Tag: UPN

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Theme Song

1997–2003

I know there is an abundance of information regarding this one, but, as we are trying to be an authority-of-sorts for theme songs, it would suck if we did not have this tune in our archive.

As you probably already know, the theme song for Buffy the Vampire Slayer is by the band Nerf Herder; I guess we could say the Buffy theme is their best claim to fame. They are still performing though, in fact they just released their latest album in 2008. Here is what they look like.

First, the theme song in all its glory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr1ezNne3mI

The super official version of the theme (the one above) can be found in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Album (released 2009), where it’s officially credited as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer Theme” and lasts 1:04.

Now let’s list some facts about the tune and how it came to be, shall we?

First, a direct quote from the Nerf Herder guys from an old interview:

“They (the Buffy production staff) had hired some famous theme song composer to come up with a theme and they didn’t like the one he came up with so they were kind of on a low budget, and asked local bands to come up with theme song ideas.”

Series creator Joss Whedon explained in a DVD documentary of the pilot episode that his decision to go with Nerf Herder was influenced by Alyson Hannigan who had made him listen to the band’s music.

It is said that Nerf Herder recorded a second version of the song which was used for the titles from season 3 onwards. I still don’t know what the differences are and whether this alleged second version was officially included in a soundtrack release.

In the soundtrack release Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Radio Sunnydale, American band The Breeders covered the theme. Below is their version taken from the disc.

There are a bunch of other official soundtrack releases from the franchise. See Amazon.com for these.

There is a controversy surrounding the theme. The melody sounds similar to an Austrian-German song entitled “Codo” by the pop band Deutsch-Österreichisches Feingefühl or DÖF. Nerf Herder said they had “never heard of DÖF”. For what it’s worth, I believe them.

Below is “Codo”. (Man, these Germans are weird.)

Or better yet, see the fan-made comparison video below.

Finally, a couple of early versions of the official opening credits. Video clips change throughout the 7 seasons of course.

Can someone point me to the re-recorded theme for season 3? Anyway, that’s it for now.

Roswell Theme Song

1999–2002

A younger Shiri Appleby and Katherine Heigl; I do wish Ms. Appleby gets more worthwhile projects.

Although I think I’d choose aliens over vampires any time, any day.

This is such a cool song. The theme song of course is “Here with Me” by English singer Dido—which reminds me, where is Dido now? The song is originally from her 1999 debut album No Angel. The franchise also included it in the official and only soundtrack, which by the way contains some cool, late nineties alternative songs.

The theme song and full title sequence only first appeared in the second episode. The same song, “Here with Me”, is also used in the end credits.

Below is an official opening sequence taken from the third season.

Below is the full/album version of the Roswell theme song.

Roswell theme song lyrics (complete)

I didn’t hear you leave
I wonder how am I still here
And I don’t want to move a thing
It might change my memory

Oh I am what I am
I do what I want
But I can’t hide

And I won’t go
I won’t sleep
I can’t breathe
Until you’re resting here with me

And I won’t leave
I can’t hide
I cannot be
Until you’re resting here with me

I don’t want to call my friends
For they might wake me from this dream
And I can’t leave this bed
Risk forgetting all that’s been

Oh I am what I am
I do what I want
But I can’t hide

And I won’t go
I won’t sleep
I can’t breathe
Until you’re resting here with me

I won’t leave
I can’t hide
I cannot be
Until you’re resting here

I won’t go
And I won’t sleep
And I can’t breathe
Until you’re resting here with me

And I won’t leave
I can’t hide
I cannot be
Until you’re resting here with me

Oh I am what I am
I do what I want
But I can’t hide

And I won’t go
I won’t sleep
And I can’t breathe
Until you’re resting here with me

I won’t leave
I can’t hide
I cannot be
Until you’re resting here

And I won’t go
And I won’t sleep
And I can’t breathe
Until you’re resting here with me

I won’t leave
I can’t hide
I cannot be
Until you’re resting here with me

The Parkers Theme Song

1999–2004

Talking (and researching) about Moesha will obviously lead to its spin-off—The Parkers. The also UPN-aired show was centered on mother-daughter team Nikki and Kim Parker, played by actress Mo’Nique and Countess Vaughn respectively.

