Instant Nostalgia: 9 Of Our Favorite TV Theme Songs Of All Time
Fame Focus
6. “The Jeffersons” (1975-1985)
“Movin’ On Up,” is the classic gospel-infused title song from “The Jeffersons”. Having been covered by Beyonce on her 2013 Mr. And Mrs. Carter tour is no doubt a validation we picked a good one!
“The Jeffersons”
Well, we’re movin on up, to the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up to the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.
Fish don’t fry in the kitchen;
Beans don’t burn on the grill.
Took a whole lotta tryin’ just to get up that hill.
Now we’re up in the big leagues
Gettin’ our turn at bat.
As long as we live, it’s you and me, baby
There ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.
Well, we’re movin’ on up, to the East Side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up to the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.
Huffington Post
5.”The Addams Family” (1964-1966)
The highest-ranking song on our list that involves snapping, “The Addams Family” theme is instantly recognizable, even if you don’t know all the words:
“The Addams Family”
They’re creepy and they’re kooky,
Mysterious and spooky,
They’re all together ooky,
The Addams Family.
Their house is a museum
When people come to see ’em
They really are a scream
The Addams Family.
(Neat)
(Sweet)
(Petite)
So get a witch’s shawl on
A broomstick you can crawl on
We’re gonna pay a call on
The Addams Family.
The AV Club
4. “The Courtship Of Eddie’s Father” (1969-1972)
The series about a widower, Tom Corbett (played by Bill Bixby), who is a magazine publisher and single father to his young son, Eddie (played by Brandon Cruz). Eddie believes his father should marry, and manipulates situations surrounding the women his father is interested in. (Eddie’s matchmaking efforts were the theme of the movie, but gradually became less central to the storylines in the series.)
“The Courtship Of Eddie’s Father”
People let me tell you ’bout my best friend,
He’s a warm-hearted person who’ll love me till the end.
People let me tell you bout my best friend,
He’s a one boy cuddly toy, my up, my down, my pride, and joy.
People let me tell you ’bout him he’s so much fun
Whether we’re talkin’ man to man or whether we’re talking son to son.
Cause he’s my best friend.
Yes, he’s my best friend.
Parade
3. “Gilligan’s Island” (1964-1967)
“The Ballad of Gilligan’s Isle” is the ultimate “‘this is how the characters got here”‘ ballad. Baby boomers know this one by heart:
“Gilligan’s Island”
Just sit right back
And you’ll hear a tale
A tale of a fateful trip,
That started from this tropic port,
Aboard this tiny ship.
The mate was a mighty sailin’ man,
The Skipper brave and sure.
Five passengers set sail that day,
For a three hour tour,
A three-hour tour.
The weather started getting rough,
But the tiny ship was tossed.
If not for the courage of the fearless crew
The Minnow would be lost.
The Minnow would be lost.
The ship set a ground on the shore
Of this uncharted desert isle
With Gilligan,
The Skipper too.
A millionaire and his wife,
A movie star,
The professor and Mary Ann,
Here on Gilligan’s Isle.
(Ending verse)
So this is the tale of our castaways,
They’re here for a long, long time.
They’ll have to make the best of things,
It’s an uphill climb.
The first mate and his Skipper, too,
Will do their very best,
To make the others comfortable
In the tropic island nest.
No phone, no lights, no motor car,
Not a single luxury
Like Robinson Crusoe
It’s primitive as can be.
So join us here each week my friends,
You’re sure to get a smile,
From seven stranded castaways
Here on Gilligan’s Isle!
CNN.com
2. “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1970-1977)
The final shot in this title sequence, in which Mary throws her hat into the air, was ranked as the second greatest moment in 1970s television by Entertainment Weekly:
“Mary Tyler Moore”
Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well it’s you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every little movement, you show it
Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have it all, why don’t you take it
You’re gonna make it after all
You’re gonna make it after all
How will you make it on your own?
This world is awfully big, girl this time you’re all alone
But it’s time you started living
It’s time you let someone else do some giving
Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have it all, why don’t you take it
You’re gonna make it after all
You’re gonna make it after all