That Voice Sounds Awfully Familiar
Some television theme songs are unforgettable, but the voices behind them can be surprisingly difficult to identify. While studios frequently hired professional singers, certain actors stepped up to the microphone themselves. Some were accomplished musicians, while others had little recording experience. From beloved sitcoms to action-packed dramas, these familiar stars added their own voices to television history. How many did you recognize?
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Eddie Albert And Eva Gabor: Green Acres
When Green Acres premiered in 1965, stars Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor performed its wonderfully mismatched theme song. Composer Vic Mizzy later recalled that Albert handled the singing easily, while Gabor needed encouragement to deliver most of her lines in her character's sophisticated speaking voice.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Micky Dolenz: The Monkees
The opening theme of The Monkees featured the unmistakable voice of Micky Dolenz. Although songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart created the number, Dolenz recorded the lead vocals for the television version. The result became one of the most recognizable musical introductions of the 1960s.
Carroll O'Connor And Jean Stapleton: All In The Family
Rather than hiring professional vocalists, All in the Family opened with Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton singing "Those Were the Days" at the piano. Their deliberately unpolished performance perfectly captured Archie and Edith Bunker's personalities. The song even became a Billboard chart hit in 1972.
Screenshot from All in the Family, CBS (1971–1979), Enhanced
David Cassidy: The Partridge Family
David Cassidy wasn't merely pretending to be a singer on The Partridge Family. His vocals powered the show's famous "C'mon Get Happy" theme, which became closely associated with his teenage-idol popularity. Cassidy continued performing the catchy tune during his later concert appearances.
ABC Television Network., Wikimedia Commons
The Brady Kids: The Brady Bunch
The original Brady Bunch opening was performed by the Peppermint Trolley Company. Beginning with the second season, however, the six actors playing the Brady children recorded their own version. That change gave the television family an unexpectedly genuine musical identity, helping launch recordings and live performances.
Linda Lavin: Alice
Linda Lavin played aspiring singer Alice Hyatt on the CBS sitcom Alice, and she also performed its opening theme, "There's a New Girl in Town." Written by David Shire with Alan and Marilyn Bergman, the song reflected Alice's determination to rebuild her life.
Screenshot from Alice, CBS (1976–1985), Enhanced
Grant Goodeve: Eight Is Enough
Eight Is Enough originally featured an instrumental introduction, but its third season brought a significant change. Grant Goodeve, who played eldest son David Bradford, sang the replacement theme. His gentle delivery transformed the opening into a warm celebration of the Bradford family's relationships.
Screenshot from Eight Is Enough, ABC (1977–1981)
Lee Majors: The Fall Guy
Lee Majors did more than perform stunts on The Fall Guy. He also sang the series theme, "The Unknown Stuntman." The country-flavored song even referenced his former wife, Farrah Fawcett. Majors wasn't primarily known as a singer, making his convincing performance particularly memorable.
Screenshot from The Fall Guy, ABC (1981–1986)
Nell Carter: Gimme A Break!
Broadway performer Nell Carter brought her considerable vocal talents to Gimme a Break! She sang both versions of the sitcom's theme song, including the replacement introduced during its third season. Her powerful voice gave the family comedy an energetic introduction that became instantly recognizable.
Screenshot from Gimme a Break!, NBC (1981–1987), Enhanced
Judi Dench: A Fine Romance
Long before becoming internationally famous for major film roles, Judi Dench starred opposite her husband, Michael Williams, in the British sitcom A Fine Romance. Dench recorded the show's theme herself, performing a version of the Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields song from the 1930s.
Screenshot from A Fine Romance, ITV (1981–1984), Enhanced
Marla Gibbs: 227
Marla Gibbs was already a familiar television personality when she began starring in 227. She also performed its theme, "There's No Place Like Home." The actress, who previously portrayed Florence Johnston on The Jeffersons, helped give her new sitcom a warm musical identity.
Screenshot from 227, NBC (1985–1990), Enhanced
Holly Robinson Peete: 21 Jump Street
Viewers remember Johnny Depp from 21 Jump Street, but Holly Robinson Peete supplied the show's lead theme vocals. She played Judy Hoffs throughout the series. Depp and fellow cast member Peter DeLuise also contributed brief backing vocals, making the recording a surprising cast collaboration.
