Encyclopedia of Television Theme Songs

Featuring 1,000 detailed entries, this encylopedia examines the phenomenon of television theme songs. Organized alphabetically by TV series from The A-Team to Zorro, the individual themes are designated by title, composer, lyricist and performer, with an analysis of how the theme captured the show’s spirit. Each entry also includes the series’ cast credits, its network, the years of its original run, and an in-depth program description.
Fascinating facts and anecdotes about each theme song are included, along with an assessment of its popularity, and (whenever appropriate) a list of industry awards that the song has won. Devotees of the captivating and oftimes unforgettable themes for such series as The Brady Bunch, Gilligan’s Island, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rawhide and Scooby-Doo have a genuine treat in store.

Mark A. Robinson holds a degree in theater from the State University of New York at Cortland. A teacher and published author, he has also served as theatre critic for an Omaha-based website. He lives in New York.

Mark A. Robinson
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 207
Bibliographic Info: discography, appendix, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2011
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6517-0
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8862-9
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents


Acknowledgments  viii

Introduction: Tunes of the Tube  1

The Theme Songs  5

Appendix: Theme Songs on CD  181

Bibliography  183

Index  185­

“the first book on its topic”—Communication Booknotes Quarterly; “a good book to bring back smiles and personal memories associated with the shows that, for most Americans, personify pop culture”—Reference & Research Book News.