Buzz
For years, you’ve likely been humming these unforgettable TV theme tunes. Now, you can also memorize the lyrics and let them play on repeat in your mind.
1. Andy Griffith once recorded a vocal version of “The Fishing Hole” - the theme song for The Andy Griffith Show - which was later swapped out for the iconic whistling rendition.
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2. Surprisingly, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry wrote lyrics for Alexander Courage's theme song, despite never planning to use them in the series. The reason? Their contract stipulated that composing lyrics - even if unused - entitled Roddenberry to 50% of the song’s royalties. Here are the lyrics:
Beyond The edge of the starlight My love Is drifting through starry skies I know He’ll discover in star-filled expanses A love, A strange love that a star woman enhances. I know His voyage never ceases His star trek Will continue through endless spaces. But remind him As he sails his celestial sea To remember, remember me
Struggling to match the lyrics to the melody? Check out Tenacious D’s unique take on this sci-fi anthem here.
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3. While it fits the show’s theme, Buddy Kaye’s opening lines for I Dream of Jeannie still evoke a cringe-worthy reaction: “Jeannie, fresh as a daisy. Just adore how she obeys me.”
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4. Morey Amsterdam, who co-starred in The Dick Van Dyke Show, also penned the lyrics for its theme song. The melody was composed by Earle Hagen, the same talent behind the Andy Griffith theme, including its famous whistling. Here’s Dick Van Dyke and the Vantasticks performing an acapella rendition of the theme.
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5. During a second-season episode of I Love Lucy titled "Lucy's Last Birthday," Desi surprised Lucy with a heartfelt song he wrote just for her. Coincidentally, it aligns perfectly with the show’s theme music.
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6. “The Toy Parade,” widely recognized as the Leave it to Beaver theme, was originally an old children’s tune by Melvyn Leonard before it became forever linked to the Beav.
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7. Steve Lawrence missed the chance to record the lyrics for Bewitched - the studio, eager to ensure the first episode had an unforgettable theme, opted for the instrumental version. It became iconic, and Lawrence’s rendition, penned by Howie Greenfield, remained obscure until the TV show’s big-screen adaptation years later. You don’t need to watch it to hear the song.
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8. The pilot of Bonanza showcased the Cartwrights singing a playful tune. “We almost fell off our horses laughing,” Michael Landon later said. Producers agreed it was too whimsical and ultimately dropped the lyrics for an instrumental version. Here’s Ben Cartwright himself - actor Lorne Greene - performing his take.
Here’s a variation by Johnny Cash, who tweaked the lyrics slightly.
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9. The theme song for The Munsters originally had no lyrics, but Butch Patrick - better known as Eddie Munster - created some in the 1980s to leverage his childhood stardom. The result is... quite unique.
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10. After nine successful seasons, someone thought the Roseanne theme song deserved lyrics for its finale - and Blues Traveler was chosen to deliver them. If you missed it, take a look at the opening credits from the show’s last season:
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11. Prior to becoming The Tonight Show theme and being rebranded as “Johnny’s Theme,” the song was originally a Paul Anka composition titled “Toot Sweet.” Check out Annette Funicello’s rendition, which was renamed once more to “It’s Really Love.”
