Just in the first few notes, a TV show theme song can transport the viewer from their world into another entirely. Whether it’s the iconic “I’ll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour,” from the sitcom “Friends” or the timeless theme from the TV show “Cheers,” theme songs are a memorable part of any show. These tunes are able to impact the audience’s perception of the show, which is why it’s important that they’re done right.
Some students at Berkeley High School believe that the greatest and most beloved theme songs always feature a catchy melody. Skylar Hockenbrock, a BHS sophomore, says that her favorite theme song is from the show “Liv and Maddie” because she likes how catchy the upbeat song is. BHS sophomore Elena Trebbi possesses a contrasting view to Hockenbrock. “My favorite theme song is probably the ‘Stranger Things’ song. Not only do I really like the 50s vibes the show gives, it’s a great beat, and I like the electrical aspect,” Trebbi said. The “Stranger Things” theme is in a more eerie, minor key, while the “Liv and Maddie” theme is in a more upbeat, major key. While these songs may sound vastly different, they are both memorable and iconic in their own rights. They both use repetition to their advantage: creating a song that is memorable and fun to listen to.
However, despite how catchy a theme song is, it may become annoying to listen to over and over again. “I always skip the intro because it is too much effort to watch,” Hockenbrock said. On the contrary, if they’re interesting, Trebbi says she might give them a watch, “Usually I will skip it if the intro is irrelevant or boring, but from time to time I will watch through cooler intros like the ‘The Last of Us’ intro credits or the ‘Stranger Things’ intro as well.” The preference is usually dependent on the person’s own musical taste and what they find entertaining. Even though many theme songs get skipped at the beginning, many people tend to still remember the tune due to popularity throughout its time on air. “Like the ‘Jessie’ song, I haven’t even watched the show, but I still catch myself humming it from time to time,” Trebbi said.
Hockenbrock believes that theme songs were never particularly needed in shows. “I think that they were never really that useful, and especially now,” Hockenbrock said. Trebbi possesses contrasting opinion, “I believe intro songs are still important for enhancing the overall vibe of a show. They can add character to cliches and create a memorable tune to look forward to every night when watching your favorite series. Even now, with the option to skip intros, theme songs remain a delightful addition to shows on any streaming platform,” Trebbi said.
Associating a song with a show can provide comfort, and also a unique experience when watching the theme songs with friends, and everyone being able to sing along. A TV show theme song isn’t just a soundtrack for a good show, it’s the beginning of embarking on a new journey with new characters, or returning to the comfort of the a familiar universe and storyline. Even after the final credits roll, a song can stay stuck in both your head and heart forever.