My Top 10 TV Show Theme Songs

I finished watching the first season of That ‘90s Show on Netflix a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t get over the fact that the composer butchered the theme song for That ‘70s Show. Both shows use the same song, “In the Street” by Big Star, but with different singers. The classic version performed by Cheap Trick, specifically, is a karaoke banger, while the revamped version with Brett Anderson feels rushed and it’s too modern.

I’ve noticed that TV shows nowadays are lacking great, catchy theme songs and it’s a shame because theme songs are supposed to get viewers hyped up for the show. I always look forward to watching the theme song clips on TV because they feature montages from the show and I enjoy seeing how the actors change season by season. To relive the glory days of television, I’ve decided to pick out my top 10 TV show theme songs. With all that said, let’s get on with the music!

10. Big Time Rush – “Big Time Rush,” performed by the band with the same name

Big Time Rush is simply 2010s’ version of The Monkees. The band was made specifically for the TV show and they eventually made a name for themselves. The show itself was one of my favorites on Nickelodeon because the music was catchy and the guys were hilarious. The theme song for Big Time Rush is a memorable pop rock tune and at the time, it got viewers excited for the show. When the “oh, oh, oh-oh, oh” comes on, people know they’re in for a wild and hilarious adventure!

9. Reba – “I’m a Survivor,” performed by Reba McEntire

Reba is one of my favorite shows and it’s very similar to Full House, but both are different in many ways. The theme song is Reba McEntire’s “I’m a Survivor.” The lyrics were altered for Reba, but overall, “I’m a Survivor” fits the TV show perfectly. Think about it, Reba Hart (played by McEntire) is a single mother struggling to get through life after her husband divorces her for his pregnant dental hygienist. Actually, the dental hygienist, Barbara Jean (played by Melissa Peterman), is one of the best characters on the show. “I’m a Survivor” went through slight changes throughout the series, but it was always a country song with a good message. 

8. That’s So Raven – “That’s So Raven,” performed by Raven-Symoné, Orlando Brown, and Anneliese van der Pol

I have good memories of watching That’s So Raven as a kid and it’s one of those shows that gets better with age. They tackled important issues such as body image, peer pressure, health and nutrition, and even racism. The theme song, which aged just as gracefully, perfectly fits the sassy, sarcastic, and woman boss main character Raven Baxter (played by Raven Symoné). “That’s So Raven” was no ordinary pop tune, though, it had some soul and R&B influences in there, which was cool. I’ll randomly look up the That’s So Raven theme song on YouTube sometimes because it’s so good.

7. Friends – “I’ll Be There for You,” performed by The Rembrandts

Sorry people, but I’m not the biggest fan of Friends. I think it’s a good show, but it’s not a must-watch for me if I see it on TV. However, “I’ll Be There for You” is one of the most iconic TV show theme songs ever. Plus, the scenes where the cast is dancing in the fountain are awesome and make the theme song even better. Chandler, Monica, Joey, Ross, Rachel, and Phoebe are a chaotic group of friends, but as pointed out in the lyrics, they’ll always be there for each other.

6. Drake & Josh – “I Found a Way,” performed by Drake Bell

I’ve always liked “I Found a Way,” but I fell in love with the song after seeing a video of Elizabeth Gillies and Ariana Grande covering it years ago. I have mixed feelings about Drake & Josh now because I don’t like that Megan (played by Miranda Cosgrove) always got away with pulling pranks on her brothers, but that’s just me. Despite what Drake Bell has done in recent years, you have to admit that Bell totally nailed the theme song. It rocks and the chorus is insanely catchy. Not surprisingly, Drake & Josh had a lot of bangers on the show. 

5. Saved By the Bell – “Saved by the Bell,” performed by Michael Damian

Talk about a theme song that’s so ‘90s. First of all, I love that it starts with the sound of a school bell. But also, the graphics and colors used for the theme song perfectly sum up the ‘90s. Bright colors, wacky patterns, cassette tapes, and huge cell phones; take me back please! Also, now that I’m into hard rock and heavy metal music, I can appreciate the guitar solo at the end. Please ignore the fact that the composers butchered the Saved by the Bell theme song for Saved by the Bell: The New Class. 

4. Happy Days – “Happy Days,” recorded by Jim Haas in 1974 (originally during the closing credits for seasons 1-2), re-recorded by Pratt & McClain in 1975 for seasons 3-10, and re-recorded by Bobby Arvon in 1983 for season 11

Just like That’s So Raven, Happy Days is one of those shows that gets better with age. Plus, Arthur Fonzarelli (played by Henry Winkler) is one of the best characters ever in television history. Originally, “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets was used as the theme song for seasons 1-2, with an early version of the Happy Days theme song used during the closing credits. By the time season three kicked in, “Rock Around the Clock” was replaced with the Happy Days theme song. Despite modernizing it for season 11, the song remained pretty much the same. It’s upbeat and very old-school, which I like because it makes me think about the simple times in life; before technology got bigger and bigger.

3. Pair of Kings – “Top of the World,” performed by Mitchel Musso and Doc Shaw; Adam Hicks added new vocals to the track for season three

Just like Drake Bell, Mitchel Musso did some messed up things in recent years, but despite the nonsense, you have to admit that “Top of the World” is a freaking party anthem! I loved Pair of Kings and watched it all the time on Disney XD as a kid. Musso was a main character on the show for the first two seasons, but then, he was fired for a DUI and didn’t appear in the third season. At least, Disney XD was kind enough to keep “Top of the World” as the show’s theme song because it would’ve been a pain in the butt to write a new tune for the show. Plus, every time it played, I was hyped for each episode, therefore, no other song could’ve topped it anyways.

2. Full House – “Everywhere You Look,” performed by Jesse Frederick

Please ignore the fact that Carly Rae Jepsen murdered this song for Fuller House. Just focus on the Jesse Frederick version, the old-school classic where life was good and there was hope in the world. Full House was a family-friendly and heartwarming show, which “Everywhere You Look” fit perfectly. It’s so iconic that for years I thought the show was called “Everywhere You Look” because they played it so often. The lyrics are motivating as well. “When you’re lost out there and you’re all alone / A light is waiting to carry you home / Everywhere you look.”

1. Hannah Montana – “The Best of Both Worlds,” performed by Miley Cyrus

The Hannah Montana theme song is a no-brainer because I look it up way too often on YouTube. It’s my favorite Hannah Montana song because I think it rocks! I wanted to be Hannah Montana because she was awesome and her songs were bangers. She was a schoolgirl by day and pop star by night. Plus, I thought it was the coolest thing seeing Miley spin and transform into Hannah; it was like magic. It’s a Disney Channel classic and a concert staple; that’s why it worked so well for the show!

There you have it, people! Those are my top 10 TV show theme songs. Television is not what it used to be 20 years ago and it’s really a shame. Composers worked hard back then to come up with great theme songs for their shows, but now, they’re just short, 15 second jingles. Oh well, we’ll always have the good old days!

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Comment below some of your favorite TV show theme songs!

Take care and see ya real soon!

Lana