Theme Songs

Soul Train Theme Song

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:33:03 +0000

1971-2006

Being a musical variety show with a 35-year history, it only makes sense that the show had a lot of original theme songs.

For now, let’s just list the official theme songs used from 1971-2006.

1971-1973: “Hot Potatoes”, by King Curtis, and later redone by the Rimshots.
1973-1975: “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)”, composed by Gamble and Huff and recorded by Philadelphia soul studio group MFSB with vocals by The Three Degrees. Released as a single, this song became a pop and R&B radio hit in 1974.
1975-1976: “Soul Train ’75″, by the The Soul Train Gang, which was later released as a single for the newly formed Soul Train Records.
1976-1978: “Soul Train ’76 (Get on Board)”, also by The Soul Train Gang.
1978-1980: ‘”Soul Train Theme ’79″, produced by the Hollywood Disco Jazz Band with vocals by the Waters.
1980-1983: “Up on Soul Train”, first by the Waters and later by the Whispers, whose version appears in their 1980 album Imagination.
1983-1987: “Soul Train’s a Comin’”, by R&B artist O’Bryan.
1987-1989: “TSOP ’87″, a remake of the original “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)”, composed and produced by George Duke.
1989-1993: “TSOP ’89″, a remixed version of “TSOP ’87″, also by George Duke.
1993-1999: “Soul Train ’93″ (Know You Like to Dance)”, by the hip-hop group Naughty by Nature with a saxophone solo by Everette Harp.
1999-2006: “TSOP 2000″, with rap vocals by hip hop artist Samson and music by Dr. Freeze, and again featuring an Everett Harp saxophone solo. However, a portion of “Know You Like to Dance” was still used in the show’s second-half opening segment during this period.

Fine, I just copied that from Wikipedia, so let’s just add a little more information.

The opening “longest-running, first-run, nationally-syndicated program in television history,” was voiced by Sid McCoy.
FBI Special Agent Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds (Shemar Moore) was the third permanent host of Soul Train (1999-2003).

…will add more Soul Train tidbits in the future.

Below is a complete opening sequence of the show.

The Andy Griffith Show Theme Song

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:02:33 +0000

1960-1968

Now here’s a classic. The Andy Griffith Show, starring Andy Griffith, of course, was a CBS sitcom about a widowed sheriff in a fictional small community called Mayberry in North Carolina.

Its theme song is a whistled version of “The Fishin’ Hole”. It was composed by film and television composers Earle Hagen and Herbert W. Spencer. The original song’s lyrics was written by American actor Everett Sloane; he also did the whistling for the Andy Griffith theme song.

Below is the theme song and complete opening sequence.

Below is the complete version of the theme song (with lyrics). I believe Andy Griffith is the one singing here.

Now for the lyrics.

The Andy Griffith Show theme song lyrics

Well, now, take down your fishin’ pole and meet me at The Fishin’ Hole,
We may not get a bite all day, but don’t you rush away.

What a great place to rest your bones and mighty fine for skippin’ stones,
You’ll feel fresh as a lemonade, a-settin’ in the shade.

Whether it’s hot, whether it’s cool, oh what a spot for whistlin’ like a fool.

What a fine day to take a stroll and wander by The Fishin’ Hole,
I can’t think of a better way to pass the time o’ day.

We’ll have no need to call the roll when we get to The Fishin’ Hole,
There’ll be you, me, and Old Dog Trey, to doodle time away.

If we don’t hook a perch or bass, we’ll cool our toes in dewy grass,
Or else pull up a weed to chaw, and maybe set and jaw.

Hangin’ around, takin’ our ease, watchin’ that hound a-scratchin’ at his fleas.

Come on, take down your fishin’ pole and meet me at The Fishin’ Hole,
I can’t think of a better way to pass the time o’ day.

The Dating Game Theme Song

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:59:54 +0000

Original run: 1965-1986; Syndicated: until 1999

Chances are you might not be familiar with this theme song, but once your hear it, it’ll feel like you’ve known it for a while. The song is very wacky/comedic/fun. Wikipedia elusively lists Steve Kaplan as the original composer—”Later versions … of the original theme by Steve Kaplan.”

