mhg83

Wonder Years

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_wG6Cgmgn5U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

tonyc3742

Here's a few of my favorites. You say 'song' but I'm hoping that includes 'opening theme' (ie, without words) as well.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XXhiKZz0wEo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/g0StDroRiCs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

]<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YacEGOPh0WE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Cardiac161

Too young to have watched these shows but I love the songs when I heard them:

WKRP in Cincinnati
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jRXt2Bt1Sc

Welcome Back, Kotter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVS3WNt7yRU

Michael Corvin

Should probably be in TVtalk, and picking an existing song is kind of a cheat, IMO. It's easy to point to a Beatles(Wonder Years, Our House), the Who(CSIs) Beach Boys(Men of a Certain Age) or Cake(Chuck) tune as a fave. Much tougher picking a favorite from something specifically composed for a show. It's also hard to separate the song from the title credits.

Yes, I'm way over thinking this.

I'm a sucker for killer opening titles (Quantum Leap, ER, NYPD: Blue, X-files, Fringe, Smallville, Friday Night Lights, Stargate) so it bugs the hell out of me the minimalistic shit shows do now to squeeze in an extra commercial.

So, three way tie for first:

starman9000

I'd go with Cheers if we are talking with lyrics.

For kids shows, I have an affinity for this:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bJmWyZlW2sE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

For theme tunes, I like these:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DnKdVP7Fpio" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lLDz0fBoGtM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

bluetoast

Cheers, and Welcome Back Cotter. Hell DuckTales too.

Nick Danger

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uQ9xfNn09eQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qSEleg17T4w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

dom56

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6iaR3WO71j4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

KaBluie

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rw2516

Johnny Quest
Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Rawhide

The Bus

Airwolf. End thread.

sniper007

Cheers, Married with Children and M*A*S*H

Imprint

Greatest American Hero
The Fall Guy
Simon and Simon
Riptide

I love that era of TV theme songs/intros.

Trout

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4Olt4BVB4zY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

tonyc3742

It is funny/interesting that almost none of these that have been mentioned are any younger than 20 years old or so, and some much older.
Is recent TV that much more cookiecutter, so that the whole package just doesn't stick in our mind?
Is it the massive competition for our viewing/listening attention just drowning any quality themes out?
Are themes/openings a dying breed, in order to allow more time for commercials or product placement?
Do the composers of today just suck?
Am I overthinking this?
(And of course that while we've mentioned a dozen or so, I am aware that there are tons from 20-50 years ago that are also pretty lame.)

Mike86

Themes with Lyrics:
All in the Family- Those Were the Days/Remembering You (closing theme)
Cheers- Where Everybody Knows Your Name
Duck Tales
Family Ties- Without Us

Themes:
Batman: The Animated Series
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Seinfeld
The Simpsons
Star Trek: The Next Generation

Philzilla

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CUtbhoYTHcI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

GuessWho

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/odskNtdPyDE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

ultimaton

I was always kind of partial to the opening theme of Twin Peaks.

Fringe is a current favorite.

The reimagined Battlestar Galactica had a great one too.

superdeluxe

X-files, game of thrones

Maxflier

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s7L2PVdrb_8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

JeffTheAlpaca

I like other shows but their themes are average or sucky.

Just realized I wasted 10 minutes that I should have been on the treadmill.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y0MEtBQb2yM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Bdz1oWtYU-0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xVCYanmEKKE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SE52xBR8ITA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PUiH-kjiSak" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6Qj9L5U7csg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9E_ifYm8omo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Kl4omgCgDwI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eMcrep48Wz0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

E Unit

This.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nr_CJL1YQRc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

dhmac

"Star Trek" (The Original Series)

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"Star Trek: The Next Generation"

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"The X-Files" - theme long version (couldn't find a clip of just the opening credits)

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TomOpus

Nick Danger and Dom56 picked the ones I liked also.

Of those, I would choose Hawaii Five-0 is my favorite overall, not only for the great music but how well it matches the visual part.