The Song Stuck In Your Head
Some TV shows are memorable for their drama. Others, for their comedy. But some manage to lodge themselves forever into our collective pop culture brains before the first scene even airs—thanks to their theme songs.
Here’s a nostalgic (and musical) trip through some of the most iconic TV theme songs of all time.
Three’s Company
Come and knock on our door...You probably just sang that in your head. Three’s Company brought us slapstick comedy, risqué misunderstandings, and one of the most cheerfully groovy openings of all time. The gentle harmonies and soft pop vibe promised hijinks, housemates, and more than a few double entendres.
Three's Company Clip: Helen's Can of Biss by DLT's 80s Sitcom Flashback
The Partridge Family
“I think I love you…” Even if you’ve never watched a minute of this musical sitcom, you know that line. The Partridge Family turned a fictional band into a real-life chart-topper, and their theme (sung by David Cassidy himself) helped blur the lines between TV and pop stardom in the grooviest way possible.
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
Rescue Me
Denis Leary’s gritty firefighter drama doesn’t exactly scream “sing-along,” but its theme—the alt-rock anthem “C’mon C’mon” by The Von Bondies—punches you in the gut with garage-rock energy. It perfectly matches the show’s blend of chaos, dark humor, and emotional trauma.
New Girl
“Who’s that girl? It’s Jess!” Zooey Deschanel’s adorable, off-kilter vocals made the “New Girl” theme feel like it was written during a ukulele jam in someone’s cozy living room. And that’s exactly the vibe this quirky comedy needed.
New Girl - Opening - 720p HD, Wolfgand L. L. Huarhua
I Dream Of Jeannie
An instrumental theme so bouncy and magical it could grant wishes. This jazzy little earworm instantly transports you to a world of pink smoke, bottle-living genies, and mid-century fantasy.
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
All That
If you grew up in the ‘90s, you know this one: TLC’s high-energy hip-hop intro for Nickelodeon’s sketch comedy series is the definition of “iconic”. “This is All That! This is All That!”—yes, Queen Latifah’s echoing hype intro lives rent-free in our heads forever.
Good Burger - ft. Kenan and Kel 🍔 | FULL EPISODE of ‘All That’ (HD) | @NickRewind by NickRewind
The Walking Dead
Moody, ominous strings and a growing sense of dread—this isn’t your typical sing-along. But Bear McCreary’s eerie score sets the undead tone perfectly. It's not catchy in the traditional sense, but it's unmistakable, and it lets you know: things are about to get grim.
AMC, The Walking Dead (2010–2022)
Stranger Things
Minimalist synth magic. With a pulsing retro-futuristic score by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, the “Stranger Things” theme pulls us straight into the Upside Down. It’s ‘80s nostalgia bottled and refined into a pure sonic aesthetic.
Netflix, Stranger Things (2016-25)
The Big Bang Theory
“Math, science, history, unraveling the mystery...” Barenaked Ladies took a high-speed tour through the universe (and nerd culture) in just over 30 seconds. This hyper-catchy theme is equal parts educational, chaotic, and irresistible—just like the show.
The Flintstones
“Flintstones, meet the Flintstones…” The stone-age family’s cheerful theme song has transcended generations. With big-band brass, cartoon charm, and unrelenting memorability, it practically invented the idea of a theme song as an earworm.
Dallas
Before HBO made dramatic openings an artform, “Dallas” gave us sweeping instrumentals and glamorous helicopter shots of oil-rich Texas. It's bold, orchestral theme screamed money and drama—no lyrics needed.
DALLAS | J.R. Ewing Doesn't Like Bobby's New Wife, Pamela. (Pilot Episode), DALLAS70
Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?
A cappella group Rockapella made geography cool. Their smooth harmonies and clever lyrics turned this PBS game show into a legitimate bop. Seriously, ask anyone over 30 to sing it—they will.
Rockapella: Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
Green Acres
This fish-out-of-water sitcom gave us one of TV’s most delightfully bizarre duets. A snooty city gal and her tractor-loving husband sing their conflicting philosophies (“Land spreadin' out so far and wide...”) over a bouncy, Broadway-style tune. It’s weird. It’s wonderful.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Scooby Doo, Where Are You!
