Titled “Suicide is Painless,” the M*A*S*H theme song was a carry-over from the Robert Altman film that inspired the series; the music was by prolific composer and arranger Johnny Mandel, but when Altman decided he wanted lyrics for the tune, he turned to his 14-year-old son Mike. That lyrical version opens the Altman film, but the rendition which opens TV show is instrumental-only. However, the younger Altman still received royalties for its weekly use on the long-running series. In later years, Robert Altman — who was not involved with the TV version in any way — claimed that while he’d only been paid $70,000 (with no percentages or series royalties) for directing the film, his son made over a million bucks from the show.

http://flavorwire.com/190949/the-most-memorable-%E2%80%9970s-tv-theme-songs/9#post_body

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_phfRBw8FlbE/TQlliUFOOmI/AAAAAAAAHxA/2MQutBr03Q4/s1600/MASH-tv-show-15.jpeg