18 Iconic TV Theme Songs That Stick With You

An exceptional TV theme song encapsulates the essence of a show in under a minute. Even better, if you can hum a few lines at work the next day and everyone chimes in, you’ve found a show worth tuning into!

1. Where Everybody Knows Your Name (Cheers)

Penned by Judy Hart Angelo and Gary Portnoy (who also lent his voice to the track), this heartwarming melody evokes visions of a sanctuary where the lonely and weary can find solace, a place to momentarily escape their worries, and indeed, "where everybody knows your name." This is precisely what Cheers delivered across its 275 episodes from 1982 to 1993.

2. Love Is All Around (Mary Tyler Moore)

Sonny Curtis, the songwriter, crafted and performed this inspiring theme for the groundbreaking series that celebrated women's liberation and the vibrant single life of Mary Richards, a determined career woman. The opening sequence captured Mary's arrival in a new city, her youthful enthusiasm evident as she joyfully tossed her beret into the air, symbolizing the thrill of a fresh start. Initially, the lyrics pondered, ". . . you might just make it after all," but after the first season, when Mary's success was undeniable, they were updated to ". . . you're gonna make it after all!" This cheerful anthem has been covered by artists like Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and Sammy Davis, Jr.

3. Theme Song from The Brady Bunch (The Brady Bunch)

Sherwood Schwartz, the series creator, teamed up with composer Frank DeVol to create the iconic theme song that narrates the blending of two families and six children through a second marriage. The song itself is unforgettable, as is the opening sequence, which divided the screen into nine squares, each featuring a family member, including the housekeeper Alice. On the left, the three daughters were introduced, ". . . All of them had hair of gold, like their mother. The youngest one in curls." The right side showcased the three sons, who, along with their father, made ". . . four men, living all together. Yet they were all alone." And who performed the song? None other than the cast themselves!

4. Ballad of Gilligan's Isle (Gilligan's Island)

Simply listen to the theme song, and you'll get the full story! In a nutshell: Five passengers embarked on a three-hour boat trip, but a storm led to the S.S. Minnow being shipwrecked. The Skipper, his bumbling first mate, and the passengers ended up stranded on an island, where they made numerous unsuccessful attempts to get rescued.

Die-hard Gilligan's Island fans are aware that the theme song, penned by George Wyle and show creator Sherwood Schwartz, had two versions. The first version named five cast members explicitly, while grouping the remaining two as "the rest." However, Bob Denver (Gilligan) pushed for a rewrite to include "The Professor and Mary Ann." Though Denver played the lovable fool on screen, he leveraged his influence to ensure equal recognition for his co-stars, proving he was indeed everyone's "little buddy."

5. Meet the Flintstones (The Flintstones)

For the first two seasons, the show had no theme song! Later, creators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera added lyrics to a melody by Hoyt Curtin. Set in the prehistoric town of Bedrock, the series humorously mirrored modern suburban life. Cars lacked brakes, relying on bare feet to stop. Cameras were rudimentary, with birds carving images into stone slabs. Instead of garbage disposals, hungry reptiles under the sink did the job. Yet, it was a "yabba-dabba-doo time. A dabba-doo time." In fact, it was a ". . . gay old time!

6. I'll Be There for You (Friends)

Crafted and performed by The Rembrandts, "I'll Be There for You" perfectly encapsulates the essence of a tight-knit group of friends navigating life's highs and lows together. This wildly popular sitcom hilariously portrayed the trials and tribulations of being in your twenties (and eventually thirties), single, and living in New York City. The trio of guys and girls shared a unique bond as they lived together, occasionally dated each other, and consistently captivated global audiences. Initially, the song wasn't meant to be a full-length track, but its popularity led the band to record an extended version, which soared to the top of U.S. charts and peaked at number two in the U.K.

7. Those Were the Days (All in the Family)

Nostalgic for simpler times, "Those Were the Days" was composed by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams and performed at the family piano by Archie Bunker, a bigoted blue-collar worker, and his tone-deaf wife, Edith. The show, which ran from 1971 to 1979, depicted the clash between Archie's staunch conservatism and the liberal views of his son-in-law, Michael, who moved in with the Bunkers. Their heated debates highlighted contrasting political perspectives, earning Michael the nickname "Meathead."

8. Theme from The Addams Family (The Addams Family)

Vic Mizzy, a renowned TV and film composer, crafted the catchy music and lyrics that vividly described the "creepy . . . kooky . . . mysterious . . . spooky . . . and all together ooky" Addams Family. The series offers a glimpse into the lives of this eccentric family: Gomez and Morticia; their kids, Pugsley and Wednesday; Cousin Itt; Uncle Fester; and their peculiar servants, Lurch and Thing, all residing in a gloomy castle. Though the show lasted only two seasons, its legacy endures through reruns, cartoons, movies, and video games.

9. Theme to Happy Days (Happy Days)

Bill Haley and His Comets re-recorded their hit "Rock Around the Clock" for the theme of this show about the Cunningham family's middle-class life in 1950s and 1960s Milwaukee. After two seasons, the song "Theme to Happy Days," written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel and performed by Truett Pratt and Jerry McClain, transitioned from the closing credits to the opening. Released as a single in 1976, it reached Billboard's top five. The final season featured a modernized version by Bobby Avron, which fans largely disliked.

