When you think of an iconic TV theme tune, what do you hear? There’s probably at least one that springs to mind with little thought. Perhaps the sound of it even mentally transports you to another time in your life.
TV theme tunes are generally made to be catchy, but they don’t all linger in your mind in the same way. We conducted a survey to find out what the British public think are the most memorable theme tunes of all time. Here’s what we found.
The 10 most memorable TV theme tunes
1. Friends
2. Eastenders
3. Coronation Street
4. Match of the Day
5. Only Fools & Horses
6. Doctor Who
7. Neighbours
8. Game of Thrones
9. Star Trek
10. Grandstand
Did the words “I’ll be there for you” enter your brain when we asked you to think of an unforgettable theme tune? If so, you’re in good company. Nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents identified the upbeat Friends intro music as the most unforgettable.
The soaps also seem to have some of the most easily recalled theme tunes, with three making it into the top 10. Apparently, Eastenders’ ‘da da da das’, Coronation Street’s cornets and Neighbours’ feelgood lyrics hit the mark when it comes to creating a catchy tune. Though it probably helps that they have been appearing on our TV screens for many decades, too. Coronation Street has been on TV almost daily for 62 years, while Eastenders has been on for 37 years and Neighbours for 35. In contrast, Friends only aired for 10 years – but the re-runs live on!
The 10 most nostalgic TV theme tunes
1. Doctor Who
2. Coronation Street
3. Blue Peter
4. Friends
5. Grange Hill
6. Neighbours
7. Eastenders
8. Magic Roundabout
9. Match of the Day
10. Rainbow
Because music has the power to conjure up memories in a flash, we asked the survey respondents what TV theme tune takes them back to their childhood or another special time in their life.
Turns out it’s Doctor Who and his time machine that take us on a journey back in time. Though which version of the ever-changing sci-fi intro song is the most memorable is still up for debate. The remaining shows in the top 3 include Coronation Street and the popular kids’ entertainment programme Blue Peter. Blue Peter’s cheerful sea shanty intro has been updated many times since the show first aired in 1958, but it turns out the tune – in one form or another – still lives on in the hearts and minds of the nation.
Whether you’re an intro skipper, or you enjoy the theme tunes as much as the actual shows, check out our range of cheap smart TVs at Currys to find something you can watch all of your favourite terrestrial and on-demand TV shows on. Our cheap LED TVs boast brilliant crystal-clear displays that will do all the greats justice.
Or, if you’re after the cinematic experience at home, we even have cheap QLED TVs that offer that extra level of jaw-dropping detail that will place you right in the middle of the scene. Of course, some theme songs are just so good you want to listen to them in their own right. For these occasions, our range of the best portable Bluetooth speakers has what you’ll need to listen wherever you are.