TV Theme Song Titles Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Streetbeater

"The Streetbeater" was composed and performed by Quincy Jones. It ranked #9 in TV theme popularity in a reader poll by "Rolling Stone" magazine. Big band leader Harry James also recorded it for a 1979 album release. "Sanford and Son" was a popular 70s sit-com and focused on the relationship between an East Los Angeles salvage business proprietor, Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx), and his loving but put-upon son, Lamont (Demond Wilson).

Answer: The Toy Parade

"Leave it to Beaver" was a family-orientated sit-com that ran for 6 seasons (1957-63) which revolved around the Cleavers - father Ward, mother June and their two sons - Wally and younger Theodore (a.k.a. Beaver). Most episodes dealt with the problems the two boys had growing up and the very understanding way the parents dealt with them.

The theme was composed by Dave Kahn, Melvyn Leonard and Mort Greene. However, the lyrics (which can be found on the Internet) weren't used for the TV show.

Answer: You're My Greatest Love

"The Honeymooners" started as a series of skits on Jackie Gleason's TV variety show. It was so popular that it became a spin-off that ran for two seasons. It was revived again in 1971 for brief stint with Jackie Gleason reprising his role as the fortune-seeking bus driver, Ralph Kramden.

When his get-rich-quick schemes failed, his wife, Alice (Audrey Meadows), would always eventually forgive him and Ralph would say, "Baby, you're the greatest." Gleason also composed the theme which was played by the Sammy Spear Orchestra for the original 1950s show.

Answer: Waiting

"Father Knows Best" was another family sit-com with incredibly understanding parents and three fairly well-behaved children that aired for 6 seasons (1954-60).
"Waiting" was composed by Don Ferris and Irving Friedman with lyrics by Leon Pober. The lyrics were not used in the TV show, but here they are for reference:

"Waiting, for love to find us, is something worth waiting for.
Someday, my arms will hold you, my lips will kiss you, forever more.
Yes, waiting, can be so lonely, yet somehow we'll see it through.
Knowing, there's someone waiting right there just for you."

Answer: Puffin' Billy

"Puffin' Billy" was composed by British songwriter, Edward White in 1952. It was first used as a theme on British TV show "Children's Favourites", but was also the theme for the American program "Captain Kangaroo". The Captain (Bob Keeshan) had a large cast of supporting characters from human to puppets, costumed actors and even the animatronic Grandfather Clock.

The theme was recorded by the Melodi Light Orchestra and is said to have been inspired by a steam locomotive that White saw while vacationing on the Isle of Wight.

Answer: The Fishin' Hole

Griffith was the star of this eponymous sit-com playing Andy Taylor, a widowed small town sheriff raising a young son, Opie (Ronnie Howard), while dealing with the oddball citizens of Mayberry. The show's theme was composed by Earle Hagen, who also whistled the tune for the TV show. The actual lyrics can be found on the Internet.

Answer: Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow

The theme from "Baretta" was composed by by Dave Grusin and Morgan Ames. The title in street-speak means to stay focused on a goal. Henri Mancini and Sammy Davis, Jr. had a hit recordings of the theme. The central character, Tony Baretta (Robert Blake), was a hard-boiled police detective who lived with his pet cockatoo, Fred, who also became as popular a character as his owner. "Baretta", which ran for 4 seasons (1975-79), was a spin-off of the crime drama, "Toma".

Answer: Yakity Sax

"The Benny Hill Show" was a long-running (1955-91), internationally syndicated skit comedy show, much like the British "Monty Python's Flying Circus". The theme was also played as an accompaniment to fast action skits. Composed by James Q. "Spider" Rich and Homer Louis "Boots" Randolph, it was also used a background music to other comedy shows and films.

Answer: Danger Ahead

"Dragnet" (a.k.a. "Badge 714" in syndication) focused on the activities of L.A. plain-clothes police sergeant Joe Friday (Jack Webb). "Dragnet" started as a radio show and was transformed to TV in 1951 which ran for 8 seasons, and was revived in 1967, with Webb reprising his role as Sgt. Friday, and again in 2003 with Ed O'Neill in the lead role. Also known as "The Dragnet March" the theme was composed by Walter Schumann. Bandleader Ray Anthony made a hit recording of it 1953.

There was some controversy about the theme.

The producers the 1946 movie "The Killers" alleged that Schumann may have heard the music while visiting the movie set and subconsciously worked some melody lines into his subsequent composition.

Answer: Park Avenue Beat

"Perry Mason" was an 8 season courtroom drama (1957-66). It starred Raymond Burr as the seldom defeated defense attorney. The show was briefly revived in 1973 with Monte Markham as Mason, but was not well received and only ran for 15 episodes. However, Burr returned to the role in a series of made-for-TV movies in 1985.

The theme was written by Fred Steiner who wanted a composition that conveyed two aspects of Mason's character - toughness and sophistication. In an article for the "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" in 2001, reporter Edward Bank stated, "The show's theme music is one of the most recognizable in television."