I think it's funny how the NFL will hype up the most mid matchups. like yesss we're all so excited to see the Giants and Panthers face off in Germany. meanwhile, the NBA media always talks about the big teams like the Lakers, Celtics, and Warriors and shows low respect for smaller markets (as a Mavericks fan, it's really annoying to see the media disrespect our team). like, recently they wrote that the NBA cup semifinal matchup between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder (two top teams in the Western Conference btw) "may have not been the marquee NBA Cup semifinal the league was hoping for". like c'mon.
I know you're not much for racing but the NASCAR on FOX Theme from the 2000's (that they started using again within the last few years) deserves a shout. It is top tier hype and well loved in the NASCAR racing world.
As an european the most iconic sports theme song that isnt a club hymn is the UEFA champions league one. When its the finals, that THE CHAAAMPIONS comes on man it just hits different. Kinda like what you described with the nhl. Also ngl if you hadnt told me the world cup has a seperate theme song that isnt the specific pop song for the tournament i wouldnt have known. granted the latter are also very hit or miss regarding if you remember them or not
The mid-late 00’s NFL themes were incredible and easily the most memorable. SNF on NBC, NFL on CBS, and of course NFL on FOX theme. Fun fact: The late 00’s CBS theme was written by E.S. Posthumous. Their music was featured in Casino Royale and the original Spider-man movie.
Fun fact the Olympics theme song we think of… is actually only the American Olympics song. There is no official song for the Olympics as each country has their own.
The thing about sports theme songs is that it should really capture the essence of the sport, and the old CBS/NBC/TNT ones did it so well for the NBA. The new ESPN theme feels like the theme song equivalent of minimalism
Very true-- also IMO, the 1984 CBS College Football theme music captures the essence of it far better than today's Lloyd Landesman one (that Landesman one has lasted far too long), and the studio music was far better as well (the 1982 NCAA Today theme music, also used for The Prudential College Football Report w/Jim Nantz in his first two seasons at the Tiffany Network).
There's a special feeling when a March Madness underdog hits a huge 3-pointer to greatly increase their chance of winning, the opposing team calls a timeout, and the March Madness theme leads into the commercial break, or when an upset happens, the announcer says "so long from (insert city name)!" and the song plays out. There is nothing like it
The NBA on TNT Theme is one of the best and has a lot of iconic teams tied to it as well! The Big 3 Miami Heat, Lob City Clippers, Spurs, KD/Russ Thunder, Early 2010s Pacers, etc
nascar has a BUNCH of iconic themes. 1998-200 CBS, 2001 FOX, 2008 ESPN, 2015 NBC. old heads love 90s ESPN speedworld. there is so much. also 2000s indy car on abc theme is crack.
as someone who only watches the nhl during the playoffs, the theme hits so different, especially knowing you were about to listen to doc rip out an iconic “shoots and he scORES”
Great video, I know you're not Canadian so the exposure isn't there but the classic Hockey Night in Canada theme is one of the greatest. I'm not even a big hockey fan but when that music hit during playoff time you KNEW you were in for some of the most intense hockey ever.
-The CBS CFB theme was first used in 1987, and their SEC package was introduced in 1996. That, plus the service academy and Mountain West coverage, kinda shows why it would be silly to retire it because it's no longer with the SEC. You may associate it with that, but it's just their general CFB theme -They did replace that CBB on CBS theme. Well, technically. We're on variation #3. For context, you played variation #2. Some themes to listen to: -CBS NFL (1993-2002, any version, but preferably 2001) -MNF ABC Alternate Theme (1989-2005, as seen on Sportsball) -NBC Bowl Theme (1990-1995) -NBC Notre Dame Theme (1991-200?) -ESPN SNF Theme AND Intro (1989-1994)
There are some pretty iconic NASCAR theme songs, the best of which in my opinion is ESPN SPEEDWORLD, which they used from 1998 to 2006. Just listening to that brings me back to when I was young and watching Racing with my dad and brother on the couch. Also awesome was the SPEED Channel theme (rip SPEED, I spent so much time growing up on that channel). The 2001-2007 NASCAR on FOX theme just makes me so excited for the race to start. Also, the F1 intro song is intense and is incredible at hyping up the race, especially with the video showing all the drivers. On the other hand, there was a year or 2 where FOX reused their NFL Theme for their NASCAR coverage, and let me tell you, it was infuriating and just did not fit at all. That decision followed years of lackluster Country songs that they used after they replaced their iconic intro that I mentioned earlier.
Less so a TV network theme song but one of the classics I grew up with was the NBA's "Where Amazing Happens" commercials and the beautiful piano playing in the background. There was just something about it that will stick with me for a long time and that era of LeBron, Kobe, Nash, Duncan, and so on. Great memories.
