There are opening credits for TV shows that one can simply not skip because they are too catchy to ignore. The 90s and 2000s gave TV viewers many iconic theme songs, from the Charmed to One Tree Hill openings, but the 2010s also boast a number of themes that will get fans singing as soon as a few notes are heard.
Setting aside any opening credits that did not feature lyrics, the following theme songs are as memorable as the show they are associated with. Sometimes the mark of a great show is in its opening credits, and from Outlander to Community, there are shows that should never get rid of their opening songs.
10 True Detective Season 1
True Detective is an anthology series and as such, its opening credits changes from one season to the next. When Season 1 came out in 2014, fans were immediately hooked by the song in its opening credits, "Far From Any Road" by The Handsome Family.
The alternative country vibe of the songs matched very well with the tone of the show and made this opening credit one to remember. The songs that were used for season 2 and 3, while also very strong choices, did not make as much of a lasting impact as "Far From Any Road" in the heart of the show's fans.
9 Treme
Treme is one of HBO's most underrated shows. It aired for four seasons and followed an ensemble of characters as they reconstructed their lives in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. To match the show's title, which refers to a neighborhood in The Big Easy, the tune "The Treme Song" by John Boutté was used in the opening credits.
It takes full advantage of New Orleans' rich musical background and history, setting up the show with a jazzy and catchy tune that doesn't only highlight what the show is about– the Treme neighborhood and its community– but also how music is an essential part of its narrative.
8 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Not all opening theme songs tell a story but since Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is very much anchored in the tradition of musical theater, its opening credit is all about Rebecca's story and her decision to move to West Covina.
This catchy song changed throughout the seasons of the show but the core idea remained the same, guiding the viewers through Rebecca's story and her state of mind.
7 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Some songs can lift one's spirit every time they hear it, and it's the case for the joy-filled theme song of Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The Netflix show itself featured many original songs that fans cherish as well, but the opening credit (which in itself is a remix of a news bit in the show's pilot, very much in line with today's Internet culture) is a fan favorite for featuring lines such as "They alive damnit" and "Female are strong as hell."
6 Outlander
The original "Skye Boat Song" was written in the 1870s and told the tale of Bonnie Prince Charlie fleeing to the Isle of Skye after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. For the show Outlander, however, music composer Bear McCreary gave the folk song new lyrics to better match the tale of Claire Randall Fraser.
Although the theme song's music changes throughout the seasons to better reflect the show's geographic changes, a fan favorite is the season one version for its Scottish roots which made it the trademark of the show.
5 Orange is the New Black
Regina Spektor's song "You've Got Time" was written to be the theme song of Orange is the New Black and is now completely indissociable from the Netflix series. As soon as one hears the first verse, they are immediately transported to Litchfield Penitentiary.
While Orange's opening credits contains many hidden details, the relevance of this song to the show is one thing that would be hard to miss. It resonates with the characters' fate on more than one occasion, and suits perfectly the tone of the series.
4 Justified
One could have expected that a show like Justified, set in rural Kentucky, would feature a good old fashion country song in its opening credits, but it went in a slightly different direction. The FX show had its fair share of tense moments and a classic country song would not have quite fitted the overall vibe of the story.
The song "Long Hard Time To Come" by Gangstagrass was picked to open the show. It mixes rap and bluegrass to create a sound that is quite unique and unexpected, and quickly became a favorite tune for TV aficionados. In fact, the song was so successful that is was nominated for an Emmy in 2010.
3 Big Mouth
Netflix shows seems to have a knack for opening credit that make people ignore the "skip credits" button that appears on screen. Big Mouth and its cover of "Changes" by Charles Bradley is one of those instances.
The song perfectly reflects the angst of the show and of its characters while also resonating with the big change that Andrew, Nick and their friends are going through: puberty. It's a catchy tune that sticks with listeners, the type of songs that is perfect to belt out in the shower.
2 Big Little Lies
While some opening credits are catchy and invigorating, some are a bit more haunting and can make one want watch waves hit rocks on a beach in northern California. It's the case of Big Little Lies's theme song, "Cold Little Heart" by Michael Kiwanuka.
The song suits the show as well as a glass of red wine in the hands of Reese Witherspoon's character does. Between the chorus of female voices in the background and Kiwanuka's bewitching voice, it is one of the most memorable theme songs of the past few years.
1 Community
Since Community aired from 2009 to 2015, its opening credits song, "At Least I Was Here" by The 88, counts as a TV anthem of the 2010s. It has been used in different ways throughout the show, at times shortened and at other times extended or altered to fit the theme of a particular episode. In any case, this song is emblematic of the series and can, within a few notes, bring any fan of the show back to Greendale.
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