Best TV Theme Songs

[linksfiend]

What are your favorite TV theme songs with words?

(i.e. no Hawaii 5-0 or Magnum PI)

 

Mine.... Different Strokes

[/dev/null]

I'm goin' down to South Park gonna have myself a time,

Friendly faces everwhere humble folks without temptation,

I'm goin' down to South Park gonna leave my woes behind,

Ample Parking Day or Night, people spouting, "Howdy, Neighbor"

I'm headin' down to South Park gonna see if I can't unwind,

<Kenny's lyrics vary by season>

So come on down to South Park, and meet some friends of mine.

[EC-Bills]

The Unknown Stuntman (theme from the Fall Guy)

 

Well, I'm not the kind to kiss and tell,

But I've been seen with Farrah.

I'm never seen with anything less than a nine, so fine.

 

I've been on fire with Sally Field,

Gone fast with a girl named Bo,

But somehow they just don't end up as mine.

 

It's a death defyin' life I lead,

I take my chances.

I die for a livin' in the movies and TV.

But the hardest thing I ever do

Is watch my leadin' ladies

Kiss some other guy while I'm bandagin' my knee.

 

I might fall from a tall building,

I might roll a brand new car.

'Cause I'm the unknown stuntman that made Redford such a star.

 

I never spend much time in school

But I taught ladies plenty.

It's true I hire my body out for pay, Hey Hey.

 

I've gotten burned over Cheryl Tiegs,

Blown up for Raquel Welch.

But when I end up in the hay it's only hay, Hey Hey.

 

I might jump an open drawbridge,

Or Tarzan from a vine.

'Cause I'm the unknown stuntman that makes Eastwood look so fine.

 

[The Dean]

The Unknown Stuntman (theme from the Fall Guy)

 

Well, I'm not the kind to kiss and tell,

But I've been seen with Farrah.

I'm never seen with anything less than a nine, so fine.

 

I've been on fire with Sally Field,

Gone fast with a girl named Bo,

But somehow they just don't end up as mine.

 

It's a death defyin' life I lead,

I take my chances.

I die for a livin' in the movies and TV.

But the hardest thing I ever do

Is watch my leadin' ladies

Kiss some other guy while I'm bandagin' my knee.

 

I might fall from a tall building,

I might roll a brand new car.

'Cause I'm the unknown stuntman that made Redford such a star.

 

I never spend much time in school

But I taught ladies plenty.

It's true I hire my body out for pay, Hey Hey.

 

I've gotten burned over Cheryl Tiegs,

Blown up for Raquel Welch.

But when I end up in the hay it's only hay, Hey Hey.

 

I might jump an open drawbridge,

Or Tarzan from a vine.

'Cause I'm the unknown stuntman that makes Eastwood look so fine.

 

510633[/snapback]

 

 

You just know someone's going to bring up the somg from The Greatest American Hero...you just know it, dontcha?

[millbank]

Theme From Rawhide Rawhide

 

 

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

 

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Though the streams are swollen

Keep them doggies rolling

Rawhide

Rain and wind and weather

Hell bent for leather

Wishing my girl was by my side

All the things I'm missin'

Good vittles, love and kissin'

are waiting at the end of my ride

 

Move 'em on (Head 'em up)

Head 'em up (Move 'em up)

Move 'em on (Head 'em up)

Rawhide

Cut 'em out (Ride 'em in)

Ride 'em in (Cut 'em out)

Cut 'em out (Ride 'em in)

Rawhide

 

Keep movin' movin' movin'

Though their disapprovin'

Keep them doggies moving

Rawhide

Don't try to understand them

Just rope, throw and brand them

Soon we'll be living high and wide

My heart's calculating

My true love will be waiting

be waiting at the end of my ride

 

Move 'em up (Head 'em up)

Head 'em up (Move 'em on)

Move 'em on (Head 'em up)

Rawhide

Cut 'em out (Ride 'em in)

Ride 'em in (Cut 'em out)

Cut 'em out (Ride 'em in)

Rawhide

Yah!