Core memory for me was the NFL music that played during ‘The Blitz’ on Monday mornings with Chris Berman. They use it for the fastest 3 minutes he does on MNF too and I get nostalgic over it every time
ABC's Indycar theme does a fantastic job of capturing that you are watching a bunch of daredevils driving incredibly fast cars ridiculously close to solid concrete walls, and one another. It's exciting and dangerous and just an utter spectacle - and the theme really nails that. More recently, the Formula E theme is an interesting case where they're focusing more on technological advancement over ludicrous speed, so they've gone in a slightly different direction with a cello of all things. It works well.
The NBC John Williams NFL theme always hits different for me because of the time of the game. It's like "Man I'm tired I've just watched 7 hours of football, I'm in a food coma, time for be--" BOM BOM BOM DO DO DODO DO DOOOO
This is one of my favorite topics you've covered. My top 11 that are a little off the beaten path, in no particular order: 1) NHL on ABC. Not the ESPN National Hockey Night version, the one from ABC circa early 2000s. 2) ESPN's NCAA Championships, most easily found in the NCAA Baseball 06 game. 3) The original X Games theme. 4) Current NASCAR on NBC. 5) ABC's Indy 500 theme (High Gear). 6) Brian Tyler's ripper of an an F1 theme. 7) Pre Posthumus Zone CBS NFL. 8) NBC Wimbledon. 9) The Yanni song NBC uses for the PGA majors. 10) The current TNT NHL theme. 11) ESPN's XFL/UFL theme.
Respect to the ABC-specific NHL theme, also composed by Bob Christiansen. Wish they'd bring it back in some capacity. I miss the NBC Wimbledon opening terribly. FWIW, the Yanni song is "In Celebration of Man."
@jimsmerbeck4049 you're right! For some reason 92-98 is what I consider Pots and Pans (it's steals some elements from the real Pots and Pans) and its soooooo good.
there’s some good soccer ones too. if you watched the 2022 world cup, you’ll probably recognize the fox soccer theme once it starts playing. espn had a good soccer theme too that they would play often back when they used to have soccer tournaments on espn. mls on fox has a good theme too.
The NBA on NBC theme is the undisputed GOAT, but what also enhanced the song were the spectacular intros that would precede it. Combine those two elements with the slick NBA logo design as the song begins and it instantly sets the tone regardless of how important the game actually is. To me it feels like all the themes that we hear before NBA games today just doesn't have the same weight, and there isn't much of an effort to hype up the upcoming game.
Alright, so two theme songs that always linger around in my mind were the ESPN NCAA Championships theme music and audio packages from like the mid 2000s to like the late 2010s. I used to associate that with the College World Series (since MVP NCAA Baseball 06 and 07 would play them often) and the FCS Playoffs in college football. The other one was originally the BCS on FOX theme around the late 2000s and they would make for some very hyped up bowl matches, especially when Urban Meyers' Florida Gators teams were involved. It was then reused by the Fox Soccer Channel for virtually every game in the early 2010s. Nothing was more exciting than hearing that high energy BCS theme song in the opening, only to trip us up with coverage of the USL Pro and a bog-standard game between the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Antigua Barracuda that ended 1-0 to Pittsburgh in front of a raucous and rowdy 3,000 fans.
Some of the local broadcasts have good themes. I got so used to hearing the MSG theme when watching a Rangers game that I can still here Sam Rosen on the call once that theme hits. I hope he enjoys retirement.
NBA on NBC in the late 80's thru the 90's was the peak of iconic. Starts off with that drum fill, then the horns come in. It makes you feel triumphant, even if your just folding clothes or making a pizza.
God, it's been probably over a decade since I last watched an MLB game on FOX, but if my brain is a house, that theme just drove a bulldozer through the walls. All of a sudden, I'm 7 years old watching the 04 ALCS and cheering desperately for the Red Sox to come back. What an excellent theme song
nothing compares to the classic NBA on NBC theme. The NFL has bangers too. And the MLB theme halfway through the video is iconic as hell too. But NBA on NBC is #1 no question
The MLB on Fox theme for me was the childhood theme of the Dodgers (mid-2000s). Not that that was a great era for the Dodgers, but because the Dodger games were on Fox’s regional sports network for LA at the time (before it was bought by Diamond Sports) and they of course used Fox’s MLB theme for that. That was the music that got me hyped to hear the immortal Vin Scully proclaim, “It’s time for Dodger Baseball!”
Most people watching this won't be able relate but the channel 9 cricket theme is the one that sticks with me the most. The track is called "New Horizons" by Brian Bennett and I was caught so off guard when I heard it used in a Jon Bois video.
The NBA on NBC and the CBS theme songs have always been my favorites. Not necessarily what you’re talking about but One Shining Moment is another one that I’ve always loved. Especially since you only hear it once a year
I'm from Italy, and I've never seen any of these shows or heard any of these themes. Why am I feeling nostalgic for something that has never been in my life
The NHL on ESPN theme I think the best theme for an NHL broadcast. It’s tied to those late 90s matchups between the Red Wings and Avalanche in their blood feud, along with knowing you are going to be hearing Gary Thorne call an iconic masterpiece of a play-by-play commentary.
