Twenty years ago you couldn’t make a show without including an original theme song with it. That’s just the way things worked. This trend continued through most of the 90s, but somewhere along the way the art of the theme song was lost. Now most shows will just pay some artist to use their song in the introduction (I blame “Friends.”). While some of them may be good songs and appropriate to the programs, they will never compare to the timelessness of the old, original themes.

 

Summer is almost upon us and, if you’re lucky, you might be able to catch some of the following theme songs in syndication. These are the best musical pieces to grace television sets of the 80s and 90s. They have been chosen strictly on the quality of the music, so there’s no room for “Salute Your Shorts” to make an appearance in this list. They are also all originals. It was a tough list to choose, but here are the top twenty best TV theme songs of the last 20ish years:

 

 

 

20. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”

 

Rocking and informative. Get to know them. You know you had the action figures, too.

 


19. “In Living Color”

 

So many Wayans.

 

 

18. “Step by Step”

 

TGIF had a number of hit theme songs. “Step by Step” is not only the most guitar heavy song, but it also had the most attractive group of daughters in the later seasons. They blew “Full House” away (who really was saved by Lori Laughlin).

 


17. “Beavis and Butt-Head”

 

Obviously a show based around music would have a solid theme song.

 


16. “The A-Team”

 

Great breakdown. And a hilarious video.

 

 

15. “Magnum P.I.”

 

This is one of those occasions where the intro is better than the show itself. And would the Selleck mustache have been as big without a killer theme? I think not.

 


14. “Seinfeld”

 

This is the exact opposite of “Magnum P.I.” Fantastic show, and although people don’t think of the theme when they think “Seinfeld,” it’s original and incredibly recognizable.

 


 

13. “X-Men”

 

The best cartoon drama ever, hands down. Intense opening.

 

 

12. “NBA on NBC”

 

John Tesh… ‘nuff said.

 


11. “Ducktales”

 

Great bassline. It’s a straight up toe-tapper.

 

 

10. “The Real Ghostbusters”

 

Technically made for the movie, but it was used in the cartoon and given a more electric sound. This song has the tools, and it has the talent.

 


9. “Family Matters”

 

Cuh-choomp ch ch ch ch ch ch ch… Miller & Boyett knew what was up. There is a longer version from early seasons, but I went with the later one because it has Waldo Geraldo Faldo catching a basketball to the face. That doesn’t get old.

 


8. “Home Improvement”

 

This one definitely got bonus points for the grunting. After this opening is over, you can assume Tim screws up at Tool Time, then screws up at home thus making his wife mad, asks Wilson about it, screws up Wilson’s quote, but makes everything better in the end. Meanwhile, the two older kids pick on the younger one. And a few jokes about Al’s mom are thrown in. Eeaauugghhheeh?!

 

 

7. “Law & Order”

 

Just beat out the themes from Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Unfortunately there’s no Jesse Martin in this particular episode. Jah bless, Jerry Orbach.

 


6. “Fraggle Rock”

 

Remember this one? Clap clap.

 


5. “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper”

 

The best TGIF theme song and show; the so-called “African-American ‘Three’s Company.’” It’s a shame there’s no reruns of this one. En Vogue lends a hand. Feel free to sing along.

 


4. “Perfect Strangers”

 

This might be another one where the theme song surpasses the show in quality. But, in fairness, this is a tough song to beat. The show had its work cut out for it. Note the “Super-happy dance of joy.” America or burst.

 


3. “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”

 

A little obvious, but it had to make the list. This is the full version as well. My biggest problem with this song is that every time it comes on, people need to sing it as if to prove they know the words. We all know them, get over yourself. Also, he flies first class, but has to take a cab from the airport? They wouldn’t pick him up? Send Geoffrey, at least.

 

 

2. “MacGyver”

 

You’ll never be so excited to watch the opening credits for a show. The ultimate start to one of the most underrated shows ever. The MacGyver Orchestra does nice work here. (If you pause when he’s jumping off the boat, you’ll see Bigfoot is chasing him.)

 

 

1. “Knight Rider”

 

Nobody could Hassel the Hoff for this one. This theme could put some asses on the dance floor, as later proven by Timbaland. Plus an extra shoutout to Mr. Feeny a.k.a. K.I.T.T., as Boy Meets World didn’t make the cut.

 


 

 

 

 

Note: There have been a lot of TV shows over the last 20 years. If you think there’s a theme song that belongs on this list, let me know, and I will let you know why not.