But for sure, versions were done by Chet Baker, The Mariachi Brass, David Mook, and Milton DeLugg.

So anyway, yes, The Dating Game is a dating game. It ran in the 1960s through the 1980s on ABC. It was also syndicated/resurrected as The New Dating Game sometime in the 1990s.

Below is the original theme.

By the way, a lot of songs are used as musical cues, and you might mistake some of it as the theme song. Below is a list of songs used throughout the show.

“Spanish Flea” for the bachelor intro
“Whipped Cream” for the bachelorette intro)
“Lollipops and Roses” for the meet-your-date cue
“Ladyfingers” and “Lemon Tree” for the thinking cues

National Geographic Theme Song

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:41:44 +0000

So apparently, time was when National Geographic was just a show on PBS. I guess that was in the eighties (as NGC was launched in 1997).

Anyway, the “National Geographic Theme Song” (that’s what it’s called) is all over the internet. Rephrase: There’s an abundance of information about the theme song net-wide.

So cut the long story short, it was originally used in the PBS series, and is still carried on today by the channel—usually played at the beginning of many of the channel’s shows. It was composed by Elmer Bernstein. Make that the late Elmer Bernstein (April 4, 1922 – August 18, 2004), an Academy Award-winning American composer. His works include scores to the films The Ten Commandments, The Great Escape, and To Kill a Mockingbird among others.

Below is the full version of the National Geographic theme song.

Barney Miller Theme Song

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:46:54 +0000

1975-1982

Well, I wasn’t really around when this show aired but I must admit it has got a jammin’ theme song.

Barney Miller was a comedy series about NYPD captain Barney Miller and his attempt to keep sane while leading the 12th precinct detectives. It starred Hal Linden as Barney Miller, Ron Glass, Jack Soo, and the only one I know, hilarious Abe Vigoda.

The theme is this groovy jam featuring a bass playing melodic lines, drums, a solo guitar, and a trumpet. The main focus of the theme song is actually the smooth bass lines. Wikipedia claims that the bass was performed by a certain Jim Hughart and that the song was composed by Jack Elliot and Allyn Ferguson—the duo also responsible for the Charlie’s Angels theme.

The show originally aired on ABC.

Watch & listen

Charmed Theme Song

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:28:43 +0000

1998-2006

Rank your Halliwells according to hotness. Mine: Paige>Prue>Phoebe>Piper.

Anyway, the theme song for Charmed, which is not really trivial, is the version of the song “How Soon Is Now?” by the band Love Spit Love. Love Spit Love was the group formed by Richard Butler when The Psychedelic Furs disbanded.

“How Soon Is Now?” by Love Spit Love appeared in two Charmed soundtracks—Charmed: The Soundtrack and Charmed: The Book of Shadows; it was also part of the official soundtrack of the movie The Craft, another witch-themed movie.

Originally, “How Soon Is Now?” was written recorded by the British band The Smiths—a.k.a. Morrissey’s original band. It was only released as a B-side of their William, It Was Really Nothing single which was released in 1984. The song is credited (composers) to Morrissey and The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr.

Charmed theme song lyrics (show edit)

I am the son and heir
I am human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

See I’ve already waited too long
And all my hope is gone

Watch & listen

Thanks to the uploader for compiling all opening credits from seasons 1 to 8.

Band of Brothers Theme Song

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 04:47:36 +0000

2001

Band of Brothers is that 2001 HBO World War II miniseries that lasted a lifetime. Anyway, let’s get straight to the point. It had a theme song that was appropriate for its theme—slow, sad, gloomy. Alright fine, Band of Brothers was quite cool.

All of its songs, ergo, its theme song, was composed by the late Michael Kamen, a popular composer/film scorer. His other works include scores for the films Someone To Watch Over Me, The Three Musketeers, X-Men, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Mr. Holland’s Opus.

