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I know there are many television theme songs. We all have favorites. The key is that the music can give you an idea of the show without seeing the images. I have listed several below. Am I right? Wrong? What are your favorites?
Mission Impossible
Anything by Lalo Schifrin wins. The iconic sound screams pulse-pounding spies, thrills, and danger—classic guitar riff by the immortal Tommy Tedesco of The Wrecking Crew.
Star Trek
It set the way for sci-fi shows. Although you could debate LOST IN SPACE (John Williams) or others, but it is Star Trek. Come on.
Hawaii 5-0
In a TV class at Iowa, we watched this fast-paced opening, an example of how music mixed with images can project the exotic feeling of the islands and the danger that lurks under the blue skies—performed by The Wrecking Crew.
Peter Gunn
Mancini's classic noir-style sinister sounds charted in the top 10. Performed by The Wrecking Crew with John Williams on piano.
Rockford Files
Mike Post and Peter Carpenter. Just a cool theme.
M*A*S*H
The movie and TV show used Suicide is Painless as the theme song. Tommy Tedesco on guitar and the rest of The Wrecking Crew.
Andy Griffith
The Fishin Hole. Is there a more recognizable whistled theme song? It captures the times and rural feel—combined with the images—sets up the father/son relationship.
Twilight Zone
Some consider this the greatest theme of all time. Certainly of the genre. A Bernard Herrmann masterpiece. He did Psycho and other Hitchcock movies.
Taxi
Angela. I like this song by Bob James off the Touchdown album. It set the tone for the show.
Twin Peaks
Don't tell me Angelo Badalamenti's eerie from Twin Peaks didn't immediately make you think something different was happening in this show that would transport you someplace unexpectedly.
VERY Honorable Mentions: Perry Mason, Simpsons, Miami Vice, Hill Street Blues, Get Smart, I Dream of Jeannie, Dick Van Dyke Show, Bewitched, The Munsters, Bonanza, I Love Lucy, Sanford and Son, Magnum PI, Mannix, The Odd Couple SWAT, Dragnet