The same person, Russ Landau, composed the theme songs for “SeaQuest DSV,” “Survivor,” and “Fear Factor.”
Alan Thicke, known to some as Jason Seaver in “Growing Pains,” and others as Robin Thicke’s Dad, composed the theme songs for “The Facts of Life” and “Diff’rent Strokes.” He also performed the theme song for “Diff’rent Strokes.” Moreover, he also composed themes for the game shows “Celebrity Sweepstakes” and “Joker’s Wild” in the 70s.
In addition to writing the theme for “The Simpsons” and “Tales from the Crypt,” Danny Elfman also wrote the theme song for “Desperate Housewives.”
Andrew Gold wrote the theme songs for both “The Golden Girls” and “Mad About You.” His was also the first voice ever “heard” on Mars, when the “Mad About You” theme, “Final Frontier” was the wake-up call for the Mars Pathfinder.
Gary Portnoy, who wrote the most celebrated theme song of all time, the theme for “Cheers,” was also responsible for the theme song to “Punky Brewster.”
Mike Post is probably the most prolific TV theme song writer. He wrote themes for “Black Sheep Squadron,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” “Hill Street Blues,” “Law & Order,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “Quantum Leap,” “The A-Team,” “Remington Steele,” and “The Rockford Files.”
W. G. Walden wrote five theme songs, for “Roseanne,” “The West Wing,” “Early Edition,” “My So-Called Life,” and “I’ll Fly Away.” He’s also scored numerous television shows, including “Friday Night Lights,” “Felicity,” “Sports Night,” and “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.”
The “Friends” theme song was originally supposed to be R.E.M.’s “Shiny Happy People,” but was changed to “I’ll Be There for You,” by the Rembrandts.
The theme song to “Fraiser,” “Tossed Salad & Scrambled Eggs,” was actually performed by Kelsey Grammar.
The vocals to the “Battlestar Gallactica” theme song contain a Hindu mantra, which can roughtly be translated to “May we attain that excellent glory of Savitar the God / So May he stimulate our prayers.”
Holly Robinson sang the opening theme to “21 Jump Street.” Johnny Depp and Peter Deluise sang the “JUMP!” back-up vocals.
The theme for The Breakfast Club,, “Don’t You Forget About Me,” was actually written for the movie. Billy Idol turned it down before Simple Minds recorded it.
The title of the Robert Downey, Jr. movie, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a reference to an unused theme song to the James Bond movie Thunderball.
Cyndi Lauper sang the theme song to “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse.”
The creators of “How I Met Your Mother,” Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, are also members of a band, The Solids, which performs the show’s theme song, “Hey Beautiful.”
The theme song to Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show” is called “Dog on Fire.”
Each Time You Like, Share, Tweet or Stumble a Pajiba Post, An Angel Does the Paul Rudd Dance
I believe "Dog on Fire" was written by They Might Be Giants. I think they've done a bunch of other themes as well, but the only one I can remember off the top of my head is "You're Not the Boss of Me" from "Malcolm in the Middle".
Posted by: L4NkYb at March 2, 2011 2:46 PM
And I could be wrong (read:I'm too lazy to google it) but didn't Tina Fey's husband compose the theme for "30 Rock"?
Posted by: Rob at March 2, 2011 2:50 PM
Also, nothing beats the Pete & Pete theme.
Hey Sandy by Polaris
Posted by: L4NkYb at March 2, 2011 2:51 PM
Quincy Jones wrote the theme song for Sanford and Son.
Not one of the theme song emmy winners you list is very memorable. The art of putting together a theme song that is both great and memorable is fading. It's not made any easier by the fact that most shows opt for a 5 second title card in lieu of opening credits these days.
That said, it will be a travesty if the Terriers theme song doesn't win next year. Not that there is a chance in hell that it will win, mind you, but it will be a travesty nonetheless.
Posted by: ed newman at March 2, 2011 3:01 PM
The West Wing intro is one of the most stirring pieces of music I've ever heard. It's so damn heroic.
Not good: The theme song for The Tudors, which I have now playing in my head in loop, and it's making me very angry.
If you listened to any of the commentaries for How I Met Your Mother, I don't think you can help but know that the creators have a band, and they performed the theme song. I think I heard only one or two commentaries from the first season, and they must have mentioned it approximately twenty times. If I hadn't seen the credits, I would have assumed it was like my hot boyfriend in Canada from sixth grade.
Posted by: Phaeolus at March 2, 2011 3:26 PM
@Rob
And I could be wrong (read:I'm too lazy to google it) but didn't Tina Fey's husband compose the theme for "30 Rock"?
