Appreciate the shoutout. Good list. Thanks for including my Seinfeld theme. Still consider the day I created (in 1989) a #gooddayatwork Before I earned the title of full-time composer, I performed on sessions as a studio musician for other composers. So I have recorded with each of the bassists you mentioned. That’s also how I first met Allyn Ferguson and Jack Elliott. On a break, I told them how much their work had influenced me. Rock on, Paul 🎸
Thank YOU, Mr. Wolff!! As you can probably see in the comments, there were MANY people that thought YOUR iconic theme should have been #1--but I deferred on the side of telling a good story by saving you for the penultimate. Thanks for the Great music!!!
Stellar work, my man. Hearing your bip-boing improv matched to the tempo of Jerry’s standup is my favorite part of every episode. When he says a line and it goes wanaba wabana I fall apart. You really augmented the spirit of the comedy.
Yep. As soon as he said what he was doing, it started playing in my head. I couldn't remember the show it went to but I remember the bass line. I wish I could remember my fathers laugh that well. Not as catchy but, more beautiful, to me.
In my book, the Barney Miller theme song has more funk in it than all of the others and it really reached me back in the day. That it isn’t the most requested one doesn’t mean anything, it clearly has the most soul.
Barney Miller always had my top spot. Bass line was great and the entire theme song was fantastic. Doesn’t hurt that it’s also my favorite TV show of all time.
John, I agree with you in regard to the bass line from Barney Miller, and the entire theme song is worthy of actual air play as a single - but what seals me to this bass line is that it was improvised by the legendary Chuck Berghofer of the "Wrecking Crew" - and it was Chuck who performed the descending bass line of that notorious Number One hit from 1966, "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'", by Nancy Sinatra. Truly, Chuck has made - and still makes - music history.
Outstanding and well-written show. Every character was excellent. My favorite was Yamana (Jack Soo), but so many top shelf performances. And my friend's dad, an NYC cop, said it was actually more realistic than most dramatic cop shows, because a precinct is generally long periods of nothing punctuated by the fruit loops that get arrested and come in and out of the squad room.
He should do a part 2 with commenter favorites. It would save me from having to look all these up myself lol! So much good music… I’m glad he put the focus on this TV show music, as it’s easy to have missed these or forgotten them as time has gone by.
Barney Miller will always be my #1. It sounds like something that would start a concert. There's groove and the entire band truly leans on the bass. Special mention for the Fraggle Rock theme! I'll often play the opening bars while idling, just to see who catches it.
It's not about how good the song is but how iconic it is. Seinfeld has to be #1 since it's the most recognizable bass line of all time (probably alongside Another One Bites The Dust). The fact that the spinoff was #1 is bull as just because it's good doesn't mean it should be #1 because it's not iconic at all.
@@WoefulMinion You're probably right. I thought Lee took credit for one version on his UA-cam channel, but I can't find that episode now. Wouldn't be the first time that a theme was done using one set of musicians initially then re-done by a collection with Lee on bass.
@@iblockpuncheswithmyface1490 Not according to any database I've ever seen, although that would be cool if true. All credit goes to Nikki Sixx for bass. No mention of Leland, even for selected tracks. I do know that he has crossed paths with Tommy Lee on other artists' projects, though.
I was going to mention this one... so great... tempo changes and the mode of the song swings. I don't play brass instruments but I can "mouth trumpet" that solo anytime!
True! As a kid, we had a Philco, with a tiny speaker. My grandma instead had an older Phillips, with a wooden cabinet and a bigger cone. The difference was astounding.
Great list! My favorite is from a show long be fore you were born. Peter Gunn was on the air from 1959 to 1961. The theme was composed by Henry Mancini and the bass was played by Rolly Bundock.
Absolutely. I remember "Do-do da-do da-do do-do" ing any chance I could and I was like 6. At that age I never actually got to watch the TV show (TV for adults and past my bed time) but I heard the music and it left an impression.
Not a theme tune, but the "1 - 12" song from the Sesame Street pinball animation blew my tiny mind as a child, and continues to live rent-free in my head 40 years later. It is an absolute, foundational banger, and honestly might be worth a video all of its own. Altogether now: "Twelve!!!"
I was thinking that too! It was performed by The Pointer Sisters! Sesame Street actually had a lot of funky jams in the ‘70s, especially the closing music “Funky Chimes”
@@KevyNova If "Funky Chimes" is the one I think it is, I thought it was too loud and clangy when I was a kid (especially since it came after a very laid-back version of the theme song). I would probably like it better if I heard it now...
The Barney Miller theme bass line by Chuck Berghofer is what inspired a young Clif Burton to become a bassist. I so hope Chuck knows his riffs made the world a better place
Yes, Eli - Chuck's riffs have made the world a better place, I believe; in fact, my favorite bass riff is from a certain Number One hit from 1966, and is a Lee Hazlewood-penned number which turned a certain style of footwear into a symbol of female empowerment and independence - I speak of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" by Nancy Sinatra.