“Come on, Scooby-Doo, I see you…” It’s catchy, it’s groovy, and it practically dares you not to sing along. This theme brought mystery, monsters, and psychedelic surf rock into our Saturday mornings—and still slaps.
Hanna Barbera, Scooby Doo, Where Are You!
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Rock out with your stake out. Nerf Herder’s guitar-heavy theme sets the tone for Buffy’s unique blend of teen angst and demon-slaying action. Just 30 seconds of pure supernatural pop-punk perfection.
The Boondocks
The intro for this anime-inspired satire isn’t just a song—it’s a whole vibe. CeeLo Green’s “I Am the Stone that the Builder Refused” pairs poetic lyricism with cinematic flair. It’s introspective, powerful, and instantly elevates the show’s tone.
The Boondocks – Good Times Theme Song (HD) by Warren Carter
Malcolm In The Middle
“Life is unfair…” Those three words, screamed by They Might Be Giants, perfectly sum up the chaos of the Wilkerson family. It's loud, weird, and grungy—exactly what you'd expect from a show about being the middle kid in a dysfunctional genius household.
Fox, Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2006)
Phineas & Ferb
There’s 104 days of summer vacation, and one impossibly catchy theme song to kick it off. Bowling for Soup’s theme for this Disney animated hit is equal parts pop-punk and suburban daydream, perfect for both kids and nostalgic adults.
Phineas' Best Moments | Compilation | Phineas and Ferb | Disney XD by Disney XD
Full House
Whatever happened to predictability? The milkman, the paperboy, and the soothing adult-contemporary vocals that defined late ‘80s family sitcoms. This theme is sentimental, cheesy, and endlessly heartwarming—just like the show itself.
Warner Bros., Full House (1987-1995)
The Love Boat
“Love, exciting and new…” You can almost smell the sea breeze and martinis. This smooth, lounge-singer-style intro invited viewers aboard a floating rom-com every week. Come aboard, they’re expecting you.
ABC, The Love Boat (1977–1987)
Living Single
Before “Friends,” there was “Living Single.” And its opening theme, sung by Queen Latifah herself, oozes cool. A smooth hip-hop beat, slick rhymes, and unapologetic confidence made it a standout.
Living Single Theme Song + more by Angel Views
The Dukes Of Hazzard
“Just the good ol’ boys, never meanin’ no harm…” Waylon Jennings’ country ballad about the Duke boys is part outlaw anthem, part old-school charm. It’s twangy, proud, and tells a full story in under a minute.
The Best of Bo Duke by Former Zeitgeist
Law & Order
The most recognizable dun-dun in television history. Technically more of a musical sting than a full song, the “Law & Order” theme is sparse, gritty, and totally unforgettable. Hearing it triggers a Pavlovian need to binge courtroom drama.
Star Trek
Majestic, soaring, and vaguely cosmic. This orchestral theme, accompanied by Captain Kirk’s iconic voiceover (“To boldly go…”), set the standard for sci-fi TV intros. It's more than music—it’s a mission statement.
The Jeffersons
“We’re movin’ on up…” One of the greatest sitcom themes ever, hands down. Ja’net Dubois’ gospel-style vocals and the upbeat piano tell a whole story of success, pride, and unapologetic upward mobility. Iconic doesn’t even begin to cover it.
The Jeffersons | Louise Leaves George! | The Norman Lear Effect by The Norman Lear Effect
The Brady Bunch
This theme explains the entire plot in 30 seconds—and still manages to be catchy. With its sing-song chorus and visual tic-tac-toe of family faces, it’s both exposition and earworm rolled into one.
ABC Television., Wikimedia Commons
Sanford And Son
Quincy Jones gifted us with one of the funkiest TV themes ever. That wailing harmonica and slinky bassline defined the sound of the ‘70s sitcom. No lyrics needed—just straight-up groove.
The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
You know every word. Don’t pretend you don’t. Will Smith’s storytelling rap about how he became royalty in Bel-Air is probably the most universally memorized theme song ever. And it still slaps.
The heartbreaking moment Will's dad left | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - BBC, BBC
Friends
“I’ll be there for you…” Just a few claps and you’re transported to Central Perk. The Rembrandts’ theme for Friends isn’t just iconic—it became a full-fledged pop hit. It’s the theme song equivalent of a warm hug and bottomless coffee.
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