Show Tunes

Welcome to Show Tunes - the podcast where the only thing more addictive than television… is its music

“This is not meth… this is music”

Today we’re diving into a theme tune that’s equal parts desert dust, menace, and meth lab chic. That’s right - Breaking Bad. We’ve been away a short while…again, due to lives little bumps in the road, but are hoping you are keen to get into this one. Gas masks and Y-fronts are entirely optional.

Today, we’re snapping our fingers to one of the catchiest, quirkiest, and most instantly recognizable theme songs in television history - The Addams Family

And really, what a tune it is! The Addams Family theme was written in 1964 by Vic Mizzy, a composer with a talent for, how should we say…. writing ear worms.

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on one of the most beloved and instantly recognizable theme tunes in British television history

If you are of a certain vintage, let’s say above the age of 27, it’s fair to assume you’ve watched a fair number of Only Fools And Horses episodes before they became memes, you’ll have seen the sex dolls, the bar fall, the batman and robin run, the chandelier, the Dave / Rodney paradox, the mop handle.. you’ll know the phrases Mange Tout, Mange Tout, During The War, Cushty, and of course the iconic ‘This Time Next Year…’.

You’ll know the characters too, so entrenched are they in UK TV culture and if you’ve yet to experience the utter belly laughs and often really emotional storylines in one of the most enduring series ever made, then you are in for a treat.

This week we're taking a petticoat-ed look back at an '80s classic. I know, I know, believe me, we feel old too.

The understated yet instantly recognizable theme song for Murder, She Wrote, composed by John Addison, is not to be confused with any of the tunes you may hear while waiting patiently for you go on a ride at a rather famous theme park.

The series debuted in September of 1984 running for twelve seasons and 264 episodes on CBS plus four TV movies all starring Angela Lansbury as "Jessica Fletcher", a mystery writer and amateur detective living in the fictional town of Cabot Cove, Maine. Murder, She Wrote went on to become one of the most successful and longest-running shows in the history of television, averaging over 25 million viewers in its prime.

The Murder, She Wrote theme is notable for its simplicity, it gets right in there and sets up a comfy chair, kicks off its shoes and nestles in for the night. The slightly jazzy, yet orchestral nature of the piece conveys both the sophistication of the protagonist and the mystery at the heart of the show.

(image: RTL DE Archive)

If you have a problem, and you can afford it, we've got a great podcast episode....

Today, we’re going to talk about a tune that’s burned into the brain of anyone who grew up in the 80s or even heard about this iconic show through pop culture. You know the one. That heartbeat-thumping, action-packed, and undeniably memorable theme from The A-Team!

So, if you love it when a plan comes together, or need to drink laced milk before a flight, let’s break down why the A-Team theme is still one of the most unforgettable TV themes of all time. (image RTL.de + Archiv)

What. A. Tune. Phantom Planet - California

Today, we’re diving into a song that defined a generation, launched a cultural phenomenon, and might just be the anthem of your teen years… or, if you’re like me, your adult years too. We're talking about California the theme from The O.C.!

Now, before you grumble about this being an easy pick, please remember that this song was so catchy, it really should have come with a health warning and practically became the fifth main character on the show.

"Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.."

If you’ve ever found yourself humming “Where Everybody Knows Your Name”, you’ll know just how special this song is to a bunch of people, on both sides of the Atlantic. So, we’re going to unpack not only the song but sip on the little bit of magic behind its creation and why it should remain on the list of best TV themes ever--- for, well….ever.

(image: NBC archive)

The track wasn’t just a catchy hit in 1996 — there's more going on here than just a tune that gets stuck in your head.

Alright, let’s dive in. The song we're talking about is "I Don't Want to Wait" by Paula Cole, and it's tied so perfectly to Dawson’s Creek that it’s hard to imagine the show without it. Try, go one, picture Dawson’s massive forehead and curtains hairstyle with any other song. It may be fun, but it is not right, is it?

First, let’s consider the way Dawson’s Creek changed the game for teen dramas. It wasn’t just about the high school love triangles or the angst of growing up; it was about showing the complexities of relationships, the messiness of emotions, and the blurry lines between adulthood and adolescence.

(image: RTL.DE archive)

Fountains, Umbrellas, Handclaps and double-takes it is of course, Friends....

....because, if we’re being honest, we could have kicked things off with this one but opted against it, as we felt it was too on the nose to begin a series with.

The theme song to Friends, “I’ll Be There for You” by the LA alternative duo, The Rembrandts, is widely considered one of the best TV show themes ever made, and for good reason.

Aside from the fact that you can probably rattle off the lyrics verbatim, I’ll Be There For You really captures the heart of the show: lively, memorable, and full of that sense of friendship and togetherness that can only really be found on TV and/or prison.

Today we're taking a sun-soaked trip down memory lane to explore the theme song of one of the most iconic shows of the '90s......... Baywatch.

Premiering in 1989, the show quickly became a global sensation. It’s known for its beautiful beach setting, the heroism of the lifeguards, and launched the careers of its main cast members. But no matter where you were in the world, if you heard that theme song, and the opening drum roll, you knew exactly what you were in for.

The theme song itself is called I’m Always Here, written and performed by Jimi Jamison, a rock singer best known for his work with the band Survivor – yep THAT Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger, Burning Heart etc.

(image: RTL Archives)