Comments on: What Do You Think is the Best TV Theme That Used an Existing Song?

By: Tim Pendergast

Tim Pendergast — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 20:15:40 +0000

Was never a fan of Wonder Years and its treacly cloying opening was big part of the reason why.

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 11:50:06 +0000

In reply to Graeme Burk.

Oh man, I’ve been listening to “My Favorite Mutiny” on repeat, like, non-stop, since the second season started.

By: Graeme Burk

Graeme Burk — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 19:41:24 +0000

The other more recent one I’d add is Winning Time, which uses The Coup’s “My Favourite Mutiny” to brilliant effect.

By: Xander

Xander — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:04:30 +0000

If we want to go the opposite direction and pick the least appropriate existing song as a theme song for a show (knowing Brian, he’s probably already working on this), I’d vote for “Baba O’Riley” for CSI: NY. It’s just so weird to have “Out here in the fields” blast out over a shot of one of the most famous cities in the world.

By: Cletus

Cletus — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 03:13:26 +0000

There are some great answers here! How does one define, “fit the show”? For me, it has to be a theme song that is so connected to the show that it isn’t automatically skipped on watching AND one that I didn’t particularly like until it was associated with the show- this means two answers, “With a Little Help from My Friends” and “Short Skirt, Long Jacket” don’t work for me. Does “Cleveland Rocks” from Drew Carey show count? It’s a cover. If so, I have to say Veronica Mars, “We Used to Be Friends”, followed by “Cleveland Rocks”, then “Save Me” from Smallville.

By: Duggy

Duggy — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:33:35 +0000

John, Love Spit Love covered “How Soon Is Now?” for The Craft (after initial reluctance to do so). While Charmed isn’t technically based on The Craft, it’s pretty clear why was picked. The Charmed theme was also a remixed version of the cover, so, again, while technically a possible pick, it’s still got issues making the list.

By: Xander

Xander — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 21:58:27 +0000

I love “Short Skirt, Long Jacket” as the theme for Chuck, as well.

The first song I thought of was “You May Be Right” for Dave’s World.

By: John King

John King — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 21:11:42 +0000

lots of possibles
Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – for the radio series the request was for a theme tune that sounded science fiction but included a banjo – it ended up with a version of the Eagle’s “Journey of the Sorcerer” (which was also used in the TV version).

CSI used a number of Who songs – “Who Are You?” is probably the most relevant
(although they were beaten to “I can see for miles” by British sitcom Supernova – set in an observatory in Australia)

NCIS New Orleans used “Boom Boom” by John Lee Hooker – the booms and bangs are certainly appropriate and it’s delta blues origin probably close enough..

though my pick is Charmed’s use of a cover version of the Smiths’ song “How Soon is Now?” which brought a creepy feel to the into

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 20:19:22 +0000

“Stand” by REM, used as the theme for “Get a Life”. The show was about a grown man who was still living with his parents, so the lyrics of the song were an ironic comment on that.

By: Neil

Neil — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 11:33:26 +0000

I was all set to say, “Walking on Air” from The Greatest American Hero, but decided to check the title first. Good thing I did, as when I found it, it turns out to be, “Theme From The Greatest American Hero (Believe it or Not)” which disqualifies it from this topic.

So, in that case, I’ll add to “With a Little Help From My Friends.”