Month: June 2025

100 Memorable TV Theme Songs – Part Deux

Please take some time to check out Part 1, otherwise you’ll be totally confused. 

I ran across a video on a Generation X page I follow on social media that was taking a trip down Memory Lane involving television “outros”, which is the closing segment, often featuring end credits, that appears at the conclusion of an episode. While not as important as theme songs, the outros featured in the video made me feel nostalgic and reinforced the key role music plays in our entertainment.

90 Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street? (Sesame Street)

Sunny day

Sweepin’ the clouds away

On my way to where the air is sweet

Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street

The Muppet Show  (The Muppet Show)

It’s time to play the music

It’s time to light the lights

It’s time to meet the Muppets

On The Muppet Show tonight

Both shows were an integral part of so many childhoods. The Muppets have been a pervasive presence on the entertainment landscape since the 1960’s, including multiple incarnations of a television variety show. Sesame Street has aired on PBS since 1970. 

89 Benson (Benson)

The show was a spinoff of critically acclaimed Soap, although I remember it much more fondly than its parent program, which went away when I was nine years old (but did gift us the legendary Billy Crystal). The spinoff lasted well into the 1980’s. Its theme is an upbeat, jazzy instrumental.

88 There’s No Place Like Home (227)

With your family around you you’re never alone

When you know that your loved

You don’t need to roam

Cause there’s no place like home

227 was adapted from Two Twenty Seven, a stage play about the lives of women in a predominantly black apartment building. Marla Gibbs had found fame as smartass housekeeper Florence on The Jeffersons and was chosen as the lead. However,  co-star Jackee Harry became the breakout star and was eventually given an eponymous spinoff (which only aired the pilot episode). Gibbs sang 227’s theme song.

87 Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now (Perfect Strangers)

Standing tall on the wings of my dream

Rise and fall on the wings of my dream

Nothing’s going to stop me now

ABC kept moving the show around to different nights thru much of its eight seasons, and it was never a big hit, but there is an audience of people who are happy the wacky adventures of tightly wound Chicago photographer Larry and his cousin Balki, a well-meaning immigrant sheepherder from a small Mediterranean island, were available for our entertainment in the late 80s/early 90s. The theme song is the kind of upbeat, quasi-inspiring pop tune that seemed to be a thing for TV shows of the era.

86 In Living Color (In Living Color)

How would you feel knowin’ prejudice was obsolete

And all mankind danced to the exact beat

And at night it was safe to walk down the street

In Living Color

In Living Color is a show that I was aware existed, but can’t say I ever watched with any regularity. I was in college at the time and probably watched television less than at any other time in my life. Perhaps, due to my limited worldview at the time, I didn’t think the show was for me, if you know what I mean. Or maybe, like so many others, I was destined to look at it in retrospect and recognize its considerable contribution to pop culture while fans that did watch can assert a level of superiority for appreciating what others didn’t. At any rate, while In Living Color can lay claim to launching the careers of Jim Carrey, J-Lo, Jamie Foxx, and the Wayans Brothers while also giving us gems like Fire Marshal Bill, Homey D. Clown, and Men on Football, the theme was a hip-hop song with a message, and it’s still a fun lil earworm.

85 Here I Come to Save the Day (Mighty Mouse)

Here I come to save the day!

That means that Mighty Mouse is on the way!

Comedian Andy Kaufman famously utilized the theme song as part of his act. As a matter of fact, more people may be familiar with the character & the tune thru the association with Kaufman than by actually watching the various television shows & theatrical shorts produced since 1942.

84 Green Acres (Green Acres)

Green Acres is the place to be

Farm livin’ is the life for me

Land spreadin’ out so far and wide

Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside

Having its original CBS run from 1965-71 means I wasn’t born yet when Green Acres was a Top 10 show. However, growing up in the 1980s means reruns of such programs were ubiquitous. I can’t say it really frosted my cupcake like other old shows I enjoyed such as The Brady Bunch, Gilligan’s Island, or Sanford & Son, but the theme song, performed by series stars Eddie Albert & Eva Gabor, is quite memorable.

83 Fame (Fame)

Fame!

I’m gonna live forever

I’m gonna learn how to fly high

Fame!

I’m gonna live forever

Baby, remember my name

Irene Cara’s life was far too brief, but she did leave a legacy that includes two absolute bangers. She wrote & performed the theme song for the 1983 film Flashdance (winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song in the process), and also starred in & performed the theme song for the 1980 film Fame, which was adapted into a television show that aired for six seasons.

82 Moonlighting (Moonlighting) 

Some walk by night

Some fly by day

Some think it’s sweeter

When you meet along the way

Moonlighting was one of those shows that I was aware of but not that interested in. I may have watched a few episodes when I was really bored, but otherwise it really didn’t register on my radar. Having said that, the Grammy nominated title tune written & performed by R&B legend Al Jarreau once topped the Adult Contemporary charts and was a sophisticated departure from typical TV themes of the era.