The theme from Band of Brothers does not have an official title and is just referred to in the original soundtrack as “Main Titles.”

Watch & listen

Kingdom Hearts Theme Song

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 04:24:52 +0000

Alright, now we welcome a new category—Games.

For our first game, Kingdom Hearts. Kingdom Hearts is an action-adventure series of role-playing games developed by Japanese game publishing company, Square Enix, and Disney Interactive Studios.

As a Japan-USA collaboration, the games have Japanese and English theme songs for its different geographical releases. One thing about the game and its music though, as it virtually explores worlds created by Disney from their films, it includes a lot of songs that have previously been used in Disney movies. Examples of these songs include “Winnie The Pooh” and “Mickey Mouse Club March.”

All the other songs in the series was composed by Yoko Shimomura with orchestral music arranged by Kaoru Wada.

However, the game has its main theme song. For Kingdom Hearts, the first release and first game in the series, the theme song is “Hikari” and “Simple And Clean” (Japan and U.S. releases respectively). “Hikari” means “light” and the songs are not direct translations and have different meanings. Both songs were written and performed by world-famous Japanese pop star Hikaru Utada.

For Kingdon Hearts II, the theme songs are “Passion” for the Japanese release, and “Sanctuary” for its English counterpart. Again, both songs were written and performed by Hikaru Utada—it is said that the game’s director Tetsuya Nomura only had Hikaru in mind for the series’ theme songs.

Kingdom Heats theme song lyrics (“Simple And Clean”)

I’ve been having these weird thoughts lately
Like, is any of this for real? Or not?

You’re giving me
Too many things
Lately
You’re all I need (oh)
You smiled at me
And said

‘Don’t get me wrong, I love you,
But does that mean I have to meet
Your father?
When we are older you’ll understand
What I meant when I said
‘No, I don’t think life is quite that simple.”

When you walk away
You don’t hear me say
‘Please, oh baby, don’t go.’
Simple and clean is the
Way that you’re makin’ me
Feel tonight
It’s hard to let it go

Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings
The future doesn’t scare me at all
Nothing’s like before

Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings
The future doesn’t scare me at all
Nothing’s like before

Watch & listen (“Simple And Clean”)

Watch & listen (“Hikari”)

Kingdom Hearts II theme song lyrics (“Sanctuary”)

In you and I there’s a new land
Angel’s in flight
wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I
My sanctuary, my sanctuary, yeah
Where fears and lies melt away
Music inside
wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I
What’s left of me what’s left of me now

I watch you fast asleep
All I fear means nothing

In you and I there’s a new land
Angels in flight
wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I
My sanctuary my sanctuary yeah
Where fears and lies melt away
Music inside
wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I
What’s left of me what’s left of me

snwod dna spu ynam os
My heart’s a battleground
snoitome eurt deen I
wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I
snoitome eurt deen I

You show me how to see
That nothing is whole and nothing is broken

In you and I there’s a new land
Angel’s in flight
wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I
My sanctuary my sanctuary yeah
Where fears and lies melt away
Music inside
wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I
What’s left of me what’s left of me now

My fears and lies
Melt away
wonk uoy naht noitceffa erom deen I

Watch & listen (“Sanctuary”)

Watch & listen (“Passion”)

Official Releases

These are the official soundtracks released so far for the game:

Kingdom Hearts Original Soundtrack
Kingdom Hearts -Final Mix- Additional Tracks
Kingdom Hearts II Original Soundtrack
Kingdom Hearts Original Soundtrack Complete
Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts
Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts Field & Battle

ECW Theme Song

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:45:59 +0000

Extreme Championship Wrestling

Not really a wrestling fan, but we need to earn a buck.

I know of two ECW theme songs to date. One is “Bodies” by American band Drowning Pool. It was the official theme song for SummerSlam 2001, One Night Stand 2005 and 2006, December to Dismember 2006, and ECW on Sci Fi. “Bodies” was the lead single from their debut album, Sinner.