CBS Sports in the early '90s was dropping banger after banger. Their college football and basketball songs are the ones that they still build off the main motif from today, but I think their baseball theme is the one that's really underrated; it feels very epic and pastoral, like capturing the entire grand history of baseball in one theme song. The NFL Today theme (from before they lost the NFC to FOX), that synth and bass overture before the rock drums kick in is exquisite.
"The NFL Today theme (from before they lost the NFC to FOX), that synth and bass overture before the rock drums kick in is exquisite." Are you talking about the 80s version of Horizontal Hold (where the CBS Eye Device became that animated football running back that ran through a simulated studio; said studio animation collapsing into The NFL Today title at the end when the Studio 43 shot faded in)?
The old ESPN College Basketball theme reminds me so much of when Maryland was in the ACC and the great match ups against Duke. Especially the whole UMD fanbase vs JJ Redick.
One of the more modern sports theme song I really like is the one NBC uses for college football right now. It just gets you all hyped up and excited for the big prime time match up
The reason NFL Films is so good is because they are all (or at least mostly) composed by the genius David Robidoux. Hard Knocks, Hall of Fame theme, Good Morning Football, Total Access... He also composed the MLBN Thursday Night Baseball Theme.
NFL Films definitely has the most great songs. I do not get why ABC/ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox or Amazon broadcasts do not use them. I wish the NFL would commission more classical musical being composed for future videos and broadcasts. In fact, more themes needs to be commissioned in general for sports.
ESPN's hockey theme in the 90s, the FIA Formula 1 little electric guitar thing from the same era, and Heavy Action for Monday Night Football are basically my childhood. So many great ones you shouted out in here, nicely done. Actually had a music teacher show us the NFL Films recap of Super Bowl III just to pay attention to the score.
There's so many great sports theme songs out there. Alot are obscure and haven't been heard by many. My favorites are in no particular order. 1. This Week in Baseball 2. Champions League 3. Euroleague Basketball (V1) - this one gives me goosebumps when I hear it. 4. Euroleague (V2) 5. 80's USFL 6. CSTV Friday Night Hockey 4.
I was hoping for a mention of the NFL Primetime highlights music. They were the perfect underlay for Berman and TJ to break down games in long form. Nobody has been able to match that since. NBC tries. You can find the songs here on youtube if curious.
I'm almost insluted that neither the iconic Pots and Pans nor the epic Posthumus Zone (the 90s, and current, NFL on CBS themes, respectively) were even mentioned in passing! What are they? Chopped liver?
Man i grew up on all these classics....but for me, nothing will ever top the NBA on NBC one from the 90s. There was nothing better than a Sunday afternoon, Bulls vs Knicks or vs Pacers or something, and that NBA on NBC music starts you off. Best memories
Nothing beats the NFL on CBS theme. I grew up a Browns fan and they ALWAYS were on CBS, even more consistently than other AFC teams it seemed like. It always got me hyped and tricked me into thinking the Browns might actually win the game
AFC is on CBS while NFC is on Fox*, unless it's a cross conference game which usually is the visiting conference broadcasting, but it really depends. Also if you grew up in the Cleveland TV marked it makes sense that you'd be seeing Browns games more often than some other game played at the same time... *this has been the case for the past 30 year or so.
Honorable forgotten In the video NBA on TNT. Every time I hear the theme I know the game might be unwatchable but I'll be there for pre/post game and halftime. Also- this could be a cool follow up video but idk but would love to hear you wax poetically about the iconic themes from famous sports movies/tv shows.
One that was kinda off the beaten path was the sound design for sportsnation on espn. Pretty different from a lot of what they had on at the time as it was mainly targeted at a different audience. I have fond memories of getting home from school and seeing what happened that day in the sports world.
Watching this video has just been a rush of nostalgia as a sports fan since the late 00s. Big one for me has to be the theme they use for Fastest 3 Minutes, International Statement. Theme of so many crazy football plays and comebacks from as far back as I can remember
Man, I can’t believe I forgot the BCS theme. Legendary. Also, Sunday Night Football theme itself is the best of the last decade-plus. And don’t sleep on NHL on ABC.
I know it’s not TV, but growing up around Cincinnati, I would hear the “THE REDS ARE ON THE RADIO” song all the time on the radio and it was and is still awesome. Very rock feeling with heavy guitars and drums.
Lotta great themes that you mention, but if there’s one that’s always gonna be an earworm for me all year round, it’s the March Madness theme. I’ll often catch myself humming that theme for no reason no matter what time of year it is. It’s so happy, celebratory, and energetic. The rhythm makes you want to jog. Everything about it says, “Sports are supposed to be fun! Who cares who makes it to the Final Four so long as we all have fun with our friends getting there!”
