10 Classic ’80s TV Theme Songs Guaranteed to Make You Smile
Some of the best parts of old TV shows weren't the shows themselves.
The themes and intros from classic TV shows from the '80s continue to ring in our heads. So why not unleash them back onto the rest of the world? Enjoy this trip down memory lane.
- 1
'Charles in Charge'
Yes, the premise of the show was ludicrous – a mother who’s basically never around lets a handsome college student look after her three kids, two of whom are teenage girls. But the intro is awesome and oh-so-catchy, even if it’s not the original one.
- 2
'Perfect Strangers'
Fresh off the boat (or is that horse-drawn cart?), Balki and his cousin Larry go on to have all sorts of adventures in Chicago. This is one of the most quintessential ‘80s intros ever, right down to the classic revolving door gag.
- 3
'Bosom Buddies'
Yes, Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari’s characters may have saved on rent by living in a women’s-only hotel, but surely their finances evened out buying women’s clothing, right? Right? In any event, Billy Joel’s ‘My Life’ set the proper light tone in this classic intro.
- 4
'Gimme a Break!'
As a favor to a late friend, Nell Carter's character agrees to be a housekeeper for a police chief and his three daughters in this '80s sitcom which ran for six seasons. That's how good the economy was back then -- we'd help raise kids for free. Listen closely and you'll notice that Carter herself sings the theme.
- 5
'The Greatest American Hero'
This quirky series about a teacher who has no clue how to use his superpowers may be mostly remembered for its theme song, performed by Joey Scarbury. (It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.) Of course, it wasn't the only theme song to become a hit.
- 6
'Silver Spoons'
A long time ago in a pre-Justin Bieber universe, Ricky Schroder was the dreamboat girls swooned over and this sitcom in which he lives with his eccentric millionaire father was the reason why. The theme is hokey and sweet, all at once.
- 7
'The Hogan Family'
One of the stalwarts of NBC's Monday night lineup, this series was initially called 'Valerie,' but, after star Valerie Harper left in a contract dispute, was ultimately changed to 'The Hogan Family.' It's a wholesome intro that features a teen Jason Bateman.
- 8
'Small Wonder'
How did no one realize that Vicki was a robot? She spoke like a robot, wore the same outfit each day and always seemed to short circuit. Such was life in this campy '80s sitcom about a family that tries to go about its day-to-day life...with a pre-teen robot. It was a stretch even for the '80s, but the theme song stays with you for better or worse.
- 9
'My Two Dads'
A judge awards custody of a 12-year-old girl to the two men who had romantic connections with the deceased mother in this beloved sitcom. Clearly, any absurd premise would fly in the '80s as long as it was accompanied by a wholesome theme song.
- 10
'Fraggle Rock'
Sounding like a pre-school version of an ABBA song, this intro's theme offered an infectious beat for the pre-school set. The show ran for five seasons and if there's anything we learned it's to "dance your cares away, worry's for another day."