Top 30 Kid’s Cartoon Theme Tunes
Compiling this list of the greatest kid’s cartoon theme tunes, you’re on to a loser from the off.
You’re bound to disgust those who feel their first choice was left out. You’ll bloody the noses of those who can’t believe you put their cherished memory so low in the rankings. And you’ll almost certainly suffer the slings and arrows of those who think you’re wallowing in pointless nostalgia.
Well, balls to them. There’s nothing like a trip down memory lane to get those endorphins pumping – so let’s wander idly along, humming the tunes that preceded our infant distractions, recalling with a grin that the opening titles were very often far more enjoyable than the tripe that followed.
Here goes.
30. Gummi Bears
I have no idea why I like this so much. But I do.
29. GI Joe
As American as apple pie and, er, New York.
28. Animaniacs
Annoying as hell, but undeniably catchy.
27. Muppet Babies
Sounds like something Kermit threw up, but is guaranteed to be stuck in my head for the rest of the day.
26. Henry’s Cat
Scrapes its way into the Top 26 by virtue of some synthesised miaows.
25. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Catchy tune and tells you all you need to know about He-Man, his stupid voice and his weird mates.
24. The Perishers
Is it just us or does it sound a bit like The Smiths’ song Sheila Take A Bow?
23. Dinosaucers
Ludicrous idea for a cartoon, but great song.
22. M.A.S.K
Is there a more Eighties theme tune?
21. Ducktales
It’s almost impossible to not say Ducktales without following it with ‘woo hoo’. An annoyingly catchy tune.
20. Raggy Dolls
Getting Neil Innes in to write and record your theme tune is pure class. But surely the rejected dolls would have been discarded in week one? Or ripped to shreds and recycled…
19. Thundercats
You are singing the tune right now, aren’t you?
18. Transformers
Turns from soft metal into a bizarre trumpet-led fanfare, all in the space of 30 seconds.
17. Astroboy
Astroboy is still curiously watchable, but the dubbing in the show is totally out of synch and the music here goes on for way too long. Timing must have been an issue at Astroboy HQ.
16. Ulysses 31
You have to wait a whopping 50 seconds for the proper song to begin, but when it does it’s a rock classic worthy of Whitesnake. Sung with passion, finished with love.
15. The Mysterious Cities of Gold
A genuinely well-written song heading up one of the most interminably dull cartoons of the period. Once the theme tune was over, the sound of TVs changing stations reverberated throughout the land.
14. Jem and the Holograms
Better than half the rubbish that was in the charts during the Eighties.
13. Top Cat (Boss Cat)
Clever words, a walloping trad jazz tune and a classy lead character. If you sided with Officer Dibble, you had no heart.
12. Battle of the Planets (G-Force)
No idea what was going on half the time, but who cares? Great theme tune.
11. Visionaries
Just magic.
10. Jamie & His Magic Torch
I’m sure I’m not alone in remembering the theme tune note for note, but having forgotten everything that happens in the actual programme? Which boy could resist not playing with his magic torch?
9. Pink Panther
Surely, one of the greatest theme tunes of all time.
8. Dogtanian & The Muskerhounds
When I asked Twitter what should go on this list, this was the overwhelming winner. I’ve no idea why – it’s dreadful.
7. The Smurfs
Anyone who doesn’t agree, can get the Smurf out of here!!
6. Hong Kong Phooey
He was better than a super-guy, and the theme song was better than most.
5. Inspector Gadget
Dum dad dum da dum… this was a singalong classic. Every time the Gadget graced our screens, you had to singalong, reaching a frenzy when it got to the ‘Go, Gadget, go!’ part.
4. Dangermouse
He’s the greatest! And the theme tune was pretty smart too, with that horn section urging the ‘Mouse along, dragging the snivelling Penfold along with him.
3. Scooby Doo
We’re talking Scooby Doo before Scrappy walked onto the scene. As we all know, Scrappy was Satan in the form of a large-headed cartoon pup.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Still cannot believe Shredder was voiced by Uncle Phil from the Fresh Prince.
1. Roobarb & Custard
The second it kicks in – instant anarchy. To an adult, it sounds like a keyboard that’s been distorted a little too much through some kind of wah wah synth. To a child, sounds like a call to arms and causes destruction of the living room. Influential, noisy and the best ever kids TV theme.
