One of the biggest missed opportunities in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot, Bel-Air, is that they don't use the iconic theme song from the original show. Primetime television has evolved in many wonderful ways, but one thing missing from most current shows is a catchy theme song sung by actors from the series. In the '90s and early 2000s, this practice was commonplace.
In several instances, viewers may have been diehard fans of a series without knowing who was responsible for its theme song - as the programs rarely showcased the singers as part of their introduction credits. Cut us some slack Gen Z, many of these shows aired long before viewers could simply ask Siri, Google it from the convenience of their phone, or Shazam the song.
Kelsey Grammer - Frasier
Viewers know Grammer as the lovably pretentious psychiatrist, Dr. Frasier Crane, on the hit series Frasier. However, many people don't know that Grammer is also an accomplished musician and stage actor. He attended The Julliard School and has starred in numerous Shakespearian productions, as well as a slew of Broadway musicals.
The show's theme song, "Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs," was written by Bruce Miller but according to an interview given by the composer, it was at the behest of producers that Grammer perform the now-famous song. Fans are excited to learn if the theme song will appear in the series reboot, which will premier on Paramount + once a release date has been set.
Queen Latifah - Living Single
"We Are Living Single," the theme song for the hit sitcom Living Single, which centered around 6 young Black professionals navigating life, friendships, and dating in Brooklyn, was both written and performed by hip-hop legend Queen Latifah.
In addition to performing the show's theme song Latifah, who is also a celebrated actress, starred in the series as successful magazine editor Khadijah James. The Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and Grammy Award-winning performer has released several epic albums throughout her more than 30-year career as an artist. Continuing to act in television and movie roles, Latifah is currently starring in the CBS drama The Equalizer, based on the movie series by the same name.
Jason Schwartzman - Bored To Death
Jason Schwartzman is possibly best known for his many roles in Wes Anderson's quirky films. However, in addition to his work in Anderson's movies, Schwartzman has performed many roles in both film and television, and he is also a professional musician. Schwartzman wrote and performed the theme song to his HBO series, Bored To Death, as part of his solo musical project called Coconut Records.
Additionally, Schwartzman was a drummer for the group Phantom Planet until 2003. Phantom Planet has its own connection to theme songs, as the group made the hit song "California," which was later used as the theme song for the WB series The O.C.
Zooey Deschanel - New Girl
Fans know Zooey Deschanel can act, as she played lead character Jessica Day on the sitcom New Girl for 7 seasons. However, Deschanel is full of secrets, and, as a result, many people are not aware that she is also musically talented.
Deschanel is a singer, songwriter, pianist, and player of the ukulele, so it should come as no surprise that the talented artist even performed the show's theme song entitled "Hey Girl." In addition to acting, Deschanel has released several albums as part of the duo She & Him, alongside her musical partner, M. Ward.
Will Smith and Jeffrey Allen Townes - The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
Will Smith may be a household name now, but in 1990 he was an up-and-coming rapper who had just landed his big break as the title character in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. At the time Smith, who would go on to win an Oscar and a Grammy, among other accolades, was part of a hip-hop duo with disc jockey Jeffrey Allen Townes, better known as DJ Jazzy Jeff, who also acted in the series.
Music for the theme song, "Yo Home To Bel-Air," was composed by legendary record producer Quincy Jones, who was also a producer for the sitcom. Smith and Townes then added the lyrics and additional production. The song was actually an international success, performing extremely well in countries across Europe, where it had been released as a single.
Drew Carey - The Drew Carey Show
The Drew Carey Show, which was created, produced, and starred in by Drew Carey himself, had three different theme songs throughout its 9 season run. At different times, the show featured the theme song "Cleveland Rocks," performed by the group The Presidents of the United States of America, as well as the theme song "Five O'Clock World" performed by The Vogues.
But when it first aired, the theme song for the series was "Moon Over Parma," a tribute to Parma, Ohio written by Robert McGuire and performed by Drew Carey. The former Marine and stand-up comic went on to host a series of improved shows and game shows, including, most notably, Whose Line Is It Anyway? and The Price Is Right.
Tia and Tamera Mowry - Sister, Sister
At 16 years old, twin sisters Tia and Tamera Mowry landed lead roles in the popular series Sister, Sister. The Mowry sisters starred together in many movie and television roles. However, many viewers didn't know that the twins, who became well-known for their acting, are also gifted singers. They even sang the show's catchy theme song together.
The sitcom aired for 6 seasons, ending in 1999, but the Mowry sisters have both remained in the spotlight. Interestingly, Tia and Tamera's younger brother Tahj Mowry later starred in a sitcom called Smart Guy. The second theme song written for Smart Guy featured a rap performance by Omar Gooding, who starred alongside Mowry in the show.
Chuck Norris - Walker, Texas Ranger
Chuck Norris, who may be best known by the younger generation for being the subject of the satirical (and hilarious) viral Chuck Norris Facts, is actually a famous martial artist and actor. In addition to starring in the popular action crime series Walker, Texas Ranger, Norris, who has earned a black belt in several martial art forms--including two he created himself - is also a musician...sort of.
Not to be confused with the actual musician, Chuck Norris, who was a masterful jazz and blues guitarist, the actor does dabble in music and famously performed the theme song to his hit series, The Eyes Of A Ranger. The series aired for 8 seasons and made Norris one of the most famous action stars in history.
LL Cool J - In The House
Anyone who remembers the In The House theme song knows that this one is a bit of a stretch because there weren't exactly many lyrics, but it was indeed performed by rap superstar LL Cool J, who also starred in the sitcom. The song was produced by Quincy Jones III, whose father, Quincy Jones, produced the show.
The theme song is mainly instrumental, while LL Cool J acts as a hype man for the beat, with the lyrics "no diggity, no doubt, baby" and "we in the house" being repeated throughout. Of course, the Grammy winner, who is also a Rock and Roll Hall Of Famer, as well as a Kennedy Center Honoree, didn't need to impress viewers with the theme song track, as his discography speaks for itself.
Basically Every Child Actor On The Disney Channel
Since The Mickey Mouse Club, Disney has been responsible for launching the careers of countless young celebrities. As a result, the Disney Channel specifically has produced a shocking number of shows featuring theme songs performed by the kids who starred in them.
Some of the most popular artists to sing their own theme songs on Disney Channel shows include Miley Cyrus, who sang the theme song for her popular series, Hannah Montana, as well as Selena Gomez, who sang her Wizard's Of Waverly Place theme, Zendaya in K.C. Undercover, The Jonas Brothers in Jonas, and Demi Lovato in Sonny With A Chance.