25 greatest TV theme songs of the 80s
The tunes defined our generation -- at least from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. every weeknight during our formative years.
Today, they serve as 30-second bursts of memories of the good old days, when the most drama we had was whether to feather our hair or krimp it. Or perhaps deciding which color corduroy pants to wear with our brand-new REO Speedwagon concert tees. (You never go wrong with navy blue!)
Welcome to the official Stuck in the 80s list of the 25 best TV theme songs from our favorite decade. We considered your input along with the expert advice of Times media critic Eric Deggans to fine-tune the final rankings.
Don't forget to listen to this week's podcast, which unveils our rationale for the top 10 TV theme songs. Click here to listen. Or click here to get all our shows for free via iTunes.
In the meantime, get in full couch-potato mode and set the remote control aside for this list.
TOP 25 TV THEME SONGS OF THE 80s:
25. Star Trek: The Next Generation [watch]
24. Taxi [watch]
23. Facts of Life [watch]
22. 21 Jump Street [watch]
21. Magnum P.I. [watch]
20. Dallas [watch]
19. Dynasty [watch]
18. The Love Boat [watch]
17. Night Court [watch]
16. Full House [watch]
15. Charles in Charge [watch]
14. Moonlighting [watch]
13. It’s Garry Shandling's Show [watch]
12. The Paper Chase [listen]
11. Pee Wee's Playhouse [watch]
10. Hill Street Blues [watch]
9. The Cosby Show [watch]
8. Square Pegs [watch]
7. Greatest American Hero [watch]
6. The A-Team [watch]
5. Family Ties [watch]
4. WKRP in Cincinnati [watch]
3. Dukes of Hazzard [watch]
2. Cheers [watch]
1. Miami Vice [watch]
"Miami Vice" gets the nod over "Cheers" because it oozes the '80s from every pour. Jan Hammer's masterpiece can only be properly enjoyed in a white linen jacket, loafers and dark glasses.
So which TV theme songs did we miss out on?
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Chat, I've yet to see KISS in concert, except for on video or DVD. I consider it of several important missing pieces in my life.
Posted by: Spears | May 13, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Great list. To bad H.R. Puff n Stuff, Sigmund and the sea monsters and Little House on the Prairie were not in the 80's.
Posted by: | May 13, 2008 at 02:53 PM
No CHiPS theme??
Posted by: Dave | May 13, 2008 at 02:42 PM
as far as the list goes, i pretty much agree with everything, except the placement of the greatest american hero. i might know six or so of these songs, but the top three should be miami vice, cheers, and the greatest american hero. i think everyone knows that song. they even sang it on my name is earl, hilariously i might add. but other than that, great list.
Posted by: chad | May 13, 2008 at 02:22 PM
steve
i dont know about the paul stanley thing. but i gotta tell you, that was my first ever concert. dynasty tour 1979, dec 6th in lake charles, la. the last tour with the original lineup. being my first concert, they left the stage and we proceded to leave. i had never heard of an encore. i missed out on beth and probably rock and roll all nite. never did that again.
Posted by: chad | May 13, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Wow,Chase and his love for Miami Vice!
I would still put Cheers as number 1,but that`s Ok.What i don`t understand is that Cincinnati thing at nº 4 and the dukes at nº3,putting Dallas,Charles in Charge and Paper Chase out of the top 10.
Posted by: Miguel | May 13, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Chase has a point. Plus, cartoons and Wild Turkey hang overs don't mix.
Posted by: Marissa | May 13, 2008 at 02:07 PM
There are no cartoons on the list because Steve was already in his 40s by 1982, so it's not like he watched a lot of cartoons.
And thanks Marissa! a Stud! haven't been called that in, well, ever!
Posted by: chase | May 13, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Why are there no cartoon songs on the list? What about Jem? That was the most awesome show ever with great music. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has an awesome theme song "Heroes in a half-shell, TURTLEPOWER!"
Posted by: Rosa | May 13, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Okay, I'm blind. I missed the P.I. at #21.
Posted by: Complaint Department Manager | May 13, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I agree with the mention of Airwolf. No Magnum P.I., ay?
As for Pee Wee, I'd sooner listen to BJ and the Bear, Solid Gold and The Fall Guy ad nauseum.
Posted by: Complaint Department Manager | May 13, 2008 at 12:34 PM
One of my favorites not on the list is Fame. I loved that theme, and sort of liked the show.
Posted by: Neil | May 13, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Chase, dude! You slay me. Thanks for throwing props to my boy Scott. How freakin' generous of you! Ya big ol' Miami Vice lovin' stud.