Move 'em on (Head 'em up)

Head 'em up (Move 'em on)

Move 'em on (Head 'em up)

Rawhide

Cut 'em out (Ride 'em in)

Ride 'em in (Cut 'em out)

Cut 'em out (Ride 'em in)

Rawhide

Yah!

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Yah!

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Yah!

Rawhide

Yah! Rawhide!

[Tux of Borg]

Monday Night Football

[Buffal0 Bill5]

         

 

You just know someone's going to bring up the somg from The Greatest American Hero...you just know it, dontcha?

510635[/snapback]

And why not?

I loved that song. The Fall Guy...now that brings back memories. Good choice.

Cheers was a good one

Happy Days

and if we can use a cartoon, "Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat Albert"

[millbank]

This is a good one.

 

Gilligan

[Crap Throwing Monkey]

         

 

You just know someone's going to bring up the somg from The Greatest American Hero...you just know it, dontcha?

510635[/snapback]

 

 

Believe it or not, I'm walking on air,

I never thought I could feel so free...

 

 

 

My favorite, though, is:

 

Dah da-dah Dah

Da dah, dah

Dah-da dah da

Dah d-da-da Dah...

 

Ed will give anyone a thousand dollars who recognizes it...

[CajunBillsBacker]

Definitely a classic!

 

Theme From Rawhide    Rawhide

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

 

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Though the streams are swollen

Keep them doggies rolling

Rawhide

Rain and wind and weather

Hell bent for leather

Wishing my girl was by my side

All the things I'm missin'

Good vittles, love and kissin'

are waiting at the end of my ride

 

Move 'em on (Head 'em up)

Head 'em up (Move 'em up)

Move 'em on (Head 'em up)

Rawhide

Cut 'em out (Ride 'em in)

Ride 'em in (Cut 'em out)

Cut 'em out (Ride 'em in)

Rawhide

 

Keep movin' movin' movin'

Though their disapprovin'

Keep them doggies moving

Rawhide

Don't try to understand them

Just rope, throw and brand them

Soon we'll be living high and wide

My heart's calculating

My true love will be waiting

be waiting at the end of my ride

 

Move 'em up (Head 'em up)

Head 'em up (Move 'em on)

Move 'em on (Head 'em up)

Rawhide

Cut 'em out (Ride 'em in)

Ride 'em in (Cut 'em out)

Cut 'em out (Ride 'em in)

Rawhide

Yah!

Move 'em on (Head 'em up)

Head 'em up (Move 'em on)

Move 'em on (Head 'em up)

Rawhide

Cut 'em out (Ride 'em in)

Ride 'em in (Cut 'em out)

Cut 'em out (Ride 'em in)

Rawhide

Yah!

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Yah!

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

Yah!

Rawhide

Yah! Rawhide!

510637[/snapback]

[Taro T]

Well you've all come up with a lot of good ones, but the best lyrics for a TV show (although they were only played in the 200th episode in the case of the former and not at all for the latter) have to be Cheers (Where Everybody Knows Your Name - 2nd Verse) and M*A*SH (Suicide is Painless).

 

"Roll out of bed, Mr. Coffee's dead, morning's looking bright.

And your shrink ran off to Europe and didn't even write.

And your husband wants to be a girl.

 

Be glad there's still 1 place in the world ..."

 

The lyrics for Suicide is Painless were in the movie.

 

Great songs. (I also liked WKRP's theme song but it wasn't nearly depressing enough!)

[ieatcrayonz]

Believe it or not, I'm walking on air,

I never thought I could feel so free... 

 

   

My favorite, though, is:

 

Dah da-dah Dah

Da dah, dah

Dah-da dah da

Dah d-da-da Dah...

 

Ed will give anyone a thousand dollars who recognizes it... 

510662[/snapback]

The Dick Van Patten show.