I submit that while the West Wing does indeed have a very good theme song, the music that plays over the closing credits is horrible. It's this bouncy, jaunty little ditty, and more often then not (i.e. a serious or "down" ending) it is just wildly inappropriate. The first time I watched that show, it was such a distraction. Something horrible happens, serious faces all around, and I think to myself, surely those sick bastards won't play the tune over these credits. But they do.
Posted by: jon29 at March 2, 2011 3:33 PM
Also, W.G. Walden's nickname is "Snuffy".
Mindhole...BLOWN!
Posted by: Groundloop at March 2, 2011 3:34 PM
"That said, it will be a travesty if the Terriers theme song doesn't win next year. Not that there is a chance in hell that it will win, mind you, but it will be a travesty nonetheless."
Agreed :)
And agreed :(
Posted by: lubeg at March 2, 2011 3:38 PM
When the boys you used to hate you date
I guess you'd best expectorate
The Facts of Life
The Facts of Life
At least that's how I'm hearing it on the unending m*thereffing loop that is now going through my head.
CURSE YOU ROWLES!
I'll be in my cube visualizing the Magnum PI theme and trying to get that stuck in my head instead. Oh Thomas, you can waggle your eyebrows at me any time.
Posted by: Mrs. Julien at March 2, 2011 3:41 PM
Mrs. Julien, do you kid with "expectorate"? My head tells me "investigate", but my humor radar may be off today.
Anyway, this reminds me of Pippa. Remember Pippa? What a hottie. Well, maybe next to the rest of the cast.
Posted by: sars at March 2, 2011 3:47 PM
If we can move outside the parochial bounds of the US for a moment, Corner Gas had both great opening and closing songs, courtesy of Craig Northey.
Posted by: alone in the dark at March 2, 2011 3:48 PM
Dog on Fire has, indeed, been performed by They Might Be Giants but was written by Bob Mould.
WHAT? You don't know who Bob Mould is?
Now I feel old.
Also:
Why has no one mentioned the theme music for Deadwood? That was pretty swell.
Also, too, as well: The Wire. So good, those opening credits, every damn season.
Posted by: Tira at March 2, 2011 3:53 PM
Did Alan Thicke also sing the theme song to Growing Pains? Every time I heard it growing up I imagined him singing it. Sounds like it could be him.
Posted by: Whorish Mouth at March 2, 2011 3:54 PM
John Tesh (does anyone under 35 know who The Tesh is?) Wrote the NBA on NBC theme music. No idea why I know this.
Yes, Alan Thicke sang the theme song to Growing Pains. I sat next to Kirk Cameron in Math class (seriously) and I asked him one day.
Posted by: Steph at March 2, 2011 3:59 PM
@Lainey
That's because it's awesome and is his greatest (only?) contribution to society. It's been years since the NBA has been on NBC and I still hear it in my head before watching big games.
Posted by: icecreammang at March 2, 2011 4:01 PM
@Tira
Down in the ho - ole.
Posted by: Mrs. Julien at March 2, 2011 4:01 PM
James Lipton (inside the actor's studio) wrote the Thundercats theme song. the end.
Posted by: maka at March 2, 2011 4:04 PM
This Lainey? This is how you choose to break your silence? WITH JOHN TESH FUN FACTS?
I'm over on the Tolkein thread talking out of my @ss and you're here talking about Connie Selleca's husband?
I look forward to KBalls return with some interesting observations about sneaker brands.
Posted by: Mrs. Julien at March 2, 2011 4:06 PM
They Might Be Giants are also responsible for the theme song of The Oblongs. And now you know that, but you just forgot your wife's face. Sorry.
Posted by: antoinette jeanine at March 2, 2011 4:09 PM
maka that CANNOT be true.
Posted by: JenVegas at March 2, 2011 4:31 PM
I'm SORRY, Mrs. Julien! My brain is a stupid place & typing on my phone is *exhausting*, so you'll get my Tesh facts & you'll be GRATEFUL!
Ahh, I prefer the good old TV theme music by Lalo Schifrin, John Williams, and SECRET AGENT.
Posted by: Pat C. at March 2, 2011 6:17 PM
DAMMIT now I have a hankering for some first and second season 21 Jump Street.
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at March 2, 2011 6:59 PM
I hated the theme song to The West Wing through the first season, but then they seemed to figure out how to make the score transition into it instead of just coming in with a burst of bright fanfare in the middle of some otherwise very intense, emotional introductions. After that, I grew to love it.
