Composer: Dennis McCarthy
The Star Trek themes with the captain voiceovers are more famous, but give me a simple orchestra any time.
Composer: Mike Post
The fifth and final theme song by Mike Post (in this countdown) is easily his best. It hit #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is crazy considering there’s no lyrics.
Composer: Mark Mueller
Artist: Jeff Pescetto
Not surprisingly, the same guy also wrote the theme to Rescue Rangers. I don’t know what it is about this theme I love so much. It doesn’t blow you out of the water with powerful vocals, witty lyrics, or a grand orchestra. I think it just puts me in a really good mood with all the energy and crescendos.
Composer: John Sebastian
Artist: John Sebastian
I do like me some Lovin’ Spoonful, so it’s not surprising I love this theme. More than his voice, though, I appreciate how the song encapsulates the theme of the show without mentioning any character names. It’s definitely high on cheese, but so is the show. Up your nose with a rubber hose! Indeed.
For what it’s worth, this song reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 100 in 1976.
Composer: Joss Whedon
Artist: Sonny Rhodes
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.
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.
Composer: Richard Stone
Artist: Every character
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.
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.
Composer: Mike Post
Fourth appearance for that guy.
Composer: Mark Snow
Definitely an extra-terrestrial touch to this theme without going over the top.
Composer: Mike Post
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.
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.
Composer: Andy Partridge
Artist: Andy Partridge
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.
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.
Composer: Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo
Artist: Gary Portnoy
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.
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.
Episode: The Inner Light (5.25)
I cry every freaking time.
Episode: I, Borg (5.23)
After not hearing from the Borg for almost two full seasons, this was the perfect reintroduction. And this is the perfect scene, challenging Picard’s personal feelings about a race that nearly destroyed him.
Death By Troggles 
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