25 TV Theme Songs You Still Hum Years Later

TV theme songs are like musical greetings, welcoming us into a show’s world before it even starts. These short pieces of music quickly create the right atmosphere and give the series its unique identity. The best ones become iconic and remind us of cherished memories. Here’s a list of twenty-five unforgettable theme songs that have stuck with viewers for years.

‘Cheers’ (1982–1993) – “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” by Gary Portnoy

The song begins with gentle piano music that instantly brings to mind the warm, inviting atmosphere of the Boston bar it’s named after—a place where regulars come to connect. Co-written and performed by Gary Portnoy, the track speaks to our basic need for acceptance and a sense of community. It portrays the weariness of everyday life and the comfort of finding a place where you can be yourself without being judged. The song became a hugely popular television theme and is still frequently recognized as one of the best themes ever created.

‘Friends’ (1994–2004) – “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts

The show’s creators asked The Rembrandts to write a lively, upbeat song that captured the show’s fun energy. The song features a memorable four-clap rhythm that fans quickly started copying. Its lyrics explore the challenges of being young and finding your way, while also celebrating the importance of strong friendships. The full song was a huge hit on the radio throughout the show’s peak popularity in the 1990s.

‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ (1990–1996) – “Yo Home to Bel-Air” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

The show’s catchy theme song, performed and written by Will Smith, quickly explains the entire story in under two minutes. The rap tells the story of the main character’s move from West Philadelphia to a luxurious life in Los Angeles. Quincy Jones, the show’s executive producer, guided the creation of this memorable opening. It’s become one of the most famous and often-quoted TV theme songs ever.

‘The Golden Girls’ (1985–1992) – “Thank You for Being a Friend” by Cynthia Fee

Andrew Gold first wrote and recorded this mellow song in the 1970s. It later became famous as the theme song for a popular sitcom, with vocals performed by Cynthia Fee. The song beautifully captures the show’s lighthearted and touching story of four women and their close friendships in Miami. For many viewers, the opening notes instantly bring to mind the memorable bond between Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia.

‘The Simpsons’ (1989–Present) – “Theme from The Simpsons” by Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman wrote the instantly recognizable theme song for the show in a playfully quirky style, as requested by creator Matt Groening. The fast-paced music, featuring lively xylophone melodies, perfectly complements the show’s constantly evolving opening sequence – complete with its signature chalkboard and couch gags. Elfman used a unique musical mode called Lydian, giving the piece a whimsical and slightly unusual sound that fits the animated series perfectly. Over the past thirty years, it’s become one of the most famous instrumental themes in television history.

‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007) – “Woke Up This Morning” by Alabama 3

Alabama 3, a British band, blended blues and acid house music to create this raw and powerful song about crime and getting even. The song’s strong bassline and lyrics caught the attention of David Chase, who felt they sharply contrasted with the seemingly normal, suburban life of the main character, Tony Soprano. The song plays during the opening scene, where Tony drives from New York City into New Jersey while smoking a cigar. This musical choice was key in setting the series’ dark and cinematic mood, helping to make it a groundbreaking drama.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019) – “Main Title” by Ramin Djawadi

Ramin Djawadi created this music piece, featuring a prominent cello, to capture the grand scope and complex politics of the fantasy series. Its energetic beat accompanies the visual journey across the fictional land of Westeros shown in the opening credits. The producers specifically asked for a theme that didn’t rely on typical fantasy instruments like flutes and violins. The strong, growing melody quickly became iconic and helped define the show’s huge success.

‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018) – “The X-Files” by Mark Snow

Mark Snow composed the instantly recognizable theme song for the series using a synthesizer and a whistling echo effect. The music perfectly sets a mysterious and suspenseful tone, fitting the show’s focus on the paranormal. The simple, haunting melody accompanies the opening credits, which feature shadowy images of UFOs and government symbols. Over time, the tune became widely associated with alien encounters and conspiracy theories in popular culture.

‘Full House’ (1987–1995) – “Everywhere You Look” by Jesse Frederick

Jesse Frederick helped write and sang this cheerful song, which perfectly captures the loving family spirit of the show. The lyrics are about finding comfort and a sense of home when life gets confusing. The show’s opening scene shows the Tanner family driving across the Golden Gate Bridge in a convertible. The song is a classic example of the heartwarming theme songs popular on television in the late 1980s.

‘Law & Order’ (1990–2010) – “Theme of Law & Order” by Mike Post

Mike Post crafted this energetic instrumental theme using electric piano, guitar, and a synthesized clarinet. It features the distinctive ‘clang’ sound effect used to signal scene changes throughout each episode. The music perfectly captures the serious, procedural tone of the show’s police and legal storylines. This iconic composition has been featured in thousands of episodes of the original series and its spin-offs.

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–Present) – “Stranger Things” by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein

S U R V I V E, an electronic music duo, created this vintage-sounding track inspired by classic 80s horror and science fiction films. The track’s driving, analog synthesizers build a sense of suspense and mystery, perfectly complementing the show’s supernatural storyline. The title appears on screen in glowing red neon, timed to a steady, heartbeat-like rhythm. This theme song significantly contributed to the renewed popularity of synthesizer music.

‘MAS*H’ (1972–1983) – “Suicide Is Painless” by The Mash

The show’s theme song is a gentle, sad melody played on acoustic guitar, which creates an interesting contrast with the show’s humor. Composer Johnny Mandel created the music, and the lyrics were originally written by the son of director Robert Altman for an earlier movie. Even though the show is funny, the music’s serious tone subtly reminds viewers of the war setting. It’s unusual because it’s one of the few TV themes that first appeared on a major movie soundtrack.