That was so much fun! I immediately thought of Barney Miller and Sanford and Son, but had forgotten about Fish. So funky for such a droll character! And Sammy Davis, Jr. singing the theme from Baretta? Classic! More of these, please!
Nice list (though Barney Miller will always be #1 in my heart). Fame, Good Times, and Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids also had some great bass work in their themes.
@@joekurtz8303 Joe, in regard to the bass player on the Barney Miller theme, I take it you elude to one Chuck Berghofer, a member of the immortal "Wrecking Crew" - in addition to this theme, Chjuck also performed the descending bass notes of doom on that notorious Number One hit from 1966, "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'", by Nancy Sinatra.
I weaned my jazz ears on Dave Grusin. I could tell in an instant if a film score or series was one of his and would watch a film just for that reason. My son’s an Abe Laboriel fan due to growing up with Wii and Switch Mario games. Legends.
Sanford and son should be in the top 5. Especially if you include the bass sax as part of "bass line"... Although he would have to have recreated it on a synth maybe. The combo definitely makes for one of the most distinctive and memorable bass lines or sections in TV history, or music history period !
Any great TV theme list featuring an iconic bass line has to include Henry Mancini's " Peter Gunn". The show also featured some live jazz performances in most stories.
I used to have the album of that show's soundtrack (two, I wore one out). Great sound from all and I wish I had been old enough to hear and appreciate it when it first aired.
First time I heart Peter Gunn was playing Spy Hunter on my Atari and thought it was a cool sound (albeit 8-bit version). A few years later, I hear an actual recording and fell in love. Opened my ears up to many of Mancini's other masterpieces.
@@ptrinch It's been decades since I owned that album. I'm an old geezer and can still hear that music in my head and it never gets old. Mancini was a genius.
@@ptrinch You might enjoy The Consouls doing vgm jazz covers - unlocking 'acoustic' sound from the 8-bit. Their cover of Dr Wily theme from Mega Man 2 is one of my favourites and also With Mila's Divine Protection from Fire Emblem Gaiden Edit: I also love Mancini music with Baby Elephant Walk being a fond childhood memory and of course the Pink Panther theme. Fun fact: Mancini's Moon River was a tune included in Bayonetta 2
TV WAS great. Now it sucks. I haven't watched network TV in four years and I don't miss it a bit. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. It was nice to relive, if just for a moment, a simpler, happier time.
I love Northern Exposure. That show is an overlooked classic. And yeah, the theme song always gets you hyped for the show. It has such an infectious upbeat feel. Reminds me of something from Paul Simon's Graceland. And yes, The Wire is the greatest crime drama ever and one of the greatest shows ever.
A bummer that it's the music rights that keep it from being hosted on streaming service. They need to sort that out! One of the most underrated shows of its era.
Barney Miller theme is clearly the best Bass theme ever. It is my all time favorite bass playing ever. I would love to hear an extended version of that song. I love it so much. If I ever learn to play bass, that will be the 1st song I would like to learn.
The Carol Burnett Show had a WICKED bass line! I always loved Mike Post's work a lot myself and mad respect to the music from Airwolf, Knight Rider and Battlestar Galactica!!
Chuck Rainey did the Fish theme around the same time as Steely Dan’s Aja. Noticed elements of his work on Peg and Josie in there. Great list, thank you!
The ALF TV theme's bass part was played by producer, songwriter, and studio musician, Marc Miller. In fact, Marc just shared with me that he is going to be interviewed by Paul Thompson. Great channel!!
Here to double-confirm that Marc (not Mark! C'mon Ed, you should know that!) Miller was the bassist on ALF, and also that, to his memory, this and Night Court were actually recorded as part of the same session, and both on a borrowed Ken Smith bass.
I’m glad I’m not the only on who loves to play along to TV themes,I’m a drummer,played Night Court and Tic Tac Dough during sound check with my bassist back in 90’s 😊
More honorable mentions should go to the bass line from Wild Wild West and the simple but iconic bass line from Mission Impossible, both played by the iconic Carol Kaye. She also played the Kojak bass line and nearly all other TV bass lines from the late 60's through the mid 70's.
Thank you for including the theme from one of my absolute favorite tv shows of all time, Cowboy Bebop! The music throughout the season is awesome each episode.
What a wave of nostalgia. Many of these series were broadcast here in Italy in the early 80s, when I was a kid. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.
What a trip down memory lane for me. I remember watching Barney Miller as young Irish kid. I just thought it was the coolest thing ever. That bass line and arrangement was so funky. I love your play in this video, serious musicianship
My all time favourite TV theme is the one of The Streets of San Francisco. The bass and clavinet driven opening riff is so powerful even if very simple. Speaking of simple bass lines I think the Knight Rider theme also worth mentioning. Such an iconic groove!
What a great video. I love your delivery and engagement with the camera. And pretty snazzy bass playing too. I began playing bass much later in life and although I grew up watching many of these shows didn’t realize the bass was the feature instrument in many of them. Thanks for the great memories and inspiration.
Two more bass lines that stuck in my head are from the theme songs from The Jeffersons and Barnaby Jones. I’d love to hear your reproductions of those. You are THE BEST at reproducing and highlighting them!!!
