Every great TV show needs an even better theme song. Whether it’s a hard-hitting HBO classic, or a show dedicated to a certain winter sport – a recognisable and groovy theme song will ensure the show lives forever.
Whilst we live in this streaming-era where a singular press of a button can skip the whole intro, we all have those shows where we let it play out, it’s part of the experience isn’t it?
We’re here to rank the top 20 in this new series on jacks.jukebox, ‘THIS IS RANK’. You might be asking, but what makes a theme song so great? Well the criteria is as follows; is it instantly recognisable? Does it set the mood for the upcoming episode? And most importantly – Is the song a right, proper banger?
So let’s not waste any time, let’s get straight into the 20 greatest TV theme songs of all time. As stated in the title, this list IS indisputable… and undisputed.
Quickly before we get started, thanks to everyone for the recommendations over on the jacks.jukebox Insta. Drop us a follow if you want to get involved in creating future lists, whilst talking all things music in a community you won’t find anywhere else.
20. Peep Show
So we get things started with a, in my opinion, top 5 show of all time. One of the great examples of British TV thriving at it’s hilarious and relatable best. The theme song obviously changed after season one, and for the better I reckon. It truly meets the criteria for setting the mood for what you’re about to watch.
“I’m not sick but I’m not well, and I’m so hot cause I’m in hell.”
19. The Office (UK & US)
Okay, so this ones cheating abit. A little two for one deal. Another one of my favourite shows (I promise it’s not just a list of my most watched series). Here we include both the UK and US Office. ‘Handbags & Gladrags’ by The Stereophonics introduces the UK version. It has to be included for just being such a tune, as well as matching the somber, dull and repetitive lives of the employees at the Wernham Hogg Paper Company. The US version is slightly more upbeat, as is matched with the theme song. It’s also one of the most recognisable on this whole list, so it had to be included.
18. BBC News
Now here’s one you probably weren’t expecting to see here. But think about it, the intro to the News at 10 could be played at a rave without question. There’s obviously that video of a guy dancing to it, where he completely botches the big finale of a backflip. Bill Bailey summed it up better than I ever could when he stated, “It sounds like a post-apocolyptic disco.” If that’s what the apocolypse will be like, sign me up.
17. Ski Sunday
We’re sticking with the slightly rogue, BBC themed programme. If you’re familiar with Ski Sunday you’ll already be well aware of the theme song. If you’re not familiar, then get familiarised. I honestly had no idea it was still on TV, but apparently it’s still going strong. In the same vain as BBC News, Eastenders and Match of The Day – the theme song has a certain vibe where it wouldn’t be amiss at a good old classic discotheque. Check it out.
16. Friends
Finally we make the trip across the pond and find the first American show on the list. You all know this one. “I’ll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour” etc etc. Friends seems to be a love/hate show. I’m somewhere in the middle, it’s decent. Don’t get why some people seem to hate it. But whatever your opinion on the show itself, the theme song is one of the most recognisable going. It could’ve easily found it’s way into the top 10 here, but unfortunately I found 15 that I like better, soz.
15. Sex and The City
The most suggested one on my Insta was Sex and The City. So here it is finding itself at 15th. I’ve never watched Sex and The City, but it’s easy enough to figure out what it’s all about. Carrie Bradshaw living her life in New York City, that’s about it right? The theme song sets the scene perfectly, although I do get a slight spy-themed vibe from it for some reason. Maybe Carrie Bradshaw was a spy this whole time?
14. Mad Men
Another show I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never seen. And another theme song that came highly recommended. It’s reminiscent of a couple HBO shows that will show up in this list soon. So much so that I was convinced it must’ve been made by HBO. Apparently it’s AMC? Anyway, it’s another one of those themes that just perfectly sets up what you’re about to watch. That’s what I guess anyway, as said I’ve never actually seen it. It’s on the watchlist.
13. Band Of Brothers
I mentioned a couple HBO shows are gonna pop up, and here’s the first. (I’m sure you can guess the second). You’ll be glad to hear that I have actually seen this !! One of the best TV shows ever made, the opening song instantly tunes you in with the gloomy and solemn mood of the show and its characters. A true classic.
