Japanese pop duo Puffy Ami Yumi penned perhaps the cutest superhero theme song ever. Used for the anime-meets-American-computer-animation Teen Titans cartoon, both the show and the song became a hit.
Any child of the seventies who grew up watching The Incredible Hulk TV show remembers this theme. Penned by Bionic Woman theme composer Joseph Harnell, this piano solo was titled “The Lonely Man” and used during the closing credits. Since the TV show had David Banner traveling the country trying to cure himself, as well as help others, The Lonely Man song was a perfect fit.
Composer Basil Poledoris hits the nail right on the head with this theme. Epic, primal, and filled with a sense of the fight. Poledoris’ music melds perfectly with the iconic barbarian. Listen to this, for it will help you find what is best in life. “To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.”
While it seems like an easy pick, this theme song is as synonymous with Spider-Man as web shooters, Spidey sense and Mary Jane. Outside of the lyrics, which are known by heart by most comic book fans, the idea that a cartoon theme song would be built on groovy, sixties swing jazz, is pretty incredible.
John Williams wrote a theme that, if you listen, actually sounds like it’s saying “Superman”. There has never been a better superhero theme written, and I doubt there ever will be. Listen to this long enough, you might believe that you can fly. At the very least, when you hear the opening horns, you’ll open your shirt and stick your chest out.
Now that you have the themes, go out there and do some good!