Posted by: Marissa | May 13, 2008 at 11:09 AM
WHOOO HOOOO, MIAMI VICE
everything else is filler ...
Here's my list:
25: Miami Vice
24: Miami Vice
23: Miami Vice
22: Miami Vice
21: Miami Vice
20: Miami Vice
19: Miami Vice
18: Miami Vice
17: Miami Vice
16: Miami Vice
15: Charles in Charge
14: Miami Vice
13: Miami Vice
12: Miami Vice
11: Miami Vice
10: Miami Vice
09: Miami Vice
08: Miami Vice
07: Miami Vice
06: Miami Vice
05: Miami Vice
04: Miami Vice
03: Miami Vice
02: Miami Vice
and Number 1: Miami Vice!
Posted by: chase | May 13, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Synthsational, now you know you need to keep your peepers open with this blog so you can contribute regularly on the 'best of' 'worst of' lists. Or anything else, for that matter.
Posted by: Marissa | May 13, 2008 at 11:00 AM
AND WHERE THE HELL WAS KNIGHTRIDER?!?!?!
Posted by: Synthsational | May 13, 2008 at 10:42 AM
I'm with Brian on this one. I think that Simon & Simon is a very memorable theme and should be in the top 25.
The theme from the "Fall Guy" should probably make the list.
Other good themes, but not quite list worthy:
- Knight Rider
- St. Elsewhere
- Newhart
Glad to see Moonlighting made the list.
Posted by: Ray | May 13, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Wouldn't change number one (I was born in 1989, so i can objectively say that Miami Vice is the greatest TV show ever) though you forgot some other classic choons...
1. MacGyver
2. Automan
3. Father Dowling Mysteries (you've gotta do a show on this at some point- he had an evil twin for goodness sake!)
4. Airwolf
5. Magnum PI (it should have been a lot higher)
Got that off my chest.
Posted by: Synthsational | May 13, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Great list - I wouldn't change a thing. I'll even admit to having two of the tunes (Nos. 1 & 14) on the iPod.
Posted by: Big Tex | May 13, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Melissa -- here's the scoop on The Paper Chase:
http://www.tv.com/the-paper-chase/show/2450/summary.html?q=the%20paper%20chase&tag=search_results;title;1
Posted by: jane | May 13, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Hardcastle & McCormick? It sounds like something KISS would have recorded for the "Dynasty" album.
I can see Paul Stanley singing it now.
"Under the hood, got the bad and the good. Everybody's doin' time!"
No wonder my parents didn't let me see them on that tour.
Posted by: Spears | May 13, 2008 at 10:01 AM
I don't think I've ever seen or heard of The Paper Chase. What was it about?
Posted by: Melissa | May 13, 2008 at 09:56 AM
No Hardcastle & McCormick?
"Drive" has a real 80's sound and was the sole redeeming virtue of this show.
Except, of course, for Brian Keith, who completely rocked everything he touched.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | May 13, 2008 at 09:51 AM
It debuted on Dec. 17, 1989. I figured just two episodes in the 80s doesn't exactly qualify someone for the Top 25 list.
Let's face it, the Simpsons were a 90s phenomenon. One of the only things I'll give the 90s credit for.
Other than perhaps the invention of the Mexi-Melt.
Posted by: Spears | May 13, 2008 at 09:50 AM
The Simpsons started in the 1989. How come it isn't on the list?
Posted by: Bassnote | May 13, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Simon & Simon? Really?
I just listened to it again. It just doesn't stand out. But I know people loved the show itself.
Here's the theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyNTIS-DoFQ
Posted by: Spears | May 13, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Where's Simon and Simon?
Posted by: Brian | May 13, 2008 at 09:34 AM
To be honest, I prefer the "Paper Chase" theme from the Showtime version, but we can't yet find that one.
Posted by: Spears | May 13, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Wowsers! "The Paper Chase" theme is totally cheese-tastic. I remember the show, but must have locked that little diddy from the memory banks.
Posted by: Marissa | May 13, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Wikipedia says Ms. Lauper is credited as "Ellen Shaw" on the theme song.
Posted by: Marissa | May 13, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Yay! Pee Wee's Playhouse at number 11. (A perfect number, in my opinion...)
That theme has iconic '80s status stamped all over it: co-written by Mark Mothersbaugh and Paul Reubens and sung by Miss Cyndi Lauper, under a pseudonym which escapes me at the moment.
Pee Wee's Playhouse, an egg mcmuffin and a fountain coke were the ultimate saturday morning hangover cure for me back in college.
Posted by: jane | May 13, 2008 at 09:03 AM