You Couldn't Skip These Intros
Before streaming gave viewers a button to jump straight into an episode, television themes were part of the experience. The best ones became inseparable from the shows themselves, and some even turned into legitimate hit records. You probably remember more of them than you think, but 20 out of 20 will take some serious 1980s TV knowledge.
So, how many of these classic themes can you actually identify?
Screenshot from Miami Vice, Universal Television (1984-1990)
1. Where Did Everybody Know Your Name?
Few opening lines are more closely associated with 1980s television than the promise of going somewhere "where everybody knows your name." Which sitcom welcomed viewers with that famous theme?
A) Night Court
B) Cheers
C) Family Ties
D) Growing Pains
Screenshot from Cheers, NBC (1982–1993)
Answer: Cheers
The answer is Cheers. Gary Portnoy performed "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," which he wrote with Judy Hart Angelo. The warm, melancholy song became almost as recognizable as the Boston bar itself.
Screenshot from Cheers, NBC (1982–1993)
2. Which Theme Went With Neon Miami And Speedboats?
Imagine pounding synthesizers playing over rapid shots of palm trees, beaches, speedboats, sports cars, and the Miami skyline. Which crime drama are you watching?
A) Hunter
B) Crime Story
C) Miami Vice
D) Spenser: For Hire
Screenshot from Miami Vice, NBC (1984–1990)
Answer: Miami Vice
That unmistakable combination belongs to Miami Vice. Jan Hammer's instrumental theme matched the show's glossy visual style and became a major hit of its own. The track even won two Grammy Awards.
Screenshot from Miami Vice, Universal Television (1984-1990)
3. Which Show Borrowed An Older Hit?
This theme was not originally written for television. Andrew Gold released "Thank You for Being a Friend" in 1978, years before a new recording became attached to which enormously popular sitcom?
A) Designing Women
B) The Golden Girls
C) Kate & Allie
D) 227
Screenshot from The Golden Girls, NBC (1985–1992)
Answer: The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls used a cover of Andrew Gold's song performed by Cynthia Fee. Gold's original had already been released as a single years earlier. The TV version became so closely associated with Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia that many viewers encountered the song through the series.
Screenshot from The Golden Girls, NBC (1985–1992)
4. Finish This Full House Lyric
"Everywhere you look, everywhere you ___." Which word completes that familiar piece of the Full House theme?
A) Go
B) Know
C) Show
D) Grow
Screenshot from Full House, ABC (1987–1995), Enhanced
Answer: "Go"
The missing word is "go." "Everywhere You Look" accompanied the Tanner family through the show's San Francisco opening credits. Jesse Frederick performed the theme and helped write it with Bennett Salvay and series creator Jeff Franklin.
Screenshot from Full House, ABC (1987–1995), Enhanced
5. Which Star Sang His Own Stuntman Theme?
"The Unknown Stuntman" was performed by the actor who also starred as bounty-hunting stuntman Colt Seavers. Which television series used it?
A) Hardcastle and McCormick
B) Matt Houston
C) B.J. and the Bear
D) The Fall Guy
Screenshot from The Fall Guy, ABC (1981–1986)
Answer: The Fall Guy
The answer is The Fall Guy. Star Lee Majors himself sang "The Unknown Stuntman," giving the opening an unusually direct connection to its leading character. The lyrics even played with the anonymous nature of the stunt performers who made movie stars look fearless.
Screenshot from The Fall Guy, ABC (1981–1986)
6. Which Opening Split The Cast Into Three Panels?
An instrumental theme played while cast members appeared inside three vertical panels, an opening design that became instantly associated with one wealthy Texas family. Which series was it?
A) Falcon Crest
B) Knots Landing
C) Dallas
D) Dynasty
Screenshot from Dallas, CBS (1978–1991)
Answer: Dallas
The three-panel opening belonged to Dallas. Jerrold Immel composed its dramatic instrumental theme, which combined sweeping orchestral sounds with a distinctly contemporary rhythm. The music immediately announced that the Ewing family's latest battle was about to begin.
Screenshot from Dallas, CBS (1978–1991)
7. Which Show Asked You To “Believe It Or Not”?
"Believe It or Not" became a genuine pop hit rather than simply disappearing when the credits ended. Which superhero comedy-drama used it as its theme?
A) Misfits of Science
B) Manimal
C) Automan
D) The Greatest American Hero
Screenshot from The Greatest American Hero, ABC (1981–1983)
Answer: The Greatest American Hero
The song belonged to The Greatest American Hero. Joey Scarbury performed the Mike Post and Stephen Geyer composition, which climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its success made it one of the decade's rare television themes to become a major mainstream pop record.
