'Where everybody knows your name'

Tell the truth: You know the complete lyrics to the "Cheers" theme song, don't you?

Of course you do. It's a classic. But is it the BEST TV THEME SONG of the 80s?

That's what we need to know, because this week's Stuck in the 80s podcast is going to tackle that very issue.

So start humming to yourself and let us know which TV songs are stuck in your head for life.

Here are three of my favorites:

THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO: "Believe it or not, I'm walking on air." (Listen)

WKRP IN CINCINNATI: "Baby, if you've ever wondered ... wondered whatever became of me." (Listen)

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: Not a song and the series barely made it into the 80s, but I still get chills whenever I hear the original theme orchestration. Makes me want to get into my PJs, grab a black cherry soda and bologna sandwich and do my best Galactica era cursing. "Ahhh, Frack!" (Listen)

Name your favorite 80s TV theme songs! Feel free to explain why and we'll read your comments on the podcast.

Comments

[Brett]

Cheers, WKRP both make it for the coolness factor of each. Family Ties is kind of geeky, but you can't help but hum it.

[Douglas Arthur]

a few for you Steve-o,

Knight Rider...hated the show, loved the theme.

Square Pegs...Sarah Jessica Parker, Jamie Gertz, The Waitresses, the guy who played Kirk's son in Wrath of Khan...what's not to love?

[jane]

Did someone mention TV theme songs? LOVE! Now you're talking my language...

An initial list:

"Newhart" -- written by Henry Mancini. Perfectly captured the essence of the show -- New England-ish and slightly quirky.

"Bosom Buddies" -- cover of Billy Joel's "My Life" Worked for the theme of the show (and who can resist a young Tom Hanks, plus the future Mrs. Dan Ackroyd AND the divine Holland Taylor)

"The Golden Girls" -- cover of "Thank You for Being a Friend" sung by I Don't Know. I just love this show. No other good reason.

All the incarnations of "The Cosby Show" theme. Bill changed things up from year to year regarding the theme music -- kinda nice, because it went along with the growing up progression of the kids.

"Facts of Life" -- "You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and then you have the facts of life..." Written by Alan Thicke and his then wife Gloria Loring.

"Night Court" -- first the bass plunks on in, then the horn. Great little piece.

Speaking of horns... the theme to "L.A. Law." Was the first Must See TV program for me...

"Moonlighting" sung by Al Jarreau. Smooth and jazzy and sophisticated -- just like the show.

The big nighttime soaps "Dallas", "Dynasty", "Knots Landing", "Falcon Crest" and "Hotel" had lush, sweeping themes befitting all that melodrama.

I'll stop now. Can you tell I love television?

[jane]

PS: Two more...

"Gimme a Break" Forgettable show, actually. But the theme song, featuring synth-ed '80s keyboards and the divine Nell Carter, has always been a fave.
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/gimme-a-break-theme-song/3809227271

"Hill Street Blues" -- Written by Mike Post. Need I say more?
http://www.televisiontunes.com/Hill_Street_Blues.html

[DoctorDrew]

Some you left out jane-

The Instrumentals:
"Hill Street Blues" - let's be careful out there
"St Elsewhere"
"The A Team"

more lyrical. . .
"Growing Pains" - as long as we keep on giving we can take anything that comes our way. . .

"Charles in Charge" --Charles in Charge of our days and our nights,
Charles in Charge of our wrongs and our rights!

[DoctorDrew]

OK, you got Hill Street in there jane. I get interupted a lot when I'm on.

Mike Post also did "Law and Order", "LA Law" , "Magnum PI" and "The ROckford Files"

[jane]

The thing about the Charles In Charge theme is that the chick who sang it had a terrible voice, which always bugged me.

Mike Post could do no wrong -- the theme to Rockford Files is awesome.

I'm only sorry that Sanford & Son didn't make it to the '80s, because that theme totally rocks.

[cheezstake]

Growing Pains, Family Ties and Who's the Boss.

As for the instrumental theme songs:
Knight Rider, thirtysomething, AND The Cosby Show.

Also, Soap, which aired from 77 to 81 sneaks in there.

[Spears]

We can break them down into instrumentals and non-instrumentals if you want.

Feel free to name the worst tunes as well.

[jane]

The best thing about the theme for Greatest American Hero - this right here. Its greatness transcends the '80...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caoYdiq3kak

That clip makes me guffaw heartily , even though I've seen it a jillion times.

[David P]

"WKRP" had a great theme... and an even better closing theme!

http://www.jimellismusic.com/Music/WKRP_Close.mov

I really need to make that the ringtone on my cellphone.

[Ian from Down Under]

Jane, the Golden Girls theme, Thank You for Being a Friend was originally sung by Andrew Gold (also sung Lonely Boy). It was re-recorded for the show by Cynthia Fee, to give it a more feminine feel.

