Hello all... here's something I was thinking about recently...

A lot of songs have been used as TV themes first and got a lot of radio airplay shortly after the song debuted. But how many examples are there of songs that became popular radio hits and later on -- years, even decades later -- were used as TV themes?

For example:
"Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones (Tour of Duty)
"Who Are You", "Won't Get Fooled Again", "Baba O'Reilly" by the Who (the three CSIs)
"The Time Has Come Today" by the Chambers Brothers (used during the last season of Early Edition)
"Rememberance"(?) by the Supremes (China Beach)
That "Money Money Money" song by the O'Jays (sorry I can't remember the name of it!) (The Apprentice)

Any others?

NOTE: This would not include songs that started getting popular when the shows got on the air, e.g. the themes from Peter Gunn, I Love Lucy, Rockford Files, Hill Street Blues, Dukes of Hazzard, Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, etc.

To Name Just a few:

The Wonder Years: "With a Little Help from My Friends" --Joe Cocker

Family Matters: "What a Wonderful World"--Louis Armstrong used only in it's 1st season

Gun: "Happiness is a Warm Gun"--U2 Covering the old Beatles song

Freaks & Geeks: "Bad Reputation"--Joan Jett and The Blackhearts (almost forgot about this one)

I'm not positive, but I think the "Friends" theme song was a hit song by The Rembrandts long before it was used as a theme song.

Most of the others I knew have been said.
There are quite a few theme songs like those of "The Greatest American Hero" and "Growing Pains" that became big hits on the radio and it's probably easier to think of those, but I guess we're not going for that. Well...

Your best bet on those is shows that tried to capture a certain decade. Usually those shows also used a song from that decade to help define the show. "The Wonder Years" is an excellent example.

There was a sitcom in 1994 I used to watch called "The Boys are Back" and I'm wanting to say the theme song was Thin Lizzy's "The Boys are Back in Town"

It would have made sense anyway. This might be a stretch but what about the theme songs to "New Kids on the Block", "HammerMan", and "Kid 'N' Play"? (I promise you these were all early 90s cartoons) I don't remember, but one of them might have used a song already made popular by the group for the theme song.

Anyway, here's one I am sure about. In that great early 90s sitcom "Get a Life", starring Chris Elliot, the theme song was "Stand in the Place Where You Live" by R.E.M.

Great song and great show.

I'm not positive, but I think the "Friends" theme song was a hit song by The Rembrandts long before it was used as a theme song.

No, it was the other way around.

Anyway, here's one I am sure about. In that great early 90s sitcom "Get a Life", starring Chris Elliot, the theme song was "Stand in the Place Where You Live" by R.E.M.

Great song and great show.
:thumbsup: I'm glad there is someone else here besides me who likes that show! :mango

"Thank You for Being a Friend," by Andrew Gold(The Golden Girls)
"You May Be Right," by Billy Joel(Dave's World)
"My Life," by Billy Joel(Bosom Buddies)


I keep thinking one of those Billy Joel songs was used for other theme songs.

Good call on those, D-Dey! I can't believe I forgot Bosom Buddies! They play that theme song at my work all the time! (one of the few cool songs they play!)

I didn't realize The Golden Girls theme song was a radio hit beforehand. I also didn't realize the Dave's World theme song was "You May Be Right" by Billy Joel. Cool! :)

Theme song to Greatest American Hero

Actually, The Greatest American Hero theme song ("Believe It or Not" by Mike Post) was a radio hit in the summer of 1981 AFTER the show premiered.

Actually, The Greatest American Hero theme song ("Believe It or Not" by Mike Post) was a radio hit in the summer of 1981 AFTER the show premiered.

Actually, it was Joey Scarbury who sang that song.

Mike Post, OTOH, did the theme song for Hill Street Blues from about the same time.

