Watching the Emmy Awards recently, well after they aired, I noticed that they introduced the presenters with a variety of television theme songs. This got me thinking about how much I loved TV theme songs, at least from the 20th century, when I could easily identify them.
In fact, I have seven CDs called Television’s Greatest Hits. Each disc has 65 TV themes, starting with kids’ shows and then sitcoms, dramas, and the like.
My favorite TV theme songwriter is Mike Post, who turned 80 in September 2024. I instantly recognized several he wrote or co-wrote when I played the themes. A few hit the pop charts. The shows I watched are in italics.
The Rockford Files (pop #10, AC #16 in 1975); a version of the TV intro
Theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe It Or Not) – Joey Scarbury (#2 pop, #3 AC in 1981); intro
The Hill Street Blues (#10 pop, #4 AC in 1981); intro – I listened to a few of these, and there are slight variations by season
Magnum, P.I. (#25 pop, AC #40 in 1982); intro
Theme From L.A. Law (AC number 13, 1988); intro
More intros
“At the peak of his career, Post was the go-to composer for all of the series created by Donald P. Bellisario, Steven Bochco, Stephen J. Cannell, and Dick Wolf.” You can tell because you see some of the same actors appearing in different shows. Some of the music is slightly repetitive, but overall, it’s still enjoyable. Even the themes of shows I never watched, I nevertheless recognize.
Blossom (My Opinionation by the great Dr. John)
Hooperman – John Ritter in the first show I ever heard described as a dramedy
Tenspeed and Brownshoe – Ben Vereen and Jeff Goldblum
Probably the most famous
Mike Post explains the creation of the Dun Dun sound effect
2024
From Billboard, 7 June:
“A desire to ‘try something hard’ is what led legendary television composer Mike Post to make the first all-originals albums of his 60-year career.
“Message From the Mountains & Echoes of the Delta, which came out in April, was just that for the composer. Post was part of the Wrecking Crew as a teenager, won the first of his five Grammy Awards at age 24.”
More about Mike Post, including his roots in the Wreckling Crew, plus the Music History Project interview.