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156 replies

lemmy.dbzer0.com

Take my love, take my land

Take me where I cannot stand

I don't care cause I'm still free

You can't take the sky from me

67

Our local Browncoats chapter rents out a theater once a year to watch Serenity, and everyone singing along with the song is so glorious

7

Absolutely top-tier opening theme, certainly in contention for best. Definitely all-time best soundtrack, taken as a whole, no contest.

5
lemmy.dbzer0.com

I was afraid I was gonna have to say Tank!, but ya beat me to it, ya beautiful bastard.

Worst is MASH, imho. The intro music is on par with a dose of phenobarbital.

3
lemmy.world

Suicide is Painless

It brings on many changes

And I can take or leave it,

If I please!

3
lemmy.world

The Cheers theme song encapsulates a whole region of my childhood brain. I still get chills of nostalgia whenever I hear it.

Also, the theme to Trailer Park Boys builds a particular ball of sadness and nostalgia in my stomach.

29

Yeah the visuals of seeing those turn of the 19th century bar-goers was what got me most. I was just old enough to want to be interested in what the grown ups were into. I think I thought Ted Danson was a "cool guy" and I had a crush on Kirstie Alley. Other than being given studio audience ques, I'm not sure I followed any of the plot. In the same vein, I watched Moonlighting because I thought it would make me clever. Looking back I was probably the kind of kid that I would have found annoying.

1
lemmy.today

Seconding Firefly

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' theme was groundbreaking comedy on TV for the time because it took an internet trend and did the thing

Gilligan's Island is cultural bedrock

So was Friends

Greatest American Hero, a song about a guy forced to have super powers that just wants to be boring. Best part of the show was the song.

The Muppet Show

Fresh Prince

22

Believe it or not, I'm walking on air -- I never thought I could feel so free
Flying away on a wing and a prayer -- Who could it be?
Believe it or not, it's just me

On the most sensational inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational This is what we call the Muppet Show!

11
lemmy.world

Game of Thrones, hands down. Different every time and focused on where most of the episode would take place.

If we can't agree on that one, then it's Airwolf.

22
Ilandarreply
lemmy.today

Different every time and focused on where most of the episode would take place.

It took me an embarrassingly long amount of time to work this out. I really appreciated it once I realised.

5

X-Men, Batman and Gargoyles all have fantastic openings.

I always loved the fact the Game of Thrones opening showed the specific places we would visit in each episode.

Babylon 5 has a different intro each season, and the season three opening in particular hits really hard the first time you get to it.

Brisco County Jr had a theme that was so inspiring, NBC bought the rights to use it for the Olympics.

22
Makeitstopreply
lemmy.world

If we're going with Star Trek, I have to say TNG season 3 is the one that gets me the most. That little flute soothes my soul. Although I do also have soft spot for the incredibly chill DS9 opening.

10
teftreply
piefed.social

Every trek theme is great. My favorite is Voyager's.

4

Only surpassed as the worst theme song by the season 2 theme song which was then surpassed by the season 3 theme song. I couldn't believe I'd actually miss that original version.

4

I don't know about best, but I will always watch the intro for the first season of Peacemaker. It is so absolutely ridiculous. The second season opening is good, too, but not quite as classic.

18

The second season doesn't have the same "new experience" feel, but I love it.

Peacemaker season 1 is my favorite intro of all time. Everyone should watch the first ten minutes of the first episode leading into the intro.

5

Twin Peaks must be the best one for me. I never got to see it when it was new (too young), but happened to hear the intro music and opening shots before my parents switched the channel. That minute stayed with me till I was in my late teens and bought the show on DVD.

The worst? Maybe Sex and the City, but that's also because I find the main characters self-centred and morally repulsive, which the intro communicates quite efficiently.

15
thatKamGuyreply
sh.itjust.works

This is an absolute banger, but the most shocking thing to me is that not only is it an actual song by an actual band - it is from 2010 and not the ‘80s!

It just hits that era’s vibe so well that I initially thought that James Gunn pulled out some obscure track he listened to while growing up..

10

Oh shit I had no idea! It's like Steel Panther in that it nails the vibe

5

Season 2 is dope as well. It's the deadpan faces that does it for me

1

Best: The Expanse Worst: Star Trek Enterprise

14
lemmy.world

Buck Roger’s & the original Battlestar Galactica had great orchestral theme songs. I have both as ringtones!

13

Haven’t seen anyone mention True Detective: S1 yet. Far From Any Road by The Handsome Family

Dexter also had a pretty cool opening sequence. Makes me hungry every time lol

13

If you watch the 1970 M*A*S*H movie that the TV show is based on, they play the full song with vocals. It's actually a really dark song called "Suicide is Painless" and the lyrics are depressing and sad.

14

That song is both the best and the worst. Best because of the style goes well with the theme. The worst when you know the lyrics of the song that weren't played.