Good songs! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Also, State of Grace uses "Do You Believe In Magic?" by the Lovin' Spoonful. :dance:

- Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley and his Comets (Happy Days)

- William Tell Overture - Gioacchino Rossini (The Lone Ranger)

Here are the theme songs that they were popular on the radio:

RADIO:

1. "William Tell Overture" ("The Lone Ranger")
2. "Flight of the Bumblebee" ("The Green Hornet")
3. "Night on Bald Mountain" ("Escape")
4. "Night & Day" and "Put Your Dreams Away" ("Songs By Sinatra")

TV:

1. "S.W.A.T." - Mike Post
2. "Greatest American Hero" - Mike Post
3. "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong (Used only one episode of "Family Matters" in the 1st season)
4. "Low Rider" - War ("The George Lopez Show")
5. "I'll Be There for You" - The Rembrants ("Friends")
6. "Do You Believe in Magic" - Lovin' Spoonful ("State of Grace")
7. "Love & Marriage" - Frank Sinatra ("Married With Children")
8. "Rock Around the Clock" - Bill Haley & His Comets ("Happy Days")
9. "Book of Love" - The Monotones ("The Newlywed Game" from the post-Bob Eubanks era.)
10. "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" - The Beatles ("Life Goes On")

The Monkee's Were the Monkee's from their show The Monkee's also was a hit on the radio.

I didn't realize The Golden Girls theme song was a radio hit beforehand.

Few people do these days, and while I was never a fan of such adult contemporary tunes, I've always found the fact that people think it's just the "theme from The Golden Girls" to be disturbing.

Hey, here's another one:


"Is She Really Going Out With Him?," by Joe Jackson(I'm With Her).


http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:zsrvadski8c6

Mine I can think of are:

The Wonder Years "With a Little Help From My Friends"
Green Hornet "The Bumblebee Flight Song"
The Monkees of course, b/c they were also on the radio as well.
Lone Ranger "William Tell Overture"
Bosom Buddies "My Life"

I didn't know that The Golden Girls Theme was first heard on radio, before being heard on TV! :)

At first I always thought the theme to The Sopranos "Woke Up this Morning" sounded like it came from the radio at first, but it wasn't.

Makin' It: a one hit wonder sung by David Naughton (he also did Dr. Pepper ads), who also used that as the theme music for his sitcom with the same title of "Makin' It" which only lasted 9 episodes in 1979.

It's also kind of funny that you also hear the off-air version of the Golden Girls theme being used for the PS2 games, but I keep forgetting what game it was used for! :lol:

Here are the theme songs that they were popular on the radio:

RADIO: 1. "S.W.A.T." - Mike Post


Actually S.W.A.T. was really done by Barry De Vorzon, who also co-wrote the theme song to the Young and the Restless w/ Perry Botkin, Jr. (who also did the theme to Mork and Mindy)

Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and the Comets was used as the theme song for the first-and the best-season of "Happy Days"

On my "smooth jazz" station I heard the theme song from "Taxi" (about a seven-minute version! :eek: ), and later the DJ said the song was "Angela" by Bob James. It is off of his album "Touchdown" released in 1978, the same year the show premiered.

yea, that wasn't going to be the theme, originally.

Also, Bob James was the guy who "jazzed up" the theme of "The Bob Newhart show" in its second season.

yea, that wasn't going to be the theme, originally.

Also, Bob James was the guy who "jazzed up" the theme of "The Bob Newhart show" in its second season.

No, it was actually the fourth season around the 1975-76 season.

"Lady Madonna" by the Beatles was used for "Grace Under Fire"; however, the theme was sung by Aretha Franklin.

Just my 2 cents,
Nermal

F.R.I.E.N.D.S I'll be there for you too.
The OC California

I remember that show (get a life) it was awesome, the theme was great too

I've heard other versions of "I'll Be There For You." One by Bon Jovi is the one I know most. Have you guys heard that version? It's pretty cool.

I'll Be There For You by Bon Jovi : http://www.napster.com/player/tracks/10007657

the fresh prince cd now im not sure if it was released before the show came out im assuming it was a hit b/c its on will smiths greatest hits cd

...Bob James' arrangement of "THE BOB NEWHART SHOW" theme {"Home To Emily"} wasn't used until the beginning of the fourth [1975-'76] season, thank you for confirming that, 'megaman'!

:)

....you'll have to wait until the DVD box sets of "TAXI" are released to see the full one-minute opening theme and title of virtually every episode (if they haven't been, already!). I can't stand those 30 second "reissue" titles!!

:mad:

.....a few other random notes:

*"THE MONKEES" was specifically created to generate radio airplay with the songs "performed" on the show, concurrently released on Colgems records {the label of the TV show's studio, Screen Gems/Columbia}. All of the songs heard on the show were written especially for the group, including the theme by the group's "architects", Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart.

