Best TV theme songs? Believe it

Feel free to blast the fashion, hairstyles and music of our beloved 80s -- so long as you do it on another blog -- but there's one legacy of the decade that cannot be diminished:

It was the last decade of truly great TV theme songs.

From the simplicity of "The Cosby Show" to the bombastic orchestrations of "Dallas" and "Dynasty," TV in the 80s had it covered. (The one song that makes me song along every time? "Believe It or Not" from "Greatest American Hero.")

This week's Stuck in the 80s podcast will finally unveil our list of the Top 10 TV Themes of the 1980s. Think you know which one will emerge on top? You never know. I like to keep things interesting.

In the meantime, this is your last chance to nominate your favorite -- and least favorite -- TV themes. Write something clever with your nomination and we'll read the best comments during the show.

Fire away with your picks!

Comments

it's got to be "who's the boss" or "family ties!"

[jason]

Facts of Life....joe or blair hmm i wonder?

[Jason.]

For those drawing a blank, here a little helper that I found. It includes links to the songs.

http://www.80stvthemes.com/

[Spears]

I'm sad to say that neither Facts of Live or Family Ties would be in my own top 10 list, though I enjoy both songs.

[Bassnote]

Gotta be Cheers or Miami Vice.

[Kate]

Cheers is a good one -- I think that given the fact that these are theme songs, they ought to be judged on many criteria - how well did it fit the show, or set the mood for the eager audience... An absolutely great theme song is going to make its listener immediately stop and (in the case of '80s tv theme songs) become nostalgic. Am I right or am I right ladies?

...Let's not forget the memorable theme to Night Court. MAN I loved that show. And Unsolved Mysteries!

[Neil]

I always liked Square Pegs, that is a true 80's TV theme song. I am also a big fan of the instrumental theme songs, like Hill Stree Blues, the Taxi theme, The A-Team, Miami vice, Knight Rider, Night Court, Barney Miller, and Dougie Howser MD. Some of these had some real cheese factor to them but I miss that cheese factor, you don't get much of that anymore. I really like Charles in Charge and Eight is Enought, both really cheesy songs but they filled my life with joy. The really don't make TV theme songs like they used to. I can't remember a recent TV theme song that has charted or even received radio airplay.

[cheezstake]

Cheers, Taxi, and Night Court are all great choices.

How about Thirtysomething?

[Walter Cox]

A-Team. Magnum.

[Debra]

I am in total agreement with Neil on "Square Pegs"!

I also get warm, fuzzy feelings from the theme to "Growing Pains".

I remember back in my middle school band geek days getting to play the theme for the show "Dallas" in concert.

[Matt Katz]

Night Court +1

I have to admit that for some reason I have a soft spot for Mr. Belvedere. I guess it is the Leon Redbone.

[Big Tex]

In the wild card category, I'll nominate the theme from Remote Control - an MTV classic! A TV theme song about TV!

[Matt Katz]

Knight Rider.
Neil called it.

[Ron]

WKRP in Cincinnati

It's Garry Shandling's Show

[aces88ss]

Magnum

A-Team

and I am alone, but when it comes to fitting a show, nothing better than the theme to Bret maverick

[Marissa]

The Facts of Life theme song prevented me from falling asleep last night. It kept running through my head over and over. I have no idea why. It just did. Perhaps I was channeling the podcast. Perhaps I need to channel my foresight toward something far more beneficial. Say, winning lottery numbers. So I can afford to jet to Tampa to take in the concert and festivities. Then, take off to Vegas with the cool kids who obviously have a lot more extra change in their couch cushions than I do.

Jeez, that left me winded.

[specialkness]

Oh yeah I love this... I just downloaded the them to Greatest American Hero a few weeks ago and sing loud and proud!

[SirGeorge]

There are a lot of great 80s TV show themes. The TV theme that says pure 80s for me would be Miami Vice.