Two Words: *Barnaby Jones* Maybe not the the most outspoken choice since the flute dominates the piece, but the bass connecting line is one of the best ever. Flute: Do do do do do do do doo doo Bass (overlapping the last two flute notes): Bum bum bum bumpadump bump TV theme songs are the best, and the bass rocks them all when given the opportunity. Thanks for this great top 10+ review!
Hello and thank you for honoring these great TV theme Bass Lines . Leland Sklar did many of the Mike Post TV Stuff, between 1976 and 1985 , David Hungate from Toto also did a lot of TV Themes back in the day! Not 100%sure , but I these are the first that occurred to me thinking Studio work in the mid70's to mid 80's. Greetz from Germany !
My favorite wasn't neglected, it was #2! However, I was surprised not to hear the upright bass intro of the classic "Tossed Salads & Scrambled Eggs" theme from 'Frasier'.
I remember all of these. Classic television was GREAT! My favorite themes were Barney Miller, Night Court, and one that wasn’t on here was Taxi. Taxi was soothing like easy listening. Great video!
Great vid, Paul! What a fun and interesting way to reminisce. "Those were the days." 🎵😊 Surprised to not hear the Fat Albert theme on your list though.
Loved all of your selections. One of my favourites might have been before your time but has an iconic bass line - the theme from The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Thank you for taking me back to watching to my childhood and watching rerun TV. I knew Dave Grusin did the theme to St. Elsewhere but I did not know he also composed the Beretta theme. Great stuff!
I am watching this at 10 in the morning. A couple of these made me sleepy. Not because you didn't play them well because you did but, because they were the sign for bed time. I can almost taste the tooth paste.
What caught my ear was the Basslines on the cartoons growing up in the 60s-70s. I was torn between wanting to play those bass lines and the cartoon voice overs. I ended up switching over from trombone to Electric bass in 1975 and then ended up starting on double- Bass in 1981 in college playing in the orchestra and Jazz combos. A hand injury took me to a doctor who said I have no idea how many years you got left in these hands. I got very depressed and ended up leaving the program even though they were calling me prodigy. I went from having never seen a double bass to my recital in 3 years. What a rhino I was 24 I ended up working as a professional stage ad in my union to 31 years so I guess my hands did last awhile sometimes we just make the wrong choices. My Czechoslovakian flat back double bass is 172 years old now and I wish I still had it. I really enjoy your videos brother
I was surprised when you named the “Fish” theme, but then after you played it (and memories of the piece bubbled up in my brain), I can see why you put it at #1.
@@rome8180 True it wasn't a bass, but since he included Seinfeld, I figured that one deserved a mention. Plus it sounds pretty good played on bass using a chorus: ua-cam.com/video/jpaCgZg9RVY/v-deo.html
Dude, you're a mad bass player! My favorite is Barney Miller. I played in a community college jazz ensemble (drums) back in 1976, and the band director pulled out the BM theme as a chart. It got the most applause every time we played it in concert.
Just to let you know - you have a supremely smooth slapping technique when you're demonstrating all these lines. Slapping, to me, was always a no-go, because I'd see these guys viciously attacking the strings - which I don't see you doing! You give me hope for being able to learn this! Thank you for doing this! Happy birthday, Sir. May the Groove play you for life.
Every time that I hear the Northern Exposure theme song it's like seeing an old friend and giving them a hug. I spent many lazy afternoons watching that show with my mom in those early 90s days. Great video 👍
White Shadow is one of my favorite shows of all time. I loved that show. Caught most of it in rerun though as I was pretty young when it first came out.
Love, love, love the inclusion of "Alf" and also love knowing who these players were. As a Steely Dan fan, I know all about Chuck Rainey's brilliance. And I love knowing that the guy who did "These Boots Are Made For Walking" also did "Barney Miller".
Appreciate the shoutout. Good list. Thanks for including my Seinfeld theme. Still consider the day I created (in 1989) a #gooddayatwork
Before I earned the title of full-time composer, I performed on sessions as a studio musician for other composers. So I have recorded with each of the bassists you mentioned. That’s also how I first met Allyn Ferguson and Jack Elliott. On a break, I told them how much their work had influenced me.
Rock on, Paul 🎸
Thank YOU, Mr. Wolff!! As you can probably see in the comments, there were MANY people that thought YOUR iconic theme should have been #1--but I deferred on the side of telling a good story by saving you for the penultimate. Thanks for the Great music!!!
@@pdbass I snooped through your videos. Good stuff! 🤟😎🤟
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Stellar work, my man. Hearing your bip-boing improv matched to the tempo of Jerry’s standup is my favorite part of every episode. When he says a line and it goes wanaba wabana I fall apart. You really augmented the spirit of the comedy.
@@TheCapedWanderer Thanks. I named my chicken after you 😁
The Barney Miller bass line has lived rent free in my head for over 45 years.
Yep. As soon as he said what he was doing, it started playing in my head. I couldn't remember the show it went to but I remember the bass line. I wish I could remember my fathers laugh that well. Not as catchy but, more beautiful, to me.