*"THE LONE RANGER" used Rossini's "William Tell Overture" because the radio show had used that as its theme since the series began in 1933- and primarily because of economic measures; it was cheaper to use "public domain" symphonic works as musical cues for the radio show, as George Washington Trendle, owner of WXYZ in Detroit [where the show originated] and the owner of "The Lone Ranger" until he sold out to Jack Wrather in 1955, was a cheapskate himself. He had a complete transcription package of classical music cues (and some of the Republic "Lone Ranger" serial scores) recorded in Mexico in 1940- from then until the radio show ceased production in 1954, that music was used on every radio AND TV episode. You've heard those cues a million times, I'll bet! And it wasn't until the final TV season in 1956-'57 that Wrather commissioned new music for the episodes HE produced- the theme was still the same, as it was too well known to be re-recorded.

And don't forget that, during the first few episodes of "EVENING SHADE" in 1990, Fats Domino's recording of "Blueberry Hill" was used as the opening theme.

...Bob James' arrangement of "THE BOB NEWHART SHOW" theme {"Home To Emily"} wasn't used until the beginning of the fourth [1975-'76] season, thank you for confirming that, 'megaman'!

:)

Thanks in a bunch!!! ;)

Married With Children: "Love And Marriage" - Frank Sinatra

Dawson's creek ( I don't wanna wait)
Cops (Bad Boys)

Pardon me if anyone has already said this one, but I just heard the theme song that was used on this show called China Beach on the radio and that song, too was heard on radio, before it was heard on TV.

So, China Beach's theme song.

What I Like About You- What I Like About You by The Romantics (Covered by Lillax)

Also, the theme song for Reba "I'm a Survivor", was originally a CD song, but the show's theme has some lyric change from the original.

The CD Version:
I was born three months too early
The doctor gave me thirty days
But I must have had my Mama's will
And God's amazing grace

I guess I'll keep on livin'
Even if this love's to die for
Cause your bags are packed and I ain't cryin'
You're walkin' out and I'm not tryin'
To change your mind cause I was born to be

The baby girl without a chance
A victim of circumstance
The one who out to give up
But she's just too hard headed
A single mom who works two jobs
Who loves her kids and never stops
With gentle hands and the heart of fighter
I'm a survivor

I don't believe in self pity
It only brings your down
Maybe the queen of broken hearts
But I don't hide behind the crown
When the deck is stacked against me
I just play a different game

My roots are planted in the past
Although my life is changin' fast
Who I am is who I wanna be

The baby girl without a chance
A victim of circumstance
The one who out to give up
But she's just too hard headed
A single mom who works two jobs
Who loves her kids and never stops
With gentle hands and the heart of fighter
I'm a survivor

The Shows:
My roots are planted in the past. Though my life is changing fast. Who I am is who I wanna be. A single mom who works too hard who loves her kids and never stops, with gentle hands and the heart of a fighter. I'm a Survivor.

Actually S.W.A.T. was really done by Barry De Vorzon, who also co-wrote the theme song to the Young and the Restless w/ Perry Botkin, Jr. (who also did the theme to Mork and Mindy)

Barry De Vorzon is correct although he was credited as Rhythm Heritage. The Theme from S.W.A.T also holds the distinction of being the first tv theme to hit #1 on the Billboard singles charts.

All of the C.S.I.'s use popular songs by The Who. "Who Are You," "Bob O'Reilly" (Teenage Wasteland), and...and that other one. :)

I think the theme song to Ed was released by the Foo Fighters before the show ever aired. I'm not sure of the title. "In the Sky Tonight," maybe?

Everybody Loves Raymond used The Steve Miller Band's "Jungle Love" as their theme for a little while.

Actually, it was Joey Scarbury who sang that song.

Mike Post, OTOH, did the theme song for Hill Street Blues from about the same time.

Good songs! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Speaking of Mike Post, it's ironic how during early to mid 1981, he was really hard at work composing three TV theme songs for three networks simultaneously.

Magnum, P.I. (started in the 2nd half of S1 in early 1981); CBS
Hill Street Blues; NBC
Greatest American Hero, The; ABC

Young and the Restless, The - show started on March 26, 1973, but the theme song actually started in 1971 as "Nadia's Theme."

