The theme song plays an integral part in constructing a lasting image of a superhero. It may seem like a basic element of a show, but it’s much, much more. They should be as epic as the character they represent. Power ballads and full brass bands are always welcome. They should also reflect the era in which they were broadcast. This ensures that in the future, they will be synonymous with a certain time in history and will never be forgotten. When the name of a superhero is mentioned, the theme tune of their show should pop into your head immediately and the memories of it should come flooding back. A good theme song should get right to the heart of the core storyline in a concise fashion.
And sometimes, the theme song is just that. For instance, all of the DC animated TV shows had quite classy and appropriate them songs, while recent shows like Young Justice and Iron Man: Armored Adventures have also managed to be very much of their time. But few theme songs have reached the level of pop culture saturation as the ones listed below!
6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
http://youtu.be/Kr4yHEVc0eU
This one takes us back to the 1980’s! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had quite a complex storyline. I find it a triumph that they fit the main story into a 45 second song, and well enough to be easily sung. The song fills us with nostalgia. We get a run down of the personality traits of the turtles so we can decide which one we want to be. I’ll be Donatello, with a bandana mask to boot! Purple is my colour.
5. Flash Gordon
Sang by the musical genius that is Queen, “Flash” is just about the cheesiest thing ever, but the theme song helps strike the all important cool/cheesy balance. It’s instantly recognizable and easily screamable, for excited kids and enthusiastic adults alike. Because its performed by Queen, it harks back to the 80’s and gives you that reminiscent feeling. This theme song proves that if a film is accompanied by good music it can overshadow anything it is lacking.
4. Batman (1966)
All together now… ‘Nana nana nana nana nana nana nana nana Batman’! Everyone knows it, even if they’ve never watched the show. This song transcends the actors, plot and time it was written. It gives the same kind of summary as Spider-Man and has that cool 60’s style. The simplicity is familiar and stays with you after you hear it. It’s really perky and bright sounding. I would call it gloom deficient! So many superhero series take themselves too seriously these days.
3. Spider-Man
One of the most iconic superhero theme songs of all time. The lyrical content is a summary of Peter Parker’s new found spidey skills. The tune is so catchy and easily hummed in the shower. Spider-Man’s theme song has a style distinctive enough to get us in the mood for some 1960’s karaoke. Only the best theme songs get covered by rock stars and this one was covered by the Ramones in 1976, which gives it automatic cool points!
2. Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers
http://youtu.be/3_z3V5L5PDw
The lyrics are so simple, and yet, they immediately evoke the exact emotional state one would want for a kid watching this show. Instead of giving us the story or origin of the characters, here we are given all the reasons why we should be rooting for them instead. In addition, the theme song even appeared within the world of the show, where the wrist com alerts and Tommy’s dragon dagger flute both played the iconic tune. It was written by the great Ron Wasserman, who is also responsible for the #1 entry…
1. X-Men (1992)
http://youtu.be/wZAhqEiq4cA
This theme tune is so epic it doesn’t need an exhaustive plot outline sang over the top of it. The X-Men theme tune is, by my estimation, an instrumental masterpiece. Featured in the X-Men cartoon that ran for 5 seasons from 1992-1997, this is still perhaps one of the most recognizable instrumental pieces of the decade and proves that Wasserman is capable of creating an excellent piece whether it has lyrics or no.
What do you think is the most memorable superhero theme song?
