TV Theme Songs : Fact or Fiction

TV theme songs are a very big deal - or at least they used to be. Before Seinfeld introduced the concept of the 4-second theme song (leaving more time for show content), we would spend our first 45 seconds or so listening to a catchy tune about how the castaways got stranded on Gilligan's Island or how Jed struck oil on The Beverly Hillbillies.

Often, the songs became hits: the themes to Welcome Back, Kotter and Miami Vice both went to #1. Others weren't hits, but became part of the fabric of the show, setting the melancholy tone for M*A*S*H or making Cheers feel like a home away from home.

See how much you know about some legendary TV themes – and the artists who may or may not have recorded them – in this Fact or Fiction.

Further Reading:
90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV
TV Themes the Last 4 Decades
~Jens T. Carstensen

More Fact or Fiction

Comments: 18

Manny Canaday from St.louis, MissouriStewart Copeland of The Police also wrote the theme song for “The Amanda Show” on Nickelodeon.
Dorice from Providence,riI think part of the Beatles song In My Life was used in the beginning of the show "Providence" with Mike Farrell (he was a vet) & his daughter was a plastic surgeon-her real name is Greek maybe in the nineties.
Gus from Pa.Wasn’t “Father Knows Best” theme song “I’ll Be Home For Christmas “?
Tru Cola from West MichiganI remember Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones being the theme song to Tour of Duty.
Jim from Mobile, AlThe Waitresses and Square Pegs
Julie from Nebraskaoh bla di oh bla da was used in the show life goes on I think. All I can remember was it had a 7th heaven feel to it in a way and there was Corky who was mentally challenged and the cute guy who was HIV positive. I could be wrong.
Vera from Isle Of Wright Wasn't The Beatles {Oh bla di Oh bla da" used for the Wonder Years
Gary S from Seattle, WaBeatles songs were also used as the opening and closing theme songs of the animated Beatles cartoon show that ran from 1965-1969. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles_(TV_series)
Steve from West Chazy, NyI think They Might Be Giants are also responsible for the children's classic "Hot Dog Song" from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Not technically a theme song, but my 3 year old son thinks it is!
Karen from Manchester, NhThey Might Be Giants also did the theme song to the children's show "Higglytown Heroes".
Randy from IowaWhat about REM's "Stand" as the theme for the awesome but short-lived Chris Elliott show, "Get A Life"?
Muzza from Auckland, New ZealandThen there were all The Who Songs used on CSI ETC
Willie from Scottsdael, AzJohn Sebastian from The Lovin' Spoonful wrote the theme for "Welcome Back Kotter," and I think it became a top 10 hit in the mid-1970s.
Sharoney from UsaStewart Copeland of "The Police" wrote the theme for the hit series "The Equalizer."
Tony from Jackson, MiWith A Little Help From My Friends was also used on The Wonder Years speaking of Beatle songs used on ABC sitcoms 1988-93.
Cassidy from England#greatquiz, lovin it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Graham from EnglandI love big bang theory and friends but I didn't know the answers to some of these questions. definitely caught me out!
Kenny from IrelandCool facts!
And clever questions too, a few of them caught me out.

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More Songfacts:

I Walk The LineJohnny Cash

In "I Walk The Line," Johnny Cash hums before each verse. He did this to get his pitch, as the song changes key several times.

JetPaul McCartney & Wings

The Australian band Jet took their name from the 1973 song of the same by Paul McCartney and Wings.

Three Little BirdsBob Marley & the Wailers

Bob Marley's backup singers, The I Threes, claim they are the "Three Little Birds" in his famous song.

All Through The NightCyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper's hit "All Through The Night" was written and originally recorded by Jules Shear, who also wrote "If She Knew What She Wants" by the Bangles.

Slow HandThe Pointer Sisters

"Slow Hand" was a #1 Country hit for Conway Twitty in 1982, a year after The Pointer Sisters recorded it.

AlrightJanet Jackson

Janet Jackson's "Alright" video features Cab Calloway and Cyd Charisse, stars of musicals she loved as a kid.

TV Theme Songs