Shows where the Openeing Theme Changes?

[Buffyboy323]

What shows had a Theme Song that changed over the years?

Full House- Got Shorter as the years went by.

Family Matters- Dropped the Song after season 6.

Step By Step- Changed 4 times in 7 seasons. (I think)

Boy Meets World- Changed 3 Times in 7 seasons.

Facts Of Life- Different versions of the song change over the years.

Gimme A Break- Season one has a different from the rest of the series.

Charles In Charge- Season one is different from the rest of the series.

Beverly Hills 90210- Changes alot over the course of 10 Seasons. There's a different sound almost every other season.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer- Beginning with Season 3, it's more upbeat and has a little more "punch" to it.

Everwood- The First Season is slower than the rest of the series.

Who's The Boss- Different versions of the song change over the years.

Growing Pains- 4 Versions in 7 seasons.

Sister Sister- Different the last 2 seasons.

Sabrina The Teenage Witch- Changed when she went to College.

Felicity- A new opening song for seasons 3 and 4.

Alias- 2 versions in 5 Seasons.

[moeee]

The Bernie Mac Show changed twice. Not new, but updated music and new pics of the cast in the open credits.

The Parkers - changed 3 times i believe.

Good Times - Opening theme changed 3 times.

[Buffyboy323]

Degrassi:The Next generation changed with Season 4.

Did Moesha change too?

[Chad Michael Murray]

Saved by the Bell- The earlier version of the song is a bit different from the later version which we're all more familiar with since it's the only one that plays in syndication.

[James]

The Wonder Years used two different variations on Joe Cocker's "With A Little Help By My Friends," one for the junior high school years (1988-91) and another for the high school years (1991-93).

[Buffyboy323]

Saved by the Bell- The earlier version of the song is a bit different from the later version which we're all more familiar with since it's the only one that plays in syndication.

Aaah. I see you started watching the DVD's huh????

[Buffyboy323]

The Wonder Years used two different variations on Joe Cocker's "With A Little Help By My Friends," one for the junior high school years (1988-91) and another for the high school years (1991-93).

Oooh yeah. I forgot about that. I thought it was only the last season that was different.

[Chad Michael Murray]

Aaah. I see you started watching the DVD's huh????

Actually, I haven't gotten to watch any yet. :(

But I knew a while ago that there was a different original theme...even though I'm sure I must've heard it during the original run, I didn't remember it at ALL and especially since it hasn't been used in syndication, I only recalled the more familiar one.

I did see the original one about a month ago on YouTube, though.

[Buffyboy323]

Actually, I haven't gotten to watch any yet. :(

But I knew a while ago that there was a different original theme...even though I'm sure I must've heard it during the original run, I didn't remember it at ALL and especially since it hasn't been used in syndication, I only recalled the more familiar one.

I did see the original one about a month ago on YouTube, though.

Oooh. Cool. BTW, the SBTB DVD's are the syndicated versions, aside from the credits. ;)

[Chad Michael Murray]

Yeah, I heard about that. BUMMER! :(

On the plus side, I was a young kid when I first saw them so I really don't even remember what I'm missing anyway. But on the minus side, I would've liked to see some additional scenes that would basically be new to me. :(

[ky24943]

Roseanne changed 6 times over 9 years

[Ireneparalegal]

The Bernie Mac Show changed twice. Not new, but updated music and new pics of the cast in the open credits.

The Parkers - changed 3 times i believe.

Good Times - Opening theme changed 3 times.
Good Times never changed the theme song. the way they presented the opening theme changed. Isn't this thread abt the THEME SONG?

[Number 9 Dream]

Three's Company changed quite a bit. In the first season, it was a slower version, and it gradually picked up speed with each season. They also re-shot the locations where it was filmed (season 1-3 was at the beach, 4 and 5were at the Santa Monica pier/boardwalk, and 6-8 were at the zoo).

That 70's Show also changed its tempo, I think in the middle of season 2 or 3. The earlier seasons had a faster, more rock theme. I think they changed the theme when they lost Eric's sister Laurie as a major character (they took her out of the car too and reshot the whole thing). I think they also wanted to redo the theme because the actors were getting older and they couldn't very well keep showing the theme with them as teenagers in the car.


