I mean, I am so obsessed with listing my favourite things, I have now gone as far as telling you my favourite TV theme tunes. It’s an important one. Deciding which ones are my favourites and then putting them diligently in order for you. I know you’re grateful, I can sense it via the internets and you are most welcome. So here they are, 15 of my favourite TV theme tunes in order and yes I have done a Spotify list at the end, which I know you will listen to all day. Also, if you don’t like my list, but want to check out a similar list, why not pop over to sex God Phil Taylor’s blog and read his post HERE and see what TV theme tunes he’s included (we have a few in common).
15. Big Brother UK
The original of course and I was absolutely obsessed with it. Yes, I used to listen to it in my flat at full volume. Cos I was cool like that.
14. Panorama
I just love the dramatics, man.
13. University Challenge
For those of you who don’t know, University Challenge is a delightfully nerdy quiz show where different universities compete with each other with their general knowledge. I can usually only answer one or two questions per episode at the most. This theme tune suits the programme and its contestants perfectly.
12. Blockbusters
If you’re of a certain age, you probably loved this programme. It was a kind of a less geeky version of University Challenge, but with secondary (high) schools instead of universities. And with a block grid thingy. And the theme tune was absolutely solid. I was never more excited to hear it than when my very own school featured on it. I *think* we did quite well.
11. Grange Hill
80s British childhood succinctly represented with one perfect theme tune. Watch out for the sausage!
10. The A Team
Of course.
9. Cheers
Featuring this classic theme tune is not helping my current Ted Danson obsession any.
8. Bergerac
So we all danced to this theme tune in a kind of embarrassing reggae style with our best mate on a regular basis….didn’t we?
7. The Flintstones
Hearing this theme tune tells me it’s almost dinner time! How long will dinner be, Mum? I’m staaaaarrrrrving!
6. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Come on then, let’s do this rap together word perfectly.
Top 5
5. Cagney and Lacey
Best cop show ever. Don’t argue with me. And I love this theme tune so much, it is the actual ringtone on my phone. Fact.
4. Happy Days
Quite possibly one of the most cheerful TV theme tunes out there suiting it’s programme perfectly.
3. Ski Sunday
Oh yes, I did. Come on, it is fucking brilliant. Incidentally, it is also my highest ranking British TV theme tune. Oh and I couldn’t find a clip of the opening titles, so have an actual orchestra playing the theme tune instead.
2. The West Wing
Possibly my all time favourite American TV drama, but that aside this is a wonderful theme tune. Both my husband and I are such fans of this show that at our wedding we walked back down the aisle to this theme tune together. I told you I was cool.
And my all time favourite TV theme tune is…..
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1. The Muppet Show
If Happy Days is a cheerful theme tune, then this is cheerful whilst smacked up on E numbers on Christmas Eve. Hearing the theme tune reminds me of the start of Saturday evening TV and cosy Saturdays with my family in the 80s. It makes me feel warm and safe inside. This theme tune and of course the programme itself is, in short, everything that is right with this world.
So, you know the score. Please tell me which is your favourite TV theme tune in the comments below.
Next week, Top Ten Tunes is starting up again, so see you next week for 1960!
I actually think I need to do this. I haven’t written in months and you have inspired me! I think Blockbusters and Ski Sunday will also be in mine. Blockbusters is just BOOM so powerful isn’t it? Plus you can sing it in a drunk crowd of people all going “ner- ner- ner- ner- nerrr, ner-ner- nerrrrrrr!” so it’s a classic!
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HAHAHA. Yes exactly. Blockbusters definitely has that enthusiastic drunken singing-ness about it. And Ski Sunday is just legendary. Yes please do it too!
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Oh and I’ve just remembered the hand jive actions the contestants and audience used to do at the end of the episode. Hahaha! You wouldn’t get that nowadays, would you? 😂😂
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OHMYGODYESSSSS! Haha, no you certainly wouldn’t get that these days haha. I am so happy that you’ve reminded me of that.
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I am a HUGE Muppets fan, so that is probably my favorite on the list, but Happy Days comes in for a close second.
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They’re both such happy, feel-good tunes. They both always put me in a good mood. I’m just waiting for the day that the Muppets take over running the world and then everything will all right again.
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Me too
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Reblogged this on The Phil Factor and commented:
Who doesn’t love a list? Thank you Haylee for linking to my previous Top Ten TV theme songs. Check out her international list!
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Great list! Thanks for the shout out!
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No problem and thank you for reblogging!
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I was worried I wouldn’t know any! But I know 3 haha!!
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Hooray! Yes there is some verrrrrrrry British TV theme tunes there.
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Haha that’s ok! Learning something new all before 8am 😉
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Haha 👍🏻
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Definitely got to be ski Sunday!
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It’s just a classic, isn’t it?
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Love
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Two words. Top Cat.
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Mate, that very almost made this list. If I did a top 20, it would be in there.
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Phew… I might have had to unfollow,…
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😱
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Enjoyed this, Phil. Thanks.
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A lot of shows don’t bother with theme tunes anymore. I’m noticing newer songs not having a long or any kind of intro either!!
Look forward to top tunes returning next week.
Rachael | https://rachaelstray.com
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You’re so right. None of those in my list are from recent times. Do they put in less effort now as people quite often fast forward the titles these days? I do like the Game of Thrones theme tune though. Oh yay- can’t wait to start the 60s. The mid-late 60s is going to be particularly amazing/hard to choose just 10.
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Cagney & Lacey for life. Also the Golden Girls, The Sopranos, NYPD Blue, and Law & Order.
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Yes! Another one for Cagney & Lacey. Oh I love the Sopranos theme tune too. That almost made the list.
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Watching C&L was about the only time my Mom was happy, so. And she looked like Tyne Daly. That show = insta-happiness.
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That has all the feels for you then. And Tyne Daly was my favourite (though I loved Sharon too obvs). Lovely Cagney & Lacey memories.
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Looking forward to 1960’s music next week. Just wondered if you’ve done Movie Themes?
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That’s such a good idea. No, I haven’t. Maybe I could in the future. I imagine it’ll take me a very long time to choose though. Yes, I can’t wait for the 60s too. Such a great era for music.
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I think the Dr Who theme tune is my fave.
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Ooh good one. Can’t wait for it to start again next week.
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Oh yeah, I love the Game of Thrones theme music too. I don’t know a lot of these on your list–my current fave theme song is from a British Netflix show called Safe starring Michael C Hall.
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I haven’t watched that! I must check it out as I love Michael C Hall.
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the Grange Hill theme tune is so emotive and evocative for me… it used to make me feel super nervous about starting secondary school!
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Me too! Convinced I was going to get my head flushed in the loo (it wasn’t, thankfully).
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Perry Mason is my number 1, followed by Cagney and Lacey… you’ve got me thinking now!
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Great! It’s a lot of fun thinking of all the best TV themes. Glad you’re a fan of C&L too x
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