All of the C.S.I.'s use popular songs by The Who. "Who Are You," "Bob O'Reilly" (Teenage Wasteland), and...and that other one. :)


Who Are You is the theme of the original CSI, Baba O'Reilly (points, though, for knowing that the title is not Teenage Wasteland LOL!) is the theme for CSI:NY, and Won't Get Fooled Again is the theme for Miami.

Where You Lead, from Carole King's 1971 album Tapestry, was later used as the theme song for Gilmore Girls. :cool:

Who Are You is the theme of the original CSI, Baba O'Reilly (points, though, for knowing that the title is not Teenage Wasteland LOL!) is the theme for CSI:NY, and Won't Get Fooled Again is the theme for Miami.

Blame Mr 88Keys- he always said it was Bob! :)

And the theme from Ed is called "Next Year." Duh. Don't know why I couldn't remember it earlier; I love that song!

Lest we forget, Murphy Brown always used a different Motown song as its opening theme. :cool:

Young and the Restless, The - show started on March 26, 1973, but the theme song actually started in 1971 as "Nadia's Theme."


the original name for the song is "Cotton's Dream" and was featured in the 1971 film Bless the Beasts and Children.

the original name for the song is "Cotton's Dream" and was featured in the 1971 film Bless the Beasts and Children.
The Carpenters also had a hit with the film's title song.

^ Yep......I at one time had their greatest hits--came on 2!!, yes 2!! cassettes :lol:

All I know is that Mancini did a TV Theme (No, it's not "Peter Gunn") but "Mr. Lucky".

And Nilsson did the "Courtship of Eddie's Father".

Did Burt Bachrach make a TV Theme Song?

Actually...Herb Alpert's wrote the theme to "The Dating Game"!

Barenaked Ladies "It's All Been Done" was used on "Baby Blues" TV Series!

^ Yep......I at one time had their greatest hits--came on 2!!, yes 2!! cassettes :lol:
Me, too!! :D

^ Hi fellow Carpenters fan :wave:

^ Hi fellow Carpenters fan :wave:
Do rainy days and Mondays get you down, too, Jude? Are you a superstar? I feel very close to you, Jude, and we've only just begun!! :cool: :D

I really like to sing........sing a song......so please mr. postman.....I'm on top of the world when Monika replies to me :D

The Carpenters also had a hit with the film's title song.

"Sing" was not only used on Sesame Street, but it's also a hit by The carpenters.

"Sing" was not only used on Sesame Street, but it's also a hit by The carpenters.
Not to mention they had a hit with "For All We Know", from the movie Lovers & Other Strangers.

I really like to sing........sing a song......so please mr. postman.....I'm on top of the world when Monika replies to me :D
Jude, it seems like only yesterday that we were new to this board...yesterday once more. :D

Charmed used How Soon is Now, originally done by the Smiths, as its theme.

Where You Lead, from Carole King's 1971 album Tapestry, was later used as the theme song for Gilmore Girls. :cool:
I wish Makin It was on dvd.Where can I get Makin it on cd,I love this song?

There Will Never Be Another Tonight - Bryan Adams (Battle of the Blades)

the theme song for "Beauty and the Geek" is the Pet Shop Boys' "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)"

Booker used "Hot in the City" by Billy Idol

Chuck uses "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" by Cake

the theme to House is "Teardrop" by Massive Attack

Las Vegas used "A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis Presley

the Drew Carey show used a few different hit songs for its theme: "Moon Over Parma," "Five O'Clock World" by The Vogues, "What is Hip" by Tower of Power, and a cover of Ian Hunter's "Cleveland Rocks" by The Presidents of the United States of America

Joan of Arcadia's theme was "One Of Us" by Joan Osborne

Veronica Mars "We Used To Be Friends" by The Dandy Warhols

Watership Down "Bright Eyes" by Art Garfunkel

Tour of Duty "Paint it Black" by The Rolling Stones

Roswell "Here with Me" by Dido

ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK by Bill Haley & the Comets was used for the first (and best) season of "HAPPY DAYS".

Watership Down "Bright Eyes" by Art Garfunkel




The TV series version is performed by Stephen Gately. Written for the '78 film by Mike Batt who went on to compose for the series.

Charmed used How Soon is Now, originally done by the Smiths, as its theme.
Yes, but the version they used was done by Love Spit Love, which was also used on the soundtrack to the 1996 movie "The Craft."

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115963/soundtrack

Hell's Kitchen used "Fire" as its opening theme song.