8
lemmy.ca

Best: Avatar the Last Airbender (anime). They got across all the world building you’d need to come in at any point without overstaying their welcome or being cheesy.

Worst: Star Trek Enterprise. Obviously.

12

It is a great song. It’s an awful choice for this context, though.

1
lemmy.ca

Is that the "been a long road" one with the blonde Vulcan? It took a Long Time to grow on me; thinking back, though, it really works. You have to really watch the show and be into the lore it presents, etc.

1

Oh, I’ve watched the hell of that show. Didn’t like it at first (not because of the song; because of Trip), but it grew on me, and now it’s amongst my favourite series (Strange New Worlds #1, Enterprise tied with TNG at #2, Prodigy #3).

That song is fine by itself, but it’s awful as a Star Trek theme. It’s cheesier than ENT’s painfully forced soft-core porn after every away mission.

1
thatKamGuyreply
sh.itjust.works

As long as it’s the original Teardrop track by Massive Attack, and not whatever bastardisation it frequently gets replaced by (Angry Australian noises).

13
yabaireply
lemmy.world

Agreed that Teardrop was god tier. Unfortunately though, I read that Massive Attack was never asked permission nor received any royalties for its use.

6
lemmy.world

I didn't know that anyone was replacing the original massive attack intro. What a very silly thing to do.

3

It's not uncommon for licensed music to be replaced with generic royalty-free music when a show is played outside its original format.

2
lemmy.ca

There's a LOT of great ones, Firefly, Fresh Prince, Scrubs, GOT, Simpsons etc.

One that I cannot stand for some reason is Dexter. I don't know if it's that I saw it too much but god, I hate it with a passion.

11

Dexter's good, though. It's sooo sociopathic. You cringe just a little, admit it.

1

Since the obvious choice has already been mentioned (Firefly), I’ll add Top Gear to the list of best. I haven’t watched it since the Clarkson, Hammond, May days, so I’m not sure if it’s changed. But that intro was great.

10

When HBO wasn’t run by absolute imbeciles, I honestly believe they greenlit shows based on their intro sequence.

The Sopranos, The Wire, True Blood, True Detective, Game of Thrones, Westworld, Succession, White Lotus. All top tier

9

True blood was a really well-matched song. Rural, twangy, sexy, dark. Excellent choice.

4
fedia.io

I can't decide between Psych (especially the extended version), Knight Rider, and Airwolf.

Edit: Street Hawk is a banger too.

Edit 2: How could I forget Miami Vice?

9

I enjoyed all of the variations of the main theme (especially the SUPER extended version in Viagra Falls), and the other thematic ones such as the fantastic rendition by Boys 2 Men and the Bollywood variant.

2

I don't think I've ever skipped the Expanse intro. The singing always draws me in!

8

Babylon 5. I challenge anyone to listen to that intro and not get curious. Also, I think it was the first series to change the intro from season to season.

King of the Hill is a close second.

8
piefed.social

For me:

Babylon Berlin intro captures the art, the deco, the decadence and the fear of what the viewer knows is going to come of that time period.

Black Sails just perfect

Raised by Wolves I was hit and miss on this in many ways, but this intro is great - albeit I think slightly misleading as to its overall tone.

Pennyworth I thought S1 was a bit silly, but what an intro.

Warrior

Happiness This is just fun, and fits the show brilliantly

See also isn't bad

Romulus Very vikings-esque

Song of the Bandits The song on the YT video isn't great here imo, but they actually mix it up in the show proper and use different songs. And some really fit the theme.

7
piefed.zip
  • The Leftovers

  • Dandadan (both S1 and S2 are bangers)

7
lemmy.world

Dandadan S1 is great, but Creepy Nuts pièce de résistance of intro songs has to be Bling‐Bang‐Bang‐Born from Mashle: Magic and Muscles. That song slaps so hard.

3

It's feels llegal that they're not a one hit wonder. It's so good that it's unfair the rest of their stuff is just as good.

2

I LOVE Dandadan S1 intro song. I came here to post it. S2 is such a letdown in comparison. I skip most Anime intros because they're usually way too long and usually boring. DDD S1 gets me hype every damn time.

1

Taskmaster's is one of the few intros I watch every time. Gets me pumped for every episode.

Curb Your Enthusiasm also may be the perfect fit for the show. Every time I see the HBO static come up before any other HBO show, I hear the CYE theme in my head.

7
lemmy.ca

Kinda surprised no one here has mentioned the Barney Miller theme, even though it's pretty old. It's a banging jazz fusion tune.

6

Someone mentioned peacemaker and I totally agree. But also gangster grass intro to Justified

6
lemmy.world

I get the impression that it's super-obscure these days, but the Perfect Strangers theme is great!

6

If like me, you’re old enough to remember Cousin Balki - then it’s probably time to book in a prostate exam. 🥴

4
piefed.ca

I don't know about the worse but the best for me Star Trek Voyager. The intro song really makes you feel that you're lost far from home, will live various adventures and will eventually return home.

