Friday Night Lights Theme Song

2006–present

There’s some confusion regarding this theme song.

First, the facts. The theme is an original by W.G. “Snuffy” Walden, whom we have encountered in the themes for The West Wing and My So-Called Life among others. Some also credit Bennett Salvay (alongside) for the theme, but it is hard to confirm this for sure as there are discrepancies in sources.

The confusion is with regards to the Texas-based instrumental band Explosions in the Sky. Although their music was heavily featured in the film and in the series, and their eight-minute song “Your Hand in Mine” sounds awfully a lot like the theme, they had nothing to do with the opening tune (except maybe inspire). Even so, it is said that Mr. Walden took inspiration from Billy Joel’s music while he was still with the band Attila.

The theme song was released in the second official soundtrack of the show. It lasts 46 seconds (same as with opening sequence), and is officially titled as “Friday Night Lights Theme”.

Below is the official opening sequence for Friday Night Lights featuring the theme song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2dtWS5Azbc

Below is Explosions in the Sky’s “Your Hand in Mine”. See how the uploader even credited it as the “FNL theme song.”

The West Wing Theme Song

1999–2006

This series is still quite recent, and well, I do not quite have anything to say about this series, so let us proceed.

We all know this is an outstanding theme song. For one it was composed by W.G. Snuffy Walden, whom we already came across with in the themes of Roseanne, Hawthorne, and My So-Called Life. Also, it was nominated and won the 2000 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music, besting the likes of the themes of Falcone and The Pretender. The theme is very patriotic-sounding, orchestral, and formal. To say the least, it fitted the show very, very well.

If you want a copy of the theme, you can get it from Snuffy Walden’s release, music by… W. G. Snuffy Walden, which was released by Windham Hill Records in 2001. In the album the song lasts only 49 seconds, much like the opening credits of the show. However, there is a track called “West Wing Suite” which lasts 3:41, which sounds awfully like the main theme (sorry I only heard previews), so this might be the one for those looking for a full/extended version.

I also saw a 4:40 version of the song on YouTube, but there’s not much information behind it as to who recorded it or where it can be found. See below.

Meanwhile, below is the original opening credits.

Roseanne Theme Song

1988–1997

Whoa, this show lasted a lifetime. So, where is Roseanne Barr now? And also, I can’t believe Johnny Galecki, Leonard from The Big Bang Theory, started his career in this show.

The theme song for Roseanne is one of those untitled originals that people simply refer to as (in the format of) “Show-name Theme”. It was composed by W.G. “Snuffy” Walden, whom we previously encountered for the themes of My So-Called Life and Hawthorne. However, I think composers Dan Foliart and Howard Pearl are also credited for the theme song.

As we all know, the “Roseanne Theme” is an instrumental, for the most part at least, featuring a solo saxophone for the main melody. However, in the ninth and final season, the theme became a full-blown song with lyrics. It still followed the basic melody though.

The theme with lyrics was performed by Blues Traveler featuring their trademark distorted harmonica. The lyrics are credited to John Popper, frontman for Blues Traveler, so he sang it as well.

Below are the lyrics.

Roseanne theme song lyrics (season 9 theme)

If what doesn’t kill us is making us stronger,
We’re gonna last longer
Than that greatest wall in China
Or that rabbit with the drum

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned
While waiting for my turn,
It’s that in each life some rain falls
But you also get some sun

And we’ll make out better than okay
Hear what I say
Hey, any day

Below is the intro for season 9 featuring the Blues Traveler theme song.

Below is the original opening title sequence for season 1. The music below is what was used for seasons 1 to 8.

I’m pretty sure the series did not release an official soundtrack. However, the theme song is available from some TV theme song compilations like this one.

Hawthorne Theme Song

2009-present

Jada Pinkett Smith has a series? Cool. You know, I do find her really, really hot.

Below is the catchy opening song for the series but I do not have that much information about it. However, IMDb lists 2 names for original music—W.G. Snuffy Walden for 2009 and The Angel for 2010. Yes, the composer’s name is “The Angel.” And, we do know Mr. Walden for his work on the My So-Called Life theme song.

Below is said theme song from official opening sequence.

My So-Called Life Theme Song

1994–1995

Claire Danes anyone?

The theme song for My So-Called Life is called, well, “My So-Called Life Theme” and was composed by W.G. Walden. William Garrett Walden is a known television show composer and his resume includes shows such as The Wonder Years, Felicity, Friday Night Lights, and The West Wing among others. He is also credited as Snuffy Walden or W.G. Snuffy Walden.

The song is part of the show’s official soundtrack.

Below is said theme song from an original opening sequence.