Theme Songs

2002–2004

R.I.P. Anna Nicole Smith 1967–2007. No disrespect here.

Alright, so I was reminded of this when I saw reruns of The Nanny—both had animated intros.

The only information I have about this show’s theme song are, number one, the title: “Anna, Anna, Anna, Anna” (credited on IMDb). And number two, its composer: David Baron (credited on IMDb and his Facebook page). Unfortunately, we still don’t know who performed it.

Update: We now know the performer—Paris Hampton. Check out the composer’s comment below.

Oh by the way, we also know the lyrics but this is just my best guess. Feel free to post corrections.

The Anna Nicole Show theme song lyrics

Anna, Anna, glamorous Anna, Anna Nicole
Was born in Texas, strugglin’ savin’, tryin’ to get to fame
Then you use what you got (and that’s a lot!), you became a household name
Married a billionaire, so he was 88, but they didn’t date
Then it all disappeared as fast as it came
Anna, Anna, glamorous Anna, Anna Nicole
Anna, Anna, glamorous Anna, Anna Nicole
You’re so outrageous
Anna Nicole

And now for the classic intro (which was nominated in 2003 for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design).

2010

Alright, so The Pacific is a sister show (whatever that means) to the mega-successful Band of Brothers from 2001. It was an epic show, so it had an epic theme song as well.

The song is entitled “Honor”. As per the original soundtrack, it is officially credited as “Honor (Main Title Theme From The Pacific)” and lasts 2 minutes and 56 seconds—same length as the opening sequence, so no full/album version.

Music for the miniseries was done by the team of Blake Neely, Geoff Zanelli and Hans Zimmer. Now, that is an impressive team. Trust me. But, if you don’t know why, here are some of their credentials:

Blake Neely – Nominated for an Emmy for the theme from Everwood.
Geoff Zanelli – Won an Emmy for scoring Into the West.
Hans Zimmer – You don’t know Hans Zimmer? He probably only won like a bazillion awards, including the Oscar for The Lion King. He also worked for The Dark Knight, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.

Now, as hinted earlier, the franchise has also released an official soundtrack—March 2010. It contains 20 plus songs, all original scores for the series. It also includes the also-nice end title theme entitled “With The Old Breed” (video below).

Alright, on to the vids.

First, the original opening sequence/titles.

That sequence was also nominated in 2010 for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design.

Next, a better-audio-quality version of the opening theme (“Honor”).

Then the end title theme (“With The Old Breed”).

2009-present

The show’s creator’s name is also Jonathan Ames. You’d get that if you are a true fan.

So, if you know Jason Schwartzman, you would know that he is an all-around musician. He was the drummer of the band Phantom Planet, who performed the theme song for The O.C. entitled “California”. He has since left the band and now moonlights as Coconut Records—yes that’s what he wants to be called for his solo indie-pop project.

Now, obviously, the theme song for his new show Bored to Death was done by him, I mean by Coconut Records.

The franchise has already released an official soundtrack (September 2010). It of course contains the theme, where it lasts an official/extended 1:57 (but it contains a short dialogue from the series in the end).

Below is the theme as heard from the soundtrack.

And below the full-version lyrics.

Bored to Death theme song lyrics

All the shadows in the city
Used to love ya, what a pity
I miss the questions you used to ask me
All the shadows in the city
All the shadows in the city
Alright

Bored to death, plus expenses
The only trouble is my sentence
You said you’d never love another

Russian doll, one inside the other
Russian doll, one inside the other

Bored to death, cut, mad and lonely
Bored to death, cut, mad and lonely
Bored to death, cut, mad and lonely

Now finally, the famed opening sequence.

So really, the theme song edit in the intro is just the first and last 3 lines of the song.

2003–2005

And to quote a fan comment from some Carnivàle article, “HBO sucks for not continuing this genius show.” Could not have said it any better.

The instrumental theme song from Carnivàle is by Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman. Collaboratively, they are known as the Wendy & Lisa duo. In the television music circle, they are known for their work on Heroes and Nurse Jackie—for which they won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music in 2010. Both of them were also part of Prince’s The Revolution band in the eighties.

But there’s more. Not that it’s a big deal, but both had admitted they were in lesbian relationship with each other. This is them in 2010.

The song is part of the official soundtrack of the series, released under Varèse Sarabande on December 7, 2004, where it is listed as “Carnivàle Main Title Theme” and lasts 1:26 (same as in intro sequence). The disc includes other original scores by official series composer Jeff Beal.

Below is the theme in all its 1:26 glory (better audio quality than next video). No, it was not composed by Jeff Beal.

Below is the official opening sequence of Carnivale. Additionally, this really-good sequence was created by visual effects firm A52. It won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design in 2004.

2011; this is for the FX series

Yes, this show has already been canceled.

Too bad. It had a good and proper theme song and opening.

The Lights Out theme song is not officially titled, nor is it part of any commercial releases. The song, as well as nearly all music cues in the series, was handled by music supervision firm Thwak, Inc. Sound & Design, or simply Thwak! Music. You can see Lights Out in their portfolio in their official site (direct link not possible because of Flash-based site). But, to be more specific, Thwak music supervisor Anthony Roman is the one officially credited for the main title theme.