It's wild that some of these theme songs are for sports that I rarely/never watch, and yet still have that nostalgic feeling I typically don't watch college sports, and yet those songs hit hard for some reason
Really love your sports commentary videos, but not about the sport themselves, but these little side things that most people forget about. Would love a video talking about scoring bugs in various sports and TV networks, the good, the bad, the ugly.
An opening theme song that I enjoyed was the HBO Boxing theme. Overall, I really enjoyed HBO’s presentation for boxing. I really wish boxing on HBO was still around.
I’ll mention a couple of my favorite/nostalgic themes: The current Formula One intro conducted by Brian Tyler Bob Christianson’s fantastic NHL on ESPN theme The old Indy 500 openings with the theme from “The Delta Force” and Paul Page’s narration “Augusta” by Dave Loggins, however, is #1 for me. Acoustic guitar and piano leading into full orchestra. Shots of magnolias and azaleas. Jim Nantz’s greeting -“Hello friends.” It perfectly captures the beauty of Augusta National and the prestige of the Masters.
“60 minutes is the official song for the Sunday Scaries” Truer words have never been spoken
Sunday night football from 2008-2015 was different and always bittersweet because of school the next day ❤
Omg
Speaks to me on another level 😂
Nothing but the truth
Hit me to my core. 😅
NBA on NBC back then: Time to watch Michael Jordan.
Now: "Prepare yourself... FOR TANKBOWL!"
Found the UTree fan!
I'm pretty sure most of the Secret Base crew are low-key UrinatingTree fans.
Tank bowl!!!!!!! Men of culture were here lol
I was thinking the same lmao, I associate it more with Tank Bowl than NBA 😂
I think it's funny how the NFL will hype up the most mid matchups. like yesss we're all so excited to see the Giants and Panthers face off in Germany. meanwhile, the NBA media always talks about the big teams like the Lakers, Celtics, and Warriors and shows low respect for smaller markets (as a Mavericks fan, it's really annoying to see the media disrespect our team). like, recently they wrote that the NBA cup semifinal matchup between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder (two top teams in the Western Conference btw) "may have not been the marquee NBA Cup semifinal the league was hoping for". like c'mon.
The Champion's League theme is the perfect intro to a world class soccer match.
football
I love that theme. It makes you feel like you are about to watch something epic.
But they never put the full lyrics in, so you just hear... "The Chaaaaammmpiiiiionnnnns" 3-4 times.
@@ChaseRiver2boo hoo
The Hockey Night in Canada theme song is pretty iconic
Thought it was so cool they got rush to cover it and it got put it rock band.
Doot do-doot do-doot.
THIS. Our poor American friends have been robbed from an All Timer
Canadian Gold (which replaced the longtime theme in '08) was really good until Rogers screwed it up by modifying it in '14 lol
The iconic theme song that is now a regional theme song that I can't play at a hockey game in Alberta or BC? Thanks TSN!!
Sleeping on the NASCAR theme music. ESPN Speedworld hits different
I know you're not much for racing but the NASCAR on FOX Theme from the 2000's (that they started using again within the last few years) deserves a shout. It is top tier hype and well loved in the NASCAR racing world.
I was thinking of that one myself when watching this 👍
Yeah, same for the ESPN Speedworld theme in the 90s and early 2000s. That was so good.
Speeds generic theme was peak, you knew you were getting a practice session or qualify. Their late 2000s trucks intro was hype.
IndyCar on NBC also slams
Imsa as well
As an european the most iconic sports theme song that isnt a club hymn is the UEFA champions league one. When its the finals, that THE CHAAAMPIONS comes on man it just hits different. Kinda like what you described with the nhl.
Also ngl if you hadnt told me the world cup has a seperate theme song that isnt the specific pop song for the tournament i wouldnt have known. granted the latter are also very hit or miss regarding if you remember them or not
YES. THE CHAMPIONS.
The mid-late 00’s NFL themes were incredible and easily the most memorable. SNF on NBC, NFL on CBS, and of course NFL on FOX theme.
Fun fact: The late 00’s CBS theme was written by E.S. Posthumous. Their music was featured in Casino Royale and the original Spider-man movie.
Fun fact the Olympics theme song we think of… is actually only the American Olympics song. There is no official song for the Olympics as each country has their own.
This is a big reason why I’m hyped for LA 2028. John Williams did compositions for LA 84 and Atlanta 96. I hope they go back to him one last time.
John Williams doesn’t miss
Explains why the Mario & Sonic games went in the direction they did.
@@james101089 he did Salt Lake '02 too
Brisco County Jr.
The thing about sports theme songs is that it should really capture the essence of the sport, and the old CBS/NBC/TNT ones did it so well for the NBA. The new ESPN theme feels like the theme song equivalent of minimalism
Very true-- also IMO, the 1984 CBS College Football theme music captures the essence of it far better than today's Lloyd Landesman one (that Landesman one has lasted far too long), and the studio music was far better as well (the 1982 NCAA Today theme music, also used for The Prudential College Football Report w/Jim Nantz in his first two seasons at the Tiffany Network).