12. Batman: The Animated Series
What a show this is. The single greatest animated show ever in my opinion. A young Jack of jacks.jukebox used to be obsessed with it. The whole style of animation seems to be a lost art. Can someone please bring it back. The opening credits are just so cool. The colours, the music, the BATMAN !! It’s not the first, and not the last tune on this list to have a slight spy-themed vibe to it. I guess this a bit more spy-based than Sex and The City, to be fair.
11. X-Men ’97
We carry on with the animated vibe. I’ve never seen X-Men ’97, I’m not actually that big on anything marvel or DC (apart from the animated Batman obviously). However, hearing the theme to this has persuaded me to check it out. As the kids of today say, it has no right to go this hard.
10. The Simpsons
We complete the hat-trick of animations with the most famous animated show of all time. Everyone recognises The Simpsons opening. And if recognisability is part of our criteria, it simply has to make the top 10.
9. What We Do In The Shadows
These next two are probably the best stand-alone songs on this list. They’re both saved, and heavily played, on my Spotify. “You’re Dead” by “Norma Tanega” fits this great show like a glove. And this isn’t the only Matt Berry show included in this list…
8. Toast of London
Not only does Matt Berry star in Toast of London, he also does all the music himself. Although “Take My Hand” isn’t recognisable to everyone, and it doesn’t necessarily set the mood for the show, it is just too good of a tune to not make the top 10. Cheers, Toast.
7. Match of The Day
I bet you already have it in your end don’t you. To a certain British, male audience, this may be the most recognisable of the lot. One of the many things the BBC does great is create these timeless, yet simple themes. We’ve seen it with Ski Sunday, and now Match of The Day. Stick around for maybe the best of the lot though…
6. Peaky Blinders
Is this cheating? I haven’t seen Peaky Blinders in a couple of years but as I recall this isn’t necessarily an opening song. But it is heavily used and linked with the Brummie gangsters. I’m sure we’ll see it pop up in the upcoming film starring Tommy Shelby & co. Nick Cave at his very, very best.
5. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
This being fifth may involve some slight bias… but it’s my damn list so who’s gonna argue. Very few comedies use their music as a gag. But the Philly gang manage it perfectly. However, there’s a certain show where they clearly took inspiration for this from…
4. Curb Your Enthusiasm
…and of course that show is this Larry David masterpiece. The opening bar of the music has been used endlessly in memes. Very few pieces of music are instantly linked with a comedic situation, but you know damn well that if you make a fool out of yourself in true Larry David style, this song won’t be far behind you.
3. The Royle Family
Taking the bronze medal is The Royles. We’ve talked about how theme songs can set the mood, and put you in the shoes of the characters. Maybe no piece of music does that better than “Half The World Away” for ‘The Royle Family’. RIP to Caroline Aherne. There was something special about her that I felt connected to in a way I feel about very few famous people. Most of them are dicks aren’t they, but Caroline Aherene seemed genuine. The episode “The Queen of Shiba” is one of the greatest hours of TV ever made. And the Oasis classic sets the mood like no other song could,
2. Doctor Who
I told you we had another BBC classic coming. Maybe you were expecting to see Eastenders, it was close to the top 20. But the longevity and the recognisability of the Doctor Who theme is truly unmatched. Although there’s been different variations throughout the decades, the classic whirly, other-worldy sound takes you straight in to the ‘whoniverse’ (that’s what they’re trying to call it these days isn’t it? Calm down you’re not Marvel.)
1. The Sopranos
If you know me, you knew there was only one winner. Going from that famous HBO record scratch, into ‘Woke Up This Morning’, straight into Tony Soprano opening up to his therapist about his pet ducks. You just can’t beat it. The greatest TV show ever made, with one of the greatest songs ever written (I know that sounds like a stretch, but if you disagree why don’t you take it up with Tony?). In fact I’m gonna love you and leave you right now, I’ve gotta go listen to the Alabama 5 classic. Cya.
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