Carnivàle Theme 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.

Nurse Jackie Theme Song

2009-present

From Mrs. Soprano to Nurse Jackie.

Theme theme song to Nurse Jackie is an award-winning one. In fact, it is the latest winner (2010) of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music. And it beat some excellent songs at that—the themes from Human Target, Justified, Legend of the Seeker, and Warehouse 13.

The theme song was composed by Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin, and is credited as “Nurse Jackie Main Title” in the official season one soundtrack.

Actually, not only does it have a cool theme song, it has an excellently-directed opening video sequence as well. The video below was actually uploaded by the director, Steve Fuller.