Best TV show opening or ending themes

[wildclaw]

What is your favorite opening or ending themes for a TV show.

Here's my top 4, the bottom 3 in no particular order:
1) The Shield intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDB4xiA4dbc - This is such a badass theme I made it my ringtone

2) Strike Back intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MXblTarOUg - This theme got stuck in my head recently and I can't get it out.

3) Fox NFL theme http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW0QoCgxcHc - There is a reason why this is now the theme for all Fox sports.

4) NBC NFL theme http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfVhfjPJKHI&feature=related - I had to add this one because I also like it too much to not mention it.

[DubipR]

All the endings to Police Squad! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyRe44Wag9A)

[Surtur]

I always liked the Firefly opening. The Superman and Batman DCAU shows had great openings as well.

[Treqqor]

The A-Team.

End of thread.

[kane]

intro:
Dexter
Tru Blood
Knight Rider :smile:

[Mat001]

"Highlander: The Series", "Buffy The Vampire Slayer", "Angel", "Knight Rider", "Quantum Leap", "The A-Team", "Star Trek" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation".

[wildclaw]

Please specify intro or ending theme if both are not the same for the tv show.

[marshal99]

Greatest American Hero opening themes - still loved it after all these years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Q3orQhEcA

Starman opening theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoISB8FK0vM

Millenium opening theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oukKSSR31Ks

The 4400 opening theme 1 which leads to theme 2 with the credits
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RSyJMyn9M

The 4400 opening theme 2 with the credits
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMBcyt_CRM4

Beauty and the Beast opening intro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeUhrLoMIYo

X-files opening intro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdmtY0vux30

Angel opening theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOiwHnmhiCQ

Battlestar Galactica original opening theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzyHxYxc-Mo

Xena opening theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc4zh4bNw7w

Sledge Hammer! opening theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGYKU7mbv74

[moonknight11]

Can't forget Doctor Who!


My favorite version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O34Por_fqQU&feature=related)

[Zero Hunter]

Sanford and Son
Rockford Files
Magnum PI
Cheers

[Chiasm]

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Farscape

[Karl Cook]

The Equalizer opening theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB1NiNKwueE

Street Hawk opening theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCItnKrXvMM

Human Target (Season 1) opening theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_xFMyhBYx8

[Karl Cook]

Also, I'd like to say that I agree with a lot of the above choices.

[Kareem]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wfuz7FfM-I

Thunderlizards theme.

[listenuscrewheads]

The A-Team.

End of thread.

The A-Team opening is great, but I think The Incredible Hulk's has it beat in all aspects... voiceover, theme music and visuals, and it also has the classic line from the show, 'Mr McGee... don't make me angry, you won't like me when I'm angry.'

I can't think of a better one than the hulk's.

[Karl Cook]

The A-Team opening is great, but I think The Incredible Hulk's has it beat in all aspects... voiceover, theme music and visuals, and it also has the classic line from the show, 'Mr McGee... don't make me angry, you won't like me when I'm angry.'

I can't think of a better one than the hulk's.

I think The Equalizer opening is better. However, I will concede that The Incredible Hulk opening theme should have been on my list.

[boyhangover]

Matlock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH7VhP0Yr7c

Murder She Wrote http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v94ugLhua9Y

MacGyver http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaQvBbzslJE

[mattbib]

If you're talking music, here are several that I like:

Everwood http://youtu.be/uL8Y2yTFxBw
Dallas http://youtu.be/4rJCJM5jr8o
Knots Landing http://youtu.be/XSCShdp9rKs
Dynasty http://youtu.be/5mt6PaLM3Yg or http://youtu.be/S0kpil-XnOw
American Dreams http://youtu.be/s2SgRD0opKo

And Veronica Mars, only because I love the Dandy Warholds, http://youtu.be/CVJzNKbdb14

[riffraff]

Generally don't care for TV show opening themes, but there are a few that I like - The Simpsons, Dexter, Battle of the Planets and my all-time favorite...

Lost in Space with the countdown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp1bEpmmGMs

[The Black Guardian]

My Favourite Opening Themes:

1. Sanford & Son -- Quincy Jones classic
2. Peter Gunn -- Can't go wrong with Henry Mancini. Many people know this theme more than the series from which it came.
3. MASH -- "Suicide is Painless" Might have been higher if the original version was used. That original version was just such a haunting tune.
4. Hawaii Five-0
5. Mission: Impossible
6. Dark Shadows
7. Doctor Who -- Particularly the version from late-70s.
8. Addams Family
9. Star Trek: The Next Generation
10. The Muppet Show

[brundlefly]

I've seen a number of my favorites already listed. Here are a few I dig that haven't been mentioned yet:

Homicide: Life on the Street (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeZLSomwuLw)

The Sopranos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiDoBYu-S04)

Twin Peaks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oDuGN6K3VQ)

Rome (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YDngmnixSc&feature=related)

Profit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5HRGMhHaNI)

Carnivale (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7ubumwkH5w)

Sons of Anarchy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ciw2dDXApE)

Deadwood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B909njPoX7k)

Rubicon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZVPM88m-58)

[Tien Long]

Just want to say that I agree with a lot of the choices already stated.

