#RSFans’ Favorite TV Theme Songs

"Where Everybody Knows Your Name," written by Judy Hart Angelo and Gary Portnoy, won an Emmy in 1983 for Outstanding Achievement in Music and Lyrics – after having their first three attempts rejected by the studio.

Cheers, best tv theme ever. #RSFans

— Jake Bozek (@jakebozek) June 4, 2012

Danny Elfman of Oingo Boingo wrote the world-famous Simpsons theme in 1989, at the request of creator Matt Groening. He has since scored music for over 50 movies, working closely with Tim Burton and winning a Grammy for his work on Burton's Batman.

#RSFans The Simpsons has the best theme song. Ever. Actually, they have the best Everything. Ever.

— Jeff Chambers (@JEFF_theRIPPER) June 4, 2012

The theme of Doctor Who was a wholly innovative piece of music when it was composed by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop's Ron Grainer and Delia Derbyshire in 1963, with Derbyshire utilizing many novel-at-the-time electronic techniques such as tape splicing and oscilloscope modulation to give the song its brooding, futuristic sound.

#RSFans Definitely Doctor Who.

— John (@KopiteUSA94) June 4, 2012

Jack Marshall, a producer at Capitol Records throughout the '50s and '60s, wrote and recorded The Munsters' surfy theme song, earning him a Grammy nomination in 1965.

@RollingStone The Munsters #RSFans

— Valencia (@VeeeKaaay) June 4, 2012

The haunting theme of The X-Files was written by TV and film composer Mark Snow – with some "assistance" from X-Files creator Chris Carter. The story goes that Snow found the song's signature echo when, frustrated from Carter's criticism of the existing song, he laid his arm on his keyboard and the echo came out the other end.

#RSFans The X-Files theme. Still gives me the creeps.

— Michelle (@suntoosh) June 4, 2012

The theme – and the entire concept – of Hong Kong Phooey was written by the team of Watts Biggers, Chester Stover, Treadwell Covington and Joseph Harris, who created and sold cartoon characters with the aim of selling General Mills breakfast cereals.

"Hong Kong Phooey"had the best intro of all time #RSFans

— samantha noelle (@swankenstein) June 5, 2012

In what may be the only theme song played and sung by its principal characters, All In the Family's theme was composed by songwriting team Charles Strouse and Lee Adams, who were responsible for the classic Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie.

#RSFans All in the Family

— Kevin Hischer (@kchisch) June 4, 2012

The Growing Pains theme song, co-written by John Bettis and Steve Dorff (father of actor Stephen Dorff), was sung by several well-known artists, including B.J. Thomas (singer of "Hooked On a Feeling"), Jennifer Warnes (who sung the Dirty Dancing hit "(I've Had) The Time of My Life") and soul singer Dusty Springfield.

Growing pains ftw RT @RollingStone From #GameOfThrones to #MadMen and #Friends – what’s your favorite TV theme song? Tell us using #RSFans

— Professor Richssn (@MattDotRich) June 4, 2012

The Wonder Years' classic theme is a cover of the Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends" as sung by Joe Cocker. It was inducted into both the Grammy Award Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

@RollingStone favorite T.V. show theme song is The Wonder Years, "With A Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker. #RSFans

— Lauren Stasi (@LaurenStasi) June 5, 2012

Composer Richard Gibbs is responsible for the Battlestar Galactica theme, which is aptly titled "Are You Alive?"

#RSFans Battlestar Galatica(new)

— Not a Moniker (@Fakeparody) June 4, 2012

The Sopranos theme song is a remixed version of "Woke Up This Morning," a song written by English band Alabama 3 in 1997. Their music has appeared in many shows and films including 3000 Miles to Graceland, A Life Less Ordinary and Gone in 60 Seconds.

@RollingStone The Sopranos #RSFans

— Erin Watson (@SoonerRDH) June 5, 2012

The theme music for John Adams, composed by Rob Lane and Joseph Vitarelli, is also the song played before home games of the Washington Nationals.

HBO's John Adams theme song! @RollingStone what’s your favorite TV theme song? Tell us using #RSFans: bitly.com/KaHf1U

— Ashly Kissman (@AshlyKissman) June 4, 2012

Written by the Barenaked Ladies, The Big Bang Theory's theme covers the formation of the galaxy in roughly 20 seconds.

@RollingStone #RSfans #TheBigBangTheory theme song.

— Jesse Myers (@jessemyersart) June 4, 2012

Grammy-nominated composer Ramin Djawadi is responsible for Game of Thrones' brooding, epic intro song, as well as the rocking compositions in the first Iron Man movie.

Game of Thrones' theme is doing it for me! #RSFans

— Pepe Garcia Camil (@pepecamil) June 4, 2012

Malvina Reynolds wrote "Little Boxes" in 1962 at the age of 62, which became a hit for her folkie friend, Pete Seeger.

@RollingStone Weeds. Malvina is a gem. #RSFans

— Amanda (@raspberrycoast) June 4, 2012

Todd Griffin, a relatively unknown performer, was the singer covering Big Star's "In the Street" for That '70s Show's first season. His version was replaced with Cheap Trick's rendition starting with the show's second season – their additional, now-signature "we're all all right!" chant at the end was a nod to the band's song "Surrender." Got all that?