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What is the best opening theme to a TV program-cartoon, drama, SF, comedy. Mine is---- (Original Post) debm55 Mar 2023 OP
This one Glorfindel Mar 2023 #1
Tom Scott's dad. blm Mar 2023 #2
Two of them. The theme for Outlander (Skye Boat Song) vanlassie Mar 2023 #3
I love the theme song from Outlander. It is so haunting. They have changed it over to a male singing debm55 Mar 2023 #6
Jamie is double WOW! My mother died before the story or the show. It is vanlassie Mar 2023 #17
I read all the books on my tablet. I was sort of disappointed in the last book. Yes, Jamie is double debm55 Mar 2023 #22
Jetsons vs Flintstones C_U_L8R Mar 2023 #4
You just can't beat Henry Mancini. mahatmakanejeeves Mar 2023 #5
My choice also. FuzzyRabbit Mar 2023 #9
When my late wife was teaching Old Crank Mar 2023 #47
He could not write a sour note sarge43 Mar 2023 #27
+1 n/t area51 Mar 2023 #41
The Sopranos jmbar2 Mar 2023 #7
Alf and Maude Funtatlaguy Mar 2023 #8
I got two: thucythucy Mar 2023 #10
Cheers Shrek Mar 2023 #11
Three classics and the ultimate clunker PJMcK Mar 2023 #12
M A S H MOMFUDSKI Mar 2023 #13
Do you know the lyrics? PJMcK Mar 2023 #15
Yes on the lyrics. MOMFUDSKI Mar 2023 #21
They're powerful in the film PJMcK Mar 2023 #23
MASH movie director, Robert Altman's son wrote the lyrics to the theme. Laffy Kat Mar 2023 #34
Michael Altman made more money than his father did Brother Buzz Mar 2023 #48
Absolutely perfect, so poignant. MLAA Mar 2023 #16
The Avengers rogerballard Mar 2023 #14
I loved the Avengers and the theme song. debm55 Mar 2023 #46
All time fave rogerballard Mar 2023 #52
Opening theme to The Closer - instead of having a 1 min intro like Law & Order, Hestia Mar 2023 #18
Newhart ironflange Mar 2023 #19
A lot of good ones mentioned already, also ... surrealAmerican Mar 2023 #20
"It's almost halfway finished. How do you like it so far?" Iggo Mar 2023 #40
3 of my favorites AltairIV Mar 2023 #24
Perry Mason Zorro Mar 2023 #25
Mission Impossible Auggie Mar 2023 #26
Mike Post did some of my favorite themes. This one is my very favorite. Different Drummer Mar 2023 #28
Did Mike Post do the theme for Hill Street Blues? It sounds similiar in some parts debm55 Mar 2023 #29
Yes. n/t malthaussen Mar 2023 #38
Mike Post is not the only thing Rockford and HSB have in common... malthaussen Mar 2023 #39
Hill street blues for sure. Other great ones here but my vote is conditional with Prairie_Seagull Mar 2023 #30
Route 66 by Nelson Riddle. Mr.Bill Mar 2023 #31
That's one I really like. (nt) Paladin Mar 2023 #42
Who hasn't hummed this making their lips sound like a trumpet? Sogo Mar 2023 #32
I liked the theme for the Mary Tyler Moore show too. debm55 Mar 2023 #33
Theme from Saint Elsewhere. Laffy Kat Mar 2023 #35
Hawaii 5-0, Johnny Quest, Giiligan's Island Tetrachloride Mar 2023 #36
Taxi and Wings Both absolutely beautiful yellowdogintexas Mar 2023 #37
Frank's Place Ohiya Mar 2023 #43
Can't forget Drew Carey! Ohiya Mar 2023 #44
X-Men theme sky_masterson Mar 2023 #45
Rawhide - Frankie Laine Brother Buzz Mar 2023 #49
I remember that one. debm55 Mar 2023 #50
Maverick merits a mention, too Brother Buzz Mar 2023 #51

debm55

(25,611 posts)
6. I love the theme song from Outlander. It is so haunting. They have changed it over to a male singing
Sun Mar 5, 2023, 05:51 PM
Mar 2023

this past season. I will read your link and see why. I read somewhere that none of the scenes in the show were shot outside of Scotland. They used different venues that looked like the gardens in France and the Carolina backwoods were also shot in Scotland. I was surprised by this. as they had me fooled. Jamie is a WOW.

vanlassie

(5,693 posts)
17. Jamie is double WOW! My mother died before the story or the show. It is
Sun Mar 5, 2023, 06:32 PM
Mar 2023

a heartbreak for me because she LOVED being part Scottish, and she had red hair, and after she died I found info she had photocopied about the Battle Of Culloden! Also, exactly a year after she died, her first great grandson was born, and he is the only child, grand child or great grandchild who has her red hair. 🥲 sigh.

debm55

(25,611 posts)
22. I read all the books on my tablet. I was sort of disappointed in the last book. Yes, Jamie is double
Sun Mar 5, 2023, 07:17 PM
Mar 2023

WOW, especially the younger Jamie in his kilt. The series is true to the books. . Sorry about your mom.

mahatmakanejeeves

(57,695 posts)
5. You just can't beat Henry Mancini.
Sun Mar 5, 2023, 05:49 PM
Mar 2023


Theme Song to Peter Gunn

tunapup1

7.84K subscribers

49,793 views Mar 23, 2013
This is the Theme Song to Peter Gunn from the CD "Television's Greatest Hits Volume II"
Hope you enjoy and more videos are to come!



