Unexpected musical partnerships that rocked the charts
Sometimes a hit song can inspire a TV show, and sometimes a TV show can make a hit song. Check out this gallery to see which theme songs from popular series have enjoyed success off-screen and on the charts, as reported by Billboard.
Show: 'Batman' (1966–1968)
Artist: The Marketts
Chart Peak: No. 17, Hot 100, 1966
Show: 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' (2003–Present)
Artist: P!nk
Chart Peak: No. 20, Digital Songs, 2015
Show: 'Hawaii Five-O' (1968–1980)
Artist: The Ventures
Chart Peak: No. 4, Hot 100, 1969
cheers
Show: 'Cheers' (1982–1993)
Artist: Gary Portnoy
Chart Peak: No. 28, Adult Contemporary, 1983
Show: 'Happy Days' (1974–1984)
Artist: Pratt & McClain
Chart Peak: No. 5, Hot 100, 1976
Show: 'Orange Is the New Black' (2013–Present)
Artist: Regina Spektor
Chart Peak: No. 15, Hot Singles Sales, 2014
Show: 'Charlie's Angels' (1976–1981)
Artist: Henry Mancini and His Orchestra
Chart Peak: No. 22, Adult Contemporary, 1977
Show: 'Magnum P.I.' (1980–1988)
Artist: Mike Post
Chart Peak: No. 25, Hot 100, 1982
Show: 'Starsky & Hutch' (1975–1979)
Artist: Rhythm Heritage
Chart Peak: No. 93, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, 1977
Show: 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' (2003–2007)
Artist: Widelife ft. Simone Denny
Chart Peak: No. 5, Dance Club Songs, 2004
Show: 'The Sopranos' (1999–2007)
Artist: A3
Chart Peak: No. 11, Adult Alternative Songs, 2000
Show: 'The Dukes of Hazzard' (1979–1985)
Artist: Waylon Jennings
Chart Peak: No. 1 (1 week), Hot Country Songs, 1980
Show: 'Cops' (1989–Present)
Artist: Inner Circle (pictured)
Chart Peak: No. 8, Hot 100, 1993
Show: 'Hannah Montana' (2006–2011)
Artist: Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus)
Chart Peak: No. 64, Digital Songs, 2006
Show: 'Smallville' (2001–2011)
Artist: Remy Zero
Chart Peak: No. 27, Alternative Songs, 2001
Show: 'The Love Boat' (1977–1987)
Artist: Jack Jones
Chart Peak: No. 37, Adult Contemporary, 1980
Show: 'The X-Files' (1993–2002)
Artist: Mark Snow
Chart Peak: No. 45, Dance Club Songs, 1998
Show: 'Dynasty' (1981–1989)
Artist: Bill Conti
Chart Peak: No. 18, Adult Contemporary, 1982
Artist: Massive Attack
Chart Peak: No. 10, Bubbling Under Hot 100, 1998
Show: 'Miami Vice' (1984–1990)
Artist: Jan Hammer
Chart Peak: No. 1 (1 week), Hot 100, 1985
Show: 'Malcolm in the Middle' (2000–2006)
Artist: They Might Be Giants
Chart Peak: No. 40, Modern Adult Contemporary, 2001
Show: 'L.A. Law' (1985–1989)
Artist: Mike Post
Chart Peak: No. 13, Adult Contemporary, 1988
Show: 'iCarly' (2007–2012)
Artist: Miranda Cosgrove
Chart Peak: No. 100, Hot 100, 2008
Show: 'Growing Pains' (1985–1992)
Artist: Steve Dorff & Friends
Chart Peak: No. 7, Adult Contemporary, 1989
Show: 'Twin Peaks' (1990–1991)
Artist: Julee Cruise
Chart Peak: No. 11, Alternative Songs, 1990
Show: 'Mission: Impossible' (1966–1973)
Artist: Lalo Schifrin
Chart Peak: No. 41, Hot 100, 1968
Show: 'Friends' (1994–2004)
Artist: The Rembrandts
Chart Peak: No. 1 (8 weeks), Radio Songs, 1995
Show: 'Party of Five' (1994–2000)
Artist: Bodeans
Chart Peak: No. 16, Hot 100, 1996
Show: 'Ally McBeal' (1997–2002)
Artist: Vonda Shepard
Chart Peak: No. 16, Radio Songs, 1998
TV theme songs that made it onto the charts
How many do you remember?
MUSIC Television
Sometimes a hit song can inspire a TV show, and sometimes a TV show can make a hit song. Check out this gallery to see which theme songs from popular series have enjoyed success off-screen and on the charts, as reported by Billboard.