Published: March 20, 2008 08:04 am            

LANE: TV theme songs a throwback to days gone by

Throughout my days in the Ken-Ton School District, we had a substitute music teacher whose lessons basically amounted to “Name That Tune.”

His name escapes me, but he’d spend the entire class taking challenges from students. We’d shout a television show, and he’d invariably twinkle the title tune out on the piano. Despite having dozens of shows from which to draw options, we couldn’t stump him.

If playing theme songs was his only job, that sub would be out of work these days.

Even though I only graduated from Kenmore East High School 12 years ago, the times when TV shows had theme songs might better be referred to as the Mesozoic Era than my childhood.

Gone are the days when programs were introduced by cheerful little ditties. Whether summing up the series (”Love Boat”), setting the mood (”The A-Team”) or offering a small dissertation (”The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”), your favorite didn’t REALLY begin until you heard those first few, familiar bars.

Part of the fun of TV programs back in the day was waiting for the jingle. Some theme songs were better than the show it introduced (I’m looking at you, “Miami Vice.”)

Even when not an original song, such as “Freaks and Geeks” borrowing Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation,” the titular tune truly was an integral part of what you were watching — much like it is with The Who’s “Who Are You” opening “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” one of few current shows to feature a true title sequence.

The Who can be heard at the beginning of the other two “CSI” franchises, which also use musical introductions.

But there aren’t many others. The most recognizable theme song still on the air is probably the orchestral “The Simpsons” introduction, which at 19 seasons is itself a carry-over from the days of not-so-long ago.

Even among those modern shows that have theme songs — which also include “House,” “Law & Order” and “New Amsterdam” — they mainly rely upon instrumental arrangements. One has to tune into Nick at Nite or pop in a favorite DVD box set to return to the days when theme songs were staples.

n If you’re 32 or younger, you weren’t cool in school unless you knew all the words to the “Fresh Prince” theme song. Sure, the premise is preposterous (who, after a single fight, would ship their son from sea to shining sea?) but its catchiness and the fact that you’re probably reciting the lyrics in your head as you read this make it perhaps the best show jingle ever.

n As long as we’re talking famous lines, it’s hard not to associate “Where everybody knows your name” with “Cheers.” And then it’s hard not to pop a grin when thinking about what may be the greatest sitcom to ever air. A sappy ballad wouldn’t work to open many show, but it seemed a perfect fit here.

n While more upbeat, the “Diff’rent Strokes” theme song was equally meaningful to its series. It got across the show’s message of tolerance (remember that the theme of interracial families was more touchy in the early 1980s) while not beating the point too much.

n I’m not sure what message they were trying to convey, but somehow the lyrics to the “Family Ties” fit with the quirky 1980s sitcom. The show was about a family where a bunch of stuff happened, and the song was just kinds about a bunch of stuff going on, but it worked. Sha la la la ...

n The show was complete garbage, but “The Greatest American Hero” theme song was so fantastic that it inspired a George Costanza parody on “Seinfeld” (”Believe it or not, George isn’t at home.”) About a school teacher who’s given a suit with superhero powers by aliens, the series starred the blond-afro-wearing William Katt, the most non-threatening hero imaginable. In the days when TV/movie theme songs were separately marketed, “Believe it or Not” topped out at No. 2 on the Billboard chart.

n It doesn’t quite fit in here because it’s spoken word, but “The A-Team” has to be mentioned again.

“If you have a problem, if no one else can help and if you can find them, maybe you can hire ... The A-Team.”

Just tell me that doesn’t fire up the troops.

Contact editor Paul Laneat 693-1000, ext. 116,or lanep@gnnewspaper.com.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.