Recently, I came across a Watch Mojo list of the the Top 30 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. While I agreed with some of them, many I did not. So I decided to make my own list. As hard as I tried, I just couldn’t go with the Top 30. There were too many great themes that fell in the 50-31 range. That being said, I decided to count down my Top 50 Greatest TV Themes of All Time.
When I get to #30, I will post my #30 along with the Watch Mojo #30, and so on. For now, sit back and enjoy 20 themes that “bubbled under” the Top 30.
Dave made the comment that after last week, the bar is set pretty high for what follows. I suppose he is right. I went through my list and renumbered a few times, and finally said, “This is it – stick with it.” So with that in mine, I hope #48 doesn’t disappoint.
For anyone who knows me, you know that I tend to listen to music differently than others. I listen for little dumb things that many people miss. For example, a simple bass drum kick in the right spot, a neat chord that comes and goes quickly, horn harmonies and things like that.
With that being said, that is why I love the theme to Simon and Simon.
For me, it is about the build throughout the song.
Bear with me and get into the mind of Keith for a second.
The them songs with a simple guitar and and another guitar playing a sort of bass lick. Under that is a quick two beat bass drum that plays in between the main theme. Then, 14 seconds in, a nice little drum fill brings in the rest of the instrumentation to blend in with the already established theme. At 30 seconds, you have the bridge with a raunchy saxophone. It almost sounds out of place, yet it fits perfectly. Finally, a reprise of the original theme at 49 seconds in. Again, full orchestration and the simple bass line wraps things up with a nice cold ending.
See what I mean? Who listens to music like that? I do. Here is a simple 60 second theme song that will play over and over in my head like an earworm. Is it better than #49 (Secret Agent Man)? Probably not, so apologies to Dave – That one should have been higher on the list.
Next week, we go way back to the early days of television and one of the all time great dramas. It has it’s roots in real life events and characters. See you then with #47.