[Complaint Department Manager]

How about the theme to Airwolf, Hunter, and Hardcastle and McCormick?

[Complaint Department Manager]

Wait, I take it all back. I meant to say BJ and the Bear and Solid Gold.

[Stacy]

I'd vote for Cheers and It's Garry Shandlings Show.

Also, The A Team. It doesn't have lyrics, sure, but it's got great instrumentals.

[ZombieMan]

Gotta be Miami Vice.
Greatest American Hero is definitly up there along with Cheers, Knight Rider and Night Court. Taxi and WKRP also had great theme songs, but can we count them since they both started in '78? I hope so.
And does anybody remember a short lived show called "Jennifer Slept Here" starring Ann Jillian? I can't seem to recall the song, but I remember liking it. Could just be that warm feeling I got from the idea of having a ghostly Ann Jillian hanging out in my bedroom.

[chad]

the top 3 for me would be:
1. miami vice
2. cheers
3. greatest american hero

[Emily]

Degrassi Junior High, 21 Jump Street, Who's the Boss, Family Ties, Gimme a Break, cheers, Eight is Enough, Small Wonder, Metal Mickey (UK tv show, Charles in Charge

[jeremy]

Marissa, if you think the regular "Facts of Life" theme's hard to get out of your head, I've got a version by a barbershop quartet that would drive you insane.

What about "Perfect Strangers?"

[Marissa]

HA! That might be an interesting thing to hear, Jeremy. Then, I'd probably be jamming Q-tips in my ears trying to get it out.

[Mr. Paul]

LOL... BJ and the Bear! "You know what I'm going to do, boy? I'm gonna teach you how to sing!" BTW, you can't go wrong with any theme by Mike Post.

[Miguel]

Cheers and Square Pegs(I never watch the show but gotta love that little tune).

[malibu]

Since someone mentioned Ann Jillian--"It's a Living" had a really good theme song, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM33xzGyHAw
Didn't translate as well when they changed the name to "Making a Living," but hey, what can you do? "Night Court" was the best instrumental theme IMHO.

[Hamptune]

....Just the good 'ol boys, never meanin' no harm...

[Miguel]

Square pegs,square pegs.Square,square pegs,always never quite right.
I`d like it if they liked us,but i don`t think they like us.
So tell me where`s the party,and how come we weren`t invited?
One size does not fit all.
So said the Waitresses.
Why am i posting this? I have no idea,but i`ve been singing this all day!! I think my brains are breaking right now,so i`m going to follow good old Cathy Wos advice,i`m starting to sing the A-Team theme song to take the other one out of my head. I hope it just doesn`t get worse!!

[Miguel]

I`ve noticed that a lot of you chose Night Court,so i just downloaded the tune and i was great.I never watched that show,i don`t think it ever aired in Portugal,but if the show was as good as its theme then it was awesome.
If we were deciding the ultimate 80s show,it would have to be Family Ties,it has 80s stamped all over it,but its theme,although very enjoyable,is a little "mellow".In terms of theme songs,although my favourite comes from Cheers(also my favourite show of the 80s),the most defining tv theme songs of the 80s were the ones from Miami Vice and Dallas................Ah! And Square Pegs!
Oh God! Here we go again!
Square pegs,square pegs.Square,square pegs
Really funny-who broke the Pi button on my calculator?
Maybe you be eternally grounded.
Me? Get juiced with The Cool Patrol?
Uh...no thanks...Why do you think they call it beer?
I mean...listen to him!

[Miguel]

Oops, mistake! I just downloaded the tune and it was great. That`s what i meant.Sorry

[Pages]

Jeremy -- yes. Perfect Strangers would have to be my pick.

Leaving that off this list? Don't be ridiculous.

[Tom]

I'll add this obscure ditty. It's very 80's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7IymHKQnEU

[Chi-Guy]

Wow!

I wish i had Blgged before the show. i am shocked that MASH got no mention on the show or the blog. Oh well, Next blog I guess. Great show!