12 TV Theme Songs From the 70s You Can Still Hum That Bring Back Great Memories

If you grew up watching TV in the 1970s, you probably remember those theme songs that just wouldn’t leave your head. These tunes weren’t just background noise; they set the mood and made TV nights something to look forward to.

You can still hum so many of these classic theme songs because they’re just that catchy. They spark instant nostalgia with just a few notes, don’t they? Whether you love old sitcoms or just appreciate a good tune, these themes show how TV and music blended in a way that still feels familiar.

1) Friends – I’ll Be There for You

You probably know this one as the theme from Friends. The Rembrandts performed it, and it turned into a huge hit in the 90s.

The lyrics are all about being there for your friends, especially when things get rough. It really fits the show’s vibe—just a close group of friends living in New York.

The creators of Friends helped write the song, along with a couple of others. Somehow, it just never gets old. If you want more details, check out Friends Central.

2) The Greatest American Hero – Believe It or Not

You probably recognize the theme from The Greatest American Hero, that early 80s show. Joey Scarbury sang “Believe It or Not,” and the song shot up to number two on the charts.

Mike Post and Stephen Geyer wrote it. The melody is upbeat and the lyrics are kind of inspiring, so it’s really easy to get stuck in your head.

You might find yourself humming the chorus before you know it. Want to hear it again? Here’s the YouTube link. It’s one of those themes that just brings you back.

3) MAS*H Theme

You might instantly recognize “Suicide is Painless” from MAS*H. The show, set in an army hospital during the Vietnam War, used this calm but emotional tune.

Johnny Mandel composed it, and here’s a fun fact—the lyrics came from Mike Altman, who was only 14 and the director’s son. That’s a story you don’t hear every day.

Even though the lyrics didn’t really show up on the series, the melody just stays with you. Want to hear the whole thing? Check out MAS*H Theme – Suicide is Painless (HD).

4) Cheers Theme

You probably don’t even have to think about the Cheers theme—”Where Everybody Knows Your Name” just pops into your head. It’s warm, inviting, and makes you want to walk into a friendly bar.

The song nails the feeling of the show. It’s simple, heartfelt, and reminds you that everyone wants to belong somewhere.

Years after Cheers ended, the tune still brings comfort. You might catch yourself humming it out of nowhere. For more on what makes this theme so timeless, read this Cheers theme song article.

5) The Brady Bunch Theme

You know it as soon as you hear, “Here’s the story of a lovely lady…” The Brady Bunch theme tells the whole family story in about a minute.

Sherwood Schwartz and Frank De Vol wrote the song, and the Peppermint Trolley Company sang the first version.

You can almost see the blended family coming together as the song plays. It’s catchy and honestly, you might start singing along before you realize it.

Theme songs like this really show how music can make a show feel welcoming. Want to know more? Check the Brady Bunch Theme Songs page.

6) Happy Days Theme

When you hear the Happy Days theme, you can’t help but smile. The song feels warm and cheerful, just like the show.

Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox wrote it, and it first hit TV in 1974.

The tune takes you right back to the 1950s world of Happy Days. It’s one of those songs that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

If you want to dig deeper, here’s more on the Happy Days theme song.

7) The Twilight Zone Theme

The Twilight Zone theme is just plain eerie. As soon as those notes hit, you know things are about to get weird.

Bernard Herrmann composed the original theme for season one. But starting in season two, Marius Constant created the version everyone hums.

It’s simple, but it gets stuck in your head. The music fits the show’s strange stories perfectly.

You can check out the Twilight Zone theme song for a quick trip back in time.

8) The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Theme

You probably know the story before the first verse is over. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme tells how Will Smith’s character moves from Philly to Bel-Air.

The song is fun, upbeat, and super easy to remember.

Will Smith wrote and performed it himself. The lyrics match the plot perfectly.

If you want to listen or read the words, you’ll find the full theme and lyrics all over the internet. It’s still one of the best-known TV themes out there—check out the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song collection.

9) Gilligan’s Island Theme

Even if you never watched the show, you probably know the “Gilligan’s Island” theme. The song tells the story of seven castaways stranded on an island, all in under two minutes.

The lyrics are easy to remember and help you picture every character as the music plays.

Decades later, people still sing along. The theme is one of the most recognizable from classic TV.

Want to revisit it? You can find it in classic TV theme collections.

