Best Songs from Television: Theme Songs

What are the best television theme songs?

In the early days of radio theme songs served two purposes. First, it provided an audible cue that a show was starting. Second, in some cases, it could provide any necessary exposition for people who might be unfamiliar with the show. Need to explain what The Brady Bunch or Gilligan's Islandis about? Not that hard considering you most likely have the theme songs memorized.

When radio shows moved to television, the theme song trend continued. But while it is called "theme" music, there is no singular theme to it. The music is as varied as the television shows it is featured on: classical, rock, jazz, etc. Nothing is taboo or out of bounds when it comes to a good theme song.

While theme shows might not seem like a major part in the television show, they can often have a life of their own. On several occasions, a theme song has managed to make it as a popular hit. A couple examples of this is "I'll Be There for You" by The Rembrandts, which was the theme song for Friends and the Miami Vice theme song which was a hit for Mike Hammer.

Recently, starting back in the 1990s, television networks began reducing both the opening and clothing theme songs. Although they might claim that they want more time for story, in actuality they have been adding more and more commercials. So, don't be surprised if you notice a lot more of the older theme songs than some of the newer ones.

For your convenience, we have included links to the sheet music on Sheetmusicplus.com as well as the CD on Amazon.com whenever available. If you are looking to purchase the mp3 or would like to listen to a sample, then click on either the Amazon, Rhapsody, or iTunes links.

Rhapsody provides both music subscriptions as well as individual mp3s for sale in WMA format and iTunes only provides MPEG-4 audio files for sale. However, Amazon does offer mp3s that are compatible with both Windows Media Player and iTunes. For more information about where to purchase music online, we provide it on our Music Downloads page or our Music Subscriptions page.

This page is still under construction. More links will be coming soon!

Below are what we consider among the best television theme songs.

1. The Addams Family (Main Theme) by Vic Mizzy
    Find it on:          Sheetmusicplus
2. And Then There's Maude by Donny Hathaway from Maude
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3. Angela by Bob James from Taxi
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4. The Andy Griffith Show Theme by Earle Hagen
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5. The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle by Morton Stevens from Gilligan's Island
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6. Ballad of Davy Crockett by
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7. The Ballad Of Jed Clampett by Earl Scruggs from The Beverly Hillbillies
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8. Barney Miller by Jack Elliott
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9. Believe It Or Not by Joey Scarbury from Greatest American Hero
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10. Batman Theme by Neal Hefti from Batman
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11. Beverly Hills 90210 by John E. Davis
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12. The Brady Bunch by The Brady Bunch
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13. Bonanza by Al Caiola & His Orchestra
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14. Charlie's Angels by Jack Elliott
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15. Come On Get Happy by The Partridge Family from The Partridge Family
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16. Dragnet by Ray Anthony
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17. Get Smart by Bob Crane & His Drums And Orchestra
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18. Good Ol' Boys by Waylon Jennings from Dukes Of Hazzard
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19. Good Times by Jim Gilstrap
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20. Green Acres by Eddie Albert
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21. Happy Days by Pratt & McClain
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22. "Hawaii-Five-O" performed by The Ventures
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23. "Hey, Hey We're The Monkees" by The Monkees from The Monkees
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24. Hogan's Heroes by
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25. I Love Lucy Theme by Desi Arnez
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26. "I'll Be There for You" by The Rembrandts from Friends
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27. "It Takes Diff'rent Strokes" by Gloria Loring from Different Strokes
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28. Jeannie by Hugo Montenegro from I Dream Of Jeannie
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29. Love American Style by The Cowsiles
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30. Love Boat Theme by Jack Jones
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31. Making Our Dreams Come True by Cyndi Grecco from Laverne & Shirley
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32. Mannix by Lalo Schifrin
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33. Movin' On Up by Oren Waters from The Jeffersons
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34. Melrose Place Theme by Tim Truman
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35. Miami Vice by Jan Hammer
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36. Munsters Theme by Jack Marshall
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37. The Muppet Show by Jim Hensen, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Dave Goetz, Jerry Nelson & Erin Ozker
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38. Northern Exposure by David Schwartz
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39. Princes of the Universe by Queen from Highlander
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40. The Odd Couple by Sammy Cahn and Neal Hefti
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41. Petticoat Junction by
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42. Rawhide by
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43. The Rockford Files by Mike Post
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44. Star Trek by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
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45. Thank You for Being a Friend by Cynthia Fee from The Golden Girls
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46. Theme from Dynasty by Bill Conti
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47. Theme from S.W.A.T. by Rhythm Heritage
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48. Theme from Hill Street Blues by Mike Post
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49. Theme from Magnum, P.I. by Mike Post
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50. Thirtysomething by W.G. "Snuffy" Walde and Stewart Lein
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51. "Those Were The Days" by Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton from All in the Family
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52. "Three Stars Will Shine Tonight" by Richard Chamberlain from Dr. Kildare
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53. "The Toy Parade" by D. Kahn & M. Leonard from Leave It To Beaver
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54. The Twilight Zone by Rod Open
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55. Welcome Back by John Sebastian from Welcome Back, Kotter
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56. What's Happening!! by Henry Mancini
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57. "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" by Gary Portnoy from Cheers
     Find it on:          Sheetmusicplus

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