The NFL Films music is one of my favorite parts of playing Madden 08. That game goes insanely hard on PC with updated rosters
NBA on NBC will forever be NUMBER 1
I like how the SEC music just makes you think of "moments alabama lost"
Song of Kick Six.
Or all of the "SEC championships Alabama won"
We need a part two of this! For me personally, I love all the NFL themes (CBS, FOX, ESPN, NBC) as well as the F1 theme by Brian Tyler.
Speaking of Bryan Tyler, the USGA/Belmont Stakes theme for Fox
Also, CBS’ golf themes are underrated
I didn't even watch football as a kid but the NFL on Fox theme is engraved in my mind as being The Football Song
Yep it's objectively the best NFL TV song, especially during the playoffs. Hits so different
I hear “Sleigh Ride” in it
@@explosivereactionstv7414NFL on CBS definitely has an argument in that conversation but I personally agree with you
@@explosivereactionstv7414CBS’ music package for the NFL is something else
Old school NFL PrimeTime theme songs. Every last one of them.
Goated
There's a special feeling when a March Madness underdog hits a huge 3-pointer to greatly increase their chance of winning, the opposing team calls a timeout, and the March Madness theme leads into the commercial break, or when an upset happens, the announcer says "so long from (insert city name)!" and the song plays out. There is nothing like it
The NBA on TNT Theme is one of the best and has a lot of iconic teams tied to it as well! The Big 3 Miami Heat, Lob City Clippers, Spurs, KD/Russ Thunder, Early 2010s Pacers, etc
rent free theme in my head fr😭
nascar has a BUNCH of iconic themes. 1998-200 CBS, 2001 FOX, 2008 ESPN, 2015 NBC. old heads love 90s ESPN speedworld. there is so much. also 2000s indy car on abc theme is crack.
Delta Force theme music for ABC's Indy 500s in the 1990s unmatched in motorsports.
The IndyCar on ABC theme was used all the way to the end in the 2017 season
as someone who only watches the nhl during the playoffs, the theme hits so different, especially knowing you were about to listen to doc rip out an iconic “shoots and he scORES”
Honorable mentions:
NHL on ESPN
NASCAR on FOX
F1 Theme
Great video, I know you're not Canadian so the exposure isn't there but the classic Hockey Night in Canada theme is one of the greatest. I'm not even a big hockey fan but when that music hit during playoff time you KNEW you were in for some of the most intense hockey ever.
-The CBS CFB theme was first used in 1987, and their SEC package was introduced in 1996. That, plus the service academy and Mountain West coverage, kinda shows why it would be silly to retire it because it's no longer with the SEC. You may associate it with that, but it's just their general CFB theme
-They did replace that CBB on CBS theme. Well, technically. We're on variation #3. For context, you played variation #2.
Some themes to listen to:
-CBS NFL (1993-2002, any version, but preferably 2001)
-MNF ABC Alternate Theme (1989-2005, as seen on Sportsball)
-NBC Bowl Theme (1990-1995)
-NBC Notre Dame Theme (1991-200?)
-ESPN SNF Theme AND Intro (1989-1994)
There are some pretty iconic NASCAR theme songs, the best of which in my opinion is ESPN SPEEDWORLD, which they used from 1998 to 2006. Just listening to that brings me back to when I was young and watching Racing with my dad and brother on the couch. Also awesome was the SPEED Channel theme (rip SPEED, I spent so much time growing up on that channel). The 2001-2007 NASCAR on FOX theme just makes me so excited for the race to start. Also, the F1 intro song is intense and is incredible at hyping up the race, especially with the video showing all the drivers.
On the other hand, there was a year or 2 where FOX reused their NFL Theme for their NASCAR coverage, and let me tell you, it was infuriating and just did not fit at all. That decision followed years of lackluster Country songs that they used after they replaced their iconic intro that I mentioned earlier.
Less so a TV network theme song but one of the classics I grew up with was the NBA's "Where Amazing Happens" commercials and the beautiful piano playing in the background. There was just something about it that will stick with me for a long time and that era of LeBron, Kobe, Nash, Duncan, and so on. Great memories.
Thanks!
Core memory for me was the NFL music that played during ‘The Blitz’ on Monday mornings with Chris Berman. They use it for the fastest 3 minutes he does on MNF too and I get nostalgic over it every time
ABC's Indycar theme does a fantastic job of capturing that you are watching a bunch of daredevils driving incredibly fast cars ridiculously close to solid concrete walls, and one another. It's exciting and dangerous and just an utter spectacle - and the theme really nails that.
More recently, the Formula E theme is an interesting case where they're focusing more on technological advancement over ludicrous speed, so they've gone in a slightly different direction with a cello of all things. It works well.
The ABC Indycar theme lasted 20 years, which is pretty amazing given the amount of change the sport went through during that time.
