I'm beginning to regret wading into the topic of best TV theme songs, you all, but once more unto the breach. Picking up where I left off last week, today's list covers roughly 1985 through 1990. Which brings up that age-old question -- is 1990 the end of the '80s or the beginning of the '90s? (The only reason I ask is that my Irish grandfather, who was born in the early 1900s, used to blow my mind by insisting that the year 1900 was not the beginning of the 20th century but the end of the 19th. 🤯.)
Gen-X Files: Most Memorable TV Theme Songs From the '80s, Part 1
Gen-X Files: The Best TV Theme Songs From the 1970s
I'm also throwing in some Gen X news, plus a quick profile of Ric Grenell, another Gen Xer making waves as part of Team Trump.
Top TV Theme Songs from the 1980s, Part 2
Again, this is in no particular order. And, as always, hit me up in the comments with my hits and misses!
Moonlighting
Sung by Al Jarreau, who co-wrote it with Lee Holdridge, the complete version of this song was only used in the end credits of the pilot episode. Thereafter, only snippets of the song were used during the opening. Here's a very Gen X-y fun fact: The great Nile Rodgers apparently produced a different version of the song, which was also used on the show.
Growing Pains
The theme song is called "As Long As We Got Each Other" and infamously began with: "Show me that smile again." It was written and sung by Steve Dorff, and there's apparently a BJ Thomas/Dusty Springfield cover floating out there somewhere.
Here's a fun oral history of the song, with memories from some of the cast.
Golden Girls
You already know it's called "Thank You for Being a Friend," but did you know it was originally recorded in 1978 by American singer and songwriter Andrew Gold? In his own words, it was "just this little throwaway thing" that only took "about an hour to write."
Night Court
Another super-jazzy 1980s theme song, this one by Jack Elliott, who co-wrote the theme song for "Barney Miller" (which I inadvertently left out of my 1970s rundown -- mea culpa).
MacGyver
I could not find a lot of background info on this one, other than it was written by American composer Randy Edelman. Also, since I'm a Gen X girl, to me, Richard Dean Anderson will always be Dr. Jeff Webber from "General Hospital."
Miami Vice
Composed and performed by Czech-American musician Jan Hammer, this is, of course, the quintessentially 1980s theme song, evoking images of t-shirts, blazers and lots and lots of cocaine. The song was released as a single in 1985 and hit number one on Billboard's Hot 100.
Honorable Mentions
"Saved By the Bell" (for our baby Gen Xers)
"Airwolf"
"The Equalizer - Stewart Copeland"
Gen X Headlines
Come early, leave early: a Gen X dance party that ends at 10pm is taking off across the US
The first millennial was sworn into the White House. What happened to Gen X?
Gen X Goes to Washington - Ric Grenell (Envoy for Special Missions)
Ric Grenell has been in the headlines quite a bit recently, bopping from L.A. to Venezuela to El Paso in service to President Trump. He was born on September 18, 1966, so he's a more senior member of Gen X, and he's making a name for himself as the president's go-to Mr. Fix-It.
The fine folks over at Ballotpedia have a nice summary of his professional career:
Richard Grenell is the former acting director of national intelligence (DNI). Donald Trump (R) announced on December 16, 2024, that he had selected Grenell to serve as presidential envoy for special missions in his second presidential term.[1]
He served as acting director of national intelligence from February 20, 2020, to May 26, 2020. President Donald Trump (R) appointed Grenell on February 19, 2020, to replace former acting DNI Joseph Maguire.[2]
Grenell was an at-large delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention from California. All 172 delegates from California were bound by state party rules to support Donald Trump at the convention.[3] As of July 13, 2016, Trump had approximately 1,542 delegates. The winner of the Republican nomination needed the support of 1,237 delegates. Trump formally won the nomination on July 19, 2016.
Next stop for Grenell? The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Gen X Meme of the Week
My Gen X meme of the week. Seriously anxiety-inducing. pic.twitter.com/gSud2e63ml
— Teri (@TeriChristoph) February 12, 2025
