There's something comforting about watching a sitcom with a recognizable theme song. This familiar tune sets the scene, explains the tone and content of the show, and is fun and catchy. While some viewers prefer to skip the introduction and go right from the cold open to the first scene, many people love hearing these songs over and over again.
Many beloved sitcoms have popular theme songs that will forever be associated with the characters and storylines that TV fans know and love. Whether the sitcoms are from the far or near past, these theme songs are some of the greatest.
The Office: "The Office Theme Song"
Written by Jay Ferguson, the theme song of The Office doesn't have lyrics, but it's memorable and iconic.
The tone of The Office is dry and quirky and the song feels very emotional to listen to. It's catchy, instantly recognizable, and the music builds. It would be impossible for this song not to be part of the show as viewers feel very strongly toward it.
Golden Girls: "Thank You For Being A Friend"
Written by Andrew Gold and sung by Cynthia Fee, the Golden Girls theme song is also iconic, and it's tough to imagine this popular sitcom without it.
It's always best when a theme song explains what the show is about. The Golden Girls' wholesome and easy-to-remember song is all about the strong friendships that the characters share with one another. The lyrics include the words, "If you threw a party and invited everyone you knew/Well, you would see the biggest gift would be from me/And the card attached would say/Thank you for being a friend."
The Simpsons: "The Simpsons Main Title Theme"
Danny Elfman composed The Simpsons theme song and viewers definitely associate the song and opening sequence with the show. It has an almost orchestral quality that is not often seen with theme songs and it's a truly dynamic tune.
Everyone remembers the 12-note motif built into it and the content of the opening, from Bart writing on the chalkboard to Lisa doing her saxophone solo, is famous as well.
Cheers: "Where Everybody Knows Your Name"
Cheers is a beloved sitcom that holds up today and the theme song, written by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart-Angelo, is still famous.
Fans love the lyrics "Sometimes you want to go/Where everybody knows your name" as this sums up the theme of the show: the characters all hung out together at the bar and were a part of each other's lives. Many sitcoms succeed when the characters have a reason to be in the same setting day after day, and the Cheers bar is just as iconic as the theme song.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show: "Love Is All Around"
Written by Sonny Curtis, who also sang the tune, "Love Is All Around" is the lovely, sweet theme song for The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
TV fans remember the charming lyrics: "Who can turn the world on with her smile?/Who can take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?" The song is about how passionate and excited Mary is about starting her new life and when the song ends with the words, "You're going to make it after all," this is her life motto as she embarks on her journalism career.
Frasier: "Tossed Salads And Scrambled Eggs"
Just as beloved as Friends and Seinfeld and other '90s sitcoms, Frasier also has a song that stands out.
While this song played at the end of episodes and not the start, it's still a super quirky and strange tune that fans associate with the show. Bruce Miller composed the song and Kelsey Grammer sang it. What does the phrase "tossed salads and scrambled eggs" mean? The meaning behind the theme song is that since Frasier talks to people through his radio show, he's always giving advice, and his patients are like "tossed salads and scrambled eggs" as they're trying to work through problems and feel confused.
The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air: "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air"
Everyone remembers the song that starts off each episode of this Will Smith '90s show. It's so memorable because it's got a fun beat, some '90s slang, and also explains the story of Will moving in with his rich family.
Will Smith wrote the song's lyrics and Quincy Jones wrote the music, with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince singing.
The Big Bang Theory: "The History Of Everything"
The Barenaked Ladies song "The History of Everything" is the theme song for The Big Bang Theory and it works perfectly. The beloved show has many smart quotes and the song's lyrics are just as intelligent.
Since the lyrics talk about the start of the universe and mention some of the science involved, it makes sense that it would start off each episode of this intelligent and hilarious series.
Full House: "Everywhere You Look"
It's impossible not to associate Full House with its iconic theme song "Everywhere You Look." The show's opening credits set up the sweet and corny sitcom and the fact that this was a family who lived in San Francisco and loved being together.
The song's composers are Jesse Frederick and Bennet Salvay, and Frederick sang the song. This iconic theme song was also used in the revival Fuller House and a new version was recorded by Carly Rae Jepsen. While the revival was a disappointment for many, it was fun to see a more modern pop music version of the famous tune.
Friends: "I'll Be There For You"
The most iconic song of any sitcom is definitely "I'll Be There For You" by The Rembrandts, which started off every episode of Friends.
This incredibly popular '90s show has so many sweet and emotional scenes and the theme song pulls it all together. The lyrics "So no one told you life was gonna be this way/Your job's a joke, you're broke/Your love life's DOA" are just as well-known as the "break" between Ross and Rachel, Phoebe's quirky personality, and the secret relationship that Monica and Chandler embark on. The song explains that these characters have tough times but will always support and love one another, which is the overall theme of the show and the reason why it has such a large fanbase.