24 Inspiring TV Show Theme Songs

Whether it’s getting ready for the big test, preparing for a job interview, or fighting for who you are, we all need encouragement sometimes. Since you’re reading Den of Geek, I’m going to guess you’re as big a fan of television as I am. I’ve always found TV theme tunes to be particularly inspiring when things look bleak. A good theme can give you a shot of motivation in about a minute and keep you going through a rough day. I’ve compiled just a small selection of inspiring theme tunes to keep your spirits up, no matter what you’re facing.

This list is by no means a ranking. These are just a few that I personally like and get me pumped. If you’ve got an inspiring theme song I missed, throw it in the comments for everyone.

Degrassi: The Next Generation

Whatever it takes
I know I can make it through
If I hold out
I know I can make it through. 

While this song about ten zillion iterations (no seriously, we did a whole article about it), I’m going with the early version simply for the gospel style singer doing backup vocals. I recite these lyrics to myself at least a few times a day. Simple yet effective.

Note that I nearly chose the Degrassi Junior High theme, but I’m limiting myself to one theme song per franchise.

21 Jump Street 

We never thought we’d find a place where we belong
Don’t have to stand-alone
We'll never let you fall
Don't need permission to decide what you believe

More theme songs need Holly Robinson going, “ooo”, I’ll tell you what. I love these lyrics because it implies the singer, and by extension the Jump Street team, will protect you no matter what you believe. We need more cops like that. 

Ultraman Nexus

It’s okay if you fall down
Just get up again
If you can do just that, you’re a hero!

Man, no one does an inspiring theme tune quite like Japanese special effects shows, do they? Sure, some of those lyrics may seem a bit childish. After all, Ultraman and other Tokusatsu shows are usually made for children, but sometimes the words we tell our kids are the words we need to be reminded of when we’re older. 

Good Times

Any time you meet a payment, good times
Any time you meet a friend, good times
Any time you're out from under
Not getting hassled, not getting hustled
Keepin' your head above water
Making a wave when you can

I love the jubuliation in this song. The celebration at every little thing that goes right in a crazy world. Sometimes  finding the 'good times' amongst the bad takes all the strength we have.

Ace Lightning

 

It’s hard to take a stand
It’s hard to do what’s right
No matter how scared you are
You have to stand and fight

But we don’t have to play this game all alone cause there’s a hero in us all! 

Never heard of Ace Lightning? Don’t worry, you aren’t the only one. The biggest aspect of the show that drew me in was its theme. Just listen to it, what middle school kid wouldn’t want to imagine a whole superhero series with that as its theme tune? Yeah, I did that and it was awesome! Major shout out to the band Four Square for performing this.

I really tried to find the TV size version of the theme but there aren’t any English copies on YouTube. Just listen to the full theme anyway, you’ll thank me.

Code Lyoko

Here we are going far
To save all that we love
If we give all we've got
We can make it through

Any theme song that’s been translated into about twenty languages is a song I can get behind. You need a team or group of friends to fight off evil in this world and this songs reminds us of that. 

Babylon 5

It was the year of fire
The year of destruction
The year we took back what was ours

Okay, those aren’t technically lyrics but they strongly resonate with everything that’s been going on recently. Plus, that music. You’re heading into a war but you’re going to make it through, even with great sacrifice.

A Different World

Here's a chance to make it
If we focus on our goals
If you dish it we can take it
Just remember you've been told 
It's a different world
Than where you come from 

At one time or another in our lives we go through big changes. Moving, a new job, a different career path, etc. Just focus on what your dreams are and you can make it.

Digimon Tamers

Big and bigger, biggest dreamer!
Watch me race across the sky!
Hold your breath and soar with me
Close your eyes and you can see it.

Flying farther, flying faster!
We can reach it if we try
Tomorrow’s now, so take a bow
Kiss your past goodbye!

I know it’s a fandub of a Japanese song but hot damn if it is not one of the best fandubs I’ve ever heard. Never give up on your dreams people, even if others stand in your way.