Screenshot from The Greatest American Hero, ABC (1981–1983), Enhanced
8. Finish This Diff'rent Strokes Lyric
"The world don't move to the beat of one ___." What completes the famous thought?
A) Heart
B) Song
C) Drum
D) Man
Screenshot from Diff'rent Strokes, NBC (1978–1986), Enhanced
Answer: "Drum"
The missing word is "drum." The Diff'rent Strokes theme used its lyrics to reinforce the show's central idea that different people could build a family together. Alan Thicke, Gloria Loring, and Al Burton wrote the song.
Screenshot from Diff'rent Strokes, NBC (1978–1986), Enhanced
9. Which Detective Show Had Al Jarreau Singing Its Theme?
Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd traded rapid-fire dialogue while Al Jarreau supplied the smooth, jazzy vocal heard during the opening. Which show was it?
A) Remington Steele
B) Moonlighting
C) Simon & Simon
D) Hart to Hart
Screenshot from Moonlighting, ABC (1985–1989)
Answer: Moonlighting
Al Jarreau sang the title theme to Moonlighting. He co-wrote it with composer Lee Holdridge, and the recording later earned Jarreau a Grammy nomination. Its polished jazz-pop sound fit the show's unusual mixture of romance, comedy, and detective drama.
Screenshot from Moonlighting, ABC (1985–1989)
10. Which Show Had That Pulsing Electronic Car Theme?
A glowing red scanner swept back and forth across the nose of a black talking car as an ominous electronic theme kicked in. Which show were you about to watch?
A) Street Hawk
B) Knight Rider
C) Airwolf
D) Automan
Screenshot from Knight Rider, NBC (1982–1986)
Answer: Knight Rider
That was Knight Rider, with David Hasselhoff behind the wheel of KITT. The electronic theme became one of the defining sounds of action television in the decade. Stu Phillips developed the music with series creator Glen A. Larson.
Screenshot from Knight Rider, NBC (1982–1986)
11. Which Show Used “Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now”?
Do not confuse this one with Starship's similarly titled 1987 hit. "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now" was the upbeat theme of which sitcom about two very different cousins?
A) Head of the Class
B) My Sister Sam
C) Just the Ten of Us
D) Perfect Strangers
Screenshot from Perfect Strangers, ABC (1986–1993)
Answer: Perfect Strangers
The song opened Perfect Strangers. David Pomeranz performed the theme, which was written by Jesse Frederick and Bennett Salvay. Its optimistic lyrics suited Balki and Larry's attempts to build new lives together in Chicago.
Screenshot from Perfect Strangers, ABC (1986–1993)
12. Finish This Who's The Boss? Lyric
A later version of the show's theme began, "There's a time for love and a time for ___." Which word comes next?
A) Living
B) Giving
C) Dreaming
D) Winning
Screenshot from Who's the Boss?, ABC (1984–1992), Enhanced
Answer: "Living"
The answer is "living." The song was called "Brand New Life," and several versions were heard during the run of Who's the Boss? The opening credits followed Tony and Samantha as they left Brooklyn behind and headed for their new life in Connecticut.
Screenshot from Who's the Boss?, ABC (1984–1992)
13. Which Show Opened With A Fugitive Commando Unit?
Before the instrumental theme really got moving, viewers heard a narrator explain that an elite military unit had been imprisoned for a crime its members said they did not commit. Which show followed?
A) Riptide
B) The A-Team
C) Hardcastle and McCormick
D) Matt Houston
Screenshot from The A-Team, NBC (1983–1987), Enhanced
Answer: The A-Team
That setup introduced The A-Team every week. The spoken premise rolled directly into the show's brassy, militaristic instrumental theme. By the time the cast appeared onscreen, viewers already knew Hannibal, Face, B.A., and Murdock were about to cause some extremely elaborate trouble.
Screenshot from The A-Team, NBC (1983–1987)
14. Which Sitcom Promised “As Long As We Got Each Other”?
B.J. Thomas and Jennifer Warnes performed one of the best-known versions of "As Long as We Got Each Other." Which family sitcom used the song?
A) Growing Pains
B) Family Ties
C) Just the Ten of Us
D) Charles in Charge
Screenshot from Growing Pains, ABC (1985–1992), Enhanced
Answer: Growing Pains
The song belonged to Growing Pains. B.J. Thomas initially performed the theme solo, while later versions paired him with Jennifer Warnes and, at another point, Dusty Springfield. The shifting recordings make this theme slightly trickier than many viewers remember.
