Top 50 TV Theme Songs of All Time - No. 10-1

     TV theme songs are a lost art form. That's not my opinion, that's the genuine reality of the current television landscape. So many series these days think it's enough to display a 5-second title card with a few musical notes and call it their theme song. Back in the day, TV theme songs used to introduce you to a show. Some of them would reveal the entire premise performed by an aging cruise singer. Others would simply use a really catchy melody to reel viewers in. Either way, theme songs have been an integral part of television as an art form and I'm here to give them their due.

     I will be counting down the top 50 television theme songs of all time over the next few days. The rankings and omissions found in the countdown are my personal opinion and not entirely reflective of the common television viewer. However, some themes are so iconic regardless of my own personal opinion that they deserve a spot on the list. 

Click here to view the shows that came in at No. 50-41.

Click here to view the shows that came in at No. 40-31.      

Click here to view the shows that came in at No. 30-21.

Click here to view the shows that came in at No. 20-11.      

Featured in this post will be what I believe to be the top 10 TV theme songs of all time.

Here we go:

10. Hawaii Five-O

The Hawaii Five-O theme song was way ahead of its time, considering it first premiered in 1968. The fact that the 2010 reboot series uses the exact same theme song and fits right in with the current TV landscape is a testament to how truly badass it is. The song has such a simple melody yet it's so memorable that it easily stands out among similarly-themed shows (Baywatch, China Beach). Everything from the drumming intro to the seamless octave change at the end makes the Hawaii Five-O theme song one of the best in television history.

Top 50 TV Theme Songs of All Time - No. 20-11

     TV theme songs are a lost art form. That's not my opinion, that's the genuine reality of the current television landscape. So many series these days think it's enough to display a 5-second title card with a few musical notes and call it their theme song. Back in the day, TV theme songs used to introduce you to a show. Some of them would reveal the entire premise performed by an aging cruise singer. Others would simply use a really catchy melody to reel viewers in. Either way, theme songs have been an integral part of television as an art form and I'm here to give them their due.

     I will be counting down the top 50 television theme songs of all time over the next few days. The rankings and omissions found in the countdown are my personal opinion and not entirely reflective of the common television viewer. However, some themes are so iconic regardless of my own personal opinion that they deserve a spot on the list. 

Click here to view the shows that came in at No. 50-41.

Click here to view the shows that came in at No. 40-31.      

Click here to view the shows that came in at No. 30-21.      

Featured in this post will be No. 20-11.

Here we go:

20. Happy Days

An unabashedly happy theme song, the theme to Happy Days is so positive and cheerful that you can't help but want to hang out with Richie, Fonzie and the gang. The song, which was actually a replacement for season 1's "Rock Around the Clock", is a fantastic theme emphasizing harmonies and the simple delight of happy days. 

Top 50 TV Theme Songs of All Time - No. 30-21

TV theme songs are a lost art form. That's not my opinion, that's the genuine reality of the current television landscape. So many series these days think it's enough to display a 5-second title card with a few musical notes and call it their theme song. Back in the day, TV theme songs used to introduce you to a show. Some of them would reveal the entire premise performed by an aging cruise singer. Others would simply use a really catchy melody to reel viewers in. Either way, theme songs have been an integral part of television as an art form and I'm here to give them their due.

     I will be counting down the top 50 television theme songs of all time over the next few days. The rankings and omissions found in the countdown are my personal opinion and not entirely reflective of the common television viewer. However, some themes are so iconic regardless of my own personal opinion that they deserve a spot on the list. 

Click here to view the shows that came in at No. 50-41.
Click here to view the shows that came in at No. 40-31.      
Featured in this post will be No. 30-21.

Here we go:

30. Mission: Impossible

One of the coolest theme songs in TV history, the Mission: Impossible theme has become so widespread that it has almost become synonymous with secrecy and spying. The song actually manages to mimic someone trying to sneak up on another person despite its relatively fast tempo. Though it has been often parodied in commercials, it deserves a spot on this list for originality.

Top 50 TV Theme Songs of All Time - No. 40-31

     TV theme songs are a lost art form. That's not my opinion, that's the genuine reality of the current television landscape. So many series these days think it's enough to display a 5-second title card with a few musical notes and call it their theme song. Back in the day, TV theme songs used to introduce you to a show. Some of them would reveal the entire premise performed by an aging cruise singer. Others would simply use a really catchy melody to reel viewers in. Either way, theme songs have been an integral part of television as an art form and I'm here to give them their due.

     I will be counting down the top 50 television theme songs of all time over the next few days. The rankings and omissions found in the countdown are my personal opinion and not entirely reflective of the common television viewer. However, some themes are so iconic regardless of my own personal opinion that they deserve a spot on the list. 

Click here to view the shows that came in at No. 50-41.      

Featured in this post will be No. 40-31.

Here we go:

40. Batman

"Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na na-na-na-na-na-na-na Batman!" That's literally the whole theme song. And it's brilliant. It's one of the most recognized themes in all of television even for it's simplicity. Accurately matching the campy style of the series, the theme does not take itself too seriously.

Top 50 TV Theme Songs of All Time - No. 50-41

     TV theme songs are a lost art form. That's not my opinion, that's the genuine reality of the current television landscape. So many series these days think it's enough to display a 5-second title card with a few musical notes and call it their theme song. Back in the day, TV theme songs used to introduce you to a show. Some of them would reveal the entire premise performed by an aging cruise singer. Others would simply use a really catchy melody to reel viewers in. Either way, theme songs have been an integral part of television as an art form and I'm here to give them their due.

     I will be counting down the top 50 television theme songs of all time over the next few days. The rankings and omissions found in the countdown are my personal opinion and not entirely reflective of the common television viewer. However, some themes are so iconic regardless of my own personal opinion that they deserve a spot on the list. 

     To begin the countdown, I will reveal the shows that ranked No. 50 through 41 on my list, a YouTube clip of the song and a brief description of why they stood out as iconic themes.

Here we go:

50. Seinfeld

A bouncy, popping, bass-driven ditty, the theme to NBC's wildly successful Seinfeld is one of the most recognized of all time. The song accurately matches the sitcom's zany, erratic style while managing to be stuck in your head for hours after the show is over. Though it could be considered annoying, it deserves a slot on the top 50 list.