Being as there is another R&B singer in this show’s midst, it again makes sense to let the lead sing and perform the theme song. The song was by Countess Vaughn, but she splits the rights with composer Rodney Jerkins.

Just like Moesha this show has not reached the DVDs yet, so a soundtrack is definitely out of order.

However, thanks once again to YouTube and all the retro-loving people who rip and upload the opening sequences of cool shows.

Below are two unique versions of the opening sequence featuring the Countess Vaughn theme song.

The Parkers theme song lyrics

We’re the Parkers
We do anything that’s new come and join us
We’re the Parkers
We do anything that’s new come and join us

You know what, I’m sorry but the second line is just a wild guess. I just can’t seem to figure it out. Hit the comments if you know the right lyrics. Thanks.

Moesha Theme Song

1996–2001

This did not air in our country, so thank God for ze YouTubes.

It would be weird if Brandy did not sing the title song to her own show. So yes, Brandy Norwood, who plays Moesha Mitchell in Moesha performed and recorded the show’s theme song. But, she did not compose it. The song is credited to composer Kurt Farquhar.

So I checked and it is safe to say that the franchise has not released anything commercial to this date. They do not have soundtracks, let alone DVDs of the show’s six-season run. However, I think the DVD is in pre-order from Amazon.com, so that’s good news for all you 90s kids.

As for the song itself, I know for a fact that they used a slightly different version for seasons 1 through 3 (with season 2 & 3 having minor changes only), and the fourth season and version, used from seasons 4 through 6. The video clips and sequences of course changed, as it normally does on multi-season series.

Moesha theme song lyrics

Mo to the E to the

Up in the morning
A new day is starting
It’s me, it’s me
Am I realizing my responsibility?
It’s me

My best friend is always on my mind
You wanna be down for mine
I gotta do, what I gotta do
I gotta move on

Moesha (Mo to the E to the – earlier versions)
Moesha (Mo to the E to the – earlier versions)

Moesha!

There are only 2 versions in YouTube. Below is the original season one rip.

Below is a good-quality season 4 rip.

Clueless Theme Song

1996–1999

This is for the television series…inspired by the movie.

Alright, let’s go retro once again.

The theme song for Clueless the series is “Ordinary Girl”, performed by American musician China Forbes. China Forbes is also of the band Pink Martini, but she alone is credited on anything pertaining to the song—this is probably due to the fact that it was written by “others,” particularly by composers Charlotte Caffey and Anna Waronker.

Clueless theme song lyrics (show edit)

She is literally the polaroid of perfection
She has everything and she’ll give it to you in a second
Folks can’t deceive
She wears her heart on her sleeve
She’ll steal you away, and not just for one day
Every day is an ordinary day
In her world, she’s an ordinary girl

Veronica Mars Theme Song

2004-2007

Good thing there is still an abundance of Kristen Bell to this day.

The theme song from Veronica Mars is considered as one of the most recognizable and memorable theme songs. It is entitled “We Used to Be Friends” by American rock band, The Dandy Warhols. What’s ironic is that in 2003, when the single was released, it did not even reach the charts.

It was released as a single (of the same name), and as part of the album Welcome to the Monkey House, released in 2003.

In the third season of Veronica Mars, a slight change was done to the song. It was remixed in a softer style featuring a piano and electronic beats.

Veronica Mars theme song lyrics

A long time ago, we used to be friends
But I haven’t thought of you lately at all

Come on now, sugar
Bring it on, bring it on, yeah
Just remember me when

We used to be friends
A long time ago
We used to be friends

The video below was taken from the second season.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Theme Song

Also, “ST:DS9 theme song” or “DS9 theme song”

Below is the opening credits and theme song of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. There really isn’t much to say about this theme song except that it was composed by Dennis McCarthy—a known television and film score composer, and that it won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music in 1993, the same year Picket Fences was also nominated.

There is an official soundtrack for DS9, click here, which was also released in 1993 under GNP Crescendo Records. It lists the theme song as “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Main Title).”

Watch & listen