[millbank]

WKRP

 

 

 

Well you've all come up with a lot of good ones, but the best lyrics for a TV show (although they were only played in the 200th episode in the case of the former and not at all for the latter) have to be Cheers (Where Everybody Knows Your Name - 2nd Verse) and M*A*SH (Suicide is Painless).

 

"Roll out of bed, Mr. Coffee's dead, morning's looking bright.

And your shrink ran off to Europe and didn't even write.

And your husband wants to be a girl.

 

Be glad there's still 1 place in the world ..."

 

The lyrics for Suicide is Painless were in the movie.

 

Great songs.  (I also liked WKRP's theme song but it wasn't nearly depressing enough!)

510726[/snapback]

[KD in CA]

Believe it or not, I'm walking on air,

I never thought I could feel so free... 

 

   

 

 

Or the alternate version:

 

Believe it or not, George isn't at home.

Please leave a message at the beep.

I must be out, or I'd pick up the phone.

Where could I be?

Believe it or not, I'm not home!

 

 

 

 

 

But my favorite theme is from from Beavis and Butthead.

 

 

"heh-heh----heh-heh-heh----heh-heh-heh....."

snappy guitar solo

[meazza]

Flinstones by far

[Gavin in Va Beach]

Believe it or not, I'm walking on air,

I never thought I could feel so free... 

 

   

My favorite, though, is:

 

Dah da-dah Dah

Da dah, dah

Dah-da dah da

Dah d-da-da Dah...

 

Ed will give anyone a thousand dollars who recognizes it... 

510662[/snapback]

 

 

Barney Miller

[Fezmid]

Not even close. Firefly.

 

Take my love, take my land

Take me where I cannot stand

I don't care, I'm still free

You can't take the sky from me

 

Take me out to the black

Tell them I ain't comin' back

Burn the land and boil the sea

You can't take the sky from me

 

There's no place I can be

Since I found Serenity

But you can't take the sky from me...

 

http://www.fireflywiki.org/img/Ballad_of_Serenity.mp3

 

CW

[Mark VI]

Who cares about lyrics ? The best was Peter Gunn.

 

Most here won't remember it though. It was before microwaves and really shiny objects.

[Fezmid]

Who cares about lyrics ? The best was Peter Gunn.

 

Most here won't remember it though. It was before microwaves and really shiny objects.

510812[/snapback]

Either that, or it was before most people had TVs.

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051301/

 

CW

[Ghost of BiB]

Flinstones by far

510771[/snapback]

 

Man, that Barney Rubble. What an actor.

[ajzepp]

Some serious nostalgia here.....

 

I think I'd second the vote for Firefly.....especially given how much the actual presentation of the music enhances the already great lyrics!

 

Unknown Stuntman.....wow, GREAT theme.

 

And of course, MNF......Anyone who grew up in the 70's and/or 80s has GOT to get the goose bumps when that older version kicks in.....good stuff!

[BillsFanNC]

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.

Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go, where everybody knows your name,

and they're always glad you came.

You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same

You wanna be where everybody knows your name.

You wanna go where people know, people are all the same,

You wanna go where everybody knows your name.

You want to go where people know, people are all the same;

You want to go where everybody knows your name.

[rockpile]

They're creepy and they're kookey.

Mysterious and spookey.

They're altogether together ookey.

The Addams Family.

 

 

The house is a museum.

When people come to see'em.

They really are a scre-am.

The Addams Family.

 

 

Neat

 

 

Sweet

 

 

Petite

 

 

So get a witch's shawl on.

A broomstick you can crawl on.

We're going to pay a call on.

The Addams Family.

 

 

listen to it here

[JinVA]

Man, that Barney Rubble. What an actor.

510835[/snapback]

One of the most underated of his time IMO.

[millbank]

One of the most underated of his time IMO.

510878[/snapback]

 

if it wasnt for Betty and Bam Bam he would be nothing

[erynthered]

Guess what show?

 

 

"Those Were The Days"

 

by Lee Adams and Charles Strouse

 

Boy, the way Glen Miller played. Songs that made the hit parade.

