The UK’s most popular TV theme tunes revealed

Most people have their favourite TV programme and their favourite TV theme tune – what’s funny is these don’t necessarily match. Of course, everybody is happy when they hear the theme tune and see the opening credits of their favourite programme because they know it’s about to start, but that doesn’t always mean it’s the one they hum in the shower. 

Production companies invest a lot in trying to provide their offerings with an instantly memorable soundtrack. However, some do a better job than others, and tunes from long-defunct programmes can still trigger an instant wave of nostalgia when we hear even a bar or two. On the other hand, we might not recognise the entire theme song of a current favourite programme without the context of the TV screen to frame it in. 

It’s essential to get it right because a good theme tune doesn’t just help promote the show. These soundtracks are even incorporated in online games, from kids’ gaming titles to well-known online Gala Bingo rooms and tournaments, and become part of the popular culture. 

So what are the UK’s favourite TV theme tunes? That’s the question recently asked in a survey by Curry’s, the electrical retailer giant, and this is what they found out, starting in reverse order.

10. Grandstand

Running from 1958 to 2007, Grandstand was a pillar of British TV sports programming for almost half a century.

9. Star Trek

Since the original series of Star Trek was broadcast in the 1960s, the show’s catchy theme tune has been featured in many Star Trek spin-off episodes and films, making it instantly recognisable to generations.

8. Game of Thrones

Composed by Ramin Djawadi in 2011, the dominant cello gives the piece a darker theme in keeping with the show when compared with the usual fantasy soundtracks of flutes and cellos. 

7. Neighbours

The show that launched Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan to an unsuspecting world, it’s now the longest-running Australian soap ever. And love it or hate it, we know you just can’t stop humming along to the theme. 

6. Doctor Who

When the show initially aired in 1963, the electronic music of the soundtrack was considered to be way ahead of its time. 

5. Only Fools and Horses

Del Boy, Rodders and Grandad (Uncle Albert in later shows after Lennard Pierce’s death in 1984) still attract a large audience whenever they appear on the small screen. But the classic song Why do Only Fools and Horses Work that introduces their antics wasn’t the original soundtrack to the show and was only adopted after the first series. 

4. Match of the Day

The build-up to the show giving the highlights of the most important football matches of the week is hundreds of thousands of men sitting in armchairs humming along to the credits.

3. Coronation Street

Regarded as the world’s longest-running television soap, Corrie has been a pillar of British television since its 1960 debut. And  Eric Spear, the composer of the soundtrack, was paid a cool £6million commission to write it.

2. EastEnders

Anyone Can Fall in Love, the theme tune to the Beeb’s classic soap opera, was recorded in 1986 and sung by Anita Dobson, who also portrayed Angie Watts in the show. It made it to number four in the UK Singles Chart that year, and Dobson even performed it on Top of the Pops.

1. Friends

And the top TV tune with the British public is from classic American sitcom Friends with Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer. Funnily enough, the song, I’ll Be There for You, wasn’t written for the show but was a previously released track by The Rembrandts. Apparently, the producers tried to get a REM song, but the band weren’t on board with the idea. 

The editorial unit