Search - Andrew Gold, Fred Steiner :: TV Land Presents: Favorite Tv Theme Songs

A blast from the past

Frank Forrest | Northern California | 11/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD had me smiling all the way home during my commute. The tracks on this CD are astounding. TV theme music from the 50's through the 90's in a whirlwind presentation that will have you singing along or laughing with glee... As far as sound quality, the tracks are very clean and true with a few surprises. The orignal themes are there, with a twist. Some of the themes are extended. In Dragnet, for instance, the familiar "Dah, dah dut, dah" motif is there and then transitions to a big band arrangement sound. The original theme sounds just like the old reruns, but even better. This "trick" is also done on Batman, Mannix, Andy Griffith and some others. These tracks and others, may have been the extended release versions on radio or perhaps a remix with some new arrangements. The only themes that I heard on this CD that did not seem original were the Munster's Theme and possibly the Brady Bunch theme. These recordings are very acceptable, and I doubt most people would even notice. That's what happens when you are glued to the tv all day as a kid. Oh well.
The collection is nothing short of entirely entertaining. You'll be able to sing along to Gilligan's Isle, appreciate the rich warmth and full arrangement of Bonanza, recollect those scary moments at night when you hear the original Twilight Zone theme, and snap your fingers to the Partridge Family theme song.
This CD is a great time machine for those who grew up in these eras and a great tour of what past tv music was like for those of us who arrived some time after the release of these shows.
If you like classic tv shows, grew up during the golden age of television, or appreciate the pop culture of television, TV Land Television themes is for you. Some of my favorites in this CD are Hawaii 5-0, Batman, Green Acres (with Zsa Zsa and Eddie Albert!), Star Trek (re-recorded but great), Beverly Hillbillies, Movin On Up from the Jeffersons, S.W.A.T, The LoveBoat and of course, the I Love Lucy Theme. Get ready to go back to the past with a blast."

Mostly Originals

D. J. Brimer | Nottingham - UK | 05/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Right - I've bought this album and am very pleased, because most of theses tunes are originals.

Previous reviewers were right, however, to mention Star Trek & Bonanza as not being originals.

In the album booklet there are five tunes asterixed as not being originals. They are Dragnet, Bonanza, Star Trek, S.W.A.T. and Happy Days. So they own up to this fact - so fair enough.

Star Trek - I can't tell the difference between this and the TV show.

The other four, it says, were all released as singles, I presume, in these versions. Thus giving them a certain amount of validity.

It also goes on to say that some of the tunes are re-recordings by the original artists made for commercial release and are hence not the tunes used for the actual TV soundtrack. It doesn't say how many and I wouldn't like to guess. But one such track is definitely Dynasty. It's all synthy, where on the show it was more orchestral. But it is done by the original artist and released as a single so - OK.

Darren

"

~For Any TV Junkie~

bob | Minnesota United States | 07/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Now a picture may be worth a thousand words but a TV Land theme song is priceless. From I Love Lucy to Happy Days; from The Munsters to the Brady Bunch this CD has most of the classic TV shows ever. Having the most popular TV themes and TV shows what could be wrong with that. You can listen to it for hours because the whole CD is more than an hour long so its good for your listening pleasure. It even has some pictures of some TV casts/character/s in the booklet inside the CD case. Also it tells a little about each TV show about its theme song and has the dates that the show was on. Its perfect if you love music and/or love classic television."