Nowadays different video streaming services offer the option of skipping the opening theme song of a TV series, however, these TV series theme songs CANNOT be separated from the images. Theme songs are the culprit of any good and long-lasting TV series and in this article we want to cherish the 10 best TV series Theme songs of all time.
10. The O.C.
Composer: Phantom Planet
The show creator Josh Schwartz wanted the soundtrack of this 2000s TV show to be like a “character on the show” and the opening theme does just that. Phantom Planet’s song creates the perfect mood for the California drama driven tv show, setting yourself in the Golden Coast.
The song before being used as a the main theme hadn’t gained much radio play, but it exploded as soon as the show started growing on people. Also, the song is inspired by Al Jolson’s “California, Here I Come” taking the main chorus lyric, however, the styles and feel are completely different.
9. Twin Peaks
Composer: Angelo Badalamenti
Without Angelo Badalamenti’s soundtrack, Twin Peaks wouldn’t be the same. The opening theme song was written in a dreamy kind of way when Angelo had met with producer David Lynch. David being both a director and a musician had a clear vision of what he wanted.
He talked to Angelo about the scenes he had going through is mind and step-by-step Angelo followed him in a beautiful stream of consciousness. The rest is history. David was amazed by the first idea Angelo was able to pull up setting the perfect tone to the eerie Twin Peaks. After creating an instrumental version, a version with lyrics (Falling) was crafted around this beautiful composition with singer Julee Cruise
8. Happy Days
Composers: Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox
Monday, Tuesday – HAPPY DAYS.
Thursday, Friday – HAPPY DAYS.
Saturday what a day.
Rockin’ all week for you
Without even hearing the music, you can hear this tv series theme song going through your head. Happy Days was a big hit in the U.S.A but also around Europe in the 1970s running for about 10 years from 1974 until 1984.
7. Stranger Things
Composers: Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein
Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, members of the synth band Survive, were relatively unknown outside the synthwave community before Stranger Things catapulted them into the mainstream. Drawing inspiration from 1980s electronic soundtracks, particularly those of John Carpenter and Tangerine Dream, they crafted a theme that’s equal parts nostalgic and eerie. Its pulsing arpeggiators, lush synth pads, and minor-key melodies perfectly capture the supernatural yet sentimental tone of the show.
6. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Composer/Performer: Will Smith & Quincy Jones (executive producer)
Quincy Jones, one of the most celebrated producers in music history, was behind the overall sound of the show, but the theme itself was penned and performed by Will Smith (then “The Fresh Prince”) alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff. The upbeat rap intro tells the main character’s entire backstory in under a minute, a storytelling masterclass with a catchy ’90s beats. It became so ingrained in pop culture that most people can still recite it word-for-word decades later.
5. The Simpsons
Composer: Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman, famous for his quirky, darkly whimsical scores (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands), created The Simpsons theme in just two days. He described it as “one of the most popular things I ever wrote,” despite it being a quick project. Its manic brass lines, cartoonish percussion, and instantly recognisable melody capture the anarchic humour and warmth of the series and (if you hadn’t realised) it’s been opening the show for over 35 years.
4. Friends
Composer/Performers: Michael Skloff & Allee Willis (music), The Rembrandts (performance)
Michael Skloff, a seasoned TV composer, teamed up with Grammy-winning songwriter Allee Willis to create a feel-good pop-rock anthem for Friends. Originally a 45-second theme, “I’ll Be There for You” was later expanded into a full song by The Rembrandts after fans demanded more. The infectious handclaps and upbeat guitar riff made it the ultimate symbol of camaraderie and ’90s optimism, and it’s also been revamped on TikToks and Reels alike.
3. X-Files
Composer: Mark Snow
Mark Snow’s haunting theme came from an accidental keyboard effect, a delay setting that transformed a simple melody into something unearthly. Snow, a prolific TV composer, managed to capture the show’s mix of conspiracy, paranoia, and wonder in just a few ghostly notes. That whistling synth became a sonic shorthand for the unexplained and remains one of the most recognisable TV themes in history.
2. The Addams Family
Composer: Vic Mizzy
Vic Mizzy, a veteran of 1960s TV themes (Green Acres), composed The Addams Family’s playful, macabre tune. Its instantly recognisable finger snaps and singalong lyrics made it a hit with audiences of all ages. Mizzy even sang multiple vocal parts himself in the recording, layering them to create the quirky choral effect. Sometimes the simplest musical ideas have the longest cultural lifespan.
1. Game of Thrones
Composer: Ramin Djawadi
German-Iranian composer Ramin Djawadi, known for his work on Westworld and Iron Man, delivered a sweeping, cinematic score that matched the epic scale of Game of Thrones. The main theme’s use of cello as the lead instrument was unusual for TV at the time, giving it a rich, brooding quality. The melody builds like a march, evoking images of armies and kingdoms, and became synonymous with the grandeur of Westeros.
What’s your favorite TV series theme Songs?
From creepy synths to finger-snapping fun, these iconic TV themes prove that a great opening song can set the stage for everything that follows. They don’t just introduce a show, they become part of our cultural memory, instantly transporting us back to the worlds and characters we love. Whether you’re humming along to Friends or feeling the suspense of The X-Files, these themes have earned their place in television history.
What about you, which TV theme song will you never skip?
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