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Top TV Title Themes - any era

General Discussions » Top TV Title Themes - any era (Posts 1 to 30 of 80)

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  1. Following on from the discussion on TV themes elsewhere I thought that I would start a separate topic for this.

    Southall wrote
    Erik Woods wrote
    Main themes, Demetris, main themes. You remember those, right? Stuff like this and this and this and this.


    I do hope that last one is there as a joke. Apart from that, thanks for those! Here are some more:

    This and this and this and this.

    Lots of great stuff there and I look forward to hearing some more being added (with YouTube links if possible.)
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
  2. Just to follow on from my barrage against the GAME OF THRONES theme, I don't actually think the MAD MEN main title is that great either.

    This one grabs me every time I hear it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2lkvrMa27c

    I never saw the show, so I don't know whether this was its main title (absence of credits is strange), but it's pretty good:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BYxWWQKFs8
    A butterfly thinks therefore I am
  3. And I have to add:

    U.F.O. - Barry Gray http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TQUdcYk82U

    Space: 1999 - Barry Gray http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WZW4groJro

    The Persuaders - John Barry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99QQIXez4M

    Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) - Edwin Astley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwIFxRTAh5c
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
  4. Police Squad! - Ira Newborn - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWOrtgiG7EI

    Blake's Seven - Dudley Simpson - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnautWFuEnQ

    The Streets of San Francisco - Patrick Williams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzYy6pqhoNg

    Starsky & Hutch (Season 1) - Lalo Schifrin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SS3b9coJ2M

    Department S - Edwin Astley - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB3F059khLE

    Great stuff!
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
    • CommentAuthorTimmer
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012
    FalkirkBairn wrote
    And I have to add:

    U.F.O. - Barry Gray http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TQUdcYk82U

    Space: 1999 - Barry Gray http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WZW4groJro

    The Persuaders - John Barry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99QQIXez4M

    Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) - Edwin Astley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwIFxRTAh5c



    I approve of this post.
    On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
  6. franz_conrad wrote
    Just to follow on from my barrage against the GAME OF THRONES theme, I don't actually think the MAD MEN main title is that great either.

    This one grabs me every time I hear it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2lkvrMa27c

    I never saw the show, so I don't know whether this was its main title (absence of credits is strange), but it's pretty good:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BYxWWQKFs8

    I also like Bear McCreary's Caprica.
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
  7. Timmer wrote
    FalkirkBairn wrote
    And I have to add:

    U.F.O. - Barry Gray http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TQUdcYk82U

    Space: 1999 - Barry Gray http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WZW4groJro

    The Persuaders - John Barry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99QQIXez4M

    Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) - Edwin Astley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwIFxRTAh5c



    I approve of this post.

    I thought you might!
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
  8. TV themes is very much a thing that's associated with childhood for me. I did watch lots of TV as a child and even then the themes were a definite highlight. Themes from dramas, cartoons, documentaries, current affairs programmes, sports shows and comedies all seemed to be catchy.

    Most were original themes, some were taken from elsewhere, but a large proportion of theme were very memorable.
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
    • CommentAuthorTimmer
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012
    Here's another all time favourite of mine, a touch of genius in this Ron Grainer composition who gets power and excitement from using only a small ensemble of musicians, brilliant title sequence too....

    THE PRISONER
    On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
  10. And, although these were first shown in theatres, I first came across the music is LeRoy Shields (and others) on TV when I used to watch Laurel and Hardy:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlPWQKhxKPs
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIpqrI82 … ature=plcp
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv8tfE7E … ature=plcp
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4WywLpR22Y
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_u22zO_v8Y
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1YE4h9b … ature=plcp

    Each one brings a smile to my face. smile
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
    •  
      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012
    TV television themes has been a book. I know we identify because of a personal attachment to the show but there were exceptions in my case. If I had to pick one which is really tough because there are so many I would choose "Hawaii Five O" and I just liked it. Another one a bit off the charts is the original "Twilight Zone" theme from Herrmann. What he was able to do in less than a minute was incredible. How can you forget "Route66" or "Peter Gunn."
    Tom
    listen to more classical music!
    • CommentAuthorTimmer
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012 edited
    Re: Alan's Laurel & Hardy clips

    I haven't heard those for a long time, being brought up with those shows it's impossible not to smile when hearing these. Thanks! smile
    On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
    •  
      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012
    twas a perfect motif
    listen to more classical music!
  14. In no special order, and no certain decade:

    "Dynasty"
    By: Bill Conti
    Season 1 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MijaRcVaRK0
    Season 2 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0kpil-X … re=related
    One of the greatest TV themes EVER.


    "Dallas"
    By: Jerrold Immel
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJR-PSuQ … re=related
    Each season they re-recorded it and it was performed differently (I think in a couple seasons they did it twice). This is one of my two favorite versions.


