Top Ten 80s TV Themes - Midway Honorable Mention

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Narrowing my list down to ten themes was no easy task. The 80s were filled with entertaining theme songs.  Thus, at the midway point, here are a few of the themes that barely missed the cut.  Remember that to qualify for this set of rankings the majority of the show had to have been broadcast in the 1980s.

Family Ties is often solely remembered for the young Republican eventual lead of the show Alex P. Keaton (played by the similarly named Michael J. Fox), but it also has the great Justine Bateman and this memorable opening number.  The faux painting at the beginning really sends this intro over the top.



Here's one that I only remember catching in re-runs on USA, but the theme stuck in my head for years.  My Two Dads really has an amazing premise - newly orphaned girl finds out her mother was a bit of a slut back in the day.  Judge, instead of insisting on a paternity test, honors the wishes that the two dudes share custody. Dudes say, sure, let's give it a go. Hijinks ensue.

The version of the theme I have in the blog is the extended, original theme featuring star Greg Evigan's excellent vocal stylings.  It also has a more upbeat, rock feeling to it then the later version (with a young Giovanni Ribisi!).  The infectious catchiness of this song really gave it a push to making the list, but it does suffer due to its abrupt, weak ending.  Had Evigan placed a call back to the first verse before ending on the refrain maybe they'd have cracked the list. Unfortunately, it's the honorable mention for them.



I know, I know; you're shocked this one isn't on the Top Ten and so am I.  Who's the Boss was appointment viewing for me in my young age.  From Tony Danza being Tony Danza to getting to ogle Alyssa Milano, I watched every episode of this show multiple times (though again, catching most on re-runs).  Part of the fun in watching Who's the Boss came from the restrained, 80's Beach Boy feel of the opening theme.

The theme gets across the fact that Tony and Samantha are trying to start a new life in the Bower household, but it also relays to the viewer that the Micelli family marches to their own beat.  The sequencing of the intro is also top-notch:

• the instrumental intro as the van travels from Brooklyn to Connecticut, 
• Tony hurdling the hedge and coming around the bend at college ("a brand new life around the bend"),  
• getting tagged out at home in some nice slow mo work ("... I lost a dream or two"),
• Tony and Angela's feet simultaneously hitting the coffee table in time with "a brand new life,"
• and finally, the salute between Tony and Angela on the stinger at the end of the song. 

I'm starting to think maybe this one should have made the top ten.

And last but certainly not least, Miami Vice.  If any theme song just screams that it was from the 80s, this would be it. An electronica drum beat driving it along.  The intro is peppered with guitar solos, fast vehicles, and faster women.  Oddly enough, this was a number one hit on the charts for Jan Hammer. I'm probably too young to remember much of this show; but from what I've gleaned it was really all about the attitude.  That's what this theme brings - attitude.