Time to light the lights, get yourself a gun, and go where everybody knows your name: Musically, the most important part of any series is the TV theme song, so this week, Consequence will explore just why that is with TV Theme Song Week, celebrating this proud tradition with features, interviews, and lists. We’ve also launched our “I Never Skip Intro” merch collection, to honor those who know how to appreciate a classic theme; get yours at the Consequence Shop now.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, what you’re into, or where you’re from — if at any point in your life, you have cohabitated with a television, you have a very strong opinion about what the best TV theme songs are. And that’s especially true for the people responsible for their creation.

While talking with multiple composers about the legacy and importance of the TV theme song, a lot of other theme songs came up. As Ron Wasserman, the composer behind themes for Power Rangers, X-Men: The Animated Series, and Hot in Cleveland told Consequence, “it’s very rare, in long form, for me to ever dislike a theme. They’re usually pretty spectacular.”

So, below, we’ve compiled together a list of the theme songs mentioned by composers Kris Bowers, Holly Amber Church, Bruce Miller, Jason Miller, Jay Stutler, Brian Tyler, and Wasserman during our conversations, along with some commentary about why they were the theme songs that came to mind, when we were talking about the best. While there’s some overlap below with our list of the 50 best theme songs ever, there are also a lot of new additions to the conversation. Because, again, everyone who has ever watched a TV show has an opinion about theme songs.

The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968)

“The Andy Griffith Show Theme”
Created by: Earle Hagen

“A gentleman named Earle Hagen wrote that — everybody knows the Andy Griffith theme song. Earle whistled it himself. That’s a perfect one. I say, honestly, watch the show. I mean, it’s hokey, but the scoring is absolutely as good as anything on television. It’s brilliant.” — Bruce Miller

Bluey (2018-present)

“Main Title”
Created by: Joff Bush

“We watch a lot of Bluey here. Bluey is just phenomenal.” — Jason Miller

Dallas (1978-1991)

“Main Title”
Created by: Jerrold Immel

“It has a very personal attachment for me, because it began my musical journey. That show was in the zeitgeist at the time of my life that I was just starting to pick up an instrument, and the instrument that I picked up was specifically because of that theme song. So that one rings deep within me.” — Jay Stutler

Meet the Press (1947-present)

“The Pulse of Events”
Created by: John Williams

“It’s perfect. Talk about setting a mood, you know?” — Jason Miller

The Munsters (1964-1966)

“The Munsters’ Theme”
Created by: Jack Marshall

“I always get excited when I hear the Munsters theme.” — Holly Amber Church

“It’s part of the show. It’s not a drum loop just playing with a sound over it.” — Bruce Miller

The Office (2005-2013)

“Main Title”
Created by: Jay Ferguson

“I thought that was brilliant. I remember when they sent out that brief — I came up with something, which I can’t remember, and I was in the final round. But then, when I heard the final [version], I went, well that’s perfect. Who would’ve thought of an accordion theme like that for a show about people working in an office? So whoever did that was brilliant.” — Ron Wasserman