Songs From Television Shows: The 100 Best TV Theme Songs of All Time

The theme song is a crucial part of the TV-watching experience. The best ones set the mood for each episode and can be just as entertaining as any joke, monologue, or action sequence. We’ve ranked the 100 best TV theme songs of all time – technically 101, since two are as inseparable as peanut butter and jelly.

How We Chose the Best TV Theme Songs

We started with a massive list of great songs from TV history. We narrowed it down by looking for diversity in musical style, show genre, and era. We considered two main factors:

1. How great is the song on its own?
2. How well does it set the mood and explain the show’s premise?

Sometimes, one factor outweighed the other. Like any attempt to quantify art, gut feelings played a role: Theme Song A is objectively better music than Theme Song B, but Theme Song B is a more perfect match for its show.

This list explains why we chose these 101 songs. Enjoy, and get ready to hum along!

Top TV Theme Songs From Different Eras

Classic TV Theme Songs

• The Andy Griffith Show: Earle Hagen’s whistling in “The Fishin’ Hole” evokes small-town life.
• The Dick Van Dyke Show: Hagen’s whimsical xylophone riff perfectly matches Rob Petrie’s ottoman trip.
• Green Acres: Vic Mizzy’s sardonic lyrics explain the show’s premise with Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor singing in character.
• I Dream of Jeannie: Hugo Montenegro’s bossa nova theme captures the playful exoticism of a live-in genie.
• Have Gun, Will Travel: Johnny Western’s “The Ballad of Paladin” is a memorable closing theme.

The 1970s and 1980s: Sitcoms and Dramas

• Happy Days: Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox’s song is aggressively cheery, capturing Boomer nostalgia for the Fifties.
• Three’s Company: Joe Raposo’s playfully flirty “Come and Knock on Our Door” hints at the show’s decadent humor.
• Taxi: Bob James’ “Angela” provides a chill urban soundtrack for the opening credits’ cab ride.
• Dallas: Jerrod Immel’s theme, with its horn fanfare and disco flash, embodies Eighties greed.
• Moonlighting: Al Jarreau’s smooth-jazz theme perfectly complements the show’s innovative romance.
• Cheers: (“Where Everybody Knows Your Name”): Gary Portnoy’s instantly recognizable theme song became a cultural phenomenon. While not explicitly mentioned in the original text, it’s a significant omission in any discussion of great TV themes.
• Magnum P.I.: Mike Post’s instantly recognizable theme song perfectly captured the adventurous spirit of the show. Similar to Cheers, this was a significant omission from the original text.

The 1990s and Beyond: A New Wave of TV Themes

• Seinfeld: Jonathan Wolff’s unconventional theme uses quirky sounds to complement Jerry Seinfeld’s standup.
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Nerf Herder’s rock theme embodies the melodramatic feel of the late Nineties.
• Dawson’s Creek: Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Want to Wait” captures the emotional highs and lows of teen drama.
• The Drew Carey Show: The show used multiple themes, including “Moon Over Parma,” “Five O’Clock World,” and “Cleveland Rocks.”
• Malcolm in the Middle: They Might Be Giants’ “Boss of Me” perfectly captures a picked-on kid’s perspective.
• Lost: J.J. Abrams’ eerie ambient noise creates a sense of disorientation and mystery.

Modern TV Theme Songs

• The Big Bang Theory: The Barenaked Ladies’ “History of Everything” cleverly uses science-related lyrics.
• Parks and Recreation: Gaby Moreno and Vincent Jones’ jaunty folk tune reflects the show’s optimistic spirit.
• Friday Night Lights: W.G. “Snuffy” Walden’s theme captures the emotional sweep of sports.
• The Walking Dead: Bear McCreary’s simple yet effective theme evokes the suspense of a zombie chase.
• Stranger Things: Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein’s synth-heavy theme pays homage to Eighties horror scores.
• Game of Thrones: Ramin Djawadi’s epic score and theme song set the tone for the sprawling fantasy series. (Another significant omission from the original list)

Unique and Evocative Themes

• The Olympics: Leo Arnaud’s “Bugler’s Dream” and John Williams’ expansion create a grand, triumphant intro.
• WandaVision: Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez’s pastiches of classic sitcom themes are earworm-y and clever.
• Peacemaker: Wig Wam’s “Do Ya Wanna Taste It” and the cast’s dance number create a retro, over-the-top opening.
• Pachinko: The Grass Roots’ “Let’s Live for Today” and the actors’ dance-off create a joyous and historical feel.

alt text: The cast of Friends sitting on the iconic orange couch in Central Perk.