Instrumental TV Themes With Little-Known Verses
These tunes are forever stuck in your head—now check out the words that go with them!
FULL PLAYLIST
Andy Griffith recorded a version of “The Fishing Hole,” aka THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW theme song, that the producers replaced with the now iconic all-whistling version.
http://youtu.be/6PVUit1-0Ck
In a season two episode of I LOVE LUCY titled "Lucy's Last Birthday," Desi surprised Lucy with a song he wrote for her. It just happens to match the show's theme music.
http://youtu.be/7fn7PKzf5tk
The pilot to BONANZA featured the Cartwrights singing a little ditty. Apparently producers realized it was a little silly since they ended up scrapping the lyrics.
http://youtu.be/qpUd9KecPa4
Never meant to be sung, STAR TREK series creator Gene Roddenberry penned lyrics for the theme to earn half the royalties from it. That savvy decision paid off handsomely.
http://youtu.be/x8UlFN0kNq4
In 1966, HOGAN'S HEROES cast members Robert Clary, Richard Dawson, Ivan Dixon and Larry Hovis released an album with them singing the "Hogan's Heroes March"
http://youtu.be/jnqJHorpOkk
While instrumental in the TV version, the M.A.S.H. theme had full lyrics. The song, "Suicide is Painless," was written for the theatrical movie that inspired the show.
http://youtu.be/4gO7uemm6Yo
As was the case of M.A.S.H., along with the original tune lyrics for the theme to THE ODD COUPLE were written for the 1968 movie adaptation of the Neil Simon play.
http://youtu.be/sqKCx4OAPCs
An extended version of the ALL IN THE FAMILY theme song "Those Were The Days" was released as a single and reached #30 on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1972.
http://youtu.be/vZsBFqfNpvs
As with its main theme the ALL IN THE FAMILY closing tune "Remembering You" also had lyrics (written by Carroll O'Connor), but was broadcast only as an instrumental
http://youtu.be/RnWbT66VQno
Written by Chuck Barris and recorded by Eddie Rambeau, The King Of Schlock used an instrumental cover of his song "Summertime Guy" as THE NEWLYWED GAME theme
http://youtu.be/JGb8YmQHC6M
No performer was more dedicated to injecting words into instrumental TV tunes than Sammy Davis, Jr. Here Mister Showbiz transforms the themes to HAWAII FIVE O and KOJAK.
http://youtu.be/wn06KJNbVEs
http://youtu.be/QJGv4hl9pRo
“The Toy Parade,” better known as the LEAVE IT TO BEAVER theme song, was an old children's song by Melvyn Leonard before it became synonymous with the Beav.
http://youtu.be/OYaDR0WV-vs
While entirely absent from the show, the lyrics for THE MUNSTERS theme tune were included on the first track of the 1964 novelty album, "At Home With The Munsters"
http://youtu.be/0K4AFmijybs
Similarly to The Munsters, a lyrical version of the MY FAVORITE MARTIAN theme tune appeared on a 1964 Golden Record release, as rendered by "The Satellite Singers"
http://youtu.be/ccd7sVSpDzI
Most fans remember the 4 line sign off song to THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW though she would sing the full version with 3 verses and a bridge at the end of each season.
http://youtu.be/PjQuZCTLAv4
Before THE TONIGHT SHOW theme was tweaked and renamed “Johnny’s Theme,” it was a Paul Anka pop instrumental called “Toot Sweet.” Here’s the Annette Funicello lyrical version of it - retitled again and called “It’s Really Love.”
http://youtu.be/d38qNqc8N6k
Composer Hugo Montenegro released a vocal version of the I DREAM OF JEANNIE theme. The opening lines work within the show's context but are cringeworthy today.
http://youtu.be/NQmYC8_eraQ
Steve Lawrence's ring-a-ding lyrical rendition of the BEWITCHED instrumental theme went largely unheard until the big screen adaption of the TV show came out in 2005
http://youtu.be/5O9hr5LBeWg
THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW theme’s lyrics, written by Morey Amsterdam, may not be so secret any more as Dick loves to sing them at each and every opportunity he gets!
http://youtu.be/A-S3nJuy-AI