That's all I know for now.

[TV_Fanatic]

GRACE UNDER FIRE

Went from an Aretha Franklin sung theme song in the early seasons to an alternative rock theme song in the later ones.

One of the biggest theme changes ever for a sitcom.

[Madness]

the one that comes to mind for me is The Cosby Show. they had many different versions, some better than others.

[Fleet]

There were 4 different theme songs from "Starsky and Hutch" (1975-'79).

[Dragonflies]

What shows had a Theme Song that changed over the years?

Boy Meets World- Changed 3 Times in 7 seasons.

Boy Meets World's changed 5 times in 7 seasons. Seasons 1-5 all had different themes, Seasons 5-7 stayed the same

[MikeL]

Happy days changed their song a lot espically last season.

A-Team

Knight Rider.

Laverne shirley did as well.

Golden girls changed their song

[Ireneparalegal]

Roseanne

Happy Days went from Rock Around the Clock to the original song Happy Days.

[TVFactFan]

The Bernie Mac Show changed twice. Not new, but updated music and new pics of the cast in the open credits.

The Parkers - changed 3 times i believe.

Good Times - Opening theme changed 3 times.



Good Times never changed their opening theme-lol

[TVFactFan]

That's My Mama and All in the Family changed their opening theme

[Ireneparalegal]

Good Times never changed their opening theme-lol
I know. I posted that also. I think they moeeee meant the way the opening changed, from showing the projects and the city to actually showing the characters. But this is abt the theme music, not the way they SHOWED the opening of a show.

[MakeMeLaugh]

I think Seinfeld changed from season 1 to 2... the old opening was WEIRD.

[megamanj2004]

There were plenty of shows that their opening theme song changed:

Get Smart - When the show moved from NBC to CBS in its last season, the theme was a bit different and also the opening changed from Max already driving to Control Headquarters to having various shots of Washington D.C. coming in before Max drives to Control Headquarters

Bewitched - While the show had basically the same tune in its 8 seasons, when Dick Sragent took over for Dick York in the last three seasons, the theme sounded much more jazzier, accompanied by an announcer that says: "Elizabeth Montgomery in...(twinkle sounds and theme plays as usual)...Bewitched!"

I Dream of Jeannie - The early first season eps. had a much different theme song, before switching to the more familiar Hugo Montenegro "Sexy Samba" tune.

Magnum, P.I. - The early S1 eps. had a much different theme song, before they switched over to the more popular and familiar Mike Post theme song.

The A-Team - When they went from running from the gov't to working for the gov't in S5.

Hunter - Like the Cosby Show, this show also changed theme songs all the time. But the opening theme used in S3 of that show was also used in S4.

All of the Embassy-produced kid sitcom shows changed their themes between 1978 and 1990 respectively. (Diff'rent Strokes (1978, 1985), Silver Spoons ('82, '85, and '86), The Facts of Life ('79, '80, and '85), Who's the Boss? (3 different variations of the theme came out in 1984, 1986, and finally 1990.)

Charles in Charge - S1 was very different from the rest of the series.

A Different World - S1 had a more harmonic, blue-like feel to it sung by Phoebe Snow, while S2-S5 had a more upbeat feel to it that was sung by Aretha Franklin, and in S6, it switched to a hip-hop-like version of the main theme, sung by Boyz to Men, or Heavy D or someone like that.

Hangin' w/ Mr. Cooper - S1 had a typical '90s sounding funk theme, while S2 and maybe S3 used the song "Soul Man", and S4 & S5 used the "Got to Give it up for the Brotha" song when Nell Carter joined the cast.

Speaking of Nell Carter...

Gimme a Break - S1 & S2 had a different sounding vocal tempo and lyrics than in the following seasons from 1983-87.

Roseanne - The final season was done by John Popper w/ lyrics.

Growing Pains - The final seasons were sung by Rockapella, I think.

Mork and Mindy I'm surprised no one mentioned this "Happy Days" spin-off...lol. - S1 had a gentle-natured tune and by S2, it switched to a more upbeat disco-ey version of S1's theme and from S3 & S4, S3 used S1's theme tune, but remixed it quite a bit and in S4, it combined all the elements from the first three seasons.

