Before the day and age where we were able to choose the time, place, and frequency at which we consumed entertainment, there was something a little more heart-warming and dare I say even exciting about sitting down to watch our most beloved television shows.
That isn’t to say the excitement doesn’t still exist today, but more often than not I find myself laying in bed half naked on Xanax inhaling an entire bag of salt ‘n’ vinegar chips and pistachio ice cream staring vacantly into a tiny laptop screen than I do actually sitting down with a group of friends on a nice cozy couch to watch my favourite shows. There was something more formal and communal about coming together at a specific time each week. Whether it was going to second base beneath your grandmother’s hand-crocheted blanket, or simply sitting quietly while your soon-to-be divorced parents argued over whether or not a blowjob was grounds for impeachment, these shows and their theme songs were ingrained in us for years to come.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Nerf Herder
Buffy had all of the seductive elements we still can’t seem to stray from in vampire flicks...temptation, desire, violence, sex, empowerment, English accents, rebellion...the list could go on. Its theme song, composed by Santa Barbara based rock band Nerf Herder, was the perfect opening to the show, which first aired on The WB in ‘97. After an unsuccessful attempt by a big-wig composer, director Joss Whedon was on the prowl for a more low-fi take on things (perhaps one more fitting for late nights gossiping about unrequited love whilst patrolling Sunnyvale’s hottest graveyards). “Coincidentally, they had hired someone in L.A. to write a theme song for the show, and he just thought it was corny and dumb; like it was some ‘professional’ songwriting guy. [Whedon] didn’t like it, so he asked a bunch of small-time bands in the L.A. area to try to come up with ideas”, explained the band’s frontman Parry Grip. The song was actually written before they were summoned to come up with the “30 second idea”, and had an original intention of a science fiction theme. The band was brought to Whedon’s attention by Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow.
Fresh Prince of Bel Air - DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince, Quincy Jones
One time on a family road trip when I was a kid, our car broke down in Bel Air and all I could do was fantasize about running into Will Smith. We knocked on some lady’s door and she invited us in for tea while we called AAA and my brother played with a Gumby toy. I was surprised by how stark the mansion felt compared to the ones I saw on TV, where the Banks family would sing and dance and argue and laugh and squeal and cry. Music for the theme song was written by legend and behemoth Quincy Jones (who was also the executive producer on the show), and the lyrics were written by Will Smith. Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff aka “Jazz” performed the song and were co-stars in the show. The two were long-time friends and collaborators who won a grammy in ‘89 for best rap performance, and wrote the hit single “Summertime” which topped the charts in ‘91.
That 70s Show - “In The Street” - written by Big Star and performed by Todd Griffin (first season) and Cheap Trick (following seasons)
While I won’t mention anything that’s going on with one the show’s previous cast members, I will say that it’s no surprise Big Star’s “In The Street” was chosen to represent the growing pains and undeniably charming awkwardness of That 70s Show. Listening to songs like “Thirteen” (which was later adapted by Elliott Smith), “September Girls”, and “In The Street”, the warm sonic vibrations of #1 Record painted pictures of slick golden streets at sundown and visions of effervescent 70s grandeur. The song was performed by Todd Griffin in the first season and Cheap Trick for the remaining seasons (because we all know Alex Chilton and Chris Bell were way too cool to fully sell out.)
Freaks ‘n’ Geeks - “Bad Reputation” - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
The opening scene to Freaks and Geeks sees its cast (which includes Seth Rogan, Jason Segal, and James Franco at the birth of their careers) getting their photo taken in front of a cloth backdrop to Joan Jett & The Blackheart’s “Bad Reputation”. The soundtrack also included songs from Janis Joplin, Ted Nugent, Curtis Mayfield, and The Allman Brothers. Freaks and Geeks encouraged us to embrace the rebellious intellectual within, and is the perfect concoction of
90s grunge and sullen I-Don’t-Give-A Fuck comradery.
Friends - “I’ll Be There For You” - The Rembrants
Although many of you will hate me (or not care) for choosing Friends instead of Seinfeld, one can’t deny that the annoyingly cheerful candor of “I’ll Be There For You” elicits some sense of comfort and certainly sticks in your head for at least 10 minutes after you hear it. The lyrics are relatable: “So no one told you life was gonna be this way / Your job's a joke, you're broke / Your love life's D.O.A / It's like you're always stuck in second gear / When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month / Or even your year but / I’ll be there for you.” The Rembrants also made a wonderfully cheesy video with the Friends cast members dancing around in studio while they played live. The song was named as “One of the 50 Worst Songs Ever” by Blender Magazine.
