Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest TV Theme Songs

[Brian J Walter]

I apologize if I overlooked these and they're actually on there, but two humongous omissions seem to be "Barney Miller" and "The Munsters."

Also, "The Greatest American Hero" is way too low. Under-rated show and outstanding theme song.

 

[dixiehack]

Instrumentals and songs with lyrics should be on separate lists. There's just not a meaningful way to compare across the categories.

 

[Guy_Incognito]

There was a time in the 80s when Mike Post wrote about all of them. IDK anything else about him.
Anyone remember Hooperman? I liked the show and the music.
If you can count The Wonder Years, why not China Beach?

 

[BTExpress]

Seems like Mr. Ed shoulda been there somewhere. Of course of course.

And since the voters like themes that set the premise of the show . . . F Troop did that.

 

[OscarMadison]

Terriers was a great show, and the theme song is great, but does it really merit a place on the list? Also side-eyeing WandaVision, another show I loved but for this list? When there wasn't even a set theme song? No.

 

[Della9250]

TGIF is criminally underrated. Perfect Strangers got robbed

Some of the newer ones seem to be on there just for the hip/cool factor.

 

[sgreenwell]

TGIF is criminally underrated. Perfect Strangers got robbed

Some of the newer ones seem to be on there just for the hip/cool factor.

It's almost like your favorite TV theme strongly correlates with your favorite TV shows growing up. Not many suggestions in this thread from the past 20 years, never mind the last 10 or so.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

"The Greatest American Hero" is way too low. Under-rated show and outstanding theme song.

Correct.

If you can count The Wonder Years, why not China Beach?

Yeah. I'd take "Reflections" by The Supremes over Joe Cocker.

Also, no "Knight Rider"? Yeah, it's '80s all the way. So was "Miami Vice," which made the list.

 

[Driftwood]

MASH and Andy Griffith both outside the top 50 when they should be in the top 10 is criminally silly, as are all Rolling Stone "greatest" lists.

WKRP #78 ... seriously?

 

[Regan MacNeil]

Rolling Stone lists exist to Pish people off. And they always succeed.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

MASH and Andy Griffith both outside the top 50 when they should be in the top 10 is criminally silly, as are all Rolling Stone "greatest" lists.

WKRP #78 ... seriously?

WKRP was so good. The opening credits track and the underrated end credits track, too.

Thought I'd let someone else say something about M*A*S*H. Still my favorite ... "Suicide Is Painless" is an all-timer, too. Shame that we heard the lyrics only in the film's opening credits.

"The Andy Griffith Show" is a perfect example of more is less.

 

[Songbird]

Top 3 -- maybe best ever -- in the wordless musical theme with visuals:



Also, episode 1 of White Shadow is the best first episode of any TV show ever.