@@LambentLark Lost my Dad too. He was a fan!
I attribute that theme song & the music from the peanuts specials for my love of jazz. 😊
yes, I catch myself with that one and Sandford and Son stuck in my head quite often in the last 50 years
WAS Really Enjoying re-watching Barney Miller episodes with dinner THAT is until Amazon Prime PULLED IT after a miserly 30-days.
Barney Miller MUST be the top if not top three!
Gotta be...and "The Theme From Sanford & Son".
@@jazzpunk still plays in my head regularly
@@jazzpunk Barney Miller and Sanford and Son are #1 and #2 (swappable depending on the day). Any other order is just blasphemous.
100%
Agreed!
In my book, the Barney Miller theme song has more funk in it than all of the others and it really reached me back in the day. That it isn’t the most requested one doesn’t mean anything, it clearly has the most soul.
It's a Different World my favorite
It was probably the most requested in the 80's!
Yeah! The B section kicks it to the end!
An amazing Bass line and the anticipation of the keyboards coming in is so good!
The theme was the best part of the show. It sticks with you even if you forget everything else.
The Sanford & Son theme is the GOAT... I loved all of his choices
The 70s was a great decade for all things Bass. Great show.
Barney Miller always had my top spot. Bass line was great and the entire theme song was fantastic. Doesn’t hurt that it’s also my favorite TV show of all time.
John, I agree with you in regard to the bass line from Barney Miller, and the entire theme song is worthy of actual air play as a single - but what seals me to this bass line is that it was improvised by the legendary Chuck Berghofer of the "Wrecking Crew" - and it was Chuck who performed the descending bass line of that notorious Number One hit from 1966, "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'", by Nancy Sinatra. Truly, Chuck has made - and still makes - music history.
I have heard a lot of cops say its the most realistic cop show on TV
“How’s everything down in funky town?”
Barney Miller... man, they don't write shows like that anymore
also don't sleep on that high hat.
To those who play bass. You play a big roll in the music of our time. Don't take this instrument for granted.
RÔLE
Thank you. I've played Bass since 1980, converting from drums. And still having fun playing it.
I'm a child of the 70's/80's so the theme from Fat Albert (Buster Williams) is STILL stuck in my head....
that was the most memorable bass opening in my my mind
Yes! 🤗❤️💫✨
Hikky Burr from the original 70’s Bill Cosby show had a sick bass performance by Carol Kaye on a Quincy Jones score.
Barney Miller and Fat Albert jumped in my mind immediately. Now I can stop hearing them, Thanks
Me too.
How could you leave out Knight Rider? That opening bass riff that leads into the synth is oh so infectious! Composed by Stu Philips and Glen Larson.
totally agree
Knight Rider's theme is ABSOLUTELY iconic, but it's dominated by a guitar, not a base, even if it is a bass-styled stoccato. The bass is very simple
Outstanding and well-written show. Every character was excellent. My favorite was Yamana (Jack Soo), but so many top shelf performances. And my friend's dad, an NYC cop, said it was actually more realistic than most dramatic cop shows, because a precinct is generally long periods of nothing punctuated by the fruit loops that get arrested and come in and out of the squad room.
He should do a part 2 with commenter favorites. It would save me from having to look all these up myself lol! So much good music… I’m glad he put the focus on this TV show music, as it’s easy to have missed these or forgotten them as time has gone by.
Barney Miller will always be my #1. It sounds like something that would start a concert. There's groove and the entire band truly leans on the bass. Special mention for the Fraggle Rock theme! I'll often play the opening bars while idling, just to see who catches it.
down at fraggle rock!
I really love the theme song for "Taxi" aka Angela. The combination of keyboards with that smooth bass sounds incredible.
Another nice choice!
that's bob james
IMHO Taxi theme (Angela by Bob James) is the best TV theme tune of all time. Closely followed by Hill Street Blues.
bob later on, went on to join lee ritenour,,harvey mason,,,nathan east,to frorm the jazz supergroup,,,,fourplay
I have the LP and it is such a great tune.
"Sanford and Son" theme is my all time favorite. Killer bass.
Oh yeah Quincy Jones knew what he was doing when he did that thing
No doubt. Barney Miller at 5 is blasphemy!😄. It’s #1. Loved the video, the bass playing is great!
It's not about how good the song is but how iconic it is. Seinfeld has to be #1 since it's the most recognizable bass line of all time (probably alongside Another One Bites The Dust). The fact that the spinoff was #1 is bull as just because it's good doesn't mean it should be #1 because it's not iconic at all.
Lee Sklar played bass on The White Shadow. Just about any Mike Post TV theme outside Law & Order featured Sklar on bass.
Not much out there that Lee has not contributed to. He is a legend.
He also laid down the bass on the first 4 Motley Crue albums.
Not sure this one is Leland. He played on tons of Mike Post sessions, but he doesn't really do slap bass.
@@WoefulMinion You're probably right. I thought Lee took credit for one version on his UA-cam channel, but I can't find that episode now. Wouldn't be the first time that a theme was done using one set of musicians initially then re-done by a collection with Lee on bass.