P.S. The Monk theme is the reason I can stand Randy Newman. That shit is undeniably catchy and wonderful.
P.P.S. The theme for the pilot episode of Studio 60 was awesome and kinda boozy and slick. The rest of the series had the LAMEST MUSIC. Snuffy, come on now.
Color my mind NOT blown by the fact that Kelsey Grammar sang his own theme song. Did anyone not know that?
Posted by: John G. at March 3, 2011 5:57 AM
I know it's an adapted piece (not written specifically for the show), but who doesn't love the theme for Mad Men?
Posted by: Alix at March 3, 2011 1:30 PM
The "Mad About You" theme was PERFORMED by Andrew Gold however it was written by show star Paul Riser and Don Was of the 80s group Was Not Was. Just to clarify...
Posted by: Steve at March 3, 2011 4:26 PM
Maka: I need evidence of this Lipton/Thundercats thing. Seems like it's a popular rumor on the internet, but imdb does not back this fact up.
Posted by: Sara Tonin at March 3, 2011 4:43 PM
"but imdb does not back this fact up"
As far as I can tell, neither does the Library of Congress online Copyright Registry, unless the theme has some other title.
Posted by: Pat C. at March 3, 2011 7:19 PM
Not one of the theme song emmy winners you list is very memorable. The art of putting together a theme song that is both great and memorable is fading. It's not made any easier by the fact that most shows opt for a 5 second title card in lieu of opening credits these days.
That said, it will be a travesty if the Terriers theme song doesn't win next year. Not that there is a chance in hell that it will win, mind you, but it will be a travesty nonetheless.
That "Tossed Salad & Scrambled Eggs" theme song makes no gorram sense. Damn you, Fraiser! Damn you to hell!
Posted by: ceejeemcbeegee at March 4, 2011 1:19 AM
Posted by: cosplay costumes at March 3, 2011 11:45 PM
I couldn't agree more!
Posted by: ed newman at March 4, 2011 9:55 AM
How about some love for the theme of WISEGUY.
Or, hell, love for Wiseguy, at all.
It was one of, if not THE first crime shows to have long story arcs, instead of everything being solved in 45 minutes. And having recently rewatched it, it holds up and then some.
It ruled and continues to, buckwheat.
Why it isn't recognized as a masterpiece, well... only the toes know.
Posted by: HMDK at March 4, 2011 11:45 AM
Hey, you've got yourself a Grammar mistake up there.
See what I did there? Yes, it was lame.
Posted by: godzilla_foil at March 5, 2011 12:04 AM
"Yes, Alan Thicke sang the theme song to Growing Pains. I sat next to Kirk Cameron in Math class (seriously) and I asked him one day."
Posted by: Steph at March 2
Kirk must have been tripping on Jesus vibes that day in class - 'Show Me That Smile Again' was performed by BJ Thomas and Jennifer Warnes for the first few seasons, and by the 'Growing Pain's last season the theme was sung a capella by a BeachBoys-harmony-type group - I loved that version;
Mr. Thicke's wife, at that time a soap actress/amateur singer, sang the 'Facts of Life' theme.
It shames me that I only got here now, when most of you have moved on, but this must be stated and preserved for history's sake:
I do not argue the sheer awesomeness of the briliiant, insanely-talented Alan Thicke; however, we cannot discount the contributions of lesser talents in helping to propel the man into the dizzying heights of fame and legendary status he's achieved...
just sayin', even the Beatles had George Martin..
Posted by: Tony at March 5, 2011 6:26 PM
Jeez, in my haste to be completely obnoxious, I neglected to mention an equally-vital, yet ultimately useless, matter of fact:
'Gloria Loring' is the name of Mr. Thicke's then-wife who sang the 'Facts of Life' theme song.
Peasants.
Posted by: Tony at March 5, 2011 6:31 PM
The writers of the most recent Emmy win for Nurse Jackie are Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman of Wendy & Lisa/ Prince & The Revolution fame.
Posted by: sosgemini at March 6, 2011 12:28 AM
Russ Landau wrote the theme for the 3rd season of "Seaquest", John Debney wrote the theme for the first two seasons.
Posted by: Matt at March 7, 2011 11:22 AM
Nice!! Great Info. Great People. Great Blog. Thank you for all the great sharing that is being done here.
I believe "Dog on Fire" was written by They Might Be Giants. I think they've done a bunch of other themes as well, but the only one I can remember off the top of my head is "You're Not the Boss of Me" from "Malcolm in the Middle".