10) The Addams Family Theme

You know the Addams Family theme as soon as you hear those spooky finger snaps. The song matches the show’s weird and funny vibe.

Vic Mizzy wrote the music. He kept it simple, but it’s so memorable.

The theme fits the quirky family perfectly. It’s no wonder people still hum it after all these years.

If you want to hear it again, the original theme and those snaps are easy to find online. Learn more about The Addams Family theme and lyrics here.

11) Knight Rider Theme

The Knight Rider theme just screams fast cars and cool gadgets. The music is bold, electronic, and sticks in your head.

Even if you never watched the show, you might know the tune from all the parodies and references over the years.

Knight Rider follows Michael Knight and his talking car, KITT. The music fits the action and futuristic feel of the show.

It’s a classic bit of TV culture from the late 70s and 80s that you can still hum today. Want more? Read about the Knight Rider theme.

12) The A-Team Theme

You probably hear the first few notes of The A-Team theme and recognize it instantly. That beat just sticks—it’s got action, energy, and a bit of swagger.

The theme tells the story of a group of soldiers who got blamed for a crime they didn’t commit. Even so, they keep fighting for good, always planning their next wild move.

Since the 1980s, this tune has stuck around and somehow still feels fresh. If you want to relive it, just check out the classic A-Team TV Theme Tune online.

It’s honestly a great example of how a theme song can make a show unforgettable.

The Cultural Impact of 70s TV Theme Songs

Theme songs from this era did more than just kick off your favorite shows. They shaped how people saw the world and connected millions through music.

Their influence still lingers in today’s TV music—kind of wild, right?

How TV Theme Songs Defined an Era

Back in the 1970s, TV theme songs really took center stage. They captured the spirit of the times and brought new ideas right into people’s living rooms.

Shows like All in the Family and The Mary Tyler Moore Show picked themes that balanced fun with some pretty real topics. The music wasn’t just catchy; it told stories about change and regular life.

That made these songs super memorable and helped viewers feel connected to the show’s message. The songs didn’t just get stuck in your head—they became part of bigger cultural moments.

TV was a huge part of family life, and these themes marked an era in a way that’s hard to explain until you listen back.

Why These Melodies Still Matter Today

A lot of 70s TV themes are still easy to hum, even if you haven’t heard them in years. They bring up nostalgia and a sense of comfort—maybe even a little longing for simpler times.

Those themes paved the way for how TV music works now. Modern shows try to create iconic melodies, probably because those 70s hits proved music can make a show unforgettable.

When you hear something like Movin’ On Up from The Jeffersons, it instantly brings you back. TV soundtracks back then really spoke to people’s hearts and even the headlines.

That staying power says a lot about how strong a good theme song can be. It’s kind of amazing how a simple tune can link generations.

If you want to dive deeper, check out this list of 12 TV Theme Songs from the ’70s You Can Still Hum.

What Makes 70s TV Theme Songs Unforgettable?

A lot of 70s TV theme songs just stick in your head. It’s usually because of their catchy tunes and words you can remember without even trying.

They often use simple, powerful hooks and lyrics that make you want to sing along. That’s what makes them so hard to forget.

Signature Melodic Hooks

Theme songs in the 70s relied on clear, catchy melodies that grabbed your attention fast. Those hooks repeated in a way your brain just hangs onto.

A lot of themes started with a strong intro or riff. Sometimes it was a quick guitar line, a few piano notes, or a blast of horns that set the mood right away.

You could play those hooks over and over, and they’d still sound fresh. The melodies were simple, which helped set the show’s tone almost instantly.

Most people could hum or whistle the theme without even hearing the full song. That’s probably why these tunes feel so familiar and comforting, even decades later.

Memorable Lyrics and Sing-Along Appeal

70s TV theme songs usually kept their lyrics simple. They told quick stories about the show or its characters, which made it easy for you to connect—even if you hadn’t seen the episode yet.

Writers often repeated lines or phrases. That made the songs stick in your head and honestly, it was just fun to sing along, whether you were by yourself or with friends.

The words almost always matched the mood of the show—cheerful, hopeful, sometimes adventurous. That connection between music and lyrics helped the songs sneak into everyday life.

Some of these tunes went way beyond just being an intro. They felt like mini stories or invitations set to music.

You probably caught yourself humming them long after the credits ended.

If you want to dive deeper, check out this list of best TV theme songs from the 70s.