Top 10 TV Theme Songs (with Words)

Brought to you by the same mind that created memorable “Sesame Street” staples like its theme song and “C is for Cookie,” this tune features a little more porno guitar than is appropriate on a kid’s show – but it’s right at home on a risqué comedy-of-errors. With some groovy instrumentals overlaid by a pair of sleazy lounge singers, this is one theme song that gets stuck in your head.

This is one of those shows that everyone inexplicably watched as a kid, despite the racy old ladies. You know what that means? There’s an entire generation that can sing this theme from start to finish. Penned by songwriter Andrew Gold, who also wrote “Mad About You”’s “Final Frontier,” “Thank You for Being a Friend” is kinda like a soft-rock version of the “Friends” theme for widows and retirees.

Believe it or not, when this iconic cartoon debuted in 1960, its theme song was an instrumental that sounded a little too much like to Bugs Bunny’s merry melody “This Is It.” So, in season three that was swapped out for the familiar opener we know and love. Introducing us to “The Flintstones” family, friends and the town of Bedrock, it’s a yabba dabba doo time.

This sitcom was spun off from another show with a memorable theme. But somehow, even though they’re not singing themselves, “The Jeffersons” manage to top the Bunkers with “Movin’ On Up.” This soulful song explains how George and Weezie made a better life for themselves on the east side, set to an upbeat gospel choir refrain. It makes us just want to get up and dance; what about you George?

Like theme songs of yore, this tune begins with Lois and Peter crooning about what’s wrong with television. It then turns into a huge song-and-dance number featuring the entire family, as well as some showgirls and boys. But “Family Guy”’s a series that likes to keep fans on their toes, so every so often, something unexpected happens. You think that’s bad? How ‘bout this?

The Muppets are a musical bunch, so they’ve got more than one theme song in the running for best ever. What beats “Sunny Days”? How’s about Rowlf on keys, Zoot on sax, Statler and Waldorf heckling, and every other Muppet dancing and harmonizing in unison? We’d have to say that’s the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, muppetational of them all. But poor Gonzo – he cannot get that trumpet solo right.

Cool, urgent and objectively badass, this theme song is a perfect match for the show it introduces. Written by Alabama 3 about a woman who murdered her husband after decades of abuse, “Woke Up This Morning” was not created specifically for the series – but it’s one example of an existing song that gets the viewer primed and ready for the mayhem that comes next.

Never seen this show? No problem: like so many iconic sitcom themes, this tune gives you all the storyline info you need. Here’s the deal: while we were supposed to be learning state capitals, we were using our brain-space to memorize the lyrics to this Will Smith rap jam. And just think: he went from shootin’ some b-ball outside of his school to Oscar nominations, you guys.

It’s tough to resist clapping along when “I’ll Be There for You” comes on. Performed by The Rembrandts and written by the show’s producers, this song was chosen over R.E.M.’s “Shiny Happy People” as this sitcom’s opener. Thanks to the show’s popularity it became an inescapable part of the ‘90s, with its timeless message about young adulthood and having pals that’ll stick around and dance with you in a fountain.

From those first quiet piano chords to the soaring chorus, this theme tune perfectly sets the tone for the show that follows – a sitcom about friendship and drinking. Written and performed by Gary Portnoy, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” was eventually released as a single – and it even hit the charts. Can’t you just imagine belting this out at a bar with your buds after a few brews?

Do you agree with our list? Which TV theme song do you get stuck in your head? For more entertaining top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.