Oz Theme Song

1997–2003

This was before The Sopranos and was actually the one that sparked the whole one-hour drama thing for HBO (not to mention the whole violence thing). Also, this was the time Edie Falco appeared concurrently in two HBO series.

The “OZ” tattoo in the opening sequence is of Oz’s creator, writer and producer Tom Fontana.

Anyway, I’m just stating random facts and tidbits here since there really is not much to say about the theme song—the one that opens with percussions and a bass guitar for melody. All original music for the series is credited to composers David Darlington and Steven Rosen, so it would be impossible if not at least one of them wrote the opening theme.

Relive the theme song and opening sequence of this epic show below.

Sex and the City Theme Song

1998–2004

This is for the television series, because that is what started it all. Actually wait, no, a book started it all.

And actually, for the films (for the first at least), the theme song is just a grander, re-worked version of the television theme.

The song in question is simply referred to as “Sex And The City Theme” and was composed by American composer Douglas J. Cuomo. It was originally recorded by Mark Berman on keyboards.

However, in the original and official soundtrack—the franchise has released a lot—the theme song is a version by Groove Armada, an electronic music duo from England. I do not know if the exact same one used in the show is available commercially.

In the soundtrack of the first film, a version by The Pfeifer Broz. Orchestra is included.

Like I said, there are a lot of music releases out there for this franchise. I have found six already—at least two for the series, and a separate soundtrack and film score for each of the two films. However, the two songs mentioned above are the only commercial releases and versions of the theme song that I know of.

Below is the original intro and opening credits for the series.

Below is a music only video of Groove Armada’s take on the theme, as included in the series’ official soundtrack (volume 1).

And finally, below is the one for the first film. The one included in the first film’s soundtrack by The Pfeifer Broz. Orchestra.

Angels in America Theme Song

2003

Angels in America is that award-winning HBO TV miniseries that starred Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, and Emma Thompson among others.

Its music did good as well, as it was nominated for the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. However, and as expected, it lost to a worthy titan-of-a-foe—music from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

All original scoring for Angels in America was done by one man—Thomas Newman. Mr. Newman is one of the most sought-after film composers, and has done work for Finding Nemo, American Beauty, and Little Women to name a few.

Music for the miniseries is available in an official original motion picture soundtrack, where the opening theme song, track two, is simply credited as “Angels in America (Main Title)”.

Below is the original opening sequence featuring the title theme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASjIxVK_3DU&feature=player_embedded

Below is a better-quality, music-only video of the theme song.

Eastbound & Down Theme Song

2009-present

Alright, this one is a little premature as this series is still in my to-watch list. The show was just tipped to me—by the way, thanks for the tips even though I really haven’t officially placed my contact information out there. But hey man, any show that has Ana de la Reguera…

Also, for now, please email all tips and stuff to mark.verzo[at]gmail.com.

Eastbound & Down is an HBO comedy about a baseball player. Looking at some previews, it seems really funny.

As for the theme song, the following is the extent of my knowledge. As you know, I have this need to post an original sequence from the show which showcases the theme song. I have found none that featured Freddie King’s version of Don Nix’s “Going Down,” which is the known theme song (from research and discussions) of the show.

The only opening sequence (more of like montage) I found was the one below, and the background song is “Death Is The Answer” by the band Early Man—which awfully sounds like Black Sabbath/Ozzy Osbourne. The song was part of their Early Man EP (2005) and their Closing In album (2005).

Below is the said opening.

Below is “Going Down” from a fan-made video.

Entourage Theme Song

2004–present; Entourage rules plus the story of this blog

First and foremost, Entourage rules. Especially the very-hardcore season 7—warning: includes porn stars and drugs. Yes, I definitely am a fan.

So first, let me bore you with a short story about how this blog came to be. As none of you already know, my blogging roots started at Thoughts In Binary. That is my personal blog and I started blogging there circa 2006, basically about anything under the sun. That was around the same time I came across the show, Entourage, and it instantly became one of my favorites. Naturally, I always encountered the opening sequence and heard the theme song. So, I searched for it, and there was none. So I dug deeper and eventually found out.

I believe to this day I still hold the number one position in Google for Entourage theme song. That’s simply because (I think) I was the first one at it. It gave me good traffic so I started posted other theme songs for other shows that I love in that same blog.

By 2009, I felt my blog was such a mess—with no real theme to it—so I decided to separate all my theme song posts in a new blog. That’s how this blog came to be. So in reality, this is a spin-off of my personal blog. This is not the only one by the way, but let’s not go into that.

Now, on to the theme song

Alright. The song is called “Superhero” by the band Jane’s Addiction. It is originally from their third album (and 2003 release), Strays. The song was not released as a single.