@@iblockpuncheswithmyface1490 Not according to any database I've ever seen, although that would be cool if true. All credit goes to Nikki Sixx for bass. No mention of Leland, even for selected tracks. I do know that he has crossed paths with Tommy Lee on other artists' projects, though.
An often underrated 70s theme was The Bob Newhart Show. The bass in that theme is very funky.
that's one of the greatest themes period. I love that horn solo toward the end!!!
I feel like the bass in that theme gets overlooked because the horns section but that bass is going insane.
Agreed. As a bassist I must disagree here. Barney Miller and Night Court ALL THE WAY!!!
@@brettfuller6603Agree
I was going to mention this one... so great... tempo changes and the mode of the song swings. I don't play brass instruments but I can "mouth trumpet" that solo anytime!
Man that Night Court theme is really killing.
That was the first bass line I thought of when I saw the title.
Of my absolute favorite theme songs.
@@RJBurleme too. Was wondering if it would make the list
Thanks for the memories! The irony is 1970 TVs had small, cheap speakers with no bass, so most people could barely hear these cool bass lines!
True! As a kid, we had a Philco, with a tiny speaker. My grandma instead had an older Phillips, with a wooden cabinet and a bigger cone. The difference was astounding.
Great list! My favorite is from a show long be fore you were born. Peter Gunn was on the air from 1959 to 1961. The theme was composed by Henry Mancini and the bass was played by Rolly Bundock.
Absolutely. I remember "Do-do da-do da-do do-do" ing any chance I could and I was like 6. At that age I never actually got to watch the TV show (TV for adults and past my bed time) but I heard the music and it left an impression.
Not a theme tune, but the "1 - 12" song from the Sesame Street pinball animation blew my tiny mind as a child, and continues to live rent-free in my head 40 years later. It is an absolute, foundational banger, and honestly might be worth a video all of its own. Altogether now: "Twelve!!!"
I was thinking that too! It was performed by The Pointer Sisters! Sesame Street actually had a lot of funky jams in the ‘70s, especially the closing music “Funky Chimes”
@@KevyNovaThe “Funky Chimes” definitely. That will forever be in my head. 🤗You should mention this in a separate comment.
I had to INSTANTLY sing it aloud when I read this!,
@@KevyNova If "Funky Chimes" is the one I think it is, I thought it was too loud and clangy when I was a kid (especially since it came after a very laid-back version of the theme song). I would probably like it better if I heard it now...
Yes Great call!
The Barney Miller theme bass line by Chuck Berghofer is what inspired a young Clif Burton to become a bassist. I so hope Chuck knows his riffs made the world a better place
Yes, Eli - Chuck's riffs have made the world a better place, I believe; in fact, my favorite bass riff is from a certain Number One hit from 1966, and is a Lee Hazlewood-penned number which turned a certain style of footwear into a symbol of female empowerment and independence - I speak of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" by Nancy Sinatra.
That was so much fun! I immediately thought of Barney Miller and Sanford and Son, but had forgotten about Fish. So funky for such a droll character! And Sammy Davis, Jr. singing the theme from Baretta? Classic! More of these, please!
...i immediately thought of barney miller first too ha
All so true - my childhood was incredibly well represented! All the ones off the top of my head were there!
Carol Kaye is incomparable and a true innovator but they’re all brilliant, and you’re pretty good too!😂.
Thanks for mentioning The White Shadow. My favorite show in my junior high days!
The Price is Right theme is my favorite. Great nostalgia baked in
Nice list (though Barney Miller will always be #1 in my heart). Fame, Good Times, and Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids also had some great bass work in their themes.
Had met that bass player years ago, he did a lot of musical work for Hanna Barbera studios. He Only met B Cosby once in the hallway as he passed by
@@joekurtz8303 Joe, in regard to the bass player on the Barney Miller theme, I take it you elude to one Chuck Berghofer, a member of the immortal "Wrecking Crew" - in addition to this theme, Chjuck also performed the descending bass notes of doom on that notorious Number One hit from 1966, "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'", by Nancy Sinatra.
Quincy Jones had a ton of tv and movie themes. You could do a whole show just on his tunes. I'm waxing nostalgic. Thanks for the vid.
Chump Change is amazing!
Sanford & Son and the 70s Bill Cosby Show.
Maybe just a video on Quincy Jones and another video on Jack Elliott themes.
I weaned my jazz ears on Dave Grusin. I could tell in an instant if a film score or series was one of his and would watch a film just for that reason. My son’s an Abe Laboriel fan due to growing up with Wii and Switch Mario games. Legends.
Sanford and son should be in the top 5. Especially if you include the bass sax as part of "bass line"... Although he would have to have recreated it on a
synth maybe. The combo definitely makes for one of the most distinctive and memorable bass lines or sections in TV history, or music history period !
Any great TV theme list featuring an iconic bass line has to include Henry Mancini's " Peter Gunn". The show also featured some live jazz performances in most stories.