Lost in Space - Went from typical '60s brassy cartoon-like theme tunes, to an entirely bombastic-sounding new theme by S3 (My favorite!)

Gilligan's Island - The theme tune was the same, except that early seasons had a slightly different variation of the theme tune and the lyrics ended w/ "And the Rest," instead of "The Movie Star! The Professor and Mary Ann!"

Eight is Enough - I think there were several versions of this theme song.

The Cosby Show - Always changed opening theme songs, except between S6 & S7, otherwise they always changed the opening theme song tune. A+ for variety!!!

ALF - S1 & S2 had a fast-paced upbeat, somber, piano tune. By S3 & S4, it switched over to a slower-sounding, jazzy theme that sounds like it could be used for a talk show...lol.

Empty Nest - Later in the run, it jazzed up the theme somewhat.

Knight Rider, Good Times, The Parkers did change the opening scenes, but not the opening theme song tunes.

[treky]

"THAT GIRL" added lyrics to it's opening theme in the last season.

"HAPPY DAYS" used Bill Haleys "ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK" in the first season (the best season), then a song called "Happy Days" by someone named Pratt & McLaine (something like that) when they ruined the show (two things: live audience, the Fonzie show-enough said!!!) in the 2nd season.

"BONNANZA" replaced their classic opening theme in the season before the last one. But people complained, so they put the first one back.

"MASH" had a couple variations of their theme "SUICIDE IS PAINLESS" over the years.

"THE BOB NEWHART SHOW" changed their theme song in the 2nd or 3rd season. It was the same theme (called "HOME TO EMILY") but it was "jazzed up" some. (the change was done by Bob James who wrote the theme for "TAXI")

[megamanj2004]

"THE BOB NEWHART SHOW" changed their theme song in the 2nd or 3rd season. It was the same theme (called "HOME TO EMILY") but it was "jazzed up" some. (the change was done by Bob James who wrote the theme for "TAXI")

And they also made an entirely new arrangment in the 1975-76 season, too. which can be called "Away from Emily....lol".

[justducky101]

DIFF'RENT STROKES CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES

[megamanj2004]

DIFF'RENT STROKES CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES

The oepning credit scenes changed...yes, but the opening theme tune itself didn't change until it moved from NBC to ABC for the 1985-86 season.

And btw, the living room set on the ABC era changed, too. It went from yellow-green, yellow (NBC years), to an ugly salmon pink (ABC era).

[GeorgiaboyJeff!]

Did Moesha change too?

Yeah I think they changed the theme song every season! I like Seasons 1 - 3 the best!

[Sharop]

The Family Ties theme song changed once, about halfway through the first season. The song itself didn't change, but the singers did.

[treky]

MAD ABOUT YOU changed their theme torward the end of its run.

[friendsfan77]

The Family Ties theme song changed once, about halfway through the first season. The song itself didn't change, but the singers did.
yeah, the original theme was sung by Dennis Tufano and Mindy Sterling; the second by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams

[cpmaz]

While I don't think the theme songs themselves were changed, the arrangements for CHIPs and Enterprise changed, at least a little.

The first season of CHIPs had a very standard theme (instrumentation, tempo, etc.), but from the 2nd season onward it was disco-fied. With Enterprise, a lot of people already hated the power ballad theme song (I didn't think it was that bad) but absolutely screamed when the producers added a drum machine to the power ballad.

[megamanj2004]

While I don't think the theme songs themselves were changed, the arrangements for CHIPs and Enterprise changed, at least a little.

The first season of CHIPs had a very standard theme (instrumentation, tempo, etc.), but from the 2nd season onward it was disco-fied. With Enterprise, a lot of people already hated the power ballad theme song (I didn't think it was that bad) but absolutely screamed when the producers added a drum machine to the power ballad.

The closing theme for "CHiPs" theme song changed however, also. It was a re-worked synthed-up version of the previous closing theme from Seasons 2-5.

Also the opening credit sequence on "CHiPs" also in S6 changed once Larry Wilcox left the show.

[catlover79]

And they also made an entirely new arrangment in the 1975-76 season, too. which can be called "Away from Emily....lol".
I wish they'd kept the original theme and title sequence with Bob coming home the whole series. I didn't like the one with them leaving for work in the morning nearly as much.

