They say smell is the sense that is most closely tied to memory, but I’ve got to think that the sense of hearing has to be right up there, especially when it comes in the form of themes of TV shows you used to watch as a kid. This list took a long time to put together, but it comes with a guarantee that you’ll be transported back to childhood. Great pains were taken so you’d be able to listen to each theme song right here on the page, and there was much debate on where each song should be placed on the list. Of course, we expect the debate to continue — which songs are ranked too high or too low? Which songs did we leave off? Tell us where we messed up! The good news is you can probably find you favorite TV show theme song — no matter how obscure — at TelevisionTunes.com!
50: Thundercats
49: Wonder Woman
48: Dukes of Hazzard
47: The Waltons
46: Green Hornet
45: I Love Lucy
44: Little House on the Prairie
43: Beverly Hillbillies
42: James Bond
41: Bonanza
40: Partridge Family
39: Dennis The Menace
38: The Simpsons
37: Pink Panther
36: The Munsters
35: G.I. Joe
34: Picture Pages
33: Happy Days
32: Transformers
31: The Cosby Show
30: Inspector Gadget
29: Andy Griffith Show
28: Mr. Wizard’s World
27: Greatest American Hero
26: The Jetsons
25: Fraggle Rock
24: Batman
23: Woody Woodpecker
22: Scooby Doo
21: Spiderman
20: The A-Team
19: Lone Ranger
18: Underdog
17: Reading Rainbow
16: The Brady Bunch
15: Gilligan’s Island
14: Popeye
13: The Addams Family
12: Leave It To Beaver
11: Speed Racer
10: Flintstones
9: Mickey Mouse Club
8: Howdy Doody
7: The Little Rascals
6: The Muppet Show
5: Three Stooges
4: Sesame Street
3: Mister Rogers Neighborhood
2: Looney Toons
1: Peanuts
So there you have it, the Top 50 TV Show Themes of Childhood. What did we forget? Where did we screw up? Let us know in the comments.
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“…especially when it comes in the form of themes of TV shows you used to watch as a kid.” Totally agree!!!
Great list! I would add (see if you know the next line…):
Fact of Life (“Ya take the good, ya take the bad..”)
Cheers (“making your way in world today takes eveything you’ve got..)
Growing Pains (“show my that smile again….”)
and maybe Family Ties & Diff’rent Strokes
oops: Growing Pains (“show mE that smile again….”)
Good additions, Allison! Some real classics!
As cheesy as it is, I loved singing the “Love Boat” theme. “The Love Boat…promises something for everyone!”
Also, on the Cosby Show, I think that was more instrumental and speaking as a Deaf person (who loves good lyrics – and dancing), I was more fascinated by the dance sequences they would think up for the opening credits. Great stuff!
Three’s Company was another show I enjoyed watching and singing the song as the show started “Come and knock on our door…we’ve been waiting for you….”
I second those ones as additions as well!
Jason:
These old tunes are perfect holiday music for the office.