Music has a funny way of staying in our memory far better than words or pictures, so it’s no great surprise to us when hearing the theme tune to one of our favourite 1980s TV shows immediately transports us back to our childhood.
Below are 12 TV show theme tunes that we suspect you will still remember the words to. Be sure to post a comment letting us know how many of them you can still sing along to!
12. Wizbit
‘Ha ha this a way, ha ha that a way, ha ha this a way, my oh my. Ha ha this a way, ha ha that a way, ha ha this a way, my oh my.’
The show about an alien magician that featured the late Paul Daniels and his wife Debbie McGee had one of the catchiest theme tunes of all time, and we suspect that thinking about Wizbit for more than five seconds is liable to have you singing it!
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11. Big Break
‘It’s only a game so, put up a real good fight. I’m gonna be snookering you tonight. I’m famed for my aim so, you better believe I’m right. I’m gonna be snookering you, snookering you tonight.’
We never had any interest in snooker whatsoever, that was until the creation of the brilliant game show Big Break with its instantly recognisable singalong intro. Featuring trick shots by ex snooker player John Virgo, it was a game show that we desperately tried never to miss, and a theme tune that we knew all the words to.
10. Fun House
‘Fun House, it’s a whole lot of fun, prizes to be won, it’s a real crazy show where anything can go. Fun House, it’s a quiz, it’s a race, it’s a real wacky place. Use your body and your brain if you wanna play the game!’
Fun House was amazing, and whilst we enjoyed the whole show, especially the slightly slow-moving race cars, it was the Fun House finale that we were always waiting for with the most anticipation.
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9. The Generation Game
‘Life, is the name of the game, and I wanna play the game with you. Life, can be terribly tame, if you don’t play the game with two.’
We’re sure Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson did a great job, but it was definitely the Bruce Forsyth era of The Generation Game that holds the most special place in our hearts. The way he interacted with the contestants was wonderful, and at times absolutely hilarious.
8. Bertha
‘Bertha lovely Bertha, sometimes I think you’re a dream. When we work out what you have to do, you can always turn the goods out, always turn the goods out, we can depend upon you.’
Arriving with a theme tune that is stuck in our memory to this very day, Bertha told the story of a living factory machine that would make different interesting products each week. There was of course always a spanner in the works, sometimes literally, but they would always solve the problem just in time for Bertha to be able to meet her deadline.
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7. Going for Gold
‘The heat is on, the time is right. It’s time for you, for you to play your game. ‘Cause people are coming, everyone’s trying. Trying to be the best that they can, when they’re going for, going for Gold!’
We may be able to recite the classic theme tune from start to finish, but we’re not sure how much we can remember about Going for Gold game show itself. How about you?
6. Maid Marion and her Merry Men
‘Marian. Why don’t you carry on with what you’re doing. ‘Cause there’s always trouble brewing. You’ve got to find a way to make a better day.’
Maid Marion and her Merry Men was really funny, giving us a number of laugh out loud moments, as well as some really witty songs. We thought the show began in the 1990s, but found out today that it actually first hit our TV screens in 1989!
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5. Gladiators
‘Do you feel the power of the Gladiators. Do you have the will and the skill. Do you have the speed, the strength, the heart to be a winner, it’s not for beginners, deep down in your soul. Are you a Gladiator?’
Gladiators was on the air from October 1992 until January 2000, and we absolutely loved it. As well as singing along to the theme tune each week, we all had our favourite Gladiator, from the ripped muscles and questionable hair of Hunter, to the beautiful Jet.
4. Rainbow
‘Up above the streets and houses, rainbow climbing high. Everyone can see it smiling over the sky. Paint the whole world with a rainbow.’
You’ll all remember the legendary Rainbow theme tune, but did you know that there have been several dance versions of it released as singles? Solo had a minor hit in 1991 with an instrumental version of the theme, while Eurobop released a version in 1993 featuring voice samples of the main characters.
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3. Beadle’s About
‘Watch out, Beadle’s about. Watch out, Beadle’s about. You better watch out, ‘cause Beadle’s about. Watch out, Beadle’s about. Watch out, Beadle’s about. You better watch out, ‘cause Beadle’s about.’
‘Watch out, Beadle’s about’ went the theme tune, and we made sure to always watch out for this legendary TV show to appear on our TV screens, as we never wanted to miss the late, great Jeremy Beadle carrying out some brilliant practical jokes on members of the unsuspecting public.
2. The Trap Door
‘Don’t you open that trap door, you’re a fool if you dare. Stay away from that trap door, ’cause there’s something down there.’
Not only did it have a fabulously catch intro, but The Trap Door is still something of a cult favourite, remaining one of the most widely recognised family TV shows of the 1980s.
1. Baywatch
‘I’ll be ready, whenever you fear, oh don’t you fear. I’ll be ready, forever and always, I’m always here.’
One of the most memorable TV programmes of our entire childhood, Baywatch was one of those shows that we all loved to sit down and watch with our entire family. And we don’t know about you, but we’re still a bit partial to having a boogie whilst listening to its wonderfully uplifting theme tune!
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