Here at TVOvermind, we have given you lists of the most recognizable TV theme songs from both the 1980s and the 1990s. Now, we step into the modern age and take a look at the television themes that have come out over the past fourteen years. Even though it feels like there have been less and less TV theme songs in recently, as shows have opted to cut down on their opening credit sequences in order to allot for more time for their actual episodes, there have been, without any doubt, some great opening tunes over the past decade-plus. Here are the 15 most recognizable TV theme songs from the 21st century.
Photo via Fox
Mad Men
While people talk about everything else regarding Mad Men (the writing, the performances, the production and costume design, etc.) other than its opening theme song, it’s too good not to be recognized. The song is an instrumental piece entitled “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2, and it’s as hauntingly beautiful (like the song’s title would suggest) as the animated credit sequence that it accompanies, setting the mood and tone of Mad Men quite perfectly.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcRr-Fb5xQo]
Photo via AMC
New Girl
I may be in the minority here, but I’ve never had anything against Zooey Deschanel or the character of Jess Day, even from the beginning of New Girl. So when I watched the pilot for the series back in 2011 and saw the opening credits sequence, which featured a theme song called “Who’s That Girl?” that was performed by Deschanel herself, I found the tune bright and charming. Three seasons in, and I still love the New Girl theme song, which has been widely known and beloved by fans of the series. It constantly gets stuck in my head every Tuesday night when I watch a new episode, but I’m totally okay with that because, like the series itself, it makes me smile.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8J8TFLUemg]
Photo via Fox
Sons of Anarchy
Brooding, gritty, and hard-nosed is how I can describe the theme song to FX’s Sons of Anarchy, which certainly is one of the most recognizable TV theme songs out there today. The song, which is entitled “This Life,” perfectly captures the struggle of Jax, as, for most the of series, he has tried to figure out a way to be a good man while living a pretty bad life with his club. Both empowering and foreboding, “This Life” lets Sons of Anarchy fans know one thing up front: this show does not mess around.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd9ULJf2jqU]
Photo via FX
That 70’s Show
Although it technically premiered in 1998, most of That 70’s Show‘s run took place during 2000s, so it is certainly appropriate to say that the show itself and its theme song are from the 21st century. That 70’s Show‘s opening tune is one of the more infectious TV theme songs that have come out over the past decade or so. As you can see from the opening credits, it’s as if the characters are singing along to the radio in the car, and they are calling you, the audience, to sing along with them. And anytime I catch a rerun of That 70‘s Show, that’s exactly what I do.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEs5lOz6wa8]
Photo via Fox
Chuck
Although the music heard in the opening credits of Chuck is mostly instrumental, it’s just a small portion of a longer song called “Short Skirt and a Long Jacket” by Cake, which has lyrics and, in its full version, lasts for over three and half minutes. Obviously, Chuck couldn’t use the entirety of the song, and even if it could have, the words wouldn’t have fit with the series. However, the unique and quirky instrumental bit that accompanies Chuck‘s opening credits is the perfect theme song for the show. It’s offbeat, fun, and exciting, just like the series itself is.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0nJGRnobXE]
Photo via NBC
Scrubs
The opening credits of Scrubs typically only last about thirteen seconds, but the show’s theme song, “Superman” by Lazio Bane, only needs that short time to showcase the most important part of the series: its heart. Sure, Scrubs is well-known and rightfully beloved for its zany, unique brand of humor, but from its more comedic moments to even its more dramatic moments, it was the love shared between the characters and the compassion that they showed for one another and for their patients that kept this series so alive and vibrant for eight wonderful seasons. (Season nine does not exist, in my opinion.)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbG2oCIQNdc]
Photo via NBC
Justified
Whenever Justified‘s new season premieres, I can’t tell what I’m more excited for: the chance to watch Raylan Givens again, the chance to watch Boyd Crowder again, or the chance to hear the opening beats of the show’s fantastic theme song, which is easily one of the most recognizable ones on TV. Obviously, I can never decide and just say that I’m most excited about all three, but it’s Justified‘s opening, a mix of country and hip hop, that initiates that anticipation for every great episode that the series produces.
[vimeo 10465795 w=500 h=281]
FX “Justified” Main Titles from Elastic on Vimeo.