10. Making Our Dreams Come True (Laverne & Shirley)

Factory work was never this entertaining! Laverne and Shirley, two quirky friends introduced on Happy Days, became stars of their own hit series. Their antics were always amusing, even when they found themselves in trouble. The lively theme song, penned by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel and performed by Cyndi Grecco, was both uplifting and memorable. One of its most iconic lines, blending Yiddish and German, became a fan favorite: "Schlemiel! Schlemazl! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!"

11. Sunny Day (Sesame Street)

Sesame Street pioneered the fusion of entertainment and education for preschoolers, playing a key role in helping children learn letters, numbers, and colors before starting kindergarten. Airing in over 120 countries and winning more than 100 Emmy Awards, it holds the record as the most-awarded TV series ever. The uplifting and whimsical theme song, composed by Joe Raposo, Jon Stone, and Bruce Hart, is performed entirely by children—or at least it was when the show first aired in 1969!

12. Theme from The Monkees (The Monkees)

Here they come... The Monkees, the original "prefab" four, were a quirky blend of actors and musicians assembled to portray a rock band in the 1960s TV series of the same name. The theme song, written by Bobby Hart and Tommy Boyce, was recorded by the cast members once they were selected. The band's popularity soared, leading to tours and three chart-topping hits in the U.S. Though the show lasted only two seasons, The Monkees are celebrated for their musical achievements and occasionally reunite for tours.

13. The Fishin' Hole (The Andy Griffith Show)

When The Andy Griffith Show premiered in 1960, Sheriff Andy Taylor became one of television's earliest single fathers after his wife passed away, leaving him to raise their young son, Opie, in the quaint town of Mayberry. Aunt Bea stepped in to assist, and Deputy Barney Fife helped maintain order in the small community. The result was a heartwarming portrayal of Americana that continues to thrive in syndication. The show's theme, composed by Earle Hagen and Herbert Spencer, is iconic not for its lyrics—there are none—but for its melody, carried by Hagen's whistling, as Andy and Opie head out for a fishing trip.

14. The Love Boat (The Love Boat)

The Love Boat, one of producer Aaron Spelling's many hits, captivated audiences in the 1970s and '80s. Each week, the Pacific Princess cruise ship embarked with new passengers and fresh romantic adventures. The theme song, penned by Paul Williams and Charles Fox, was initially sung by Jack Jones for eight years, but Dionne Warwick recorded her version in 1985. With lyrics like "Set a course for adventure, your mind on a new romance...", the show sparked countless connections across the Pacific.

15. Ballad of Jed Clampett (The Beverly Hillbillies)

When Jed Clampett, a hillbilly, discovered oil on his land while hunting, he relocated his family to Beverly Hills, California, the land of the wealthy. His daughter, Elly May, often barefoot and charming, drew plenty of attention, as did the entire Clampett clan. The "Ballad of Jed Clampett," written by series creator Paul Henning and performed by bluegrass duo Flatt and Scruggs, became a hit after the show's 1962 debut, reaching number 44 on the pop charts and number one on the country charts.

16. I Love Lucy (I Love Lucy)

I Love Lucy, one of the most beloved TV shows of all time, featured Lucille Ball as the quirky redhead Lucy Ricardo and Desi Arnaz as her husband, Cuban bandleader Ricky. Throughout its six-year run, Lucy and her best friend, Ethel Mertz, often found themselves entangled in hilarious and outlandish schemes. The show's theme, composed by Harold Adamson and Eliot Daniel, is best known in its instrumental form, though it does have lyrics. In a 1953 episode, Ricky serenades Lucy with the words, "I love Lucy, and she loves me. We're as happy as two can be..." when she thinks her birthday has been forgotten.

17. A Little Help from My Friends (The Wonder Years)

Set against the backdrop of the late 1960s and early 1970s, The Wonder Years followed the life of Kevin Arnold, a teenager navigating adolescence in a suburban middle-class family during a tumultuous era. The opening credits featured Joe Cocker's rendition of "A Little Help from My Friends," accompanied by nostalgic home videos of Kevin and his loved ones. Though distinct from the original Beatles version, Cocker's slower, soulful cover was reportedly adored by the Fab Four themselves.

18. Generation (American Dreams)

This family drama follows the Pryor family as they navigate the social and political challenges of the 1960s. Teenager Meg Pryor and her friend Roxanne frequently dance on American Bandstand, immersing the show in the era's iconic music. The theme song, "Generation," penned and performed by Tonic's Emerson Hart, evokes nostalgia for a simpler, safer time. Lyrics like "we just want to dance all night..." and "...This might be the only time around..." encourage a carpe diem mindset. Despite a devoted fan base, NBC's poor scheduling led to low ratings, and the show was abruptly canceled after a third-season cliffhanger, leaving fans heartbroken and craving resolution.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Helen Davies, Marjorie Dorfman, Mary Fons, Deborah Hawkins, Martin Hintz, Linnea Lundgren, David Priess, Julia Clark Robinson, Paul Seaburn, Heidi Stevens, and Steve Theunissen