81 I Don’t Want to Wait (Dawson’s Creek)

I don’t want to wait for our lives to be over

I want to know right now what will it be

I don’t want to wait for our lives to be over

Will it be yes or will it be sorry?

I am comfortable enough with my smoldering machismo to admit that I went thru a Dawson’s Creek phase around the turn of the century. I don’t remember how it started, but I believe I began watching sometime during the 2nd or 3rd season. Perhaps it was earlier. I was in my late 20’s at the time, which was certainly outside the target demographic. Anyway, I make no apologies for my affection toward Lil Joey Potter, Pacey, and the rest of the gang from Capeside (which was actually set in Massachusetts despite clearly being filmed in North Carolina). The song is synonymous with the show, which I suppose is the point. Singer Paula Cole never became as big of a star as contemporaries Alanis Morrissette & Jewel, but Dawson’s Creek cemented her musical legacy.

Stay tuned for Part 3!!

Winning & Musing…Volume 3.25

And now we enter dark days. Hot. Sunny. Yet a barren wasteland of sports. Basketball is over. Baseball isn’t interesting yet. Football is several weeks away. Thankfully I have a renewed albeit tepid regard for NASCAR, will watch an occasional open wheel auto race, and find golf sporadically entertaining. Of course, I suppose the whole point of summertime is to go outdoors and DO things rather than sit inside to watch things. If only I was that exciting 🤔.

Let’s be honest…the Oklahoma City Thunder were clearly the better team from the beginning. They were the best team in the NBA all season, while no one expected much in the playoffs from the Indiana Pacers. The Cavs, Celtics, and Knicks were all thought to pose more of a threat to the Thunder. Nevertheless, Indiana took the NBA Finals to a decisive seventh game and must be given kudos. What might’ve happened if Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton didn’t get injured early in Game 7?? Who knows?? But the instant he went down the battle was over. Congrats to OKC. If you predicted now that these two teams would have an opportunity to run it back next year, I’d be just fine with that, although Haliburton might not be available until 2026-27.

Since we last met in this space enigmatic quarterback Aaron Rodgers signed a one year contract with my Pittsburgh Steelers, and I am okay with that. I couldn’t possibly care less about any off-the-field perceptions of Rodgers, as long as he shows up, plays hard, and executes the offense to the best of his ability. All indications seem to point to that happening, although obviously we haven’t even made it to training camp yet. Rodgers is 41 years old and clearly past his prime, but he’s still probably better than any other option the Steelers have had at their disposal the past few seasons. I know Jets fans are excited about Justin Fields, and many Steelers fans weren’t happy the team made no effort to retain him, but I remain dismissive of Fields’ potential as an NFL QB. The Steelers also brought back Mason Rudolph, who can be a decent backup. One of three things will happen: a) Rodgers will be a total bust & Pittsburgh will draft a highly rated QB next spring, b) Rodgers will shock the world and lead Pittsburgh deep into the playoffs, or c) the Steelers will be 9-8 again and need to do some wheelin’ & dealin’ to get their quarterback in the draft. I don’t know which scenario is more likely, but I am at peace with whatever happens. 

Things that don’t interest me at all:

  • The WNBA
  • The College World Series
  • Spring football leagues of any kind
  • Soccer (obviously)
  • UFC

I suppose congratulations are also in order for the Florida Panthers, winners of back-to-back Stanley Cups. Do you realize that, in the past three decades, The Cup has resided in hot spots like Tampa, Vegas, Anaheim, Carolina, and Dallas, while a team from Canada hasn’t won the championship since 1993?? 

A month ago ESPN ended Around the Horn after more than two decades, but I have yet to run across a satisfactory reason for its cancellation. Full disclosure: I stepped back from watching any of the ESPN debate shows on a regular basis a few years ago. The Worldwide Leader’s penchant for allowing (perhaps even encouraging) their on-air talent to go on sanctimonious sociopolitical tirades became tedious, and the entire premise of ATH was gathering “journalists” from across the country to opine on various topics. I was taught a long time ago that typical sportswriters tend to have the same worldview as most other “journalists”, but we usually don’t notice as long as they remain focused on sports. Having said that, at its best, when the panelists stayed in their lane, Around the Horn seemed to exemplify the entire reason (outside of actual games) that outlets like ESPN even exist. Therefore, I don’t really understand its demise. From what I’ve been able to gather production costs were inexpensive and ratings were solid. Was ATH too low key & prosaic for the powers-that-be in Bristol?? Are they under the mistaken impression that the audience desires more…high-spirited…voices be added to a roster that already includes Stephen A. Smith & Pat McAfee?? Eight years ago ESPN cancelled its most erudite program The Sports Reporters, which I’ve always assumed was an indication of the low opinion the network has of its viewers’ intelligence, attention span, and critical thinking skills. Cancelling Around the Horn seems to reinforce that belief.