[jane]

Thanks for that info, Ian. I knew that Andrew Gold had done it originally ("Lonely Boy" is one of my '70s guilty pleasure songs) but could not pull up Cynthia Fee's name to save my life.

[Ian from Down Under]

Dukes of Hazzard (Good ol' Boys) - Waylon Jennings (show debuted in '79 but is synonymous with the 80's)

Red Dwarf, The funniest show ever made. Opening theme is instrumental, the closing theme has lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/v/5_vv4ChB9zs&hl=en

Best theme with Lyrics - Cheers
Best instrumental theme - Dallas
Best closing tag - Sit Ubu Sit, Good Dog

[DoctorDrew]

Speaking of living on past the 80's . . . from Wikipedia- "Charles in Charge"
-The theme song was one of the songs Brian Griffin and Stewie Griffin sang in their TV medley on the Family Guy Live in Vegas album. In the episode "The Thin White Line", it was also sung by Peter Griffin during a cutaway scene, in which he was a security guard at the estate of George Harrison. Peter sang it, staring at the television, while George Harrison's attacker climbed the fence and entered the house.
-The theme song was recorded by Australian band Smudge on their debut album, Manilow.
-The theme song was one of the songs on the Christian rock band Relient K's debut, self-titled album, which also included a new verse about Buddy, the girl from Baywatch (referring to Jamie), and hanging out with Charles at the pizza parlor with Jesus.
-The theme song was performed by The Blanks on the episode "My Nightingale" (2.02) of the sitcom Scrubs and appears on their debut album, Riding the Wave.
-Conan O'Brien often breaks into the chorus when discussing TV themes, his own singing voice, or Scott Baio. O'Brien sings the theme song in an operatic tone.
-Electric_Hellfire_Club did a gothic cover of the theme song on the compilation cd "TV Terror: Felching a Dead Horse"

[jane]

Most excellent info, DoctorDrew. Who knew that Charles in Charge had such staying power? For what it's worth, I preferred the second family he was in charge of -- much more interesting.

[chase]

Two Words:

MIAMI VICE ....

Accept it, this changed EVERYTHING

[80sfan]

Speaking of the theme to Gimme a Break did you know if was written by Richard Page (Mr. Mister)?

I totally agree that The Greatest American Hero theme was one of the best ever.

I am embarrassed to admit that the first song that popped into my mind when I saw this topic was the theme to Joanie Loves Chachi. So sue me I was a big Scott Baio fan. I still have his two albums.

I am surprised no one has mentioned the theme to Miami Vice.

[Eric62]

No words, but the "Miami Vice" theme left no doubt what kind of show you were about to watch. So did Magnum P.I.

And Michael Mann's "Vice" DNA (sorry for that visual, gang) is all over the music from "Crime Story'' -- a reworked version of Del Shannon's Runaway.

Jeez, on review it looks like I was obsessed with cop tv a decade or two ago, huh?

And though it misses the 80s by about 6 months, but that *&%$#% music from "What's Happening'' lodges in my medulla every now and again.

[denvermatt]

The 'A' Team- Really set the tone for a kick-butt hour of television.

Play it today and you still get a testosterone boost.

[Big Tex]

I'm not ashamed to admit that I have the Miami Vice and Moonlighting soundtracks on CD! I also liked the Bobby McFerrin version of the Cosby Show theme.

[Eric62]

Agreed on the A-team, denvermatt, but it goes much better with the overdramatized voiceover..."If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... The A-Team."

[jane]

*small voice* I was never really into Miami Vice... ergo the no-mention from me.

However, the theme from Dukes of Hazzard. Awesome. Great for sing-alongs, especially when intoxicated,

[DoctorDrew]

Wow, I must be getting senile. I started to get indignant that I mentioned Miami Vice in my initial post. Then I went back and actually looked at it. ooops

[jane]

DoctorDrew, you're not getting senile. You just had too much Charles in Charge on the brain is all... I've heard it can mess with your mind.

[Eric62]

Mike Post was certainly the king of TV themes for a while, but faded. I think he even did a little ditty for the USF Bulls in the early 1980s. Wonder what he's doing now? Playing all his hits on a keyboard in Branson, Mo., alongside Charlie Calas?

[jane]

HA! Yakov Smirnoff probably opens for them. At the Andy Williams Theater.

[denvermatt]

Eric62- I personally enjoy the explosions/ gunfire in the background.

The Fall Guy- maybe I just like Heather Thomas in a bikini during the credits but memorable song.

Square Pegs- Great stand alone song

------

Worst -any of the " old fart adopts young street-wise kid" show themes. Pure saccharine schlock.