    "Knight Rider"
    By: Stu Philips & Glen A. Larson
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIBjleJpYZ0

    "Time Trax"
    By: Garry McDonald & Lawrence Stone
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJSzJVrP … re=related

    "7 Days"
    By: Scott Gilman
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4oYs1aT … re=related

    "Seaquest DSV"
    By: John Debney
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E17xDvK8y8

    "MillenniuM"
    By: Mark Snow
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq375kYl … re=related
    (with the soft female vocals breifly hinted at)

    "Magnum, pi"
    By: Mike Post
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CquMO3vJvo


    "The Rockford Files"
    By: Mike Post
    There's no video of the opening credits on Youtube, just the music.

    "CHiPs"
    By: Alan Silvestri's arrangement of John Parker's season one original theme.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTDOLoDi … re=related


    "Bay City Blues"
    By: Mike Post
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zd2ymHm2Sg

    "Hill Street Blues"
    By: Mike Post
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUX3TPKVf_Y

    "Miami Vice"
    By: Jan Hammer
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46xIUpki1jc

    "Airwolf"
    By: (don't recall)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrQRN-sUk3E

    "In the Heat of the Night"
    By: arranged by Christopher Page
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEfQYVfshs8
    (season two version)

    "Mariah" (short-lived 1987 TV series)
    By: Bill Conti
    NO VIDEO.

    "The Prisoner"
    By: Ron Grainer
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKjFgdgp7yY

    "ALF"
    By: Alf Clausen as I recall.
    Season 1 & 2 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhFE4oxig04
    After that it was slowed down a little and a saxophone added.

    "Angel"
    By: Darling Violetta (group)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOiwHnmh … re=related

    "PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal"
    By: Lou Natale
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHO1aUm2njw

    "FX: The Series"
    By: Christophe Beck
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dvS2r50RpI

    "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman"
    By: William Olvis
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5h052g5-Rs

    "Dilbert"
    By: Danny Elfman
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpivIYJFjd4

    "Newsradio"
    By: Mike Post
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n96PR8oY1KY

    "Batman: The Animated Series"
    By: Danny Elfman
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEx9r5enZsk

    "Superman: The Animated Series"
    By: Shirley Walker
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUcKJflBG8Q
    To think -- we'll never hear from her again.


    THEME SONGS:

    "Perfect Strangers"
    By: Don't know who arranged the music (possibly the show's composers, Jesse Frederick and Bennett Salvay. Sung by: David Pomeranz
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdFhmRdBtno



    Remember a time when themes were not only classics, but they were artistic? I do, but that was long ago.


    I'm sure I have forgotten a number of them.
    The views and opinions of Ford A. Thaxton are his own and do not necessarily reflect the ones of ANYONE else.
    • CommentAuthorJoshL
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012
    I have a particular fondness for cartoon themes. I own far too many compilations (and that mid-90s alterna-rock cover album was awesome). Most of them are not good music, but catchy and complex for as short as they are. But more recently, mention must be made of the Venture Bros. theme by J.G. Thirlwell
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B8Nrw19qEM

    Oh, and also (but non animated) I LOVE the Twin Peaks intro, from Angelo Badalamenti
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7d0Lm_31BE
    The vocal version sung by Julee Cruise is fantastic too. It's the only dvd intro I don't skip.
  16. justin boggan wrote
    Millennium
    By: Mark Snow
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq375kYl … re=related
    (with the soft female vocals breifly hinted at)


    One of my favorites. Stuck in my head the first time I heard it. I wasn't even in the same room as the person watching, but I definitely checked out the show after.


    "ALF"
    By: Alf Clausen as I recall.
    Season 1 & 2 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhFE4oxig04
    After that it was slowed down a little and a saxophone added.


    Love this one! I wish they still wrote opening themes for shows like this. Prefer the saxophone version.


    "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman"
    By: William Olvis
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5h052g5-Rs


    Remember loving this theme as a kid. Still sounds good today. You could almost imagine Michael Kamen wrote it.

    A couple of my favorites are:

    1) The Untouchables - Joel Goldsmith
    2) Deep Space Nine - Dennis McCarthy
    3) Star Trek Voyager - Jerry Goldsmith
    4) Kung Fu: The Legend Continues - Jeff Danna
    •  
      CommentAuthorplindboe
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012 edited
    Greatest thread evah. I think youtube links are vastly underused on this forum... or anywhere really.

    Anyway, not sure if this can be seen outside of Denmark, as it's not a youtube link, but the main theme from Fiskerne by Hans-Erik Philip is delicious, and I guarantee none of you have heard it before. Only 34 seconds in this vid though, but it's fortunately longer on the album.

    Peter smile
    • CommentAuthorTimmer
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012
    No problem, very nice it is too Peter.
    On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
  19. I always thought - and still do - that this theme was far superior to Dallas´ and Dynasty´s.
  20. Ralph Kruhm wrote
    I always thought - and still do - that this theme was far superior to Dallas´ and Dynasty´s.