‘The Big Bang Theory’ (2007–2019) – “The History of Everything” by Barenaked Ladies

Ed Robertson created this fast-paced song as a short summary of the universe’s entire history, from the Big Bang to the rise of humans. Its energetic beat and witty lyrics fit the show’s humorous and intelligent take on physics. The band also recorded a longer version with extra verses detailing scientific evolution.

‘Gilmore Girls’ (2000–2007) – “Where You Lead” by Carole King and Louise Goffin

Carole King revisited one of her famous songs from the 1970s, recording it as a duet with her daughter just for this TV series. The song’s message about unwavering support beautifully captures the close relationship between the show’s mother-daughter characters. Its gentle, rock-influenced sound enhances the warm, inviting atmosphere of the show’s small-town setting, Stars Hollow. Over time, the theme song has become especially meaningful for mothers and daughters who enjoy watching the series together.

‘Succession’ (2018–2023) – “Succession (Main Title Theme)” by Nicholas Britell

Nicholas Britell’s score blends elegant piano arrangements with strong hip-hop rhythms, mirroring the clash between established money and contemporary influence. Uneasy piano chords hint at the problems and tension within the Roy family. The music plays during the opening credits, which combine old family footage with views of New York City. This widely praised music perfectly captures the show’s mix of drama and sharp wit as it tells the story of a powerful family’s business dealings.

‘Doctor Who’ (1963–Present) – “Doctor Who Theme” by Ron Grainer and Delia Derbyshire

Long before synthesizers were widely used, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop pioneered this electronic piece using techniques like tape loops and oscillators. Delia Derbyshire brought composer Ron Grainer’s vision to life, crafting a futuristic sound that both frightened and captivated children for decades. The iconic swooping bass and melody perfectly accompany the image of the TARDIS traveling through time. Many consider it a landmark achievement in electronic music.

‘Twin Peaks’ (1990–1991) – “Falling” by Julee Cruise

Angelo Badalamenti created this captivating, instrumental piece with a distinctive sound – a blend of twangy guitar and synthesized strings. Its slow pace and otherworldly feel perfectly capture the strange and mysterious mood of the show. The opening sequence shows images of a robin and a lumber mill’s machinery. The song is incredibly memorable, winning a Grammy and becoming a hit in many countries.

‘Malcolm in the Middle’ (2000–2006) – “Boss of Me” by They Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants, an alternative rock band, won a Grammy for this upbeat ska-punk song. The lyrics capture the annoyance of being a kid and the messy relationship between siblings who don’t like being told what to do. The song’s quick tempo fits the fast-moving visuals and style of a TV show about a smart boy growing up in a chaotic family. The line, “Life is unfair,” perfectly sums up the main character’s challenges.

‘Dawson’s Creek’ (1998–2003) – “I Don’t Want to Wait” by Paula Cole

Paula Cole first released this song as a single, but it became famous as the opening theme for a popular teen drama. Its heartfelt vocals and lyrics about learning from the past perfectly matched the show’s emotional storylines. The song became synonymous with the WB network and defined a generation of teen dramas in the late 1990s. It’s so strongly associated with the show that fans were upset when streaming services briefly replaced it because of licensing problems.

‘The O.C.’ (2003–2007) – “California” by Phantom Planet

This indie rock song perfectly captures the bright but restless feeling of Southern California, thanks to its energetic drums and catchy piano melody. The lyrics tell the story of someone returning to the West Coast, specifically arriving in Newport Beach. The song was a breakthrough hit for Phantom Planet and became closely linked to the show it was featured in. For many, the song’s opening piano chords instantly bring back memories of early 2000s teen culture.

‘Happy Days’ (1974–1984) – “Happy Days” by Pratt & McClain

Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel created this upbeat song to remind people of the 1950s. It cheerfully names the days of the week and invites listeners to relax and have fun. Quickly becoming a popular radio favorite, it took the place of “Rock Around the Clock” as a signature tune. The song’s sound instantly brings to mind classic diners, where people often gathered.

‘Hawaii Five-O’ (1968–1980) – “Hawaii Five-O Theme” by The Ventures

Originally composed by Morton Stevens, this exciting instrumental piece is known for its energetic drumming and strong brass sounds. The Ventures famously covered it as a surf rock song, and it became a hit that many guitar bands learned to play. Its fast pace perfectly matched scenes of crashing waves and police chases on television. Even today, it’s considered one of the most memorable and thrilling action themes ever written for TV.

‘Mission: Impossible’ (1966–1973) – “Theme from Mission: Impossible” by Lalo Schifrin

Lalo Schifrin created this exciting, instrumental piece with an unusual 5/4 time signature, giving it a unique and powerful beat. The visual of a burning fuse in the opening credits perfectly matches the sense of urgency created by the bongos and brass. While the theme has been updated and recorded again for many different movies, the main melody has always stayed the same. Many consider it the best example of music in the spy genre.

‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ (1999–Present) – “SpongeBob SquarePants Theme” by Patrick Pinney

A captain gets the children excited and starts a lively sing-along with a traditional sea shanty. The catchy tune and lyrics introduce the story’s main character and what he looks like. A flute plays a tune that sounds like a sailor’s horn, helping to create the feeling of being underwater. Many people will recognize this song from the popular animated series they watched as kids.

‘The Jeffersons’ (1975–1985) – “Movin’ on Up” by Ja’net DuBois

Ja’net DuBois helped write and perform this uplifting song, which highlights the characters’ newfound success. With a lively choir and brass section, the song celebrates their move from a humble neighborhood to a luxurious apartment. The lyrics capture the feeling of accomplishment and happiness that comes after years of dedication. It’s a cheerful song about achieving dreams through hard work.

Please share your favorite TV theme song from this list or any we missed in the comments.

2025-12-01 01:17