TV themes that keep you coming back for more.

TV theme tunes are designed to stick in the mind and prepare you for the upcoming program, yet there are a certain few that when they start, kick off a little thrill of excitement and begin to mean more to you than just a simple TV theme song.  This could be because the songs/tunes themselves are so good or it could be because you are anticipating an action packed, exciting TV program.

One theme that immediately springs to mind is for the Formula 1 coverage on the BBC.  When that famous bassline from Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ kicks in you almost get a surge of adrenaline.  The band wrote this song with no thought of a motor sport in mind and yet it seems to complement it perfectly, to the extent that I missed it when the coverage was done by another network and I was pleased when it returned years later.

Another one I adore is the theme for ‘Six Feet Under’.  This is a great piece of music in it’s own right and when those first chiming notes are played a grin plasters itself across my face and I sit back knowing some high class TV is on the way.  It was written specifically for the show and the music matches the opening sequence images perfectly, even to the extent of slowing down and speeding up at the right moments.  This is theme music as art.

The music for Dexter also stands out for me.  It feels kind of discordant initially, but the bells occasionally ringing in the background sound like an alarm clock and considering this is played over a morning/breakfast sequence this is pretty apt.  Due to the thrilling nature of the show you can’t help but get a little tingle of expectation when the opening music starts and as this is a unique piece of music you will always get that whenever you hear it played.  I am less likely to play this as a piece of music on it’s own, but matched with the opening sequence it hit’s the nail on the head.

I love the opening music for Scrubs as well.  It is short, jaunty, irreverent and full of fun, much the like the show itself.  It is also extremely catchy and will have you repeating ‘I’m no superman’ to yourself over and over even when the show has finished.  The track by Lazlo Bane was the perfect choice and again stands up as a song in it’s right.  I’m more than happy to play this at odd moments and, perhaps due to the connection with the comedy in the show, it always puts a smile on my face.

Like I’ve said, TV theme music is meant to be catchy or evocative, but some shows seem to have taken it to another level and the artistry involved elevates it above mere filler or incidental music.  I guess it is an art form in itself to be able to convey so much about a show in a short space of time and the sign of a good TV theme song is that it often leaves you wanting more.