The theme song is unfortunately a dying art these days, with only a select few shows dedicating their extra time to a musical intro.
In days gone by, the theme song used to be the bread and butter of TV, telling the audience what the tone of your show was, and giving them an extra 30 seconds to race to the TV so they didn't miss anything. Today, you're lucky if you even get a 'previously on' reel. We were feeling nostalgic this week at TV Fanatic, so we dragged out a few of the 'oldie but a goodie' theme songs from the past.
Take a look at some of our favorites that take us back!
1. One Tree Hill
This theme song became the anthem to so many high school students, and to this day you probably can't hear it without thinking "Brooke and Lucas SO should have ended up together." There was also that great season where every episode had a new cover when the theme played. Awesome.
2. Friends
Even if you've never seen a single episode of Friends, you bet your ass that when that *clap*clap*clap*clap* part comes up, you are at the ready. Friends was a cultural monster, and their theme song played a huge part of that.
3. Cheers
Where everybody knows your name. That says it all, doesn't it? The theme song for Cheers was so memorable, it became the tagline for the bar that served as the setting for one of the most popular and successful comedies of all time. Hard to top that!
4. True Blood
This one is from the not so distant past, but the True Blood opening was a creepy homage to both southern tradition and blood and guts. For such a sensual show, the theme certainly played around with some strange elements, but it was no less effective for it. True Blood wins a spot in the lineup for straight up ick factor.
5. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Admit it, you know every word. If anyone even starts to hum this song at a party, at least fifteen drunken idiots start shouting it from the rooftops. That's when you know you've reached the top. Will Smith truly created a masterpiece with this one.
6. Veronica Mars
There's nothing too flashy about the Veronica Mars theme song at first look, but after you've spent three days straight marthoning the first two seasons? It starts to take on a surreal deeper meaning. Don't even get me started on how they altered the song for the college years. I just can't.