I used to have the album of that show's soundtrack (two, I wore one out). Great sound from all and I wish I had been old enough to hear and appreciate it when it first aired.
First time I heart Peter Gunn was playing Spy Hunter on my Atari and thought it was a cool sound (albeit 8-bit version). A few years later, I hear an actual recording and fell in love. Opened my ears up to many of Mancini's other masterpieces.
@@ptrinch It's been decades since I owned that album. I'm an old geezer and can still hear that music in my head and it never gets old. Mancini was a genius.
@@ptrinch You might enjoy The Consouls doing vgm jazz covers - unlocking 'acoustic' sound from the 8-bit. Their cover of Dr Wily theme from Mega Man 2 is one of my favourites and also With Mila's Divine Protection from Fire Emblem Gaiden Edit: I also love Mancini music with Baby Elephant Walk being a fond childhood memory and of course the Pink Panther theme. Fun fact: Mancini's Moon River was a tune included in Bayonetta 2
That bass line was what inspired me to learn the bass. I completely agree no bass line best list is complete without it.
Stumbled upon this video just now. Some very good stuff here. The best part, watching you work the strings. Thank You!
TV WAS great. Now it sucks. I haven't watched network TV in four years and I don't miss it a bit. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. It was nice to relive, if just for a moment, a simpler, happier time.
Thank you for giving Carol Kaye her due! Greatest and most influential bass player!
I love Northern Exposure. That show is an overlooked classic. And yeah, the theme song always gets you hyped for the show. It has such an infectious upbeat feel. Reminds me of something from Paul Simon's Graceland.
And yes, The Wire is the greatest crime drama ever and one of the greatest shows ever.
oh yeah it's that fretless sound, never fails to make me think of bakithi kumalo
A bummer that it's the music rights that keep it from being hosted on streaming service. They need to sort that out! One of the most underrated shows of its era.
@@terrywho22 It was great. Last couple seasons not so much to me, still enjoyed it.
I used to bing Northern Exposure in my teens..such a good show, they don't make em like that anymore.
@@nbrowser I think it was one of the greatest shows in the history of television.
Barney Miller theme is clearly the best Bass theme ever. It is my all time favorite bass playing ever. I would love to hear an extended version of that song. I love it so much. If I ever learn to play bass, that will be the 1st song I would like to learn.
UA-cam has a compilation of different versions of the Barney Miller opening theme.
You can get a bass and amp for just a few hundred dollars to get started. I didn’t start until I was 35 , so it’s never too late.
Barney Miller is not only the best bass line and theme song, in my opinion, but it is also the greatest sitcom ever!
@boneinferno truer words have never been spoken, my friend. And may I just add "mushy mushy"
@@JudyGurl”Hash” episode I think? That is a funny one. Gotta go watch it.
@@markeastridge9649 You would be correct sir. Possibly the funniest single sit-com episode EVER!
@@JudyGurl That episode and the Taxi episode where all the guys go camping! "So you're saying I've mistaken blue berries for blueberries?"
@@disciplejoe What's happening, baby?
The Carol Burnett Show had a WICKED bass line! I always loved Mike Post's work a lot myself and mad respect to the music from Airwolf, Knight Rider and Battlestar Galactica!!
One of the original theme songs of the Bob Newhart Show! I love it!
Chuck Rainey did the Fish theme around the same time as Steely Dan’s Aja. Noticed elements of his work on Peg and Josie in there.
Great list, thank you!
I can see it.
The nostalgia hits hard with this one especially the 70's shows!!! 👏👏👏👏
God I loved
Night Court!!!
ALF!!!
CHiPs!!!
Sanford and Son!!!
I'm glad I grew up when I did. But I miss those days 😢
Please do more of this!!!
The ALF TV theme's bass part was played by producer, songwriter, and studio musician, Marc Miller. In fact, Marc just shared with me that he is going to be interviewed by Paul Thompson. Great channel!!
Here to double-confirm that Marc (not Mark! C'mon Ed, you should know that!) Miller was the bassist on ALF, and also that, to his memory, this and Night Court were actually recorded as part of the same session, and both on a borrowed Ken Smith bass.
I think Vinnie Colaiuata was the drummer on the Alf theme.
@@JeffBrumleyMusic Hey! Don't blame me!! Damn, spell check!
I’m glad I’m not the only on who loves to play along to TV themes,I’m a drummer,played Night Court and Tic Tac Dough during sound check with my bassist back in 90’s 😊
I always liked the menacing bass line from “The People’s Court” theme.
More honorable mentions should go to the bass line from Wild Wild West and the simple but iconic bass line from Mission Impossible, both played by the iconic Carol Kaye. She also played the Kojak bass line and nearly all other TV bass lines from the late 60's through the mid 70's.
Barney Miller is my #1. Thanks so much for the bass blasts from the past!
Thank you for including the theme from one of my absolute favorite tv shows of all time, Cowboy Bebop! The music throughout the season is awesome each episode.
What a wave of nostalgia. Many of these series were broadcast here in Italy in the early 80s, when I was a kid. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.