 

Guys like us, we had it made. Those were the days.

 

Didn't need no welfare state. Everybody pulled his weight.

 

Gee, our old LaSalle ran great. Those were the days.

 

And you know who you were then, girls were girls and men were men.

 

Mister, we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again.

 

People seemed to be content. Fifty dollars paid the rent.

 

Freaks were in a circus tent. Those were the days.

 

Take a little Sunday spin, go to watch the Dodgers win.

 

Have yourself a dandy day that cost you under a fin.

 

Hair was short and skirts were long. Kate Smith really sold a song.

 

I don't know just what went wrong. Those Were The Days.

[Ned Flanders]

Man, that Barney Rubble. What an actor.

510835[/snapback]

 

Nice Night Shift pickup!

[BRH]

Nobody's said The Love Boat yet?

[ajzepp]

Guess what show?

"Those Were The Days"

 

by Lee Adams and Charles Strouse

 

Boy, the way Glen Miller played. Songs that made the hit parade.

 

Guys like us, we had it made. Those were the days.

 

Didn't need no welfare state. Everybody pulled his weight.

 

Gee, our old LaSalle ran great. Those were the days.

 

And you know who you were then, girls were girls and men were men.

 

Mister, we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again.

 

People seemed to be content. Fifty dollars paid the rent.

 

Freaks were in a circus tent. Those were the days.

 

Take a little Sunday spin, go to watch the Dodgers win.

 

Have yourself a dandy day that cost you under a fin.

 

Hair was short and skirts were long. Kate Smith really sold a song.

 

I don't know just what went wrong. Those Were The Days.

510891[/snapback]

 

 

Probably there are a lot of posters on here who don't know what this is from.....in which case I'll have another example of how I'm starting to feel old at 33 lol

[Fezmid]

Probably there are a lot of posters on here who don't know what this is from.....in which case I'll have another example of how I'm starting to feel old at 33 lol

510899[/snapback]

All in the Family - I love that show.

 

Although I don't remember it all that much when I was a kid. I think my parents watched it though... Thank goodness for TV Land.

CW

[ajzepp]

All in the Family - I love that show.

 

Although I don't remember it all that much when I was a kid.  I think my parents watched it though...  Thank goodness for TV Land.

CW

510903[/snapback]

 

lol, TV Land is cheating lol.......I have no clue when they stopped filming new episodes, but this was a very popular show when I was growing up in the 70s.

[erynthered]

Probably there are a lot of posters on here who don't know what this is from.....in which case I'll have another example of how I'm starting to feel old at 33 lol

510899[/snapback]

 

 

showing my age too, 47

[Dan Gross]

Who cares about lyrics ? The best was Peter Gunn.

 

Most here won't remember it though. It was before microwaves and really shiny objects.

510812[/snapback]

 

We used to riff on that theme in gigs. I remember playing that in 6th grade band...oh, the things that stick with ya....Many people here would only recognize it as the music behind the "Spy Hunter" video game... BTW, Microwave ovens were first introduced in '52 for only $1295!, and chrome has been around for ages.

 

Second WKRP, moreso the "outro" theme than the "intro."

 

And lyric-free, there's always the previously-mentioned Barney Miller theme.

 

And, of course CTM was referring to the Jeopardy theme.

[ajzepp]

showing my age too, 47

510909[/snapback]

 

lol....were they doing original airings when you were a kid, or were you into repeats? I'm pretty sure the original air dates were late 60s, right? Or was it actually in the 70s? Actually, it had to have been the 70s cause George Jefferson and Weezie (God rest her soul) got their start on that show, didn't they? Dang, now I do feel old LOL

[BRH]

Whoa-ho we're movin' on up

To the East Side

To a dee-luxe apartment

In the sky

 

We're movin' on up

To the East Side

We finally got a piece

Of the pi-ie

 

Fish don't fry in the kitchen

A-beans don't burn on the grill

Took a whole lot of tryin'

A-just to get up that hill

 