Favorite openings for kid shows (off the top of my head):Mighty Max
King Arthur and the Knights of Justice
Knight Rider
X-Men: The Animated Series
Spider-Man: The Animated Series
Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes
Johnny Quest
Thundercats
Cowboys of Moo Mesa
The Adventures of Pete and Pete
Ronin Warriors
Naruto (2nd and 4th intro)
Bleach (1st intro)
Cowboy Bebop
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Beekman's World
Grim's Fairy Tales
Eyewitness

Favorite Openings for adult shows (again off the top of my head):

The Office
Angel
The A-Team
Knight Rider
Highlander
Kung Fu
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
The Cleveland Show
Justified


The A-Team opening is great, but I think The Incredible Hulk's has it beat in all aspects... voiceover, theme music and visuals, and it also has the classic line from the show, 'Mr McGee... don't make me angry, you won't like me when I'm angry.'

I can't think of a better one than the hulk's.

For me, the Incredible Hulk's ending was my favorite part of the show. It was utterly simple, but simply heart-breaking at the same time.

[kalorama]

I always thought the oldies were generally the best: Andy Griffith Show, Hawaii 5-0, Barney Miller, Taxi. Although something about the E.R. theme always clicked for me. And the excerpt from the Massive Attack song they use for House works well.

[Zero Hunter]

How could I have forgotten Barney Miller?!? One of the best of the bass heavy 70's themes.

[kalorama]

Oh, and I forgot WKRP in Cincinnati and Welcome Back Kotter, to of the better "story song" opening themes.

[JudasCole]

- Doctor Who
- Buffy
- Twilight Zone
- Rawhide
- Have gun will travel

[Corrina]

The Equalizer opening theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB1NiNKwueE



I think that's Stewart Copeland, isn't it?

I always liked the theme to "Hill Street Blues." And I don't know if the roll call qualifies as the intro but usually the opening credit ran over the roll call. "Let's be careful out there!"

[The Black Guardian]

Yup. Stewart Copeland.

[Oskar Von Strange]

My top two(and can't beleive no one has mentioned them yet), are The X Files and The Wonder Years.

[brundlefly]

My brother would kill me if I left these two off. :biggrin:

Airwolf (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_cFjg10Fsw)

The Master (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAZp_wbv0h4)

[hugh45]

My Favourite Opening Themes:

1. Sanford & Son -- Quincy Jones classic
2. Peter Gunn -- Can't go wrong with Henry Mancini. Many people know this theme more than the series from which it came.
3. MASH -- "Suicide is Painless" Might have been higher if the original version was used. That original version was just such a haunting tune.
4. Hawaii Five-0
5. Mission: Impossible
6. Dark Shadows
7. Doctor Who -- Particularly the version from late-70s.
8. Addams Family
9. Star Trek: The Next Generation
10. The Muppet Show

...............And
MOD Sqaud http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqW1Mn0Y9-c

Room 222 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcaUluahdwM

[Thundermonkey]

What about Night Court and Miami Vice?

[supergirls_pal]

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

'nuff said. :cool:

[GCMedic666]

Bill Nye the Science Guy

Bill Nye was awsome

My favorites are:

The Three Stooges
The Andy Griffith Show
Cheers
CHiPs
Threes Company
Emergency!

[Romero]

All opening songs:

Psych
True Blood
Wonder Woman from the 70s
Laverne and Shirley
Tales from the Darkside
Freaks and Geeks-great Joan Jett song!
Hawaii Five O

[the goddamn batman]

pieces of music I genuinely like:

Millennium.
Star Trek: DS9
Twin Peaks.

those are three of my favorites.

[LordEd1976]

Yup. Stewart Copeland.

I heard he also did the theme to the Droids cartoon. Pretty damm catchy theme song.

[marshal99]

pieces of music I genuinely like:

Millennium.
Star Trek: DS9
Twin Peaks.

those are three of my favorites.

Ah yes , twin peaks. Loved the opening theme too , so much so that i actually bought the album of Julee Cruise that did the vocal version of that opening theme.

[EZMOHR]

I've seen a lot of my favorites on here (Always gave big ups to Twin Peaks, The X-Files, and the complete and simple Lost openings.) However, one I haven't seen on here yet that maybe the best opening theme song is the opening theme song for It's Garry Shandling's Show. A very funny opening theme song that totally rips opening theme songs.