The Kids in the Hall opening was one of the first songs I figured out how to play by ear when I started playing bass
Having An Average Weekend by Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet. So good, takes me right back to the '90's as soon as I hear it.
What a trip down memory lane for me. I remember watching Barney Miller as young Irish kid. I just thought it was the coolest thing ever. That bass line and arrangement was so funky. I love your play in this video, serious musicianship
What part of the ol' Emerald Isle you from?
My all time favourite TV theme is the one of The Streets of San Francisco. The bass and clavinet driven opening riff is so powerful even if very simple.
Speaking of simple bass lines I think the Knight Rider theme also worth mentioning. Such an iconic groove!
You beat me to the punch- I realized I forgot to add that and went scrolling down the comments to see if it was already mentioned- great call!
the sax duet in Cagney and Lacey always gets me
What a great video. I love your delivery and engagement with the camera. And pretty snazzy bass playing too. I began playing bass much later in life and although I grew up watching many of these shows didn’t realize the bass was the feature instrument in many of them. Thanks for the great memories and inspiration.
Two more bass lines that stuck in my head are from the theme songs from The Jeffersons and Barnaby Jones.
I’d love to hear your reproductions of those. You are THE BEST at reproducing and highlighting them!!!
Barnaby Jones is my favorite TV theme song of all time. It was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, who also composed The Waltons and Room 222.
Two Words: *Barnaby Jones*
Maybe not the the most outspoken choice since the flute dominates the piece, but the bass connecting line is one of the best ever.
Flute: Do do do do do do do doo doo
Bass (overlapping the last two flute notes): Bum bum bum bumpadump bump
TV theme songs are the best, and the bass rocks them all when given the opportunity. Thanks for this great top 10+ review!
I think Barnaby Jones is the best TV theme song of all time. Jerry Goldsmith was a genius.
Theme from S.W.A.T. excellent bass presence throughout, its the backbone! Funky break down in the middle! One of the best theme songs of all time!
I thought about that one as well, although the horn’s definitely overshadow it. But the bass in that theme is 🔥
Hello and thank you for honoring these great TV theme Bass Lines . Leland Sklar did many of the Mike Post TV Stuff, between 1976 and 1985 , David Hungate from Toto also did a lot of TV Themes back in the day!
Not 100%sure , but I these are the first that occurred to me thinking Studio work in the mid70's to mid 80's.
Greetz from Germany !
Leland started with Mike Post in 1974 with The Rockford Files.
Fantastic memories. The old tv themes were the absolute best!
great list and great playing as well.!!!
Man, you’re right, TV shows were our world. Fascinating how this music permeates our nostalgia for the genre. Awesome video.
As others have said, "The Jefferson's" was always one of my favorites, but the opening theme to "Ren and Stimpy" was just amazing.
Will, the opening theme from "Ren and Stimpy" is known as "Dog Pound Hop" - truly a classic riff.
This is one of the greatest UA-cam videos I've ever seen and I don't even play bass. Thank you.
Now's a good time to start, then!
Wow man, you had me glued and Riveted to to every second of this post, Thanks for making realize how creative the bass is.
Mannix, Mission Impossible, Streets of San Francisco, Wild, Wild West, McCloud, Green Acres, Get Smart, Hawaii Five-0, Ironside...
I can trace all of my funky knowledge back to the Sanford and Son theme. It has it all!
Hicky Burr has to be up there for me as well, another Carol Kaye masterclass!
My favorite wasn't neglected, it was #2!
However, I was surprised not to hear the upright bass intro of the classic "Tossed Salads & Scrambled Eggs" theme from 'Frasier'.
Mercy!, What is a boy to do?
I remember all of these. Classic television was GREAT! My favorite themes were Barney Miller, Night Court, and one that wasn’t on here was Taxi. Taxi was soothing like easy listening. Great video!
I'm glad you popped up on my algorithm again, my friend to the Low-End. This time I subscribed!
Opening theme song to "The Jefferson's" is one of my favorites! Also, Night Court is one of the reasons that I love slap bass and wanted to play.
Oh, agree!!! ❤
My mom and I still think the Jeffersons was the best theme song. Funny show too! Florence the maid was the real star though, lol.
Great vid, Paul! What a fun and interesting way to reminisce. "Those were the days." 🎵😊 Surprised to not hear the Fat Albert theme on your list though.
Oooo! Good point!
Has that theme ever been released anywhere on LP or CD?
That was one of my favorite cartoons as a kid. 😊
great video! Hikky Burr, the theme From "The Bill Cosby Show" by Quincy Jones is my favorite
Carol Kaye at her finest!
Law & Order. Iconic bass line.
As soon as I saw the thumbnail I thought Barney Miller, Sanford and Son, and L&O.
Fun list. Watched and loved almost all of these shows and loved the theme music to them.
Loved all of your selections. One of my favourites might have been before your time but has an iconic bass line - the theme from The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
There's so many cool intro baselines. As a keyboardist I can't help but think of taxi and all those cool 70's shows.
Gary King on bass...
I was sad that the theme song from Taxi wasn't included too :(
This is pure gold if you ever needed to SEE the way to play all your favorite TV Bass riffs. I was dying, waiting for Barney Miller. And Night Court!
