A couple of poker bloggers I read (Poker Grump and crAAKKer) posted their lists of the 25 greatest TV theme songs. It got me thinking about what I thought the list should look like. I stole from their lists, and the helpful links Poker Grump provided and I produced a list of my own. I was too lazy to look up the composers as crAAKKer did, and too lazy to post videos like Poker Grump did, so here's my less informative and more boring list.
25. The Jeffersons - My big criteria is how well do I remember the music and does it bring up an image of the TV series. This definitely does that.
24. The X-Files - It surprised me a little that I put this on the list, since I didn't watch the show much. But I found it popped right into my head and I could see Mulder and Scully in my head.
23. Welcome Back Kotter - This was probably one of the first "adult" shows I watched when I was younger. I assume this had undue influence on how well I recall the theme song and the show itself.
22. The Facts of Life - A favorite show from my younger days along with it's parent Diff'rent Strokes. Again the song popped right into my head and brought images of Mrs. Garrett and the girls right along with it.
21. Three's Company - I can still hum the song and see the opening sequence. Haven't seen an episode in at least 25 years.
20. The Beverly Hillbillies - I didn't even watch this show, but it was constantly on TV when I was a kid, so I know the theme song. Even though I never watched it, I had to get up to change the channel, so I had to listen to the theme song.
19. Diff'rent Strokes - Again, one of my favorite shows at the time. Haven't seen it in years, but still could sing along if it came on.
18. Star Trek (Original Series) - Everyone seems to love the theme from the later edition, but I'm not sure I'd even know that if I heard it.
17. WKRP in Cincinnati - A good song and a good TV series pair for a memorable theme song.
16. Mission Impossible - I've always hated the series, but the theme is so iconic, it just has to be on the list.
15. The Muppet Show - This is probably influenced by recent exposure to it since I've watched the series over the last couple of years.
14. The Addams Family - This also surprised me. I hadn't thought about the series since the last movie, but I found it sticking in my head during my selection process.
13. Greatest American Hero - I'm a little surprised this was so low, but recent viewing of the series hasn't held up that well for me, so I think it caused the song to feel less great as a result.
12. M.A.S.H - I know I should have this higher, but I sort of feel like it's not standing up to the test of time. I liked M.A.S.H and I can still hum the theme, but it didn't affect me as strongly as some of the others.
11. Batman - Ok, I know this is a silly theme song, but it sticks in my head and I can just see Adam West punching some villain.
10. Cheers - Not surprised it made the top 10. A little surprised it wasn't higher. I think it's a little like M.A.S.H since I haven't seen it much lately.
9. The Dukes of Hazzard - As a city boy, this show never resonated with me, but the theme song is hard to forget.
8. Mr. Ed - I kind of enjoyed this show as a very young child. It's this high because I haven't seen it in almost 40 years a long damn time, but I can still bring it to mind clear as day.
7. Sesame Street - Ingrained in my brain since before I could read.
6. The Brady Bunch - I barely remember the names of the kids, but the song I can't seem to forget.
5. The Flintstones - Another one from so long ago it's pretty much guaranteed to be a permanent memory.
4. Happy Days - Happy days was such an important show in the 70s, and since most of my pop culture foundations start in the 70s it makes it really high on the list.
3. The Banana Splits - I can't even begin to explain this one. I don't even really recall liking the show as a kid, but every few weeks, I'll find myself humming this out of the blue.
2. Scooby Doo - This is elavated by recent exposure. My seven year old is a huge fan of the show, so I see it all the time.
1. Gilligan's Island - An obvious choice in my mind. It was number one pretty much right from the beginning of my selection process. How many other songs have multiple individual lyrics that are standalone pop culture references.
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