Written by sorry about the lack of movement. i’ve been moving myself and am without a consistent source of computer, so i’m typing this at the local library. hopefully i get the whole thing out. this is a topic i’ve been thinknig about for awhile because it’s something that is near and dear to my heart. but especially my brother’s heart. the man has an UNCANNY knack for knowing the theme song to just about every show in television history. We face a serious issue here in the pop culture world, in the fact that the tv theme song, for the purposes of this post that refers to those songs created specifically for a show.
Theme songs have been on a downward slide for a few years now. The downfall began when shows started popularizing pop songs as their theme songs, for instance the classic example would be Friends using the Rembrandts song “I’ll Be There For You” which became an instant hit and even managed to make me purchase the Rembrandts entire album. A terrible decision. But more recently shows have shunned the whole theme song idea altogether in favor of some noises and a floating text title. The biggest perpetrator of this is LOST. Now I am an ardent LOST fan (google the season 5 promo, it is awesome) and know that a theme song wouldn’t really fit the mood or timbre of this show. Although I have imagined it before, I think it would go something like this:
A plane full of attractive people crashes on an island (sick guitar riff)
Who will save them, Jack and Locke can!
Band together they must (another, but different sick guitar riff)
Quash their feelings and build some trust
CRAZY DRUM SOLO
On this island where they’re alone,
Or are they alone?
Live together, die alone they say (keyboard solo)
Perhaps they’ll escape this mysterious island someday!!!!!
This would most likely be sung by David Byrne of the Talking Heads at least that’s what I imagine.
Anyways, this lack of new special theme songs really stinks. I mean those things used to set the tone for a show and now all we get is a floating text title? There is definitely room for potential growth in this avenue. Even those with original songs are mostly instrumental. I say we unite and make a change, especially on this election day ( GO BE AMERICAN TODAY, by the way) I say we fight for classic TV intros. Remember Mr. Belvedere (Dropkicked his jacket…) and Three’s Company (Come and knock on our door….) and Saved By the Bell (When I wake up in the morning…). Classics, let’s bring em back!
What’s your favorite theme song? Do you like floating text noise intros?
Oh man- this brought up a good brainstorming session! Real quick though – I think, OH GOSH! California from the OC – yeah that show was stupid – but I had to watch it! The song was awesome for the show though.
I guess the best intro theme song ever would be the Simpsons though – i don’t really dig that show…but I do appreciate it.
I hope your move has gone well. I wish I could have helped you out. Send me an email and fill me in on everything. I mean EVERYTHING! Were you a the Planter Peanut for Halloween?
Cartoon:
With Lyrics- Gummi Bears
No lyrics – Batman the Animated series (Hands Down)
Comedy:
With lyrics – Tie: Full House, Family Matters
Without- Home Improvement
Drama-
Lyrics- The Sopranos ( I know its not origional but it would be otherwise unknown)
No Lyrics – ER
I love everything about LOST, so I will not knock the floating text. Also, I love hearing the weird noises. It’s LOST’s theme song in it’s own way. Although yours was amazing too…
CSI:Miami’s theme song makes my ears bleed (possibly because of dad’s amped up volume everytime it comes on).
And, finally…
What ever happened to predictibility?
The milkman, the paperboy, THEME SONGS on TV?
It’s a rare condition, this day and age,
to read any good news on the newspaper page.
Love and tradition of the grand design,
some people say it’s even harder to find.
Well then there must be some magic clue inside these tearful walls
Cause all I see is a tower of dreams
real love burstin’ out of every seam.
As days go by,
we’re gonna fill our house with happiness.
The moon may cry,
we’re gonna smother the blues with tenderness.
When days go by,
there’s room for you,
room for me,
for gentle hearts an opportunity.
As days go by,
it’s the bigger love of the family.