Did you know Whedon wrote the theme song? If not, now you do. DeathByTroggles: The More You Know.
At first the theme song seems inappropriate for a sci-fi show as “The Ballad of Serenity” is country-western. But then you watch the show, and yup, it fits right in.
7. Big Bang Theory
Composer: Barenaked Ladies
Artist: Barenaked Ladies
There’s a pretty regular joke that this show has been #1 for years and nobody knows anybody who admits to watching it. Well, I’ve seen quite a bit of it (in syndication, while doing other stuff). It’s pretty terrible. The first few episodes showed some promise, but it quickly devolved into the same bad jokes and catchphrases week in and week out.
What is still awesome if the theme song. And here’s an example of the extended version being even awesomer. I’m a huge Barenaked Ladies fan, and this song is very professionally done.
I really wish this show would have come out about four years earlier. If it had, I probably would have watched every episode. It’s a rich man’s Tiny Toon Adventures, with more adult referential humor without alienating the kids. It was also educational at times. Pretty much the perfect cartoon.
The last line of the intro is different for most episodes and includes a word that rhymes with “zany.” The video below mashes together all of the endings.
9. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
Composer: Sean Altman and David Yazbek
Artist: Rockapella
I was a geography nut even before this show came out. So when I found it, I was hooked in about two seconds. But no doubt this game show’s popularity was helped by Rockapella, who created one of the most recognizable theme songs possibly ever. I love that the group would change the lyrics if a country in their song (like Czechoslovakia) ceased to exist.
Third appearance for Mr. Post. The music is almost too subtle for a sci-fi show, but I just love listening to it out of context.
13. Corner Gas
Composer: Craig Northey and Jesse Valenzuela
Artist: Craig Northey and Jesse Valenzuela
Northey is a Canadian singer from the band The Odds. Valenzuela is a member of the Gin Blossoms. They teamed up to do the opening and closing themes for the most popular comedy in Canadian history. Consider it the Cheers of their country; it was so popular that they were able to get famous comedians, athletes, and two active prime ministers to appear on the show. I’m also crazy about it. Probably a top five show for me.
I think the like the closing credits song “My Happy Place” even better than the opening credits. Unfortunately, the only videos I can find for it are the album version, which is terrible, or a full episode.
Brilliant comedy that was cut by Fox just four episodes in after putting it on a Friday night time slot. Despite an entire season being filmed, it was given no chance. If you like wit and talking ceramic animals, watch it. Have a pancake. And some Lee Pace.
There’s a full-length music video of the song, which is pretty awful. Here’s the main credits sequence.
15. 21 Jump Street
Composer: Liam Stermberg
Artist: Holly Robinson
So yeah, one of the primary actors sang the song. Not unusual, but I didn’t know it in this case. I was crazy about this show when I was seven. Johnny Depp was just so radical. Talk about a good looking cast.
This song is so popular it has its own Wikipedia page and is often hailed as the best theme song ever. Every DJ played it at every high school dance I went to. I like it quite a bit, and it fits the theme of the show perfectly, but perhaps I’ve just heard it too much.
Here’s the full version, which isn’t as strong as the main opening title sequence, but still fun.
17. Night Court
Composer: Jack Elliott
Artist: Ernie Watts (saxophone)
It’s Harry Anderson day at Death By Troggles! I miss him and John Larroquette in these roles. I also like me some jazz.
Iconic, silly show benefited from a great theme and also introducing the world to Neil Patrick Harris, who would become great to have around about 15 years later. This is the second entry from Mike Post on the list.
19. Star Trek: Voyager
Composer: Jerry Goldsmith
Jerry Goldsmith was one of Hollywood’s most prolific composers, doing the music for Logan’s Run, Planet of the Apes, Patton, Chinatown, Alien, Poltergeist, Gremlins, Total Recall, L.A. Confidential, and on and on and on. He was nominated 18 times for an Oscar. He doesn’t let down here either.
Composer: Bruce Broughton, Tom Ruegger, Wayne Kaatz
So yeah, those guys won a Daytime Emmy for this song. Not sure what that means, really, but yeah this song’s awesome.
21. M*A*S*H
Composer: Johnny Mandel
While I’m crazy about this theme, I’m not a big fan of the lyrical version of the song “Suicide is Painless.” Funny thing, though, it was written by the 14 year-old son of the director of the movie, Robert Altman and the song made ten times more money in royalties for the boy than his dad did for the movie.
I suppose it’s not an original theme song in that it was taken from the movie, but eh.
Gilstrap is a funny name. Also, the Silvershers have done a lot of stuff for Henson, including writing some good songs for Sid The Science Kid and The Pajanimals, two shows my sons a fan of.
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