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
Audio Player49: Wonder Woman
Audio Player48: Dukes of Hazzard
Audio Player47: The Waltons
Audio Player46: Green Hornet
Audio Player45: I Love Lucy
Audio Player44: Little House on the Prairie
Audio Player43: Beverly Hillbillies
Audio Player42: James Bond
Audio Player41: Bonanza
Audio Player40: Partridge Family
Audio Player39: Dennis The Menace
Audio Player38: The Simpsons
Audio Player37: Pink Panther
Audio Player36: The Munsters
Audio Player35: G.I. Joe
Audio Player34: Picture Pages
Audio Player33: Happy Days
Audio Player32: Transformers
Audio Player31: The Cosby Show
Audio Player30: Inspector Gadget
Audio Player29: Andy Griffith Show
Audio Player28: Mr. Wizard’s World
Audio Player27: Greatest American Hero
Audio Player26: The Jetsons
Audio Player25: Fraggle Rock
Audio Player24: Batman
Audio Player23: Woody Woodpecker
Audio Player22: Scooby Doo
Audio Player21: Spiderman
Audio Player20: The A-Team
Audio Player19: Lone Ranger
Audio Player18: Underdog
Audio Player17: Reading Rainbow
Audio Player16: The Brady Bunch
Audio Player15: Gilligan’s Island
Audio Player14: Popeye
Audio Player13: The Addams Family
Audio Player12: Leave It To Beaver
Audio Player11: Speed Racer
Audio Player10: Flintstones
Audio Player9: Mickey Mouse Club
Audio Player8: Howdy Doody
Audio Player7: The Little Rascals
Audio Player6: The Muppet Show
Audio Player5: Three Stooges
Audio Player4: Sesame Street
Audio Player3: Mister Rogers Neighborhood
Audio Player2: Looney Toons
Audio Player1: Peanuts
Audio PlayerSo 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.