The second theme song, the one usually regarded as the “new theme song,” is “Don’t Question My Heart” by American rock band Saliva who hails from Memphis, Tennessee. The song also features Brent Smith of the band Shinedown. The song is part of Saliva’s sixth studio album entitled Cinco Diablo. It is also part of the official soundtrack of WWE, WWE The Music, Vol. 8 (track #8).

Below are their respective lyrics and videos.

ECW theme song lyrics (Bodies – Drowning Pool)

Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floooooor
Beaten why for (why for)
Can’t take much more
Here we go!
Here we go!
Here we go!
One – Nothing wrong with me
Two – Nothing wrong with me
Three – Nothing wrong with me
Four – Nothing wrong with me

One – Something’s got to give
Two – Something’s got to give
Three – Something’s got to give
Now
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the flooooor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the flooooor
Now!
Push me again
This is the end
Here we go!
Here we go!
Here we go!
One – Nothing wrong with me
Two – Nothing wrong with me
Three – Nothing wrong with me
Four – Nothing wrong with me
One – Something’s got to give
Two – Something’s got to give
Three – Something’s got to give
Now
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the flooooor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Skin against skin blood and bone
You’re all by yourself but you’re not alone
You wanted in now you’re here
Driven by hate
consumed by fear
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floooooooor
One – Nothing wrong with me
Two – Nothing wrong with me
Three – Nothing wrong with me
Four – Nothing wrong with me
One – Something’s got to give
Two – Something’s got to give
Three – Something’s got to give
Now
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the flooooor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor
Let the bodies hit the floor

Listen (Bodies – Drowning Pool)

ECW theme song lyrics (Don’t Question My Heart – Saliva)

I heard you’ve been looking for me but, you looked for trouble.
You’re gonna see that your words are dangerous. Your talk is cheap.

So now I’m standin’ here. Now I’m standin’ here.

You tell yourself you know what to do and you realize that I am comin’ for you then you’ll change your mind and run like a child when…

You see me standin’ here! Now I’m standin’ here!

Don’t question my heart! Don’t question the fire that burns inside!
Don’t question my heart! Don’t question a heart prepare to fight!

I got where I am because I didn’t chase fame. And I seen you before and you’re all the same.

Just one more mouth talkin’ words insane. Just one more mistake, with different names!

Don’t question my heart! Don’t question the fire that burns inside!
Don’t question my heart! Don’t question a heart prepare to fight!

I heard you’re lookin’ for me… I’m standin’ here. Still standin’ here.

I’m standin’ here! Still standin’ here!

Don’t question my heart! Don’t question the fire that burns inside!
Don’t question my heart! Don’t question a heart prepare to fight!

Listen (Don’t Question My Heart – Saliva)

The Backyardigans Theme Song

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:15:55 +0000

2004-present

Hello y’all, how’s it hangin’? Last month was a postless month—I know, been busy with other projects—but rest-assured, Theme Songs is and will always be alive.

So anyway, for my “return of the comeback,” something for the kids. The Backyardigans is a Canadian-American CGI-animated television series. I’ve been checking out clips of it from YouTube, and well, it looks like some expensively-made series.

The theme song is an original, featuring voices of the stars. I guess the song is only referred to as “The Backyardigans Theme” or “Theme from The Backyardigans.” Haven’t seen any video with the official opening sequence, but at least the videos (like the one below) feature HD-quality audio.

Series original music is credited to Evan Lurie and Douglas Wieselman. I’m not sure if they composed the theme.

The Backyardigans theme song lyrics

Hi, I’m Pablo.
My name’s Tyrone.
I’m Uniqua.
I’m Tasha.
And my name is Austin.
And we’re…

Your backyard friends, the Backyardigans!
Together in the backyard again,
In the place where we belong,
Where we’ll prob’ly sing a song,
And we’ll maybe dance along.

We’ve got the whole wide world in our yard to explore.
We always find things we’ve never seen before.
That’s why every day we’re back for more
With your friends, the Backyardigans.

Listen