Photo via FX
Game of Thrones
What makes the opening credits of Game of Thrones so great? Sure, you could say it’s the ever-changing map of Westeros, which allows viewers to see whether the series will be visiting a new location that week or not. However, I’d argue that, as impressive as the visuals to Game of Thrones’ opening titles are, that the dark and powerful theme song is just as, if not more, important to crafting the tone of the series. Plus, it’s inspired so many fantastic parodies and homages, like South Park‘s take on it or even this awesome Peter Dinklage-influenced one.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJgKy_0VDb4]
Photo via HBO
The Office & Parks and Recreation
Ultimately, it was too hard for me to choose between these two incredible NBC sitcoms, so I decided that since they were both developed by the same people (Parks and Rec showrunner Mike Schur was a writer on The Office before co-creating the Amy Poehler-led series with The Office‘s showrunner at the time, Greg Daniels) that I could put them together. Both of the theme songs for The Office and Parks and Recreation aren’t showy or over-the-top. No, the themes to both of these series are simple and fun instrumental pieces that easily pump you up to watch the show without doing too much at all.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tYfQeVA3qk]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXNDJnwpvig]
Photo via NBC
Community
A former NBC sitcom (and now a show on Yahoo!), Community, like Parks and Rec and The Office, was a part of that onetime awesome Thursday night comedy lineup, where pretty much all the series were equally great. Where I would say that Community has an edge over both Parks and Rec and The Office though is in its opening theme. Fun, sweet, and somewhat profound, the opening tune for Community (“At Least It Was Here” by The 88) is certainly one of the most recognizable TV theme songs of the 21st century.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veBokK7K9vE]
Photo via NBC
True Blood
True Blood‘s theme song and opening credits sequence are probably the most enjoyable thing about show right now, as it continues to limp forward to its series finale, which airs in two weeks. However, before, back in True Blood‘s heyday during seasons one, two, and even three, there was no sound that I associated with good, fun summer TV more than True Blood‘s opening song, “Bad Things.” And to watch the full opening credits sequence in all its glory, click right here.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiBhZIaJsQ4]
Photo via HBO
Veronica Mars
One of the most beloved teen series to ever air on TV with a cult following so strong that they actually got a movie made through Kickstarter, Veronica Mars had a lot going for it during its initial three-season run from 2004-2007. However, smart, funny characters, solid writing, and a talented lead actress weren’t the only strong qualities that the series possessed. It also had, as you can listen to below, one of the best and most recognizable TV theme songs of the modern day, making it even the more shocking that this show could not draw a larger audience.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l5ZO-rSPGA]
Photo via The CW
One Tree Hill
During its first four seasons (the best four, in my opinion, although we can probably leave out “Psycho Derek” and Felix to really make them truly “the best”), One Tree Hill did more than just have an overly serious black-and-white logo as its opening. The series featured, in my opinion, a pretty awesome opening credit sequence with one of the most recognizable and sung-along-to TV theme songs ever: “I Don’t Wanna Be” by Gavin DeGraw, a song that did a great job at showcasing the attitudes of the series’ central teenage characters as they tried to define themselves outside of people’s perceptions and expectations.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeEmTzaE2dY]
Photo via The CW
Smalllville
Was it a little cheesy sounding? Sure. Could it get old when you heard it too many times while marathoning the show? Most definitely. But Smallville‘s theme song definitely deserves a spot on this list as one of the most recognizable TV theme songs of the 21st century. Remy Zero’s “Save Me,” while a little too on-the-nose perhaps, perfectly encapsulated the two central storylines of the show: Clark’s desire to be normal (to be “saved”) and also his series-long journey towards his destiny, towards becoming Superman. Smallville‘s theme may not have been heroic but it was certainly super (I know. I’m sorry – that was really bad but I couldn’t resist).
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH2iFehO18w]
Photo via The CW
The O.C.
You had to know The O.C. was going to be on this list, and I personally gave it this final spot because, even though these 15 TV theme songs are not being ranked in any specific order, if I had been ranking, The O.C. would have most certainly gotten number one. During the height of the show’s first (and best) season, there was not a person in the U.S. who didn’t know the words to Phantom Planet’s “California,” and even though the song may now seem a bit dated and not as magical as it once was, my friends and I, along with other O.C. fans around the world I’m sure, still find ourselves singing along to it anytime we hear it. “California, here we come!” and don’t you ever forget it.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN_ekku9jAM]
Photo via Fox
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