Barney Miller also tweaked the theme music a few times. They went with a blue title card the first season before changing to the NYC skyline title card at the beginning of Season 2. (Yes, that's the one with the WTC.) The visuals also changed from year to year depending on who the cast members were - remember, the only three to stay the entire run were Hal Linden, Max Gail and Ron Glass.

[JT]

"Knots Landing" - theme song changed practically every season. Melody stayed the same, but arrangements and styles changed. The first style was a disco-like version, with four different arrangements over four seasons (1979-1983). Second was much more upbeat, with four arrangements over four seasons, and a return to this style for the last season (1983-1987, 1992-1993). Third was verrrry slow and more dramatic. There were two basic arrangements. The first (1987-1989) was anything but upbeat, but the season (1989-1992) had a little more cheer in it.

It's a boring Thursday night, so I'll take yall on a trip through some soaps' changing theme songs. I'll only do current soaps because doing all would take *forever* and let's face it, no one's interested anyway lol

"Guiding Light" - original organ-based theme song ("Romance") lasted from 1952 to 1967, with two or three different arrangements. Second organ/piano theme ("La Lumiere") lasted from 1967-1974. For 1974-1975, an orchestrated version of La Lumiere was used. 1975-1982 gave us "Ritournelle," in two arrangements: one with a strings and a harp, and the other with an opera singer singing the string part. Next was "Guided Lightning" (1982-1983), an urgent-sounding disco piece that was unpopular with fans (but still a great theme). "My Guiding Light" lasted from 1983 to 1991, with many arrangements. The original was a pop ballad, then a more power ballad style came, then a fast-paced pop version, and then another power ballad style. "Hold on to Love" was used from 1991 to 2002. Original was part orchestra, part pop/rock and lasted through 1995. An electric guitar took the melody and it became pretty much all pop/rock from 1995-1996. A new arrangement came in 1996, a very slow, but somewhat upbeat, jazzy/tropical version. In 1997, it went back to the original arrangement. 2002-2003 brought a majestic theme called "Fifty Years on TV." 2003-2005 was a pop/rock theme called "True Light." 2005-2006 used a new, untitled theme that is also pop/rock, but with piano. Since January 2007, the show has used a narration, with very little music, but continues to use the 2005-2006 music in bumpers and the closing announcement.

"As the World Turns" - original melody lasted from 1956 to 1981. Organ/piano theme was used for sixteen years, then an grand, majestic orchestra version came in 1972 (and is one of THE best soap themes of all time). 1981-1993 gave us three arrangements of the highly-synthesized "The World Turns On and On" (1981, 1984, and 1988). 1993-1999 had the mellow piano ballad "Jelinda's Theme" (don't ask me who Jelinda is lol) in one arrangement. 1999-2002 had a majestic pop/rock theme. 2002-2007 had a very mellow piano-pop theme. Currently, there's a rock-type theme that begins with some soft music. And it sucks.

"General Hospital" - original theme was done on piano and used from 1963 until approx. 1975. Another piano theme was used for a year, then from 1976 to 1993, the verrrry popular and awesome "Autumn Breeze," a very urgent-sounding and brass-dominated orchestrated theme, was used. Since 1993, it's been "Faces of the Heart," in two arrangements. 1993-2004 had the original, light jazz version (with allusions to Autumn Breeze) while now we have a rock-type arrangement that is utter crap.

"Days of our Lives" - same melody since the very beginning, in 1965. First 28 years, an orchestrated version (with pretty flutes and strings and such) was used. Since 1993, except for a few weeks in 2004, it's been a synthesized version. 2004 had a version that was part synthesizer, part orchestra, and it was very well-done.

"One Life to Live" - original theme was strings and such, from 1968-1975. 1975-1984 saw two different arrangements of a new theme...original lasted through 1980 and was brass-dominated and urgent (similar to GH), while the second arrangement had a variety of phases, starts with harmonica, then has flute, then majestic strings. 1984-1992 had a pop song, in two versions. Original was an instrumental, while lyrics were added in 1987. 1992-1995 had a sexy, porn-inspired theme (that I loved). The current theme's been around since 1995, with a percussive (think NYPD Blue) version for the first nine years, and a slightly mellow, pop/rock version since then.