Screenshot from Growing Pains, ABC (1985–1992), Enhanced
15. Can You Finish The Lyric And Name The Show?
"You take the good, you take the ___." Complete that lyric, then identify the sitcom it introduced.
A) Gimme a Break!
B) Small Wonder
C) Silver Spoons
D) The Facts of Life
Screenshot from The Facts of Life, NBC (1979–1988), Enhanced
Answer: The Facts Of Life
The missing word is "bad," and the show is The Facts of Life. The familiar version of the theme arrived after the series' first season and was sung by Gloria Loring. The lyrics changed as the series evolved, but that opening line became the one viewers remembered.
Screenshot from The Facts of Life, NBC (1979–1988), Enhanced
16. Which Opening Put A Ferrari In Hawaii?
A mustachioed private investigator, Hawaiian scenery, helicopters, action shots, and a red Ferrari all appeared alongside one of the decade's most recognizable instrumental themes. Name the show.
A) Jake and the Fatman
B) Magnum, P.I.
C) Riptide
D) Simon & Simon
Screenshot from Magnum, P.I., CBS (1980–1988), Enhanced
Answer: Magnum, P.I.
The Ferrari belonged to Thomas Magnum in Magnum, P.I. The familiar theme was written by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter after an earlier theme had been used when the show began. It became one of the musical signatures of 1980s adventure television.
Screenshot from Magnum, P.I., CBS (1980–1988)
17. Which Family Sang About Life “Without Us”?
The theme "Without Us" eventually featured the voices of Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams. Which Michael J. Fox sitcom used it?
A) Family Ties
B) Growing Pains
C) Valerie
D) Mr. Belvedere
Screenshot from Family Ties, NBC (1982–1989)
Answer: Family Ties
"Without Us" belonged to Family Ties. Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams performed the familiar version after different singers were heard during the show's earliest episodes. Its sentimental duet matched the family photographs and affectionate imagery of the opening credits.
Screenshot from Family Ties, NBC (1982–1989)
18. Which Police Drama Had The Surprisingly Gentle Piano Theme?
Police shows usually promised action, but this acclaimed drama began with a restrained piano melody instead. Which series opened with Mike Post's unusually reflective instrumental?
A) T.J. Hooker
B) Hunter
C) Hill Street Blues
D) Cagney & Lacey
Screenshot from Hill Street Blues, NBC (1981–1987)
Answer: Hill Street Blues
The piano theme belonged to Hill Street Blues. Its relatively gentle sound stood in contrast to the chaotic urban precinct viewers were about to enter. The recording also crossed over beyond television and became a Top 10 hit in the United States.
Screenshot from Hill Street Blues, NBC (1981–1987)
19. Which Show Used “Every Time I Turn Around”?
Gary Portnoy had already become famous for singing the Cheers theme when his voice appeared on another NBC sitcom. Which show used "Every Time I Turn Around"?
A) Small Wonder
B) Silver Spoons
C) Webster
D) Punky Brewster
Screenshot from Punky Brewster, NBC (1984–1988)
Answer: Punky Brewster
"Every Time I Turn Around" was the theme to Punky Brewster. Portnoy wrote it with Judy Hart Angelo, the same songwriting partner with whom he created the Cheers theme. Its bright, affectionate sound fit a series built around Punky's unconventional new family.
Screenshot from Punky Brewster, NBC (1984–1988)
20. Which Show Doesn't Match This Theme Title?
Three of these pairings are correct. Which show does not match the theme title beside it?
A) Cheers — "Where Everybody Knows Your Name"
B) Perfect Strangers — "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now"
C) Mr. Belvedere — "According to Our New Arrival"
D) Moonlighting — "Brand New Life"
Screenshot from Cheers, NBC (1982–1993)
Answer: Moonlighting
Moonlighting is the mismatch. Its theme was simply called "Moonlighting," while "Brand New Life" belonged to Who's the Boss? If you spotted that after 19 other questions, you clearly spent considerably more time watching opening credits than the Skip Intro generation ever will.
Screenshot from Moonlighting, ABC (1985–1989)
So How Well Did You Do?
A perfect 20 probably means the opening credits were never bathroom-break material in your house. Getting 15 or more still suggests those melodies are buried surprisingly deep in your memory. Anything below that gives you an excellent excuse to revisit some classic television.
Be honest. How many did you get right without humming the songs first?
Screenshot from Punky Brewster, NBC (1984–1988)
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