TV Gold: The Top Five Shows with the Best Opening Theme Songs Ever Made

Let’s be honest, not every TV show deserves your full attention from the first second. In fact, most shows give you just enough time to grab snacks during their opening credits. But then, there are those rare gems where the theme song slaps so hard, you not only refuse to skip it but you also sing it with the passion of a rock star who’s been wronged.

Welcome to your new favorite article on the best opening theme songs in television history. We are diving into five iconic shows where the opening track became just as legendary as the show itself. Whether you were a 90s kid glued to your CRT screen or a streaming junkie discovering retro greatness, these theme songs are pure audio gold.

From supernatural slayers to melodramatic teens and space cowboys, these unforgettable intros set the perfect tone and still live rent free in our heads. Buckle up because we are counting down the top five shows with the best opening theme songs of all time.

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Theme Song: “Buffy the Vampire Slayer Theme” by Nerf Herder

Guitar riffs that punch you in the face? Check. Dramatic mood that screams vampire angst and high school chaos? Double check. Buffy the Vampire Slayer didn’t just give us one of the most empowering female leads in television but also one of the most unforgettable theme songs ever.

The moment you hear those crunchy guitars, you know things are about to get slayed. The mix of punk rock energy and supernatural vibes made this theme an instant classic. It’s loud, fast, and unapologetically cool—basically everything Buffy Summers herself was.

Also, if you didn’t air-drum to that final cymbal crash, were you even paying attention?

2. Angel

Theme Song: “Angel Theme” by Darling Violetta

Leave it to Angel to brood his way into your soul with a theme song that is equal parts gothic, mournful, and strangely heroic. Unlike Buffy’s punk anthem, Angel’s opening theme leans hard into its darker tone, complete with a haunting cello and moody violins. It’s like a vampire’s version of a spa day—calming but make it tragic.

It sets the perfect vibe for a show that explores redemption, inner demons, and actual demons. Plus, it made you feel sophisticated for watching something so “artsy” with actual orchestration. Thanks for making us feel classy while watching demon fights, Angel.

3. Dawson’s Creek

Theme Song: “I Don’t Want to Wait” by Paula Cole

Love it or pretend you hate it, you know every word. “I Don’t Want to Wait” is the kind of song that grabs your teenage heart and smashes it into a thousand angst-filled pieces. Paula Cole delivered a power ballad that perfectly captured the emotionally charged melodrama of Dawson’s Creek.

Yes, it was overly earnest. Yes, it was played so often you could hear it in your sleep. But that’s the magic. This theme song was the late 90s and early 2000s. It didn’t just tell you what the show was about—it felt like your own personal coming-of-age story. Dramatic stares into the distance included.

4. Family Matters

Theme Song: “As Days Go By” by Jesse Frederick

You know the one. That warm, syrupy jingle that starts with a piano and ends with pure emotional manipulation. “As Days Go By” wasn’t just a theme song. It was a hug. It set the tone for a show that blended life lessons, slapstick humor, and one highly annoying but lovable neighbor named Steve Urkel.

This theme screamed wholesome 90s sitcom energy. It promised that no matter how chaotic life got, everything would be okay in 22 minutes or less. Also, it’s impossible not to smile when you hear it. If you don’t feel a wave of nostalgia during that saxophone solo, your heart might be made of drywall.

5. Firefly

Theme Song: “The Ballad of Serenity” by Joss Whedon

Yes, it’s a space western anthem that deserves your undying love. “The Ballad of Serenity” is haunting, hopeful, and perfectly captures the rough-around-the-edges charm of Firefly.

This theme wasn’t trying to be flashy. It was raw and honest, like the show itself. It gave you cowboys in space and said you better buckle up because this ride doesn’t care about your comfort zone. “You can’t take the sky from me” is basically the anthem of misfit rebels everywhere.

And let’s be real, hearing that song now just reminds us how mad we still are that the show got canceled too soon.

Long Live the Theme Song

In a world where streaming services now ask if you want to skip intro, it’s important to remember the golden age of TV theme songs. These five shows created a vibe that stayed with us long after the credits rolled. From vampire dust-ups and space cowboys to tearful teenage drama and family sitcoms, these songs were the true unsung (okay, very sung) heroes of television.

Next time you're tempted to hit that skip button, think of Buffy’s guitar shredding, Angel’s cello lament, or Paula Cole’s soul cry. Great theme songs don’t just introduce a show, they become a part of it.

Have a favorite that didn’t make the list? Let us know. But be warned, if you say Friends, we might just clap four times in disapproval.