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Memorable TV Theme Songs from the Fifties and Sixties
These classics from yesteryear might have you humming along
Seen through modern eyes, television series from the early days of television may seem hokey. But a defining, often memorable characteristic of many of these shows is the theme song.
Back then, television shows needed to distinguish themselves to attract viewers. Particularly during the black-and-white days of television, music played an important role. The theme song of a show had to convey its personality and be as catchy as an advertising jingle. Much like an outdoor billboard or the headline of a print advertisement, the theme song was designed to grab attention and announce what was to come.
Here are some of my favorite TV theme songs from the Fifties and Sixties in chronological order, along with brief descriptions of the shows they introduced. Maybe one or more of them will become an unforgettable earworm of yours!
The Lone Ranger
A Western aimed at children during Saturday mornings, The Lone Ranger premiered on TV in 1949 and ran until 1957. Adapted from a radio series, it featured a “masked man” and his “faithful companion,” Tonto, who rode around fighting all sorts of bad hombres and outlaws. The theme song was lifted from the “William Tell Overture,” composed by Gioachino Rossini in 1828. It was used for the radio and television series as well as in film.
I Love Lucy
Airing from 1951 to 1957, I Love Lucy was a situation comedy starring Lucille Ball and her husband, Desi Arnaz. For four of its six seasons, I Love Lucy was the most-watched TV show in the U.S. The show was loosely based on Lucy and Desi’s real life; since Desi was a Cuban bandleader, the song, composed by Eliot Daniel, had an upbeat Latin rhythm to it.