Even the kids know high-class stuff when they hear it.



Duane Eddy - The Theme from Peter Gunn Glastonbury 2011

MLIN20

4.52K subscribers

132,053 views Jul 2, 2011
Glastonbury 2011. Duane Eddy on the West Holts Stage playing the theme from Peter Gunn with Richards Hawley and an unknown Saxophonist.

FuzzyRabbit

(1,970 posts)
9. My choice also.
Sun Mar 5, 2023, 06:08 PM
Mar 2023

For decades nearly every high school and college pep band played this at every football and basketball game. Maybe they still do.

Old Crank

(3,656 posts)
47. When my late wife was teaching
Tue Mar 7, 2023, 04:12 AM
Mar 2023

The school bands played Queen. Another one birtes the dust, We are the Champions and We will rock you.

Circa 1982-88

PJMcK

(22,060 posts)
12. Three classics and the ultimate clunker
Sun Mar 5, 2023, 06:12 PM
Mar 2023

Listen to this incredible orchestration and remember that this was recorded live in a studio with dozens of musicians and singers:

https://m.

&pp=ygUNSmV0c29ucyB0aGVtZQ%3D%3D

One of the great jazz waltz themes:

https://m.
&pp=ygURbWFubml4IHRoZW1lIHNvbmc%3D

The composer of this one said, “Two finger snaps bought me a house in Bel Aire!”

https://m.
&pp=ygUYYWRkYW1zIGZhbWlseSB0aGVtZSBzb25n

And here’s the worst song from the worst sit-com ever produced:

https://m.
&pp=ygUcbXkgbW90aGVyIHRoZSBjYXIgdGhlbWUgc29uZw%3D%3D

Enjoy!

PJMcK

(22,060 posts)
15. Do you know the lyrics?
Sun Mar 5, 2023, 06:21 PM
Mar 2023

The song is as written for the original film and it’s titled, “Suicide Is Painless.” It’s very sad and dark which is why the TV show played it as an instrumental.

Through early morning fog I see
Visions of the things to be
The pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it
If I please
The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I'll someday lay
So this is all I have to say
Suicide is painless (suicide)
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it
If I please
The sword of time will pierce our skins
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger, watch it grin
Suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it
If I please
A brave man once requested me
To answer questions that are key
"Is it to be or not to be?"
And I replied, "Oh, why ask me?"
Suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it
If I please
And you can do the same thing
If you please

PJMcK

(22,060 posts)
23. They're powerful in the film
Sun Mar 5, 2023, 07:27 PM
Mar 2023

You’re right about reality.

When the TV show began, it was written as a slap-stick comedy. It wasn’t until a few years later when the show got more serious that it returned to its source’s style and perspective.

It’s a great song by Johnny Mandel & Michael Altman.

Laffy Kat

(16,391 posts)
34. MASH movie director, Robert Altman's son wrote the lyrics to the theme.
Mon Mar 6, 2023, 01:03 AM
Mar 2023

He was 14-years-old at the time.

Brother Buzz

(36,487 posts)
48. Michael Altman made more money than his father did
Tue Mar 7, 2023, 05:06 AM
Mar 2023

Robert Altman made $70,000 for directing the movie, his son earned more than $1 million in royalties for co-writing the song.

 

Hestia

(3,818 posts)
18. Opening theme to The Closer - instead of having a 1 min intro like Law & Order,
Sun Mar 5, 2023, 06:50 PM
Mar 2023

The Closer theme starts the show which plows right in

surrealAmerican

(11,366 posts)
20. A lot of good ones mentioned already, also ...
Sun Mar 5, 2023, 07:08 PM
Mar 2023

... "It's Gary Shandling's Show" - most self-referential opening ever!

AltairIV

(402 posts)
24. 3 of my favorites
Sun Mar 5, 2023, 08:04 PM
Mar 2023

The Avengers, but just an all round great show
Men from Shiloh (previously known as The Virginan) with a terrific score by the late, great Ennio Morricone
The Persauders (with Tony Curtis and Roger Moore)

malthaussen

(17,219 posts)
39. Mike Post is not the only thing Rockford and HSB have in common...
Mon Mar 6, 2023, 11:15 AM
Mar 2023

I also find it interesting that the women lawyers on both shows were named Davenport, and they were from rich families.

-- Mal

Prairie_Seagull

(3,344 posts)
30. Hill street blues for sure. Other great ones here but my vote is conditional with
Sun Mar 5, 2023, 10:03 PM
Mar 2023

The opening imagery of the early years. Don't know if it changed over time but the music so matches the opening sequences.

yellowdogintexas

(22,282 posts)
37. Taxi and Wings Both absolutely beautiful
Mon Mar 6, 2023, 02:39 AM
Mar 2023

another favorite from British comedy: "Waiting For God". It is a movement from "The Trout" by Schubert.

I think Wings theme was also written by Schubert.

I would have included Hill Street Blues and t The opening note to Twin Peaks but somebody already did.

By the way several of the other posts only show a gray box with a frown, so I do not know the show music.

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