25 TV Theme Songs Performed by Famous Musicians

Gilmore Girls Alexis Bledel, Lauren Graham

Some of the most memorable TV themes were performed by musicians already known to the public. Many of these performers won Grammy Awards during their recording careers and posted top-10 hits on Billboard.

Several songs are famous in their own right and used as identifiers for a show set in the past. Others are themes written by the musicians specifically for that television series.

“Way Down in the Hole” by Tom Waits (The Wire)

"Way Down in the Hole" by Tom Waits (The Wire)
Image Credit: HBO Entertainment/Netflix.

Raspy-voiced Tom Waits, whose influences include Beat Generation pioneer Jack Kerouac, sang  “Way Down in the Hole,” the theme song for the HBO crime drama series set in the mean streets of Baltimore.

The song is from his album Franks Wild Years. A different version of the song was used in each season of the series, with Waits’ version reserved for the second season.

“The Proud Family” by Solange Knowles and Destiny’s Child (The Proud Family)

"The Proud Family" by Solange Knowles and Destiny's Child (The Proud Family)
Image Credit: Jambalaya Studios/Columbia Records/Anna Hanks – CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

Solange Knowles and Destiny’s Child sang the theme song for Disney Channel’s animated series The Proud Family. Knowles, the younger sister of Beyoncé, penned the song and sang the lead.

The series, which ran for two seasons, follows the experiences of teenager Penny Proud and her family.

“Where You Lead” by Carole King (Gilmore Girls)

"Where You Lead" by Carole King (Gilmore Girls)
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Television/John Mathew Smith – CC BY-SA 2.0/Wiki Commons.

Carole King, one of America’s greatest songwriters, sang “Where You Lead,” which became the theme song for the Primetime Emmy-winning comedy-drama show about the relationship between mother and daughter.

King originally recorded the song for her blockbuster 1971 album, Tapestry, which hovered at Billboard’s top spot in the U.S. for 15 straight weeks. She and her daughter, Louise Goffin, changed the lyrics to reflect the bond between mother and daughter.

“A Different World” by Phoebe Snow (A Different World)

"A Different World" by Phoebe Snow (A Different World)
Image Credit: Carsey-Werner Productions/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.

Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor starred in A Different World, a series created by Bill Cosby that followed students at a historically Black college as they prepared for the real world.

She wrote the theme song for The Cosby Show spinoff and provided vocals for the first season. Soul legend Aretha Franklin took over and performed it in later seasons.

“The History of Everything” by Barenaked Ladies (The Big Bang Theory)

"The History of Everything" by Barenaked Ladies (The Big Bang Theory)
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Television/Reprise/Sire.

Fans of The Big Bang Theory, a sitcom about life as an archetypal nerd, will recall the kaleidoscopic march-of-time montage of human events that opened the show. The long-running sitcom’s catchy opening theme song, sung by Canadian alternative band Barenaked Ladies, is an homage to the world of science and a celebration of nerd culture.

Show co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady saw the band in concert and asked them to write and perform the song “The History of Everything.”

“This Is It” by Gloria Estefan (One Day at a Time)

"This Is It" by Gloria Estefan (One Day at a Time)
Image Credit: Sony Pictures Television/Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

One Day at a Time was a hit show in the ’70s and rebooted in 2017. The updated version won two Primetime Emmys and featured a Cuban-American single mother living with her two children and mother (Rita Moreno).

Three-time Grammy winner Gloria Estefan sang an updated version of the theme song, “This Is It,” for the 2017 relaunch of the sitcom created by television powerhouse Norman Lear (The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son).

“In the Street” by Cheap Trick (That ’70s Show)

"In the Street" by Cheap Trick (That '70s Show)
Image Credit: The Carsey-Werner Company/Real Gone Music.

That ’70s Show, a sitcom about life in Wisconsin in the ’70s, is remembered for its young ensemble’s sardonic wit, lack of ambition, and rocking theme song.

“In the Street,” the theme song for the long-running comedy, was originally performed by Memphis band Big Star and appeared on its debut album. Musician Todd Griffin reworked the song, and arena rock group Cheap Trick performed the most popular version, giving the song a guitar-heavy sound.

“All That” by TLC (All That)

"All That" by TLC (All That)
Image Credit: Nickelodeon Productions/LaFace Records.

R&B group TLC sang the theme song for the long-running Nickelodeon sketch-comedy show. Among its performers were Amanda Bynes, Nick Cannon, and Kenan Thompson.

TLC was also a musical guest in the show’s first season in 1994 and performed in several skits. While now synonymous with the kid-friendly TV series, “All That” is a song about empowerment and was released by the all-girl group in 1992 as a part of their debut album, Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip.

“Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett (Freaks and Geeks)

"Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett (Freaks and Geeks)
Image Credit: DreamWorks Television/Lindsey T – CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

Freaks and Geeks won a Primetime Emmy in its lone season on the air. The series, a critics’ favorite, follows a math whiz who hangs out with high school misfits. The show is known for its cast of future stars, such as James Franco, Seth Rogen, Linda Cardellini, and Jason Segel.