Below is an original opening sequence for the show.

I have watched each and every single episode of the show (more than once at that), and I can confidently say that the only change to the sequence was the addition of names in the lead actors, particularly Rex Lee (Lloyd!). As for the song, there is also a very slight change in timing during the the semi-break (around 0:40 in the video). It would be really hard to tell unless you air-drum to the song every time.

Entourage theme song lyrics (show edit)

Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah

My mind had been enabled
In a memory you overflowed
Want to be your superhero
Even if I tumble fall

I’m okay
You know I need you desperately

I want to be your superhero

Yeah
Oh, yeah
Oh, yeah

Big Love Theme Song

2006-present

Big Love is (currently) four seasons old, and, there has been a major change in the opening sequence for its fourth season. Most people like it, many people hate it, but, either way, Big Love is one interesting show.

The theme song for seasons 1-3 is “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys. In season 4, it became “Home” by the band Engineers. See below for lyrics and the video sequences.

Big Love theme song seasons 1-3 lyrics

I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I’ll make you so sure about it

God only knows what I’d be without you

If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me

God only knows what I’d be without you (fade)

Watch & listen

Big Love theme song season 4 lyrics

Home
Is this my home
Been starting over
Bathe in the water

Watch & listen

Curb Your Enthusiasm Theme Song

2000-present

The main opening and closing theme song to Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm is entitled “Frolic.” It was composed by Italian composer Luciano Michelini. It is said that David heard the song in a bank commercial years before and thought that the song had a joyful quality—a perfect match to the show’s otherwise gloomy feel.

There is an official soundtrack for the show released by Mellowdrama Records in 2006. It, of course, contains “Frolic” and, if you’re familiar with the show, the other songs used between scenes.

Below is an audio-only video of “Frolic.” I’ve yet to see a complete opening sequence video in YouTube.

The Sopranos Theme Song

Can’t believe The Sopranos was 3 years ago

The Sopranos was one of those shows that had a good theme song-opening credits combination. The theme song for The Sopranos, which one might probably instinctively call “Born Under a Bad Sign” (am I right?), is actually entitled “Woke Up This Morning.” Officially, it is “Woke Up This Morning (Chosen One Mix),” because that mix has the lyrics in second person—”got yourself a gun” instead of “got myself…”

“Woke Up This Morning” is by the British band Alabama 3, and is probably the only thing they’re known for (they’re still intact up to now). The song came from their their 1997 album Exile on Coldharbour Lane. It is said that Alabama 3 frontman Rob Spragg wrote the song after hearing a case of a woman who stabbed her husband after 20 years of abuse.

“Woke Up This Morning” is also available in the official soundtrack, The Sopranos: Music From The HBO Original Series, where Alabama 3 is simply credited as A3.

The Sopranos theme song lyrics (show edit)

Woke up this mornin’
Got yourself a gun
Mama always said you’d be the chosen one
She said, ‘You’re one in a million
You got to burn to shine’
That you were born under a bad sign
With a blue moon in your eyes

And you woke up this mornin’
And-a all that love had gone
Your papa never told you
About right and wrong

But you’re, but you’re looking good, baby
I believe you’re a-feelin’ fine
Shame about it, born under a bad sign
With a blue moon in your eyes
So, sing it now

(Woke up this mornin’)
You got a blue moon
(Got a blue moon in your eyes)

I see ya woke up this mornin’
The world turned upside down
Lordy, but a-things ain’t been the same
Since the blues walked in-a town

But ya, but ya, one in a million
‘Cause you got that shotgun shine
Shame about it, born under a bad sign
With a blue moon in your eyes

Woke up this mornin’ and
Got yourself a gun
Got yourself a gun
Got yourself a gun

Watch & listen

True Blood Theme Song

The theme song for True Blood is entitled “Bad Things,” by country music artist Jace Everett. It is included in his self-titled debut album released in 2005 by Epic, and is also included in the True Blood Original Soundtrack, which was recently released (May 2009) by Elektra/Atlantic.

This probably is the goriest opening credits for any old or current television series. HBO rocks.

About True Blood

True Blood is fairly new, it is currently only on its second season. It stars Anna Paquin and is about vampires. Just check it out on HBO.

Bad Things Lyrics (show edit)

When you came in the air went out
And every shadow filled up with doubt
I don’t know who you think you are
But before the night is through
I wanna do bad things with you

I’m the kind to sit up in his room
Heart sick and eyes filled up with blue
I don’t know what you’ve done to me
But I know this much is true
I wanna do bad things with you

Ow, ooh
I wanna do real bad things with you

Watch & Listen