Thank you for taking me back to watching to my childhood and watching rerun TV. I knew Dave Grusin did the theme to St. Elsewhere but I did not know he also composed the Beretta theme. Great stuff!
Fun fact...,I was out of country during Alf years. Oh dude you are bringing stuff back!
1000 thumbs up! Sounds like you and I are about the same age. I graduated in 1989 and LOVED Night Court!! What a blast from the past!
I am watching this at 10 in the morning. A couple of these made me sleepy. Not because you didn't play them well because you did but, because they were the sign for bed time. I can almost taste the tooth paste.
So much respect for including Cowboy Bebop! All the music for that show is great!
What caught my ear was the Basslines on the cartoons growing up in the 60s-70s. I was torn between wanting to play those bass lines and the cartoon voice overs. I ended up switching over from trombone to Electric bass in 1975 and then ended up starting on double- Bass in 1981 in college playing in the orchestra and Jazz combos. A hand injury took me to a doctor who said I have no idea how many years you got left in these hands. I got very depressed and ended up leaving the program even though they were calling me prodigy. I went from having never seen a double bass to my recital in 3 years. What a rhino I was 24 I ended up working as a professional stage ad in my union to 31 years so I guess my hands did last awhile sometimes we just make the wrong choices. My Czechoslovakian flat back double bass is 172 years old now and I wish I still had it. I really enjoy your videos brother
I was surprised when you named the “Fish” theme, but then after you played it (and memories of the piece bubbled up in my brain), I can see why you put it at #1.
Streets of San Francisco had a pretty great theme. The signature bass part is a keyboard, but when the whole band kicks in, the bass is still solid
Damn... I never watched that show, but looked it and you're right! kicks some solid ass!
Great list! My #1 is the theme to Northern Exposure. Two you left out: Twin Peaks and Knight Rider.
That's not a bass on Twin Peaks though. It's a synth guitar sound pitched down an octave.
@@rome8180 True it wasn't a bass, but since he included Seinfeld, I figured that one deserved a mention. Plus it sounds pretty good played on bass using a chorus: ua-cam.com/video/jpaCgZg9RVY/v-deo.html
Dude, you're a mad bass player! My favorite is Barney Miller. I played in a community college jazz ensemble (drums) back in 1976, and the band director pulled out the BM theme as a chart. It got the most applause every time we played it in concert.
Hi - I know jack about music, but I really enjoyed this video! You've opened up a whole new world for me. Thanks!
Just to let you know - you have a supremely smooth slapping technique when you're demonstrating all these lines. Slapping, to me, was always a no-go, because I'd see these guys viciously attacking the strings - which I don't see you doing! You give me hope for being able to learn this! Thank you for doing this!
Happy birthday, Sir. May the Groove play you for life.
I was praying you didn't forget Night Court and Alf! Those themes are main reasons I fell in love with bass as a kid.
It's only really two notes, but the bassline from the Knight Rider theme by Stu Phillips is pretty iconic. Possibly the easiest to play as well!
Great list! S.W.A.T. & The Six Million Dollar Man had some cool bass lines as well.
Yes.
Every time that I hear the Northern Exposure theme song it's like seeing an old friend and giving them a hug. I spent many lazy afternoons watching that show with my mom in those early 90s days. Great video 👍
White Shadow is one of my favorite shows of all time. I loved that show. Caught most of it in rerun though as I was pretty young when it first came out.
I love that show. I was in 8th grade. My good friend played on our jr high basketball team. She and I always watched it!
Three that immediately come to mind- Name of the Game, Starsky & Hutch (Seasons 2 and 4), Mannix (my fav not just for bass but all around tune).
Ah, I just mentioned Starsky and Hutch. Either theme is killer in their own way.
Damn...Mannix. Remember Barnaby Jones?
@@lorenzodicapo6305 Absolutely!
@@heirling25 ok, this could hey ugly:
Chopper One
An absolute walk down nostalgia lane, brilliant
Man, the White Shadow baseline was so in the pocket and funky..never heard that one before! 🙌🏼
I came here to make sure Night Court was #1, but I had never heard your #1 before. Great list, man.
I love "Hill Street Blues" which a friend told me about a cover from Rodney Franklin and I love "Taxi" from Bob James!!!!
Haha, I just listed those 2 as my fave ever theme tunes.
I used to have a CD with all mike Post's theme songs. Just hearing tunes from shows like Hill Street Blues reminded me of how great that show was.
I had something similar on vinyl.
That dude is so prolific and great!
CHIPS was also my fav show back in the 80s. I was really into it about age 5 to 10. Thats the first time I've heard it mentioned it in years! 😅
Your channel is delightful, thanks for the company
That stand up bass is a work of art
Love, love, love the inclusion of "Alf" and also love knowing who these players were. As a Steely Dan fan, I know all about Chuck Rainey's brilliance. And I love knowing that the guy who did "These Boots Are Made For Walking" also did "Barney Miller".
How very true, my friend - Chuck Berghofer Forever!