The song was done by Billy Joel. What you heard on the show (Golden Girls) was a cover

The song was done by Billy Joel. What you heard on the show (Golden Girls) was a cover


Which song are you referring to?

The George Lopez show used Low Rider as it's theme song. I forgot who sang it but it's a classic.

"Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Who Are You (http://www.lyricsorbit.com/who-are-you-lyrics-the-who.html)" by the Who are themes for the various CSI's.

The Golden Girls' "Thank You For Being a Friend" originally by James Taylor
Joan of Arcadia-One of Us-Joan Osborne

The Golden Girls' "Thank You For Being a Friend" originally by James Taylor
Joan of Arcadia-One of Us-Joan Osborne

Actually, Schmoopie...Andrew Gold recorded "Thank You For Being A Friend," not James Taylor.

Billy Idol's "Hot In The City" was used for as the theme for the short-lived "21 Jump Street" spinoff "Booker," starring Richard Grieco. Sadly, when "Booker" was released on DVD in 2009 (by Mill Creek Entertainment), "Hot In The City" was replaced with a generic soundalike due to licensing issues. In addition, the ninth episode "Someone Stole Lucille" (guest-starring B.B. King) was likewise omitted due to licensing issues.

Theme for "Mike Hammer" (1984-1989), "Harlem Nocturne" by Earle Hagen

the 1st (and the only good season) of HAPPY DAYS used Bill Haleys "ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK" as the theme.

Hot stax of..sheet music :
"Monty Python's Flying Circus" - "The Liberty Bell" by John Philip Sousa
"Wings" -Piano"Sonata in A major, D959, IV Rondo:Allegretto" by Franz Schubert
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" - "Funeral March of a Marionette" by Charles Gounod

Where You Lead, from Carole King's 1971 album Tapestry, was later used as the theme song for Gilmore Girls. :cool:


:yourock: :bouncers

Every time I hear this song by Carole King I automatically have the Gilmore Girls in my head..lol

American Chopper at one time used "Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett (I don't think it was the Runaways version, and yes, I know JJ was in that band)

Big Love used "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys

Life Goes On used "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" by the Beatles, but it was sung by the cast

Homefront (short lived series from around 1990) used Accentuate The Positive which is an oldie done by a lot of people - I don't believe the show used any of the popular singers

The Growing Pains theme song As Long A We've Got Each Other was a hit song by BJ Thomas. He's known for Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. The first season has him singing solo then seasons 2, 3, and 7 had him singing with Jennifer Warnes; 4 and 5 had him singing with Dusty Springfield; and season 6 was an acapella version not sung by him. It wasn't well received and only lasted that season before going back to the version he sang with Jennifer Warnes. My favorite version is the one he sings with Jennifer Warnes.

My Life-By Billy Joel was used as the theme song for Bosom Buddies

You May Be Right was used as the theme song to Dave's World

Not a hit song, but I've always like the Shane Harper song, used as the closing theme to the final "Suite Life on Deck", The Next Chapter of our Lives:

This final episode was another of those Disney extended episodes, showed once and shelved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbRr4uXau74

A couple I was thinking half way through this thread that I later saw, but they didn’t know the song/artist:

Get a Life - Stand (REM)
China Beach - Reflections (The Supremes)

Also glad somebody got Baby Blues (good show) - It’s All Been Done.

I’ll add:

F is for Family - Come and Get Your Love (Redbone)
Mission Hill - Italian Leather Sofa (Cake). Good show, great song.

Just remembered another...HBO series Dream On used Aerosmith’s Dream On in the beginning of the series.

Got 2 more that just hit me...

The Benny Hill Show - Yakkety Sax (Boots Randolph)
The Uncle Floyd Show - I’m Overlooking a Four Leaf Clover (a song from the 20’s that charted under several artists in the 40’s after billboard charts came out)

Found a new one today that I've never heard and it's disgustingly awful...

Swamp Thing cartoon series - Wild Thing by the Troggs

After hearing that, I thought it couldn't possibly be any worse. I dunno if they got in copyright trouble or what, but apparently they changed the song. However, they only changed the music, but kept the lyrics that went to Wild Thing. It gets worse, much worse. If you're a fan of theme songs as I am, this is worth hearing just because it's so bad. They butchered an existing song, then poured salt in the wound.