Now we're up in the big leagues

Gettin' our turn at bat

As long as we live it's you an' me baby

And there ain't nothin' wrong with that

 

Whoa-ho we're movin' on up

To the East Side

To a dee-luxe apartment

In the sky

 

We're movin' on up

To the East Side

We finally got a piece

Of the pi-i-i-ie

[BRH]

We're movin' on up

To the East Side

We finally got a piece

Of the pi-i-i-ie

510923[/snapback]

And THAT in turn reminds me of one of my favorite South Park exchanges:

 

Cartman:  I was just layin’ down some rhymes, with the G-folk, you know, kickin’ it on the west siy-eede.

Kyle:  You live on the EAST side, Cartman.

[The Poojer]

how can you leave out this one:

 

Well, now, take down your fishin' pole and meet me at The Fishin' Hole,

We may not get a bite all day, but don't you rush away.

 

What a great place to rest your bones and mighty fine for skippin' stones,

You'll feel fresh as a lemonade, a-settin' in the shade.

 

Whether it's hot, whether it's cool, oh what a spot for whistlin' like a fool.

 

What a fine day to take a stroll and wander by The Fishin' Hole,

I can't think of a better way to pass the time o' day.

 

We'll have no need to call the roll when we get to The Fishin' Hole,

There'll be you, me, and Old Dog Trey, to doodle time away.

 

If we don't hook a perch or bass, we'll cool our toes in dewy grass,

Or else pull up a weed to chaw, and maybe set and jaw.

 

Hangin' around, takin' our ease, watchin' that hound a-scratchin' at his fleas.

 

Come on, take down your fishin' pole and meet me at The Fishin' Hole,

I can't think of a better way to pass the time o' day.

[ajzepp]

This one is a bit more contemporary, but pretty damn good.....

 

WOKE UP THIS MORNING

 

You woke up this morning

Got yourself a gun,

Mama always said you'd be

The Chosen One.

 

She said: You're one in a million

You�ve got to burn to shine,

But you were born under a bad sign,

With a blue moon in your eyes.

 

You woke up this morning

All the love has gone,

Your Papa never told you

About right and wrong.

 

But you're looking good, baby,

I believe you're feeling fine,(shame about it),

Born under a bad sign

With a blue moon in your eyes.

 

You woke up this morning

The world turned upside down,

Thing's ain't been the same

Since the Blues walked into town.

 

But you're one in a million

You've got that shotgun shine.

Born under a bad sign,

With a blue moon in your eyes.

 

When you woke up this morning

everything you had was gone.

By half past ten your head was going ding-dong.

Ringing like a bell from your

head down to your toes,

like a voice telling you there was

something you should know.

Last night you were flying but

today you're so low

- ain't it times like these that

make you wonder if

you'll ever know the meaning of

things as they appear tothe others;

wives, mothers, fathers, sisters andbrothers.

Don't you wish you didn't function,

wish youdidn�t think beyond the next

paycheck and the next little drink?

Well you do so make up your mind to go on,

cos

when you woke up this morning

everything you had was gone.

 

When you woke up this morning,

When you woke up this morning,

When you woke up this morning,

Mama said you�d be the Chosen One.

 

When you woke up this morning,

When you woke up this morning,

When you woke up this morning,

You got yourself a gun.

[erynthered]

lol....were they doing original airings when you were a kid, or were you into repeats? I'm pretty sure the original air dates were late 60s, right? Or was it actually in the 70s?  Actually, it had to have been the 70s cause George Jefferson and Weezie (God rest her soul) got their start on that show, didn't they?  Dang, now I do feel old LOL

510916[/snapback]

 

 

First aired in 71' not sure how long it ran though. My father watched that show all the time. At times he even sounded like Archie.

 

A classic neeedless to say.......

[R. Rich]

Who cares about lyrics ? The best was Peter Gunn.

 

Most here won't remember it though. It was before microwaves and really shiny objects.

510812[/snapback]

 

 

I like the Art of Noise version of the Peter Gunn theme.