And the all-time favorite show theme song is.....

As far as a theme song & lyrics that establishes a distinct tone along with imagery on screen, I love True Blood's intro.

 

Eerie how close Southland and the Mad Men themes are.

http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A0S00M2e72hR82sAmrD7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBrc3VyamVwBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQD?p=Southland+theme&vid=547288114962a938c1996b964e86aa89&l=00%3A33&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.4690685085745759%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpBFFZ9CS8cc&tit=Southland+-+Opening+credits+%2F+Theme&c=0&sigr=11ake5r2a&age=0&&tt=b

 

Dug Taxi, bought the Bob James album.
For all you oldsters out there: Peter Gunn

 

Probably aging myself, but when I was a kid, I always liked the theme to "Baretta."

"... if you can't do the time, then don't do the crime ... yeah ... don't do it. and keep your eyyyyyye on the sparrow"

 

Speaking of the Gilligan's Island theme, try this:

Sing the hymn "Amazing Grace," only sing it to the tune of "Gilligan's Island."

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me"

Now try to sing it the old-fashioned way. It's tough.

 

Folks from the '80s should remember the Peter Gunn version by Art of Noise, I think it was.

 

Never heard of that, not bad.

 

Every time I hear the closing theme to "How I Met Your Mother," I'm strongly reminded of Elvis Costello's "Oliver's Army."

Deserving a mention (I may have missed them in the thread): Sopranos, (Warning: going old school now) Odd Couple, Alfred Hitchcock, Combat, and, Spider-Man ("Is he strong. Listen, bud: He's got radioactive blood") and, just for the ability to stick in your head, Petticoat Junction.

 

Another underrated one
Wild Wild West (copied by John Williams for Raiders of the Lost Ark?)

 

Cannot fathom how "Welcome Back, Kotter" didn't even make the bracket. Glad to see it getting some love here.

 

The Tonight Show....starring Johnny Carson should join the list of instrumental classics.
Always loved Bugs Bunny theme.
The Drew Carey Show opened with Cleveland Rocks. Great tune.

 

I liked the season when Drew Carey opened with Five O'Clock World.