    I think that I would have to agree with you on this. A great Conti (?) theme.
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
    • CommentAuthorTimmer
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012
    Yes it is Bill Conti. I agree with you and Ralph, a fine theme that I prefer over the other two too.
    On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
  22. To try and take this to more than just listing themes, I am curious why so many main title TV themes do not feature in the body of the programmes themselves. I supppose that one of the main examples is Ron Grainer's Doctor Who theme.

    Maybe just because theme written by one composer and rest of music by another?
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
    • CommentAuthorJoshL
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012
    FalkirkBairn wrote
    Maybe just because theme written by one composer and rest of music by another?


    Very likely the most common reason. Though there are exceptions (the Twin Peaks theme shows up a LOT in the series). Also, the style is sometimes different; Mark Snow's X-Files theme wouldn't have fit the action of the show, so the score was very different.

    At the end of the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, at the main character's turning point of accepting her destiny, they play the theme in place of score...notable because it was a rock band theme. A little heavy-handed and clumsy (because the first season and a half really wasn't good), but I got the intent and liked it. Here was the music that you associate with the character, and it only enters the narrative once she becomes that character, so to speak (rather than Buffy-the-girl-who-kills-vampires,-but-would-really-rather-not).

    I also seem to think the Doctor Who theme has made appearances in the show, but off the top of my head I can't recall when/where. But with that many episodes, it's bound to show up at least once!
    • CommentAuthorTimmer
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012
    Laurie Johnson's THE AVENGERS is a good example of an early long running series that integrated the main theme with episode scoring.
    On Friday I ate a lot of dust and appeared orange near the end of the day ~ Bregt
    •  
      CommentAuthorDemetris
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012
    MICHAEL GIACCHINO - Lost
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MlA5ZvLZFs
    Love Maintitles. It's full of Wanders.
    •  
      CommentAuthorsdtom
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012
    I forgot one of the very best which has become a motif of sorts "Mission Impossible."
    Tom
    listen to more classical music!
    •  
      CommentAuthorFalkirkBairn
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012 edited
    Demetris wrote
    MICHAEL GIACCHINO - Lost
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MlA5ZvLZFs

    That's quite a long titles theme. And, from the video, it's a bit boring too. (Though the track is a good one.)
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn
    •  
      CommentAuthorErik Woods
    • CommentTimeJun 28th 2012
    Demetris wrote
    MICHAEL GIACCHINO - Lost
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MlA5ZvLZFs


    That's not the title theme, D. THIS is.

    -Erik-
    host and executive producer of THE CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO PODCAST | www.cinematicsound.net | www.facebook.com/cinematicsound | I HAVE TINNITUS!
  29. "The Twilight Zone"
    By: Bernard Herrmann, then the second opening theme is the popular one, composed by Marius Constant
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6bW1bp3 … re=related

    "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"
    By: Dennis McCarthy
    No video needed, I think. I remember the old news report Jerry was going to do the theme, but then some project ended up keeping him from doing so.

    "Star Trek: Voyager"
    By: Jerry Goldsmith
    No video needed.

    "Gunsmoke"
    By: this version arranged by Morton Stevens
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJdgFRuiFiU (3:33 in)

    I'm also particularly fond of the Season 2 end credits; no idea who arranged it:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dI312Qz … ure=relmfu (5:18 in)

    I've never been able to find a full list of composers who arranged the opening themes through the 20 years of the show. I have been able to find out Morton Stevens did Season 13 & 15, but that's all. I do know Fred Steiner and Leon Kaltzkin did as well.


    "Hawaii 5-0"
    By: Morton Stevens
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w


    "The Pretender"
    By: my favorite version, the season 2 & 3, by the late Rick Patterson.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3oE0smth14 (these are not the pictures that go with the theme)


    "Black Saddle"
    By: Jerry Goldsmith.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCh8YQAXqbw

    "Tucker's Witch"
    By: Brad Fiedel
    A wonderful and ridicuously catchy orchestra theme:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLPqyrmYOc8


    "Red Dwarf" (all the opening themes)
    Howard Goodall
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHY6MKyz … re=related



    THEME SONGS:

    "Nash Bridges"
    By: arranged by the show's composer from season two to five, Eddie Jobson; sung by: Gigi Worth (now Gigi MacKenzie).
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqPFj_f2U3Q

    "Rawhide"
    By: Dimitri Diomkin (lyrics by Ned Washington)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5upqYOuH0jQ
    The views and opinions of Ford A. Thaxton are his own and do not necessarily reflect the ones of ANYONE else.
  30. Thanks for the links Justin. Seeing Brad Feidel's name reminds me of his great theme for Midnight Caller. I need to hunt for a link for that one...
    The views expressed in this post are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of maintitles.net, or for that matter, anyone else. http://www.racksandtags.com/falkirkbairn

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