12 Underrated TV Theme Songs That Deserve a Grammy

Are there certain television theme songs that simply never leave your head? Can you hear that song even now?

While they don't give a Grammy to just anyone, some songs from your favorite television shows deserve to be contenders. Arguably, a television theme song requires more magic than any old hit single. It must encapsulate the show's energy, present itself in a catchy, memorable way, and if possible, speak to the show's narrative through lyrics.

For some reason, television theme songs are treated like lesser art by the musical tastemakers. But there are plenty of TV theme songs that transcend their programming, marking a sublime balance between informative and magnetic. As such, let's explore 12 underrated TV theme songs that deserve a Grammy Award.

This post was updated June 20th, 2025, to reflect additional information.

Arguably the most recognizable theme song in existence, "The Simpsons" theme by Danny Elfman was composed on Elfman's car drive home after a meeting. Simple, retro, but classic, it became the most popular piece ever created by Elfman. It's been covered by plenty of musicians, and was even nominated for a Grammy Award, but never won.

"Family Matters" went through several theme songs in its early seasons, not least of which was Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World." Its second theme "As Days Go By" by Jesse Frederick, however, sounds so much like a theme song it almost breaks the brain. It has a ballad-like feel with lyrics that speak to the show's emphasis on family, however unconventional. It never charted or won any awards but it sure deserved some accolades.

Another show with an underrated theme song was "Golden Girls" with "Thank You for Being a Friend" by Andrew Gold. He took less than an hour to compose it, but it stuck in everyone's memory for decades. A cover by Cynthia Fee became the show's theme song, spent several weeks on the chart, but never won any Awards. Its a shame, too, as it embodies both retirement and the late '80s adroitly.

Not many shows out there have a creator who also composed the theme song. "Adventure Time" won many hearts and minds for its carefree but zen feel. That feeling is reflected in its theme song, which might be the shortest on this list. Showrunner Pendleton Ward sang a temporary version over a strummed ukelele to send to Cartoon Network. Ultimately, re-recordings failed to capture that whimsical, lo-fi feel of the original. Its short length made a Grammy Award implausible, but the "Adventure Time" theme deserves mention because it's so memorable.

"Them boys from Hazzard County are at it again" So began Waylon Jennings' classic drawl and narration of the hit show "Dukes of Hazzard." He also recorded its recognizable theme song, "Good Ol' Boys." It ended up as one of Jennings' biggest hits, reaching number one on the Hot Country charts and 21 on the Pop charts. Tragically, it never won a Grammy, even though it became one of the most recognizable songs from the era.

It barely made the charts and never won any awards, but Alabama 3's "Woke Up This Morning" was the perfect theme song for "The Sopranos." Its hard-edged blues with a gospel glory sound succinctly explained the mafia world as it introduced the yellow birch trees lining Tony Soprano's drive into New Jersey. Respected but criminally underrated, "Woke Up This Morning" at least netted the band some serious royalties.

When CBS executives sought a theme song for its new legal drama "Perry Mason," they wanted its sound to convey sophistication, grit, and symphonic grace. A tall order, to be sure, but composer Fred Steiner supplied "Park Avenue Beat", which perfectly captured the mixture of Mason's brains and brawn. It never received a well-deserved Grammy Award. To make matters worse, Steiner wasn't credited for his classic composition until the tail end of the series.

Laverne & Shirley's classic theme song "Making Our Dreams Come True" was recorded by then-unknown artist Cyndi Grecco. It reached number 25 on the Billboard Charts, was reinterpreted by the likes of Johnny Cash, and became a mainstay of 70s television music. It deserved a Grammy for its slice-of-life feel, but it ended up being Grecco's only charting record.

While it has since become a classic of television theme songs, at first it was just another theme song. Though Bernard Hermann composed the first season's theme, it was Marius Constant's reinterpretation for the second season and onward that we all know and love. Its haunting, recognizable sound has since been played by big names like The Grateful Dead and Korn.

At first, "Friends" sought R.E.M.'s "Shiny Happy People" as its theme song but R.E.M. turned it down. Instead, the Rembrandts, the only available band on Warner Bros. Records was tasked with creating the theme. The result: "I'll Be There for You," a shiny, happy song that perfectly encapsulated the '90s. While it spent some time on the Billboard Charts, it was overlooked for a well-deserved Grammy Award.

The O.C. was full of great music, but its theme "California" by Phantom Planet really hit the mark. It spoke to the beautiful abandon of California while leaving room for poignant reflection, much like the show it introduced. Besides being an earworm, "California" by Phantom Planet captured both the state and the show's highs and lows.

With its opening line, "Movin' on up, to the East Side," The Jeffersons theme ran the risk of being too on the nose. And yet, it captured the show's humorous examination of race and class perfectly. Ja'Net DuBois initially struggled to compose the song until her mother suggested DuBois write about the dream of giving her a comfortable retirement. Thus, the theme was born.