The NBC John Williams NFL theme always hits different for me because of the time of the game. It's like "Man I'm tired I've just watched 7 hours of football, I'm in a food coma, time for be--" BOM BOM BOM DO DO DODO DO DOOOO
That song always reminds me of "The Arena" from Attack of the Clones which makes sense since Williams composed both of those pieces
Man, Roundball Rock and the NBA on ABC and TNT themes are so great, but I didn't realize until now how much I missed the Pistons/Spurs era theme.
This is one of my favorite topics you've covered. My top 11 that are a little off the beaten path, in no particular order:
1) NHL on ABC. Not the ESPN National Hockey Night version, the one from ABC circa early 2000s.
2) ESPN's NCAA Championships, most easily found in the NCAA Baseball 06 game.
3) The original X Games theme.
4) Current NASCAR on NBC.
5) ABC's Indy 500 theme (High Gear).
6) Brian Tyler's ripper of an an F1 theme.
7) Pre Posthumus Zone CBS NFL.
8) NBC Wimbledon.
9) The Yanni song NBC uses for the PGA majors.
10) The current TNT NHL theme.
11) ESPN's XFL/UFL theme.
Pre Posthumus Zone as in Pots and Pans? (the 90s theme music)
The F1 theme is so good. And so versatile in arrangement.
@GaviLazan I think he means the 1992-93/1998 theme. Pots and pans was before that
Respect to the ABC-specific NHL theme, also composed by Bob Christiansen. Wish they'd bring it back in some capacity.
I miss the NBC Wimbledon opening terribly.
FWIW, the Yanni song is "In Celebration of Man."
@jimsmerbeck4049 you're right! For some reason 92-98 is what I consider Pots and Pans (it's steals some elements from the real Pots and Pans) and its soooooo good.
Not including the Masters theme is criminal Kofie
When he talked about calmer theme songs I thought for sure the Masters was coming!
I was looking for this comment
Amen
A tradition unlike any other...........
The Masters... blacks and women only begrudgingly allowed.
Golf was stale before it was even invented.
The background tracks from NFL Primetime during the heyday of Chris Berman and Tom Jackson were goated
there’s some good soccer ones too. if you watched the 2022 world cup, you’ll probably recognize the fox soccer theme once it starts playing. espn had a good soccer theme too that they would play often back when they used to have soccer tournaments on espn. mls on fox has a good theme too.
Early 2000s ncaa football on ABC, RIP John Saunders
NHL on NBC was peak sports theme. Just straight nostalgia for me as someone who grew up in Chicago during the Blackhawks dynasty
NBA on TNT just has a warm nostalgia to it that lets you know you’re in for a fun, exciting night of hoops and banter, just pure a smile on my face
Current Formula 1 Theme needs some recognition. Early Sunday mornings when that theme plays I just need it in my veins.
The NBA on NBC theme is the undisputed GOAT, but what also enhanced the song were the spectacular intros that would precede it. Combine those two elements with the slick NBA logo design as the song begins and it instantly sets the tone regardless of how important the game actually is. To me it feels like all the themes that we hear before NBA games today just doesn't have the same weight, and there isn't much of an effort to hype up the upcoming game.
12:37 Hell YES it is perfection! Was waiting for this one. Also, that State hockey sweater is absolute fire. Thanks for the love!
Alright, so two theme songs that always linger around in my mind were the ESPN NCAA Championships theme music and audio packages from like the mid 2000s to like the late 2010s. I used to associate that with the College World Series (since MVP NCAA Baseball 06 and 07 would play them often) and the FCS Playoffs in college football.
The other one was originally the BCS on FOX theme around the late 2000s and they would make for some very hyped up bowl matches, especially when Urban Meyers' Florida Gators teams were involved. It was then reused by the Fox Soccer Channel for virtually every game in the early 2010s. Nothing was more exciting than hearing that high energy BCS theme song in the opening, only to trip us up with coverage of the USL Pro and a bog-standard game between the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Antigua Barracuda that ended 1-0 to Pittsburgh in front of a raucous and rowdy 3,000 fans.
Someone send this to TSN so they bring back their iconic curling theme for the Scotties. Its era has not ended
Some of the local broadcasts have good themes. I got so used to hearing the MSG theme when watching a Rangers game that I can still here Sam Rosen on the call once that theme hits. I hope he enjoys retirement.
NBA on NBC in the late 80's thru the 90's was the peak of iconic. Starts off with that drum fill, then the horns come in. It makes you feel triumphant, even if your just folding clothes or making a pizza.
God, it's been probably over a decade since I last watched an MLB game on FOX, but if my brain is a house, that theme just drove a bulldozer through the walls. All of a sudden, I'm 7 years old watching the 04 ALCS and cheering desperately for the Red Sox to come back. What an excellent theme song
nothing compares to the classic NBA on NBC theme. The NFL has bangers too. And the MLB theme halfway through the video is iconic as hell too. But NBA on NBC is #1 no question
I really wish CBS would bring back the theme they had from the NFL from 1992-2002. Best Sports theme IMO.