Also, didn't see Love and Marriage for Married....with Children yet. A great, nice set up song to a dysfunctional as hell show. Plus, I love the opening theme for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, because the backstory on it is awesome (It's being public domain, so they didn't have to pay for it, because the budget was too tight.) Now, the happy insturmentals are a great contrast to the suckness that encompasses the characters.

Oh, also want to mention Northern Exposure's opening. Always liked the podunkness to it.

[the goddamn batman]

Ah yes , twin peaks. Loved the opening theme too , so much so that i actually bought the album of Julee Cruise that did the vocal version of that opening theme.

the Twin Peaks soundtrack is better. you get Angelo's instrumental stuff, and both versions of the theme.

[Phil Clark]

Hawaii 5.0 The original

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w

Hawaii 5.0 the new version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKzrwOjwalA&NR=1

Both are awesome, and the new manages to hit a lot of the same points as the original, which is just freakin' cool to someone like me who used to watch the original.

[Cyke]

Can't forget Doctor Who!


My favorite version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O34Por_fqQU&feature=related)

Here's my favorite closing version of the theme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3hSsVIf61o&feature=related

As for other shows:

Seaquest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLxDQgYIb8g
Get Smart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMf2mlHlwAA&feature=related
Mission Impossible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9XO85CF2d4 (not the original theme or a theme they used on the show, but song composer Lalo Schifrin employs a bigger, more bombastic band for a jazzier feel)
Mannix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjlH3iwnT7o&feature=related - also by Schifrin

[Solaris01]

So many I love: Twin Peaks, all the Star Treks, Doctor Who, Wonder Woman, Incredible Hulk, Taxi, Brady Bunch, Happy Days, Fantasy Island, BattleStar Galactica (old), StarGate SG-1, Chuck and more! But especially these two:

The Six Million Dollar Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HofoK_QQxGc&feature=related

The Bionic Woman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGz6MdS8g6w&feature=related

[boyhangover]

the original 90210. the sequal isn't nearly as good.

[The Black Guardian]

I heard he also did the theme to the Droids cartoon. Pretty damm catchy theme song.
Yes. That too. Also Dead Like Me.

[Tien Long]

Second Stargate SG-1, DS9, Seaquest, and Star Trek: TNG.

[shades of eternity]

avengers: earth's mightest heroes.
(the real) ghostbusters
nightcourt
gargoyles (original instrumental)
airwolf
the flash live action show.
angel
x-men tas
spectacular spiderman
avatar: the last airbender
monk (afterall, it's a jungle out there. ;))

[Monty_Cristo]

Tales from the Crypt
Tales from the Darkside

[onetoofree]

Soprano's without a doubt. That song gets me psyched. Perfect for the show.

[boyhangover]

gargoyles (original instrumental)


One thousand years ago, superstition and the sword ruled.
It was a time of darkness. It was a world of fear.
It was the age of gargoyles.
Stone by day, warriors by night, we were betrayed by the humans we had sworn to protect, frozen in stone by a magic spell for a thousand years.
Now, here in Manhattan, the spell is broken, and we live again!
We are defenders of the night!
We are Gargoyles!

[SnowTrooper]

That random song at the opening of The Shield.

Every episode would open with a badass Vic Mackey one-liner or a gruesome crime, then that crooked badge would pop on the screen while that music played. Pumped me up every single time.

[Libaax]

Dexter has an intro that makes meat, red orange regular breakfest things disgusting,bloody.

One of the few intro i always watch and dont fast forward.

[Blue_Beetle]

X-Files

Millennium

Batman: The Animated Series

That's really the best you can get.

[Blue_Beetle]

Tales from the Crypt
Tales from the Darkside

Another great one. Terrified me when I was younger.

[Karl Cook]

U.F.O. opening theme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TQUdcYk82U

[jnight]

The Streets of San Francisco
Dallas
The Rockford Files
Hawaii Five-O (original)
The Sopranos
Jake and the Fatman
Doctor Who

[tricksterpup]

U.F.O. opening theme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TQUdcYk82U

Loved it.. been watching the old shows recently, would love to see a modernized version of this show.

Beauty and the Beast
SeaQuest
Babylon 5 (every season was different)
The Tom Baker Doctor Who.. loved seeing his goofy face on the screen.

[Karl Cook]

Loved it.. been watching the old shows recently, would love to see a modernized version of this show.


Me too.:cool:

Thunderbirds opening theme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFb4IVLXDss&feature=related

(I'd love to see this modernised too. And, no, I'm not counting the crappy movie from a few years ago.:biggrin:)