[jane]

Didn't Lee Majors sing the theme to the Fall Guy himself -- I'm thinking that he did, for some reason.

Gotta stick up for the theme to Di'ffrent Strokes, though. 'Cause the world really don't move to the beat of just one drum.

[Carla]

The one that comes to mind is the theme for Family Ties... Without Us! Who didn't love Alex P Keaton and for some reason I always wanted to be Mallory.. yeah, I know!

[chad]

top 3 themes from the 80s: miami vice, greatest american hero, and cheers. honarable mention, and i know its from the 60s(oh noooo), but i got into the show on the bands/show 20th anniversary in '86 the monkees. i bet all of you can sing it out loud and not miss one word

[jane]

Chad, I can not only sing all the words to the Monkees' theme song, I can sing the words to the closing song and do the Monkee cross-over walk from the opening credits. I also saw that tour not once, but twice in '86. So it gets an honorable mention/thanks for playing from me.

[chad]

jane, saw them twice as well on the 20th anniversary tour, have all the cds, the dvds, you name it. bam! here we come...

[Marissa]

*Fame
http://www.televisiontunes.com/Fame.html

*The Wonder Years
http://www.barbneal.com/wav/tvthemes/wondryrs.wav

[Ray]

A lot of good theme songs are already listed, so I will throw in a couple of guilty pleasures of mine....

Simon & Simon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zniiSSgiwg8

The Muppet Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh_aG5MzPVM

Fraggle Rock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSDeoO-j3G0

[Manchester Mike]

C.H.I.P.S anyone. wasn't some sort of weird techo-ish music.

[cheezstake]

I almost feel like a traitor not mentioning The Muppet Show.

... and now to make you all cringe, the theme song from "You Can't Do That on Television". By far the worst Monty Python / Spike Jones rip off of all time.

sit Ubu sit

[Former Producer Dave]

I'll have to go along with "Miami Vice" too. Forgot how good that sounded, but it REALLY sounds like the 80s, 'ya know? Also, a sentimental favorite for me is "Northern Exposure"....nice theme and great use of music on that show.

[Marissa]

Here's an 80s theme song quiz I found.
It's a mere 15 questions. I sucked wind at 10/15. I guess I didn't watch enough TV.

http://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Television/80s-TV-Theme-Songs-151122.html

[Marissa]

Former Producer Dave, I have to agree with you on Northern Exposure. I would watch that religiously ... until Rob Morrow left.

http://www.televisiontunes.com/Northern_Exposure.html

If we're basing this poll on fame, fortune and notoriety the theme song garnered, then by all means Miami Vice by Jan Hammer takes the cake.

[Gary Jungling]

Those are all good choices, but nothing beats the pedal to the metal intro to the late Hardcastle and McCormick....
http://www.80stvthemes.com/ra/HARDCASTLEB.ra

[Christopher]

C'mon.

Kids Incorporated.

Come ON

[jane]

Fun quiz, Miss Riss. I'd have had a perfect score, if it wasn't for that pesky Webster and his theme song. Hrumph.

[Jason]

Richard Cheese is a great artist who does lounge covers of some great 80's theme songs. I really love Three's company.
http://www.richardcheese.com/rchome.html

[GlennS.]

I've been a huge Mike Post fan since the Rockford Files days but I've really grown to hate his Law & Order music, specifically that slow-moving funeral music they always play near the end of each episode when it reaches its dramatic peak. It's really over-the-top and completely telegraphs the fact that something big is about to happen.

I didn't watch a lot of TV in the 80's but I also have to throw in a vote for the Dukes of Hazzard theme. I'm not a big country fan but maybe I would be if more if it sounded like that.

[Douglas Arthur]

Richard Cheese is awesome and does more than TV theme covers. He does a lot of Rock and Rap and Punk tunes as Lounge and it is absolutely hilarious! His version of Dead Kennedys' Holiday In Cambodia is classic, not to mention Hot For Teacher, and even a wack out version of Rush's Trees! Do yourself a favor and get some Richard Chees in Your collection ASAP.

Let us not forget that You Can't Do That On Television also brought us the talent that was Alanis Morrisette!

[Douglas Arthur]

OK, I don't just suck, I super-suck...only 6 out of 15 for me on that quiz. :( I guess I was too busy playing Dungeons and Dragons to watch TV in those days.

[Bassnote]

Wow, I'm terrible. I only got a 5/15.

Best 80s TV theme has to be Miami Vice. It's the one theme that everyone recognizes immediately, and completely associates to the decade.

Others I liked: St. Elsewhere (by the great Dave Grusin), Full House, The Muppet Show, WKRP In Cincinatti, Cheers, Hardcastle and McCormick, Square Pegs, Night Court, and Greatest American Hero

[Y]

Lots of good ones mentioned, but I didn't see Airwolf. I don't think I ever watched a full episode, but the theme song was excellent.