6
sh.itjust.works

Somehow Voyager does have the best "feeling" intro of the Trek series.

I'll counter that as much as I have learned to accept the reasonings for the theme for 'Enterprise', I still think it might be the worst theme of just about any show ever. And then they added the country twang around season 3...

4

I loves the intro of "dead like me" also that show so perfectly captures the early 2000s soft/smooth aesthetic without even trying.

6

Oh! I have another:

Battlestar Galactica the 2k4 remake.

Not the requiem for a dream one from the miniseries, but the vocal and drums episode intro; although both are good.

I had the drum riff as a ringtone for a while.

5
midwest.social

The S1 intro of White Lotus is so good that I did not like the S3 intro because it was so different. But it really grew on me and now it's my favorite. I'm incredibly bummed that Cristobal won't be back for next season. Apparently Mike White is not a fan of the music and they fought a lot.

4
DeadPixelreply
lemmy.zip

Damn, didn’t know about the falling out. That’s a massive shame for S4!

Know what you mean about the S3 theme tune, it really does grow on you.

Also caught this ad (I think it was actually another version but for the same car) on tv recently & it threw me a bit: https://youtu.be/-N5Kn4-ml8Y

2
midwest.social

I consider the music (not just the intro) to be such an integral part of setting the tone for the show. To the point I am very skeptical next season will be good. I'll probably watch it when I can, but I'm not holding my breath.

2

That’s a good point, hadn’t considered the music throughout the episodes being so integral. I hope you’re wrong about S4, but fear you maybe right…

2

Firefly. It's not a great song, but its theme suits the show very well.

Also, although it eludes me now, the opening theme to the Sweden/Denmark Bridge TV series with Sofia Helin. Loved the show, loved the intro, but forget it now.

Edit: https://youtu.be/0A1r9Jk9UC8 'hollow talk'

5

Wow that’s a blast from the past that briefly made me feel like a little kid again, thanks!

1

king of the hill is the best

i also like how fun the peacemaker intros are. protagonists, antagonists, and 1 line characters all dancing together. some you dont even meet until halfway through the season

4

I feel like this question is invalid with anime not being explicitly included or excluded.

Included, it's simply not fair to anything not anime. I could take the ten, hell, the 25 best anime openings, exclude them, and still be able to post examples that utterly destroy any TV series you could name. It's not hard.

Excluded, it's a lot more fair.

Say what you want about anime animation, but the animators put their best work into the opening. And the music? Anime is to Japanese pop and rock what MTV was to American pop and rock in the 1980s, the hit maker. These songs are reaching international audiences and getting people to check out the rest of their music. Some Japanese bands refuse to use anime for exposure, but a lot of them live and die from it. I think ONE OK ROCK finally relented just to shut people up (and they went with a children's programme, Beyblade X), but a lot of other bands are known because of the anime series people first heard them in.

It's been 16 years, but one of anime's top-rated series still has an outstanding first opening. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OP 1 "Again" by YUI

3

I've always been a massive Hologram fan. I NEVER skipped it when watching it even for the 4th time.

1

So many comments for best, I feel like we need some more tip-ins for worst (mainly because you all stole my best choices, dang it).

One of the absolute worst has to be the weird John Tesh style piano-only intro to ALF. I have no idea how this show stayed on the air as long as it did, though I was absolutely part of the problem by watching it all the time.

Honorary mention to pretty much every ABC family sitcom sitcom from the late 80’s/early 90’s having the same awful formulaic intro with a saxophone and every character facing the camera with their hands on their hips.

2

Invincible intro sequence, it's short, but they do so much with it and really use it in meta ways

2

When they made Star Trek Enterprise, they kept the tradition of using award winning epic sci-fi orchestral music, then they played it over the closing credits. The intro music was that croaking, bland, boring pop song about faith of the heart or something. What a forgettable show.

2

Exactly. Just a still frame title card and some interesting sound is all that necessary.

Will Trent is the best. They just insert an interesting CGI title into the moving shot, and keep going. No interruption at all.

That 3 minute opener for Game of Thrones was abusive.

4

Littlest hobo.

I'm not saying it because it's good - it's okay - but just to implant the song in your head.

You're already singing it now.

I got implanted one Friday as I was leaving work: I walked past a peer's desk and he sang the words, "There's a voice...", and I was earwormed for 3 months.

2

For the song alone, the nostalgic side of me cannot not say The Golden Girls doesn't have the absolute best theme song. It's definitely a tie between that and Swat Kats, which would be my pick for best intro sequence, period.

1

For best I'd say daily dose of sunshine. It's so simple, yet so effective for me..

For worst...? Ehhh, not sure rlly

1

Nobody mentioned the absolute banger of Sabre Rider and the Star Sheriffs. You're welcome.

1