Top 10 TV Themes of the 2000s

It seems like just yesterday we were wringing our hands over Y2K, emo haircuts and the rise of MP3s, and already we're wallowing in '90s nostalgia. Given that pace, we decided to jump on the retro-2000s train early, kicking things off with a jaunt through TV Land. Despite the single spooky note in the openings of 'Lost' and 'Heroes' supposedly signalling the end of proper theme songs -- the Emmys even briefly tried to eliminate the theme song category in 2010 -- the past decade saw a revival of the art form, so climb aboard as we take look at the best TV theme songs of the 2000s.


10. '30 Rock' (2006 - Present)

'30 Rock Theme'

Reflecting the show's razor-sharp writing style, Tina Fey's husband (and '30 Rock' producer) Jeff Richmond composed a rapid-fire jazz theme setting the screwball-comedy tone for the show's fast jabs, pop culture references and Liz Lemon's snacking habits. The only thing better would be a verse of Tracy Jordan's ridiculous 'Werewolf Bar Mitzvah' song.


9. 'The Big Bang Theory' (2007 – Present)

'The Big Bang Theory Theme'

Being hip doesn't matter to the show's three protagonists, so why should they forfeit a proper old-school theme song for a few notes and a "created by" credit which has become in vogue for prime time? The appropriately nerdy Barenaked Ladies-crafted tune, written specifically for the show, is a quirky explanation of the formation of the universe and, yes, far hipper than the original pilot's theme: Thomas Dolby's 'She Blinded Me With Science.'

Watch the Opening Credits to 'The Big Bang Theory'
8. 'The Office' (2005 - Present)

'The Office Theme'

Filmed by John Krasinski on a hand-held camcorder, the opening images of Scranton, Pennsylvania are accompanied by the Scrantones' musical stylings as a sleepy town in the Northern U.S. becomes romanticized as we're introduced to a flailing paper company. Simple, suburban yet innately energizing, the accessibility of 'The Office''s opening theme is on point with Dunder Mifflin's familial vibe.


7. 'The O.C.' (2003 - 2007)

'California'

For nearly four drama-ridden years, we were transported to Orange Country every Thursday night thanks to Phantom Planet and their ode to Californiaaaaaaa! Lead singer Alex Greenwald's emotional tone was apropos for the turbulent lives of privileged teens Seth, Summer, Marissa and Ryan and their weekly lesson that mo' money leads to mo' problematic plot twists.


6. 'True Blood' (2008 - Present)

'Bad Things'

Sex, blood and rock'n'roll (or road kill) could hardly find a better anthem than the musical stylings of Jace Everett and his deep-seated country drawl. Leaving no room for much clothing or network censors, the show's lust for, well, lust is established from the very first note of this sexy blues number. The inhibitions of those in Bon Temps have always been low and viewers might just abanndon their own with Everett's wicked promise to do bad things to you.


5. 'Sex and the City' (1998 - 2004)

'Sex and the City Theme'

Thanks to the intro's flirty tempo and a few choice notes, the show's then-controversial subject matter seemed almost as playful as Samantha's dating habits. And as the saxophone accompanied images of yellow cabs and New York City, the theme quickly became an anthem for those sipping on cosmos, clutching their it-bags and avoiding the wrath of public transit and rain.


3. 'Malcolm in the Middle' (2000 - 2006)

'Boss of Me'

The only thing that eclipsed Malcolm's genius was the TV show's theme song as They Might Be Giants' addictive chorus became ingrained in anyone partial to prime-time family dysfunction. And while star Frankie Muniz was obviously "the boss" of this Emmy-winning six-season series, little did we know that the show's opening theme foreshadowed patriarch Bryan Cranston's current role as 'Breaking Bad''s meth-maker Walter White, a character also defined as "boss."


2. 'How To Make It in America' (2010 - Present)

'I Need a Dollar'

Considering the current North American economic landscape, you'd be hard-pressed to find a theme song more appropriate for a series documenting the trials and tribulations of those chasing the American Dream. Images of consumption, commercialism and the streets of New York that Carrie Bradshaw's Manolos have never trod are paired with singer Aloe Blacc's golden-throated vocals about economic dire straights. The city has never seemed so romantic yet real. Isn't that what the fashion industry's supposed to be about, anyway?


1. 'Mad Men' (2007 - Present)

'A Beautiful Mine'

Drawn from the intro to RJD2's collaboration with rapper Aceyalone, 'Mad Men''s iconic hip-hop instrumental suits the series' bid to view nostalgia through a modern-day lens. As sleek as Don's hair and as clean as Sterling-Cooper's décor, the AMC anthem is also a sales pitch for simplicity -- at least when it comes to pairing 2D animation with the soundtrack to a man's fall from grace.