Research: EastEnders, Friends among most recognisable TV themes
September 27, 2024
Soap operas EastEnders and Coronation Street and celebrated US sitcom Friends have been voted the top three most recognisable TV theme tunes of all time.
Research conducted by Sky TV reveals the top 10 most instantly recognisable theme tunes as voted for by Brits, with cult classics such as Doctor Who (47 per cent), The Simpsons (44 per cent) and Match of the Day (44 per cent) taking high rankings. Taking 10th place is the most recent show to make the list, Game of Thrones at 23 per cent.
Top 10 most instantly recognisable theme tunes as voted for by Brits:
- EastEnders – 59%
- Coronation Street – 56%
- Friends – 50%
- Doctor Who – 47%
- (tie) The Simpsons – 44%, Match of the Day – 44%
- Only Fools and Horses – 43%
- (tie) Scooby-Doo – 33%, Big Bang Theory – 33%
- Blackadder – 25%
- The Muppet Show – 23%
- Game of Thrones – 23%
Despite only taking third place as the most recognisable theme tune, it’s Friends that’s been voted as people’s number one earworm, with more than a quarter (27 per cent) saying the catchy “I’ll be there for you” theme tune gets stuck in their heads for at least an hour every week. However, despite giving it so much airtime, over four in 10 (42 per cent) still can’t recall the lyrics to the first line.
To celebrate these iconic theme tunes, Sky has launched a new voice search feature allowing customers to say the lyrics of their favourite shows’ theme tunes directly into their Sky Glass, Sky Stream or Sky Q remote and be taken straight to the show. Users can try:
- Friends – “I’ll be there for you”
- Only Fools and Horses – “God bless Hooky Street”
- Big Bang Theory – “It all started with a big bang”
- Bluey – “Mum, Dad, Bingo, Bluey”
- Paw Patrol – “We’ll be there on the double”
TV theme tune lovers can also say “the theme tune that goes like” into their remote to watch a collection of shows with the nation’s favourite theme tunes – including some modern instrumental classics like the iconic piano riff in Succession and the hypnotising ‘ohs’ in White Lotus.
When it comes to singing TV theme tunes, more than three in 10 fans (31 per cent) are happy to be caught belting out the wrong lyrics, embracing the moment by making up their own words, while nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of Brits enjoy singing along to their favourite theme tune with other members of their household.
Exploring the generational divide
Long-standing British soap EastEnders ranks as the top show that can be identified in just one note by three in 10 (30 per cent) Brits, and is a surprise hit with Gen Z (54 per cent). The orchestral Game of Thrones theme tune is ranked as the favourite by 26 per cent of Millennials, whereas only 12 per cent of Gen Z agree.
The biggest disparity seen between Gen Z and Baby Boomers is which theme tune is most likely to get stuck in their heads. The introduction to Big Bang Theory is a smash hit with the younger generation at 51 per cent compared to their elders at 14 per cent. Meanwhile, Match of the Day has more than six in 10 (63 per cent) Baby Boomers humming along, whereas only 18 per cent of Gen Z recognise the popular football show’s song, a 45 per cent difference.
Catherine Lees, Managing Director at Sky TV, commented: “A catchy theme tune can really elevate a TV show. Whether it’s the claps from Friends or the dramatic opening bars from Game of Thrones, they set the tone for what’s to come. To celebrate the nation’s love of them, we’ve created voice search for theme tune lyrics on Sky TV, so you can have fun finding some of the best.”