Not surprisingly, the show’s theme song is “Bad Reputation,” sung by punk rocker Joan Jett. The track embodies the show’s aesthetic, and you can never go wrong with Joan Jett.

“Low Rider” by War (George Lopez)

"Low Rider" by War (George Lopez)
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Television/MCA Records.

Primetime Emmy winner George Lopez, commonly referred to as The George Lopez Show, stars comedian George Lopez, who plays a fictionalized version of himself raising a family in Los Angeles. The sitcom was one of the first to star a Hispanic performer.

The song “Low Rider” by the Latin rock/funk band War opens the program and captures the lead’s personality quite well. Released in 1975, “Low Rider” was among the group’s six top-10 hits.

“Dog the Bounty Hunter” by Ozzy Osbourne (Dog the Bounty Hunter)

"Dog the Bounty Hunter" by Ozzy Osbourne (Dog the Bounty Hunter)
Image Credit: Hybrid Films/Epic Records.

Goth/heavy metal British rocker Ozzy Osbourne created and performed the theme song for Dog the Bounty Hunter, a reality series about a bounty hunter in Hawaii.

Osbourne used his battles and struggles with addiction and mental health as inspiration for the song. He released the song in 2007 as a part of his album Black Rain. Duane “Dog” Chapman briefly appeared in the reality series The Osbournes.

“Superhero” by Jane’s Addiction (Entourage)

"Superhero" by Jane's Addiction (Entourage)
Image Credit: HBO Entertainment/Cancha General – CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

American alternative rock band Jane’s Addiction performed “Superhero,” the theme song for the six-time Emmy-winning HBO comedy/drama Entourage. The series is about a film actor traversing the problematic waters of the Hollywood movie industry with his friends and agent.

The band sings about the difficulties and challenges people face and their strength to overcome them. The song is from the band’s 2003 album, Strays.

“Boss of Me” by They Might Be Giants (Malcolm in the Middle)

"Boss of Me" by They Might Be Giants (Malcolm in the Middle)
Image Credit: Fox Television Studios/John Flansburgh – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Written specifically for Malcolm in the Middle, “Boss of Me” was performed by They Might Be Giants. In 2001, it won a Grammy for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television, or Other Visual Media.

The sitcom is about a talented teen (Frankie Munoz) struggling with his dysfunctional family. It won seven Primetime Emmys out of 33 nominations.

“The Promise and the Prize” by Carly Simon (Phenom)

"The Promise and the Prize" by Carly Simon (Phenom)
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures Television/Elektra, Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

Carly Simon sang five top-10 hits on Billboard in the ’70s and ’80s, including the chart-topper “You’re So Vain.”

She composed and sang “The Promise and the Prize,” the theme song from the short-lived ’90s ABC sitcom Phenom. The show, about the trials and tribulations of a young tennis player, starred veteran television actor Judith Light and lasted for only 22 episodes.

“Welcome Back” by John Sebastian  (Welcome Back, Kotter)

"Welcome Back" by John Sebastian (Welcome Back, Kotter)
Image Credit: Wolper Productions/Jim Summaria – CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

John Sebastian, the former frontman for the ’60s sunshine rock group Lovin’ Spoonful, wrote and performed the theme song for Welcome Back, Kotter. Comedian Gabe Kaplan plays the titular Kotter, a teacher who returns to his native Brooklyn to teach high school.

TV producer Alan Sacks wanted a breezy theme song that sounded like Lovin’ Spoonful and contacted Sebastian. Listeners warmed to the optimistic lyrics and tune of “Welcome Back.” It was released as a single and reached the top of the chart in the spring of 1976.

“Secret Agent Man” by Johnny Rivers (Secret Agent)

"Secret Agent Man" by Johnny Rivers (Secret Agent)
Image Credit: Incorporated Television Company/David Forest Company/Epic Records – Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

One of the most recognizable TV tunes from the ’60s was the theme to the spy drama Secret Agent, a British import starring Patrick McGoohan.

Songwriters P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri, who eventually formed the successful rock band the Grass Roots, wrote “Secret Agent Man,” best remembered for its dueling guitar sound. Johnny Rivers sang the theme song, and the show’s older fans still remember the lyrics. The theme rose to No. 3 on Billboard. The Ventures, famous for their surfing-themed music, recorded an instrumental version of “Secret Agent Man.”

Various Songs by The Who (CSI Shows)

Various Songs by The Who (CSI Shows)
Image Credit: CBS Television Studios/New World Pictures.

Four primetime crime scene investigation series open with songs from the venerable British rock band, The Who: “Who Are You,” “I Can See for Miles,” “Baba O’Riley,” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

The Who songwriter and guitarist Pete Townshend permitted the use of the group’s music in commercials and films, starting in 1982, to try to bring in money. Townshend said in a Rolling Stone interview that he was glad The Who’s songs were played on the CSI series because it expanded listenership.

