misadventures. The song was written and arranged by famed Hollywood film and television composer Vic Mizzy, who also wrote the theme for the fellow ‘60s sitcom Green Acres.
Mizzy's unique composition and offbeat lyrics help make The Addams Family a popular and enduring television show. The tune has retained its popularity due to the success of the 1991 film adaptation of the TV show, starring Raul Julia and Anjelica Houston, and its subsequent sequel, and is a staple to play during the Halloween season.
8 M*A*S*H
The long-running, critically-acclaimed war dramedy series M*A*S*H takes place at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, depicting the valiant efforts of its doctors and support staff during the Korean War in Uijeongbu, South Korea. With an ensemble comedy led by Alan Alda as Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce, the show beautifully blended both humor and the realities of war, going on to become one of the highest-rated shows in U.S. television history. The opening instrumental theme song, “Suicide Is Painless,” was written by Johnny Mandel and was also used in the 1970 feature film of the same name. The series finale of M*A*S*H is the most-watched episode of a scripted series, having drawn in a whopping 125 million viewers and remains the most watched television finale of any show in history.
7 The Andy Griffith Show
Who knew a whistled melody had the power to become a discernible and well-respected part of television history? Written by Earle Hagen and Herbert Spencer, “The Fishin’ Hole” served as the theme song for the situation comedy classic The Andy Griffith Show, which stars the titular actor as the widowed sheriff Andy Taylor in the sleepy fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina.
According to Hagen, he believed the song was his most tossed-off creation, having said, “I realized what the show needed was a simple tune. So I spent all of 15 minutes writing it. I called my bass player and drummer, and we recorded it in a little studio in Hollywood. I whistled the tune myself.” The theme song perfectly complemented the old-school and nostalgic feel of the show, effectively becoming one of the most simple yet memorable TV themes.
6 The Golden Girls
Audiences across the world fell in love with the endearing camaraderie between the lovely leading ladies Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sophia on the beloved ‘80s sitcom The Golden Girls. Chronicling the adventures of the four older single women and roommates in sunny Miami, the sitcom features one of the most memorable theme songs of all time, “Thank You For Being a Friend,” which was performed by Cynthia Fee.
Initially written and recorded by Andrew Gold and released in 1978, the uplifting tune found new life on the heartwarming show, garnering immense popularity and appreciation from fans. The ode to forever friendship helped solidify The Golden Girls as cultural phenomenons and brilliantly captures the essence of the show and the bond between the spectacular characters.
5 Happy Days
Created by the great Garry Marshall, the renowned sitcom Happy Days features an idealized vision of life in the 1950s, focusing on the Cunningham family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as parents Howard and Marion raise their children with the help of the charming greaser Fonzie. For the first season of the groundbreaking program, the theme song was a newly recorded version of “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets, before being replaced the remainder of the series with the Pratt & McClain tune “Happy Days,” which peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The tune is a distinct and feel-good song that many people from the ‘70s and ‘80s know all-too-well, in addition to countless generations who have discovered the beloved American classic.
4 The Brady Bunch
Widely regarded as one of the last old-style family sitcoms, the 1969 television staple The Brady Bunch revolves around the titular blended family and the misadventures that ensue after widowed architect Mike Brady marries Carol Martin, merging their lives and six children.
Originally performed by the Peppermint Trolley Company, the eponymous theme song was then presented by The Brady Bunch Kids, famously depicted in a three-by-three grid for the opening sequence in which both the boys and girls sing their own verses. The tune introduces the foundation of the show, describing how “a lovely lady” and “a man named Brady” fell in love, creating one big and wonderfully blended family in the process.
3 Cheers
Fans of the critically-lauded beloved ‘80s sitcom Cheers have no problem singing along with Gary Portnoy as he croons the lyrics to its friendly theme song, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name”, making audiences feel like they’re part of the gang at the titular bar. Following bartender and proprietor Sam Malone and the colorful characters who frequent his establishment, Cheers is consistently listed as one of the greatest television shows of all time and its catchy tune further cements its legacy.
The song was the debut single for Portnoy, who wrote the cheerful and simple song with Judy Hart Angelo after creating multiple potential themes for the program; on crafting the prominent tune, the musical artist told Yahoo!, “They wanted something that evoked a smoky bar at 2 in the morning. So right off the bat, I’m thinking Frank Sinatra’s ‘One More for the Road.’”
2 Hawaii Five-O
One of television’s most energetic and spirited theme songs, the 1968 police procedural drama Hawaii Five-O showcases the investigations of the titular elite branch of the Hawaii State Police, led by Detective Captain Steve McGarrett and Danny “Danno” Williams. The show’s lively instrumental theme was composed by Morton Stevens, who won two Emmy Awards for his musical contributions for the drama, and is widely considered to be one of the best television themes of all time. “Hawaii Five-O Theme” was extremely popular on the dance floors in the 1970s due to its upbeat tempo, and became the unofficial fight song at the University of Hawaii, demonstrating its likability and staying power beyond just the television show.
1 Gilligan’s Island
Following the hilarious misadventures of a group of mismatched castaways shipwrecked on a deserted island, the 1960s classic sitcom Gilligan’s Island stars Bob Denver as the bumbling and dim-witted eponymous character who accidentally causes the Minnow and its inhabitants to become stranded somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.
The show’s original theme song “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Isle” is a jovial tune that details the “tale of a fateful trip” that caused the seven castaways to become stranded, adopting a sea shanty sound to further establish the premise. Without-a-doubt the theme is one of the most distinguishable and well-known songs in television history, as is both the sitcom and lead character; Gilligan is considered a pop culture icon and is one of the most recognizable faces of the small screen.