TV Show Themes

[slackdaddy]

Sorry if there has already been a thread about this but I happened to throw in a CD of TV show themes from the 70's and I found some AMAZING bass playing. One that stood out was the theme to the Bob Newhart Show. I love that bassline. Anyone else in here been inspired by TV Show theme songs?

 

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Oh yea, it been covered. Still a cool topic to revisit.


Back in the 70's you had some real great studio pros playing the theme music for these shows. People like Chuck Rainey.

On of my favorites is still Barney Miller. The Jefferson's theme is very cool. Kojak is one that has quite a few bass licks in it as well.

Great stuff.

 

[Bass]

I like the A-Team.

I think I noticed that "Mike Post" collaborated on that with someone else. Mike Post did Law & Order, I think.

 

[Super Dwarf]

sanford and son, think that was the 70's. that is one of the coolest themes

 

[Rodriguez]

My favorite, "Good Times" by Dave Grusin.

Easy,
R

 

[phxlbrmpf]

Does anyone know who played bass on the "Alf" theme? I recall the first couple of seasons having some pretty happening slap bass.

 

[Scott in Dallas]

Barney Miller, Night Court, the Jeffersons, Hardastle & McCormick and Streets of San Francisco are ones that I loved to play when I was a kid. I also liked the Price Is Right theme.

Later I learned Northern Exposure for my girlfriend, since she liked the show. It worked.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Spiderman, Twin Peaks, Batman, Mission:Impossible, Mannix and a hundred others.
They're catchy by nature.

 

[The Owl]

sanford and son, think that was the 70's. that is one of the coolest themes

Quincy Jones gets 1000 extra bonus cool points for writing that tune!

 

[lamarjones]

80stvthemes.com

I've done way cool medleys of price is right stuff, unmatched in TV music IMO. Freakin car music is right on.

 

[The Owl]

The Name of The Game (great late 60's show with an equally great theme song by Dave Grusin)

King Of The Hill
The Simpsons
Rocky & Bullwinkle

Hoppity Hooper (actually had 3 different songs, one like a marching band on acid, the second like chamber-jazz and the 3rd rather child-lke)

Super Chicken
Tom Slick
KOJAK
SWAT
Batman
The Munsters
The Addams Family
Dark Shadows
Time Tunnel
M-Squad
Police Squad
Mr Broadway (Dave Brubeck did this one)
Barnaby Jones
The Invaders
Streets of San Francisco
A Team
Jonny Quest


and I could go on forever

 

[gkbass13]

the jeapordy theme is always fun to play. easy, and audiences love it when you play it while your guitarist switches guitars or your singer gets a drink.

 

[these_go211]

the barney miller theme is bad-a$$. and the tone is supreme.

 

[superbassman2000]

i like the simpsons theme, although there isn't much electric bass in it, and don't laugh, but the bassline to Hogan's Heroes partly got me into bass--I loved that tone

 

[BaldBass]

the barney miller theme is bad-a$$. and the tone is supreme.

+1

 

[Blackbird]

There's a british sitcom called "Yes, Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister" that has a really nice bassline. It's not funky or fast, just rhythmically and melodically sophisticated.

 

[bhawk1]

How can nobody have mentioned the theme to Fat Albert And The Cosby Kids? A Herbie Hancock special, there.

 

[Ikkir]

There's a british sitcom called "Yes, Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister" that has a really nice bassline. It's not funky or fast, just rhythmically and melodically sophisticated.

+1

I think the bassline to Doctor Who deserves a mention. Instantly recognisable and yet so simple!

 

[The Owl]

Theme and opening credits to "Name of The Game" (circa 1968 or so)

 

[Alan Vorse]

Hey Owl, thanks for those. I had never heard Name of the Game or Kojak themes before. Good stuff!

Superbassman, you're not the only one to be affected by Hogan's Heroes. Wasn't that like a Danelectro 6 string bass with a pick? Cool tone.

I think the mighty Chuck Rainey was on the theme to M*A*S*H, but way back in the mix, unlike the Sanford and Son theme. +1 on the Price is Right theme. An underrated classic.

For current themes, check out the Venture Brothers on Cartoon Network Adult Swim. Sounds like if Stravinski made electronic music. Not much electric bass but great lower register piano.