The MLB on Fox theme for me was the childhood theme of the Dodgers (mid-2000s). Not that that was a great era for the Dodgers, but because the Dodger games were on Fox’s regional sports network for LA at the time (before it was bought by Diamond Sports) and they of course used Fox’s MLB theme for that.
That was the music that got me hyped to hear the immortal Vin Scully proclaim, “It’s time for Dodger Baseball!”
You completely forgot the masters theme song. It’s paired with the March Madness theme and signifies the beginning of spring
Facts, once that 60 minutes preview hits during the late afternoon game, you know your weekend is officially OVER!!
Most people watching this won't be able relate but the channel 9 cricket theme is the one that sticks with me the most. The track is called "New Horizons" by Brian Bennett and I was caught so off guard when I heard it used in a Jon Bois video.
The NBA on NBC and the CBS theme songs have always been my favorites. Not necessarily what you’re talking about but One Shining Moment is another one that I’ve always loved. Especially since you only hear it once a year
I'm from Italy, and I've never seen any of these shows or heard any of these themes.
Why am I feeling nostalgic for something that has never been in my life
11:27 the 30 for 30 podcast theme song was phenomenal. Not sure if they still do those, but that trumpet had me at attention.
The early 2010s Espn college football non-prime time theme is awesome. It’s also used in the ncaa games from that era too
This is one of the best retrospectives you’ve done
The NHL on ESPN theme I think the best theme for an NHL broadcast. It’s tied to those late 90s matchups between the Red Wings and Avalanche in their blood feud, along with knowing you are going to be hearing Gary Thorne call an iconic masterpiece of a play-by-play commentary.
The NFL on NBC had a new theme just for 1994 and it is the hardest sports theme of all time. Inexplicable why it only lasted one season.
Im so glad you chose to discuss the importance of sports themes. Also, ABC college football from the late 90s screams classic big ten saturdays.
I know it’s not quite the same but I really miss Madden’s “gameday” theme. The “duh-duh-duh-duh-duuuuh, DAH DUH DUM” was iconic.
CBS Sports in the early '90s was dropping banger after banger. Their college football and basketball songs are the ones that they still build off the main motif from today, but I think their baseball theme is the one that's really underrated; it feels very epic and pastoral, like capturing the entire grand history of baseball in one theme song. The NFL Today theme (from before they lost the NFC to FOX), that synth and bass overture before the rock drums kick in is exquisite.
"The NFL Today theme (from before they lost the NFC to FOX), that synth and bass overture before the rock drums kick in is exquisite."
Are you talking about the 80s version of Horizontal Hold (where the CBS Eye Device became that animated football running back that ran through a simulated studio; said studio animation collapsing into The NFL Today title at the end when the Studio 43 shot faded in)?
The old ESPN College Basketball theme reminds me so much of when Maryland was in the ACC and the great match ups against Duke. Especially the whole UMD fanbase vs JJ Redick.
One of the more modern sports theme song I really like is the one NBC uses for college football right now. It just gets you all hyped up and excited for the big prime time match up
The reason NFL Films is so good is because they are all (or at least mostly) composed by the genius David Robidoux. Hard Knocks, Hall of Fame theme, Good Morning Football, Total Access... He also composed the MLBN Thursday Night Baseball Theme.
I finally found my niche nerdy corner of the internet. Loved this
NFL Films definitely has the most great songs. I do not get why ABC/ESPN, CBS, NBC, Fox or Amazon broadcasts do not use them. I wish the NFL would commission more classical musical being composed for future videos and broadcasts. In fact, more themes needs to be commissioned in general for sports.
ESPN's hockey theme in the 90s, the FIA Formula 1 little electric guitar thing from the same era, and Heavy Action for Monday Night Football are basically my childhood. So many great ones you shouted out in here, nicely done. Actually had a music teacher show us the NFL Films recap of Super Bowl III just to pay attention to the score.
There's so many great sports theme songs out there. Alot are obscure and haven't been heard by many. My favorites are in no particular order.
1. This Week in Baseball
2. Champions League
3. Euroleague Basketball (V1)
- this one gives me goosebumps when I hear it.
4. Euroleague (V2)
5. 80's USFL
6. CSTV Friday Night Hockey
4.
I was hoping for a mention of the NFL Primetime highlights music. They were the perfect underlay for Berman and TJ to break down games in long form. Nobody has been able to match that since. NBC tries. You can find the songs here on youtube if curious.
He said he didn’t have cable so he probably didn’t have fond memories watching the Swami!
@@rand479m5 I guess I missed that line.
“Championsssss”
The Whole Stadium belting it out too, incredible scenes
I'm almost insluted that neither the iconic Pots and Pans nor the epic Posthumus Zone (the 90s, and current, NFL on CBS themes, respectively) were even mentioned in passing! What are they? Chopped liver?
