Soundtracks, Soundtracks, Soundtracks: Television Themes Volume 1

January 4th 2013, 12:14am

There are many things that make a movie what it is. It all starts with a story (according to what every How-To book on screenwriting tells us), there is the director and his crew, there are the actors, who bust their asses to bring a vision to life. Then comes the wonderful world of post-production. What is one result of that? The music. Soundtracks enhance the movie going experience. They can make us cry, they can pump us up, they can make us remember the 80’s. Whether it be a musical band or a composer, soundtracks help our favorite movies stay etched in our mind forever.

Classic scores blaring through the speakers of a packed theater is one thing, then there’s the memorable themes we hear every week before we are treated to another episode of our favorite television shows. Now as the sea of television shows and memorable theme songs are so vast, I couldn’t possibly fit them all into one article, so what I’ve done is hit you the best of the best from today and sprinkled some awesome classics in the there. Don’t you worry, if your favorite hasn’t been included…it more than likely will be. Until then, enjoy what happened to pop into my head this week.

1. SONS OF ANARCHY

This show filled a major void after the Sopranos called it quits, filled to the brim with badassery and the theme courtesy of Curtis Stigers was another track that knocked it out of the park when it came to pumping you up for the proceedings. I close my eyes when I hear this and imagine I’m on a back road with a bike of my very own breaking the law and being all awesome and things. Just like “Got Myself A Gun” made me envision my one and a half minute desire to be a mobster (I kid, I kid). Anyway with all that said I have this song on my IPod and feel great about myself when I have it blasting in my shitty Ford Focus…not exactly what the cast is rocking, but I’m a man of limited means. Purchase the soundtrack here

2. THE SOPRANOS

The first time I ever laid eyes on a Sopranos episode this theme was a chore to sit through. I heard such great things about it and the theme song seemed to go on forever. But when you grow some patience and you actually sit and cherish the jam, it’s unbelievably wonderful. This gem from the band A3 captures the nature of the show perfectly and it was complicated with the images of Tony cruising through his Jersey turf. It’s one of those themes to me that became so recognizable that I looked forward to hearing it hit my ears just as much as the episode itself. Purchase the soundtrack here

3. FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR

Ah, Will Smith before he was Big Willie and was simply the Fresh Prince. I loved the theme, and hate every time I’ve seen an episode with the theme shortened without Will’s brilliant lyrics for one reason or another. It seems cast and crew were aware of how awesome their own theme was, enough to warrant breaking the fourth wall by reciting the theme’s words in an episode where Will gets to play a lawyer. For this column, this is the album I most recommend for purchase. This greatest hits compilation includes the theme to the show, Men in Black, Summertime, Girls Ain’t Nothin But Trouble, and Parents Just Don’t Understand. Purchase the soundtrack here

4. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE

Ah, before Tom Cruise came along and wowed us with his ability to run onscreen better than anybody before him…Mission Impossible was a well-loved television series. I have to say, Lalo Schifrin’s original version of the theme has given me more goose bumps than any modern rendition used in the recent films. The track “The Plot” is also a notable theme from the series that played throughout the team carrying out whatever mission they happened to be on. Schifrin was awarded two Grammy’s for his work on the series, and well listen on and you will be reminded that it was well deserved. Purchase the soundtrack here

5. THE DUKES OF HAZZARD

Can this album go wrong with The General Lee theme via the legendary Johnny Cash? I think not my good people. But more important than that is the classic country theme “Good Ol Boys” we get from the Hazzard County Boys. Just another theme that compliments the wacky adventures these mischievous brothers landed themselves in week after week. Along with singers like Doug Kershaw, Bo Duke himself John Schneider even lends his vocal talents to the show in tracks like “In The Driver’s Seat.” This theme was chosen for my own personal nostalgic memories, such as my grandfather sitting me down to watch a few episodes when he discovered my admiration for the show Smallville. He caught a glimpse of an episode and said to me, “let me show you a real show.” That he did, that he did. Purchase the soundtrack here