100 Memorable TV Theme Songs – Part 1

It is rare that I peek into the ol’ vault and decide to delete something. I stand behind the things I’ve written, good or bad, even when my thoughts on the subject may have matured or evolved. Having said that, when one has been offering up little pieces of their own soul, no matter how trivial it may be, I suppose it is inevitable that the universe shifts in unexpected ways and the prism used to view topics a decade ago sheds new light. Such is the case today. Ten years ago I ranked my 25 Favorite TV Theme Songs, and while revisiting that whole thing I decided that I could do better and dive deeper. So the old entry is gone, to be replaced by this expanded series. Enjoy.

100 Dear John (Dear John)

Dear John

By the time you read these lines, I’ll be gone

Life goes on, right or wrong

Now it’s all been said and done, dear John

I love Judd Hirsch. Taxi. NUMB3RS. Independence Day. Guest starring on The Big Bang Theory. The man is an under appreciated treasure. In the late 80’s/early 90’s he starred in a quiet little sitcom about a middle-aged man & the support group for divorcees that he attends in Queens, NY. The theme song is a vaguely melancholy tune that explains the premise of the show. 

99 Bad Boys (Cops)

Bad boys, bad boys

Whatcha gonna do?

Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

Be honest…more than once, in the past three decades, you have quoted the song when you see a police car or hear stories about a crime being committed. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a full episode of the show, but its theme is seared into my brain.

98 Dragnet (Dragnet)

Dum…de DUM DUM…..

The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

It’s a show that came & went long before I was even born, but the terse, instrumental theme music with accompanying narration became ubiquitous. There is a 1987 big screen comedic adaptation starring Dan Aykroyd & Tom Hanks that is such a bad movie it is weirdly entertaining. 

97 Stand (Get A Life)

Stand in the place where you live

Now face north

Think about direction, wonder why you haven’t before

Now stand in the place where you work

Now face west, think about the place where you live

Very few people likely remember the unremarkable Fox sitcom starring Chris Elliott as a clueless paperboy still living with his parents in his 30s. It only lasted two seasons in the early 90’s. However, the theme song had been a Top 10 hit for alt rockers REM.

96 Superhero (Entourage)

My mind had been enabled

In a memory you overflowed

Want to be your superhero

Even if I tumble fall

I’m ok

You have that effect on me

But I need you desperately

I loved Entourage. It is undoubtedly one of HBO’s coolest original programs. Jane’s Addiction, best known for their Grammy nominated hit Been Caught Stealing, offered an edgy, rock theme song that fit the tone of the show nicely.

95 I Don’t Want to Be (One Tree Hill)

I don’t wanna be anything other

Than what I’ve been tryna be lately

All I have to do is think of me

I was not the target demographic for One Tree Hill. In the longstanding tradition of teen dramas like Beverly Hills 90210 and Dawson’s Creek, it explored the friendships, romances, family drama, and rivalries amongst a group of high school kids. Conversely, I was in my 30’s at the time. That being said, the show held my interest for perhaps the first 2 or 3 of its nine seasons, and the theme song by Gavin DeGraw was a banger that became a Top 10 hit.

94 Life Goes On (Empty Nest)

Rain or shine, I’ll be the one

To share it all as life goes on

We share it all, as life goes on

You might remember Billy Vera for his mid-80’s ballad At This Moment, which went to #1 on the charts. However, Vera also dabbled in acting and wrote a couple of television theme songs. Empty Nest was a Golden Girls spinoff about a widowed Miami doctor whose adult daughters move back in with him, and the song alludes to the importance of having people with whom to share life’s ups & downs.

93 Gimme A Break (Gimme a Break!)

Gimme a break

I sure deserve it

It’s time I made it to the top

Joey Lawrence achieved teen heartthrob success on 90’s sitcom Blossom, but he started several years earlier as a precocious child, the son of a widowed cop whose wife’s best friend moves in to care for the family. Series star Nell Carter, a Tony Award winning Broadway singer, belted out the upbeat theme song.

92 Princes of the Universe (Highlander)

Here we are, born to be kings

We’re the princes of the universe

Here we belong, fighting to survive

In a world with the darkest powers

Did you know that rock n’ roll royalty…British icons Queen…contributed to a television show?? Full disclosure…I never watched a single episode of Highlander, although I do have a vague recollection of seeing the movie on which it is based. It’s just not my cup o’ tea. However, who doesn’t love Queen?? I am surprised the song wasn’t a bigger hit, although I suspect that has something to do with the film & television show appealing to an eclectic yet narrow audience.

91 According to Our New Arrival (Mr. Belvedere)

All hands look out below

There’s a change in the status quo

Gonna need all the help that we can get

According to our new arrival

Life is more than mere survival

We just might live the good life yet

The show itself has a surprising pedigree. It is based on a 1947 novel, which was adapted into an Oscar nominated film starring Maureen O’Hara. It is likely that most people remember the television show because it co-starred baseball legend & beer pitchman Bob Uecker. The theme song was performed by Leon Redbone, who, in addition to having one of the coolest names in music, also had an unmistakable voice that was ubiquitous in the 80’s & 90’s.

Stay tuned for Part 2!!