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Summary

The website content lists the author's top 20 favorite TV intros and theme songs from shows that aired between the 1960s and 1990s, reflecting a personal nostalgia for television during those decades.

Abstract

The author, reminiscing about television from the 1960s to the 1990s, shares a curated list of their top 20 favorite TV intros and theme songs. This list spans a variety of genres, from action-packed dramas like "The Equalizer" and "Magnum P.I." to the futuristic animation of "The Jetsons" and the cultural phenomenon of "The Cosby Show." The author expresses a fondness for the upbeat and catchy tunes that introduced these shows, noting the unique qualities of each theme, such as the "funky grooves" of "Barney Miller," the "spaced-out sound" of the original "Star Trek," and the "hilarious" Powerpuff Girls theme. The selection also includes culturally significant shows like "The Boondocks" with its hip-hop theme and "Treme," which holds special significance for the author as a New Orleans native. The author invites readers to share their own favorite TV themes and intros, fostering a sense of community and shared nostalgia.

Opinions

  • The author finds the theme song from "The Equalizer" to be particularly upbeat and fitting for the show's gritty crime themes.
  • "Magnum P.I." is remembered for its action-packed feel and Tom Selleck's handsomeness.
  • Despite not being born when "Barney Miller" aired, the author appreciates its theme song for its funky musical composition.
  • "The Cosby Show" intros are highlighted for their entertainment value, especially those featuring dance numbers.
  • "The Jetsons" is noted for its lively depiction of the future and quirky theme song.
  • The author has a soft spot for the "simpler times" evoked by the theme song of "What's Happenin'!"
  • The original "Star Trek" theme is praised for its unique, spacey sound.
  • "Barnaby Jones" is fondly recalled for its funky theme song that the author enjoyed during childhood.
  • The hip-hop theme of "The Boondocks" is celebrated as a rarity in TV themes, and the show's humor is also commended.
  • "Mission: Impossible" is remembered for its energetic and exciting intro.
  • Queen Latifah's contribution to "Living Single" is acknowledged for capturing the essence of black sisterhood.
  • "New York Undercover" is appreciated for both its theme song and the live performances featured in the show.
  • "Soul Train" evokes memories of groovy Saturday mornings and superior dance performances compared to contemporary shows.
  • The transformation scene in the "Wonder Woman" intro is described as fascinating and confident.
  • "L.A. Law" is noted for its theme that aptly captures the atmosphere of legal discussions.
  • The "Powerpuff Girls" theme is characterized as cutesy yet hilarious, with the tiny protagonists making a big impact.
  • The "Treme" theme song holds personal significance for the author, reminding them of Mardi Gras and local New Orleans culture.
  • "CHiPS" is enjoyed for its disco-futuristic theme that complements the nature of the show.
  • The theme of "Martin" is noted for its strong hip-hop vibe and the show's overall humor.
  • "Hawaii Five-O" is lauded for its iconic theme song that features a memorable drum session and brass section.

My Top 20 Favorite TV Intros And Theme Songs

Attention, all Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials! If you grew up between the 1960s and 1990s, then you’re familiar with a lot of the TV intros and theme songs that I’ll discuss in this post. I’m having a little fun and I will talk about my top 20 favorite TV intros and theme songs.

1. Theme Song From The Equalizer(1980s TV Show)

This particular theme song is very upbeat and it matches the gritty crime themes that this show was all about.

2. Magnum P.I.

I really loved the intro and theme song from this show as a kid. It had this action-packed feel to it and Tom Selleck looked quite handsome too.

3. Barney Miller

Although I wasn’t born when this show was on the air, I heard the theme song and intro as a child, and I thought it was one of the best theme songs ever. I liked the funky grooves of the bass, guitar, and keyboards at the beginning of the song.

4. The Cosby Show

Between the early 1980s and the 1990s, The Cosby Show had some seriously entertaining intros. I liked the one where the cast was doing a modern ballet-type dance number, and there was the intro where they danced off of a 1960s retro-style tune.

5. The Jetsons

The futuristic scenes and quirky theme song were so lively and it was one of my favorite cartoons to watch as a kid. I thought to myself, “What if the future really looked like the Jetsons?.” Now we’re living in a time when you can use drones to deliver packages.

6. What’s Happenin’!

I liked the original intro for this show when it first aired in the early 1970s. The theme song itself sounded like the Harlem Globetrotters song, and watching all the characters hang out in the neighborhood reminded me of simpler times from long ago.

7. The Original Star Trek Theme

I prefer the 1960s Star Trek theme song because it had this weird yet beautifully spaced-out sound to it. It was as if a group of space creatures got together and created a musical chorus.

8. Barnaby Jones

This theme song and intro was one of my favorites growing up. One of my local TV stations showed this program in syndication, and I liked the way the song had this funky feel to it.

9. The Boondocks Theme Song

There are not many hip-hop-themed TV theme songs these days, and I really loved the intro and theme song from the show The Boondocks. The way the two boys and their grandfather interacted with each other on the show was also hilarious.

10. Mission: Impossible

The 1960s TV show intro and theme was so energetic and exciting at the same time. It made me feel as if I were right there with the characters trying to solve the crimes.

11. Living Single

I was a teen in the 1990s, and I remember sitting in front of the TV watching Living Single. Queen Latifah did a stellar job with freestyling about the power of black sisterhood, and it went well with the overall concept of the show.

12. New York Undercover

This was a case where I liked both the theme song and the show itself. My favorite part of each episode was at the end where a popular singer would perform at the club where the two detectives liked to hang out.

13. Soul Train

“Sooooul train!” I remember this groovy tagline every Saturday morning after I ate my breakfast and got dressed for the day. It was so fun to hear the different themes from this show over the years, and the dancers performed much better than the ones on TV nowadays.

14. Wonder Woman Intro (the 1970s)

It was fascinating to see how Lynda Carter transformed from a regular lady to a powerful superhero just by spinning around a few times. The way she used her lasso in the intro was bold and confident.

15. L.A. Law

This theme song sounded just like a scene where you see a bunch of lawyers gather together and talk about the cases they’re working on. It had this legalese feel to it. My aunt loved to watch this show when I was a kid.

16. Powerpuff Girls

I was in high school when this show aired, but I thought the theme song and intro sounded cutesy but in a hilarious way. The three little girl characters were so tiny and to see them in action was quite a sight to see.

17. Treme

I’m from New Orleans, so you know I had to include the theme song from this show. The singer of this song, John Boutte, is a New Orleans native and his music is excellent overall. The song itself reminds me of Mardi Gras and the local secondlines that the locals attend here.

18. CHiPS

Watching Erik Estrada in his police officer uniform and riding on the motorcycle was always neat to see, and I enjoyed the theme song overall. It had a disco yet futuristic feel to it. It matched the nature of the show too.

19. Martin

This theme has a strong hip-hop vibe to it and the show itself was funny too.

20. Hawaii Five-O

The theme song starts with a big drum session and then all the big horns come in after a few minutes. This is one theme song that I never get tired of hearing.

So these are my top favorite TV theme songs. Which TV theme songs and intros are your favorites and why? Leave your favorite ones in the comments.

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