Screenshot from 21 Jump Street, Fox (1987–1991), Enhanced
Chuck Norris: Walker, Texas Ranger
Chuck Norris originally wanted country singer Randy Travis to perform "The Eyes of a Ranger." CBS preferred Norris himself. The actor later recalled spending nearly 12 hours recording his vocals, with some passages delivered more like spoken lines. The result became the show's signature theme.
Screenshot from Walker, Texas Ranger, CBS (1993–2001), Enhanced
David Hasselhoff: Baywatch
Although Jimi Jamison famously performed the opening theme of Baywatch, David Hasselhoff contributed music to the show's closing credits. The actor recorded "Current of Love" and later performed another closing song with Laura Branigan. His television popularity and European recording career made the combination especially fitting.
Screenshot from Baywatch, NBC (1989–2001)
Will Smith: The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
Will Smith needed no additional singer for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Already established as a rapper, Smith performed the memorable opening that explained how his character moved from Philadelphia to California. The Quincy Jones-associated production became almost as recognizable as the sitcom itself.
Screenshot from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, NBC (1990–1996)
Queen Latifah: Living Single
Queen Latifah wrote and performed the energetic Living Single theme. Interestingly, she initially created an entirely different song when the sitcom was called My Girls. After the title changed, she collaborated with producer Def Jef on the familiar hip-hop-inspired recording.
Screenshot from Living Single, Fox (1993 - 1998)
Kelsey Grammer: Frasier
Kelsey Grammer's jazzy rendition of "Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs" became synonymous with Frasier. The song appeared during the closing credits rather than the opening. Composer Bruce Miller originally envisioned Mel Tormé performing it, but Grammer ultimately delivered the distinctive version audiences remember.
Screenshot from Frasier, Paramount (1993-2004)
Dennis Waterman: New Tricks
British actor Dennis Waterman was unusually comfortable combining acting with television theme songs. For the BBC drama New Tricks, he performed "It's Alright, It's Okay," written by Mike Moran. His familiar singing voice accompanied the show's opening montage throughout its long television run.
Screenshot from New Tricks, BBC (2003–2015)
Reba McEntire: Reba
Country superstar Reba McEntire naturally provided the vocals for her sitcom's theme, "I'm a Survivor." The recording became inseparable from her portrayal of Reba Hart. In October 2026, McEntire released the official television theme version commercially as part of a special anniversary EP.
Screenshot from Reba, The WB (2001–2007)
Jason Schwartzman: Bored To Death
Jason Schwartzman brought his musical background to HBO's Bored to Death, writing and performing the theme himself. The former Phantom Planet drummer reportedly completed the composition remarkably quickly after struggling to find time for it. His quirky recording complemented the show's offbeat humor.
Screenshot from Bored to Death, HBO (2009–2011)
Miley Cyrus: Hannah Montana
Miley Cyrus was already playing a fictional pop superstar on Hannah Montana, so performing the theme made perfect sense. Her song "The Best of Both Worlds" introduced viewers to the character's double life. The catchy recording also helped establish Cyrus's real-world musical career.
Screenshot from Hannah Montana, Disney Channel (2006–2011)
Miranda Cosgrove: iCarly
Miranda Cosgrove recorded "Leave It All to Me," the opening theme for iCarly, alongside Drake Bell. In a 2024 interview with WIRED, she revealed that she was just 12 when she recorded it. Remarkably, it was her first experience singing in a recording studio.
Screenshot from iCarly, Nickelodeon (2007–2012)
Jamie Lynn Spears: Zoey 101
Jamie Lynn Spears supplied the vocals for "Follow Me," the opening theme of Nickelodeon's Zoey 101. Unlike many television stars who simply acted during their opening credits, Spears helped establish the show's musical identity. She later revisited the song with an updated recording.
Screenshot from Zoey 101, Nickelodeon (2005–2008)
Zooey Deschanel: New Girl
Zooey Deschanel didn't need a professional singer for New Girl. She wrote, produced, and performed the original opening track, "Hey Girl." Her distinctive voice introduced Jessica Day's quirky personality before each episode. Later seasons eventually replaced the vocal opening with a shorter instrumental arrangement.
Screenshot from New Girl, Fox (2011–2018)
Selena Gomez: Wizards Of Waverly Place
Selena Gomez performed "Everything Is Not What It Seems" for Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place. Playing Alex Russo wasn't enough for the young actress, who reportedly wanted to contribute musically to the series. Her vocals remained central to the updated theme used during the final season.
Screenshot from Wizards of Waverly Place, Disney Channel (2007–2012)
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