“Just Over the Brooklyn Bridge” by Art Garfunkel (Brooklyn Bridge)

"Just Over the Brooklyn Bridge" by Art Garfunkel (Brooklyn Bridge)
Image Credit: Paramount Television/Rob Bogaerts – CC0/Wiki Commons.

Art Garfunkel, the other half of the famed folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, performed the nostalgic theme song to the sit-com Brooklyn Bridge, titled “Just Over the Brooklyn Bridge.”

The comedy starred Marion Ross (Happy Days) and is about a Jewish family living in Brooklyn in the ’50s. Executive producer and creator Gary David Goldberg based the show on his childhood experiences.

“Chico and the Man” by José Feliciano (Chico and the Man)

“Chico and the Man” by José Feliciano (Chico and the Man)
Image Credit: The Komack Company Inc./Rob Mieremet – CC0/Wiki Commons.

José Feliciano was one of the most successful crossover artists in the ’60s and ’70s, bringing Latin music into the American cultural mainstream. His theme for Chico and the Man tells the story of two unlikely friends.

The Primetime Emmy-winning sitcom, which ran for four seasons, starred Freddie Prinze as an upbeat Mexican American and Jack Albertson as the grouchy owner of a run-down garage in East Los Angeles. The series broke ground in its presentation of Mexican American characters and lifestyles.

“Reflections” by Diana Ross & the Supremes (China Beach)

"Reflections" by Diana Ross & the Supremes (China Beach)
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Television/Jack de Nijs for Anefo – CC0/Wiki Commons.

Diana Ross and the Supremes released the single “Reflections” in 1967, a musical excursion into psychedelic pop that was a departure for the iconic Motown group. The song reached the second spot on the Billboard Hot 100, one of the legendary group’s 20 top-10 hits.

The song was the theme for China Beach, a Vietnam War-era drama about a nurse’s and her colleagues’ experiences in a field hospital. The series won five Primetime Emmys.

“Best Friend” by Harry Nilsson (The Courtship of Eddie’s Father)

"Best Friend" by Harry Nilsson (The Courtship of Eddie's Father)
Image Credit: MGM Television/Legacy Recordings.

The Courtship of Eddie’s Father is a beloved sitcom based on the 1963 film of the same name. Bill Bixby (My Favorite Martian) plays a widower raising his son, who tries to find his father a wife.

Songwriter/singer and Grammy Award winner Harry Nilsson penned and performed one of the more memorable television themes from the late ’60s and early ’70s for The Courtship of Eddie’s Father: “Best Friend.” This bouncy tune was sung from the son’s perspective lauding his father.

“The Affair” by Fiona Apple (The Affair)

"The Affair" by Fiona Apple (The Affair)
Image Credit: Showtime Networks/Sachyn – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

Sarah Treem, creator of the Showtime series The Affair, wanted Fiona Apple to write and perform the theme song. The song is about how an affair disrupts the lives of an aspiring novelist and waitress. The series starred Dominic West and Maura Tierney.

The Grammy winner reworked a previously unreleased song, which became a haunting introduction to the series.

“My Life” by Billy Joel (Bosom Buddies)

"My Life" by Billy Joel (Bosom Buddies)
Image Credit: Paramount Television/Columbia Records.

The gender-bending sitcom from the early ’80s was an early career vehicle for Tom Hanks. He played one of two men who disguised themselves as women and lived in a women-only New York City apartment building.

The theme song is Billy Joel’s independence-asserting “My Life,” originally released by the Piano Man in 1978. It was one of 13 singles that reached the top 10 on Billboard. Chicago members Peter Cetera and Donnie Dacus provided backing vocals for Joel in the Bosom Buddies version of the song.

“The Streetbeater” by Quincy Jones (Sanford and Son)

"The Streetbeater" by Quincy Jones (Sanford and Son)
Image Credit: Tandem Productions/Los Angeles Times – CC BY 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Music legend Quincy Jones, winner of 28 Grammys, composed the funky and infectious opening theme to Sanford and Son, “The Streetbeater.”

The ’70s sitcom starred comedian Redd Foxx as an argumentative junk dealer in constant, though humorous, conflict with his son. Series creator Norman Lear asked Jones to compose the theme, which he did in 20 minutes.

“With a Little Help From My Friends” by Joe Cocker (The Wonders Years)

"With a Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker (The Wonders Years)
Image Credit: New World Television.

One of the most famous coming-of-age television shows is The Wonder Years. Set in the ’60s, the series introduces audiences to Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage), a teenager growing up in a suburban middle-class family.

Grammy Award winner Joe Cocker’s cover of the Beatles song “With a Little Help from My Friends” opens shortly before Kevin’s narration welcomes viewers to the episode’s antics.

+ posts

Similar Posts