Man i grew up on all these classics....but for me, nothing will ever top the NBA on NBC one from the 90s. There was nothing better than a Sunday afternoon, Bulls vs Knicks or vs Pacers or something, and that NBA on NBC music starts you off. Best memories
NFL on NBC in the early 90s was heat too. John Tesh wrote that one too
Nothing beats the NFL on CBS theme. I grew up a Browns fan and they ALWAYS were on CBS, even more consistently than other AFC teams it seemed like. It always got me hyped and tricked me into thinking the Browns might actually win the game
AFC is on CBS while NFC is on Fox*, unless it's a cross conference game which usually is the visiting conference broadcasting, but it really depends. Also if you grew up in the Cleveland TV marked it makes sense that you'd be seeing Browns games more often than some other game played at the same time...
*this has been the case for the past 30 year or so.
Honorable forgotten In the video NBA on TNT. Every time I hear the theme I know the game might be unwatchable but I'll be there for pre/post game and halftime.
Also- this could be a cool follow up video but idk but would love to hear you wax poetically about the iconic themes from famous sports movies/tv shows.
One that was kinda off the beaten path was the sound design for sportsnation on espn. Pretty different from a lot of what they had on at the time as it was mainly targeted at a different audience. I have fond memories of getting home from school and seeing what happened that day in the sports world.
Started the video, grinned and bopped out continuously for the duration.
Two thumbs up content 👍👍
The NHL on NBC is sneaky elite.
SEC on CBS, legendary.
And I loved the 90s Sports center themes. Give me sax in everything.
Watching this video has just been a rush of nostalgia as a sports fan since the late 00s.
Big one for me has to be the theme they use for Fastest 3 Minutes, International Statement. Theme of so many crazy football plays and comebacks from as far back as I can remember
Let's give it up for the CBS NBA theme from the 1980s... perfect for Lakers-Celtics.
Indeed-- that one far better encapsulated what the Association was all about (this ESPN/ABC junk is not fit for listening, IMO).
Go find some late-80s CBS NFC intros. Pat Summerall at the peak of his powers leading into themes that pretty much defined the modern TV sports intro.
Written in the Stars, football (soccer) in Ireland/UK is goated
Man, I can’t believe I forgot the BCS theme. Legendary.
Also, Sunday Night Football theme itself is the best of the last decade-plus. And don’t sleep on NHL on ABC.
been binging your vids recently, good timing !
Man you played all the hits in this one. Nothing but bangers.
When I hear the masters theme I know it’s time to get ready for spring and summer and watch the only golf I’ll watch all year long
Absolutely loved hearing all these again, thanks for this video Kofie
great vid. what a time to be alive/grow up in. sports fans in the 50s just didnt get this shit. lets be grateful
I love the CFP on Fox theme because it reminds me of the Connor Cook lead Spartans. Especially the “oh he has trouble with the snap” game
You’re becoming one of my favorite RUclipsrs my guy. Good work as always 🔥
I know it’s not TV, but growing up around Cincinnati, I would hear the “THE REDS ARE ON THE RADIO” song all the time on the radio and it was and is still awesome. Very rock feeling with heavy guitars and drums.
Lotta great themes that you mention, but if there’s one that’s always gonna be an earworm for me all year round, it’s the March Madness theme. I’ll often catch myself humming that theme for no reason no matter what time of year it is. It’s so happy, celebratory, and energetic. The rhythm makes you want to jog. Everything about it says, “Sports are supposed to be fun! Who cares who makes it to the Final Four so long as we all have fun with our friends getting there!”
SNF football theme so good, they stopped changing the core lyrics
It's wild that some of these theme songs are for sports that I rarely/never watch, and yet still have that nostalgic feeling
I typically don't watch college sports, and yet those songs hit hard for some reason
Really love your sports commentary videos, but not about the sport themselves, but these little side things that most people forget about. Would love a video talking about scoring bugs in various sports and TV networks, the good, the bad, the ugly.
Man, that BCS theme hit like a warm hug. I graduated college in 2013, so that was THE theme for premier college football in my era.
An opening theme song that I enjoyed was the HBO Boxing theme. Overall, I really enjoyed HBO’s presentation for boxing. I really wish boxing on HBO was still around.
I’ll mention a couple of my favorite/nostalgic themes:
The current Formula One intro conducted by Brian Tyler
Bob Christianson’s fantastic NHL on ESPN theme
The old Indy 500 openings with the theme from “The Delta Force” and Paul Page’s narration
“Augusta” by Dave Loggins, however, is #1 for me. Acoustic guitar and piano leading into full orchestra. Shots of magnolias and azaleas. Jim Nantz’s greeting -“Hello friends.” It perfectly captures the beauty of Augusta National and the prestige of the Masters.
The new espn nba theme has grown on me but I’ll never forget the old theme
The Autumn Wind is a Raider makes me wanna run through a brick wall, I feel the spirit of John Madden smiling as he explains offensive line play