"All My Children" - original theme lasted its first twenty years (1/1970 to 12/1989), first six months was a soft, lullaby of guitar and flute, then seven or eight years of a very grand version with brass, then the rest (approx 1978-1979) in an upbeat style with strings. 1990-1994 was a new melody (and also the current one), a saxophone-dominated pop/rock song. A completely new theme came in January 1995, with three different arrangements (one that had piano, sax and electric guitar, a slower one with piano and strings, and one with sax and electric guitar). In 2002, the early 90s melody returned and has been around since, with three new arrangements: two with vague differences that have strings and orchestra, and the current one, with electric guitars everywhere.

"The Young and the Restless" - the iconic "Nadia's Theme" has been used since the first episode, 3/26/73. Original version with light guitar lasted from until 1989, when a slightly modified version with light harp came. In 1999, a drastic change occured when a porn-inspired saxophone version came along. They reverted back to the 1989 version in 2003 after four years of pissed off fans.

"The Bold and the Beautiful" - same melody since 1987, called "Higher Upon This Love." The original, high-energy, saxophone-dominated version aired for the first 13 years. A new version of the same arrangement came in 2000, tamer and much less busy. In 2004, a completely new arrangement came, with a mellow beginning and ending, but wild and trashy middle section (which, essentially, is perfect for the show). There are two versions of this arrangement.

And there you have it, the theme song histories of the eight current daytime dramas. Visual changes in the credits are much, much more complicated, and the cancelled soaps also had some tedious changes in their music too. But, if any poor soul wants to hear it all, I'd be glad to explain lol

[JT]

Oh, and some sitcoms, off the top of my head...

"The Donna Reed Show" - had the original well-mannered, wholesome theme for the first seven seasons, then had a faster, uptempo theme for the last season.

"The Patty Duke Show" - pretty much the same as Donna.

"Julia" - original theme song lasted from 1968-1970, but there was a completely different theme (and visuals) for the final season that is *nowhere* online. TVLand aired two last season episodes in 2003, for the TVLand Awards.

"Rhoda" - had a butt-load of changes, all available online. I like the later ones the best, with the little opening segment of either synthesizer or bass guitar in the beginning. The sax one from last season is a fine piece of dance music lol

"Reba" - original country version lasted for the first season, and I LOVED IT. But then they did some weird accordion version and then a guitar version.

"Family Guy" - not the opening, but the closing has had three different arrangements, not counting special one-off arrangements.

[Dean Winchester]

South Park has evolved many times over the past 11 years. The first three seasons had the original version, then midway into season 4, it switched to a more hyper drum-machine filled version, and since then, there's been a country-heavy version, a rockier version and the tempo of the theme has gotten faster through the years as well

[treky]

MASH changed its theme slightly 3 or 4 times. And in the pilot episode they played a little bit more of the theme song ("SUICIDE IS PAINLESS")

DALLAS had a slightly more upbeat theme in the later seasons.

GET SMART added some repetative notes to the begining of their theme in, I think, the last season.

[comedyfreak]

The Munster's Theme changed from Season 1 to Season 2 where Herman crashes through the door.

Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea changed when the show went to color.

Land Of The Giants changed from season 1 to season 2

What's Happening's theme changed in each of its three seasons

The Flintstones changed themes during the 3rd season from an instrumental to the tune Meet The Flintstones that we are familiar with.

Gilligan's Island changed themes for it's second season and included the professor and Mary Ann here on Giligan's Isle

[treky]

that instrumental theme on "THE FLINSTONES" was called "Rise N' Shine"

[fullhousefan91619]

"Reba" - original country version lasted for the first season, and I LOVED IT. But then they did some weird accordion version and then a guitar version.

I totally agree! And by the way it was a SAXAPHONE, not an accordion!

[JT]

I totally agree! And by the way it was a SAXAPHONE, not an accordion!
Well there you go, I couldn't even tell what it was. Always had an accordion sound to me lol

[Ireneparalegal]

Good Times - Opening theme changed 3 times.
The theme song never changed.

[catlover79]

The theme song never changed.
The visuals changed, but the song itself never did.