This was a guest blog by the mighty Swineshead from Watch With Mothers
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Count Duckula had a baddas intro theme, terrifyng and the end theme was even better, miss, and thundercats should be higher
Count Duckula had by far one of the greatest intros and endings of the 80’s. Not to mention it was a badass cartoon!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-qr5eDsYAY&feature=player_embedded
Wow, I can’t believe Talespin and Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers didn’t make the list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e5q6ubDlZE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWOqEkjRtWQ
Inspector Gadget WAS a sing-along with my family. My dad, sister and I would crowd around the TV every single time the show came on, but our favorite part was hollering the “Woohoo!” as in…
da da da da dum
Inspector Gadget
da da da da dum
dum dum WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Aw, now I’m all misty.
What the hell? Where is the Underdog theme? It’s far and away the best ever. (crosses arms and skulks away)
Sorry but you totally missed the best cartoon theme song ever.
Speed Racer.
Great to see some old favorites – but you missed my #1 favorite: Underdog !!
Cool walking bassline, uptempo, 4-part vocal harmonies (catchy too!), loved it!
Speaking of old cartoons – I don’t remember their theme songs, but anyone else remember The Littles? … Shirt Tails?
No mention of Underdog. This list fails with no Underdog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XRil07h5uE
Fantastic list – even though a couple of these were lost on my with my Australian upbringing, fantastic nostalgia time had by me.
I was inspired to go look up Widget the World Watcher – gold
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFwoG2P-s6U
What about “Mighty Mouse”? You have to be kidding me, how can you leave that off the list!
What, no “Johnny Quest” or “Jettsons”?????
I agree.
Without “Johnny Quest,” the terrorists win.
That’s what happens when young punks compile “best of” lists.
don’t forget duck tales & tailspin
What about Heman / Shera?!
Good heavens, you’re so wrong on a few of these…
Smurfs – really should have an even earlier opening that has the full length song
Pink Panther – what the heck – yes, it has famous music, but you didn’t pick the opening with it…
Scooby Doo – I think you need an earlier opening on this one too, didn’t sound right.
I’ll try to come back with links.
Love the list, but wanted to mention two others…”Spartakus and the Sun Beneath the Sea” and “Spiral Zone” Classic ’80’s!
How could you possibly forget Capitan Future???!
Here is the Theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oSYqRRhTGE
Fat Albert ftw.
NA-NA-NA Gonna have a good time!!! HEY HEY HEY
here is the best theme ever >>>>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntbWV_-unEk
ULYSSES 31 FTW!
Seriously, it’s better than Smells Like Teen Spirit, better than Hoedown Throwdown, it’s simply the best song ever.
KAPPA MIKEY
My favorite was always the X-men cartoon. That song rocked
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxOQTaLTFrU
I agree.
If you can’t find themes on YouTube, check out this site, it has them all – televisiontunes.com
What about these?
Gekko Kamen (OK it’s in Japanese but it is very catchy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnRv6V3G7dQ
Pinky and the Brain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJPFSNu_QNs
i think you made a list of shows that hit the nostalgia button for you, because while some were great shows, the themes were not good. the theme from your number one pick was not good, and the pink panther intro sucked even when i was a kid.
agree chip n dale and talespin should be on the list.
but judging on awesome THEME alone, Denver the Dinosaur is a MUST: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1fUqSQFdAI
No Trap Door?!
Fail.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agJbjwLWMDQ
Great list, but I cannot believe you did not include the Bionic Six intro!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbNHR1jM4Ac
You forgot Pokemon.
Who are the morons who came up with list? The people who put that stupid song at #1 should be dealt with severely. Idiots.
GHOSTBUSTERS
What about The Real Ghostbusters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8eLP4Bgsuo
Sorry if your favourite was too low or no included people, but I did say…
Compiling this list of the greatest kid’s cartoon theme tunes, you’re on to a loser from the off.
You’re bound to disgust those who feel their first choice was left out. You’ll bloody the noses of those who can’t believe you put their cherished memory so low in the rankings.
Consider that a disclaimer!
how could you leave off the x-men.
I was enjoying that list but imagine my surprise when the number 1 spot is a video taken from my very own youtube channel to boot!
Great choices and yes, Roobarb rules
I would like to point out though that only the later, modern (and terrible) series had the cats name in it.
BTW, Battle of the Planets!!! Never missed an episode when I was younger.
Pardon? No Flintstones??
Are these themes available by means of http://filesmixx.com/ ?
Goodness me I just loved that article-took me back I can tell you and no mistake. I love all that cheery music. Hey! The only thing is that you missed out Dangermouse. Come on big boy, get it right next time…
CY
I’m SOOO glad Danger Mouse made the top five. I was gonna be pissed if he didn’t
I really like the Gekko Kamen anime too
http://japansugoi.com/wordpress/gekkou-kamen-moonlight-mask-the-first-japanese-tv-superhero-1958/