Remembering Classic TV Shows and Their Theme Tunes

If the golden age of television in the USA lasted from 1948-1959, the ’60s and ’70s brought a flurry of inventive, classic shows that took the idea of television entertainment to a whole new level. In a post-war climate, people needed laughter and thrilling drama in their lives, and TV delivered it in spades.

Here are a few shows that made America great in the 20th century, and the earworm theme tunes that dug their way into our hearts!

Perry Mason: The King of Theme Songs

Enter the courtroom with Perry Mason (1957), where legal drama meets sophistication! Raymond Burr impeccably portrayed Erle Stanley Gardner’s iconic lawyer, bringing the character to life in the 1957 to 1966 series that spanned 271 episodes. The legal drama’s legacy continued with 26 TV movies airing on NBC starting in 1985. Behind the scenes, the captivating theme, actually titled Park Avenue Beat, was composed by the versatile Fred Steiner.

Fun fact: Steiner also penned the theme for The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. The composer described the track as a musical embodiment of Perry Mason’s sophistication and toughness, adding an extra layer of depth to the character’s legacy.

Enchanting Shadows: A Spellbinding Journey

Enter the haunting world of Dark Shadows (1966), the iconic gothic horror soap opera that cast a spell from 1966 to 1971 across 1,225 episodes. The show soared to new heights, especially with the introduction of Canadian actor Jonathan Frid as the mesmerizing vampire Barnabas Collins.

In September 1969, a captivating soundtrack composed by Robert Cobert and his orchestra, featuring 16 tracks, including the eerie main title, captivated audiences. The haunting melodies reached an impressive number 18 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart, solidifying Dark Shadows as a visual and musical masterpiece in the realm of television.

Bionic Brilliance and a Sonic Marvel

Enter the era of bionic marvels with The Six Million Dollar Man (1970s)! In the 1970s, bionic phenomena were all the rage, featuring men, women, boys, and even an unconventional bunch like a dog and a watermelon! Science was progressing at an incredible rate, and the sci-fi potential for TV shows was definitely a gold mine.

The standout was none other than Lee Majors as astronaut Steve Austin, the original Six Million Dollar Man. Amidst his weekly adventures, the show boasted one of the best TV theme songs ever, a musical masterpiece crafted by the talented jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Oliver Edward Nelson. Nelson, known for his musical contributions to Ironside, Night Gallery, Columbo, and Longstreet, added a sonic touch that elevated the bionic experience to extraordinary heights. 8/10!

Sailing Down Memory Lane

Set sail on The Love Boat (1979)! Airing from 1977 to 1986, this ABC gem became the epitome of comfort television. The theme, a musical masterpiece by Charles Fox with lyrics penned by Paul Williams and sung by Jack Jones, became an iconic part of the show’s allure.

In season nine, the torch was passed to Dionne Warwick, adding a new layer to the show’s sonic tapestry. Released in 1979, the extended version of the theme even charted at number 37 on the Billboard US Adult Contemporary chart! Ahoy to the timeless melodies of The Love Boat—and all the other classic TV shows our parents and grandparents loved.