Actually, you can read all about it—the theme song and Thwak’s involvement—in this article. Now that ought to get the job done.

So now let’s just enjoy and relive the theme once again.

1984

Go, Mighty Orbots!

Just finishing sick animation theme songs from the eighties and nineties, and this is definitely one of them.

Although short-lived—13 episodes in all—Mighty Orbots had a plot that trumps even science fiction films of today. It had a proper opening sequence and theme song—that which made kids sing, jam and memorize lyrics without them knowing it. Not much is known about the theme song unfortunately. Listed only is a certain Yuji Ono for series original music; chances are he composed the opening tune as well. As for performers—vocals and instruments—we still do not know.

Hit the comments if you have any useful information regarding this theme.

Below is the theme along with the classic opening.

Mighty Orbots theme song lyrics

Go, Mighty Orbots
They’re joining together to fight for what’s right everywhere
Mighty Orbots
Protecting the world from the shadow of evil and doom, Orbots
Champions of justice and truth
(Ohno) (Tor) (Bort) (Bo) (Boo) (Crunch)
Go, Mighty Orbots
Mechanical heroes fighting for me and for you
Orbots!

1987

Probably not as popular as the other animated series we’ve discussed, but cartoon theme songs don’t get better than this. Besides, Spiral Zone had a very unique and mature plot, which made children, including me, think hard and wide.

Not much is known about the opening theme—how it came to be, plus composers and performers—but there is a vague list of series original music scorers on IMDb: Ashley Hall, David Kitay, Richard Kosinski, Steve Tyrell, and Sam Winans. All of them are credited for 65 episodes. It is highly likely that at least one of them (or all of them) had something to do with the opening theme.

So now let’s relive the classic theme song and intro sequence.

Now the lyrics.

Spiral Zone theme song lyrics

Spoken: Surrender, or pay the consequences.

Earth’s most powerful soldiers, are earth’s last chance to fight the Spiral Zone
Darkness, has fallen, on the victims of the zone
Our world, calls for courage, peace and freedom we must own

We will fight, on our honor
What is right, we’ll defend
Fight the zone, zone riders

Earth’s most powerful soldiers are earth’s last chance against the Spiral Zone!

If you know of any additional, useful information regarding this song, please hit the comments below.

2007

Cool, albeit short, theme song. Also, a very short-lived series which failed to capitalize on the popularity of the books.

The theme song for The Dresden Files is this bass-centered tune atop a lead guitar melody. It is simple and catchy, and it works. Because of its short life, it is highly unlikely that we will see any commercial releases for the said tune.

Which is partly why this blog exists—to celebrate even the unsung and forgotten musical pieces that once found mainstream media exposure, and made people want to jam.

Alright, enough of the trying-hard-to-be-poetic rants. The theme song was composed by Robert J. Kral, a known television composer. Although not officially credited, I banked on him as the official theme composer because his name, and no one else, is credited on all 12 episodes.

Alright, nothing left but to see the theme in action. Below is the official opening sequence/titles of The Dresden Files.

2007–2009; this is for the television series, as I understand there is a lesser-known movie of the same name

Alright, since I don’t have much time, I’ll just post on something non-research intensive.

Reaper is one of those shows that have 10-second intros; most probably because it existed in a time when such was all the rage (it sucks, I know). I have to say though, the 10 seconds the title sequence people were given is time well spent. The video sequence is clever, and the music is defined and catchy.

Original music is credited to David Schwartz and Charles Pollard. My best guess is that Mr. Schwartz composed the short title tune. His music is credited for 31 episodes—exact same number of episodes in the show’s run. He also has an impressive resume, namely (the themes from): Deadwood, Arrested Development, and Northern Exposure.

Now, let’s relive the canceled series with the memorable opening and theme song below.

1983–1985

By the power of Grayskull! Man, this was definitely one of the animated series that defined my childhood.

The He-Man theme song, if you can call it that, was simply background music set to the more-memorable opening narrative sequence. The tune has its moments—especially during short silences in the narration—but most of the time it is drowned in the background.

Composers for the series include known children’s television program composer duo Shuki Levy and Haim Saban (click on their names to see what we have on them so far), who are both Israeli-American. Additional credits are given to Lou Scheimer and Erika Lane. The former is credited in IMDb and the latter in Wikipedia, but none in both.

Like I said, since the theme is barely one, let’s just focus on the epic opening sequence as a whole. First, the complete and correct narration.

I am Adam, Prince of Eternia, and defender of the secrets of Castle Greyskull. This is Cringer, my fearless friend. Fabulous secret powers were revealed to me the day I held aloft my magic sword and said, “By the power of Greyskull!”

“I have the power!”

Cringer became the mighty Battle Cat. And I became He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. Only three others share this secret. Our friends the Sorceress, Man-At-Arms and Orko. Together we defend Castle Greyskull from the evil forces of Skeletor.

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for—the introduction.