[Deborah]

Square Pegs
Dear John
Love, Sidney (does anyone else remember this show?)
The A-Team
...just a few of my favorites.

[Marissa]

Deborah, I remember "Love, Sidney." It wasn't on for a long time, but it was quite an endearing program from what I recall.

[Spiky Sandy]

The Greatest American Hero will always be my favorite theme song. I loved that song. The show, however, didn't cut the mustard.

[Spiky Sandy]

Marissa, I got 8/15. I didn't answer the fill-in-the-blank ones, but, seriously, there were hardly any of the words to the songs and I didn't watch hardly any of those shows. I did watch Fraggle Rock, though, and got that one right!

[David P]

"Northern Exposure," as great as it was, didn't debut until 1990. A classic show and great use of music, indeed.

I put in a vote for the theme to "It's Garry Shandling's Show." Sort of an un-theme song for a very inventive sitcom.

[dj]

I know I will sound like a geek, but I always loved the theme to "Quantum Leap". Most shows that I videotaped during that era I would fast forward through the opening theme. However, there were a few that I would actually listen to -- QL was one of them.

[Marissa]

DJ, I loved Scott Bakula's character of Sam Beckett. What a great show. I listened to the theme song last night, but figured in the realm of instrumental theme songs, it didn't hold a candle to Miami Vice.

I was just on youtube, and as what usually happens when I'm there, I stumbled on something I loved. I could have sworn this show was a late 80s gem, but alas it is early 90s. Still, look at this click and see that the 80s are never forgotten.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_tZwY3KXIw

[aces88ss]

1st time poster, so be gentle...I am a lurker and visitor from the Ante Up poker page, so I am biased...

Anyone remember "Bret Maverick" (the '81 update series)? I made my wife (we were newlyweds, so she was more agreeable)watch BM with me, while she made me (we were newlyweds, so I was more agreeable)watch FAME with her. Exact same ratings, yet Fame gets a second season, Maverick gets canceled.

But, back to on topic, one of the great theme songs...

"

Theme From "Bret Maverick" Lyrics
Artist(Band):Ed Bruce
Review The Song (0)
Print the Lyrics

>> Download "Ed Bruce" Music > Complimentary "Theme From "Bret Maverick"" Ringtone <<

Words & Music by
Ed Bruce, Glenn Ray & Patsy Bruce

Too many dusty trailtowns, too few and far between
Tired saloons with sawdust-covered floors
Too many one more showdowns and aces over queens
Winning's just a way of keeping score

- Chorus -
My ole pappy always told me your fate is in your hand
Stand pat or draw, it's yours to choose
Luck don't have a thing to do with how you play the game
Maverick didn't come here to lose
Maverick didn't come here to lose

No one recalls the first hand, they all know who won the last
And every man must find his place in time"

[jane]

Love, Sidney -- loved Tony Randall.

And David P. -- I'd forgotten about "It's Garry Shandling's Show"
This is the theme to Garry's show, the theme to Garry's show.
Garry called me up and asked if I would write his theme song.
I'm almost halfway finished -- how do you like it so far?
How do you like the theme to Garry's show...

[Ron]

The theme from the Benny Hill Show!!!

Yes, it started in the 60's, but was on until 1989.

As soon as I hear that music, I start to chuckle.

[jane]

Benny Hill! "Yakity Sax" by the late Boots Randolph. Totally iconic. And every time I hear that tune, I expect people to start running around on fast-forward.

[Deborah]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers Love, Sidney. =) Usually when I ask, people look at me like I'm making it up.

"It's Garry Shandling's Show" has my vote for funniest lyrics. I remember cracking up everytime it came on. =) Here it is....

"This is the theme to Garry's Show,
The theme to Garry's show.
Garry called me up and asked if I would right his theme song.
I'm almost halfway finished,
How do you like it so far,
How do you like the theme to Garry's Show.

This is the theme to Garry's Show,
The opening theme to Garry's show.
This is the music that you hear as you watch the credits.
We're almost to the part of where I start to whistle.
Then we'll watch "It's Garry Shandling's Show".

This was the theme to Garry Shandling's show"

[jane]

David P. & Deborah -- look what I unearthed on YouTube!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jO4cKqiqXdo

I even whistled along.

[Emalee]

All the best Tv themes end on a note an octave or two higher than the one before it or a quick slide up the higher note.

For example:
Cheers
Who's the Boss?
Perfect Strangers

[Greg L]

I gotta thrown in my vote for the A-Team. And the little trick to hum it in order to get rid of an earworm (was that Cathy Wos's trick?) totally works... Another point in its favor.