Friends 

So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job’s a joke, you're broke, your love life’s DOA
It’s like your always stuck in second gear
When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month,
Or even your year

I’ll be there for you.

Oh come on, this one's a gimme. What fandom hasn’t done a mashup of their favorite show or movie with this theme? We’d all like to imagine that even our heroes can exist in our world where their biggest problems can be solved while hanging out on a couch.

Kamen Rider Hibiki

-Aggressive drum beating-

Sometimes you don’t need lyrics to get your blood pumping. This departs from conventional Tokusatsu show openings in favor of a rousing orchestral score with a heavy focus on drums. Kind of feels like you’re about to watch the most badass nature documentary ever, yeah? Perfect mood to bring you out of your funk. 

Perfect Strangers

The rain and thunder
The wind and haze
I’m bound for better days
It’s my life and my dream
Nothing’s going to stop me now.

What, you expected to see ANY list of TV show openings and not see Perfect Strangers? Come on now. Sometimes we just need some 80’s cheese to get us through life.

Cybersix

I’m the one they would break 
In their greed and their pride
But deep in my heart I feel love so alive 
In the depths of my soul I know we will survive!

This one isn’t quite as upbeat as the other so far, but it’s a bit more comforting in its lyrics. It’s not a call to arms like the Code Lyoko or Ace Lightning themes, but it’s reassuring that no matter what you’ll survive. Sometimes that’s the most inspiring thing of all.

Animorphs

No turning back, no backing down, nowhere to run, no solid ground
No place to hide, no one to trust
No one to help you when you’re lost
There’s only us

This song is a beacon of hope in a sea of darkness. Even against insurmountable odds, you have power to fight back.

DC Super Hero Girls

There’s some Kryptonite
And sometimes we fall
But we get back up
And put up a fight!

I think the official description of this song says it all. “Every superhero needs a theme song. This catchy beat will get you PUMPED to get your cape on and save the day!”

Dance Academy

This is my chance, this is my chance!
My chance to feel alive!

Perfect if you’re about to go in for an audition. Because hey, if those crazy Australian teens can survive a dance academy? You can make it through anything.

Power Rangers Dino Charge

In a world full of strife we must fight to survive
Try to break the chains that divide
There is only one chance to take the right stance
Hold tight, keep our powers alive!

There have been so many incarnations of Power Rangers over the years it would seem this would be a hard choice. While I don’t consider the Dino Charge to be the BEST Power Rangers theme (Dino Thunder, what’s up!) I do think Dino Charge manages to be a bit more inspiring simply because its lyrics are a bit more generic. That way, it can apply to situations outside the plot of the show. It's not just about fighting monsters, it's about fighting for survival.

Xena: Warrior Princess 

The power
The passion
The danger
Her courage will change the world

Yeah, not actually lyrics again but whatever. There has never been a more heart pumping theme in the history mankind. We should all aspire to be warrior princesses.

The Proud Family

I know that I can always be myself
Around you more than anybody else
And everyday as I’m heading off to school
You know there’s no one I love as much as you.

Even if your own biological family isn’t the greatest, this song still speaks to the families we make for ourselves. There are people out there who will always have your back, even if you don’t know it yet.

Naruto Shippuden

My body shivers straight to the core
The energy rings out like violent stomping
It calls me unrelentingly
This is an unstoppable comeback story

Naruto has had a lot of great upbeat tracks in its long run but the beat here combined with these lyrics makes it the stand out. Make some noise because soon the heroes will come back!

The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.

-The sounds of ADVENTURE!-

They don’t play this during the Olympics for nothing. Another rousing score to keep the fire in your heart alive. 

Steven Universe

If you’re evil and you’re on the rise
You can count on the four of us taking you down
Cause we’re good and evil never beats us
We’ll win the fight and then go out for pizzas

Steven Universe is a show that just makes you feel good about, well, the universe. It gives you hope, it gives you representation unlike any other series, and it’ music puts a smile on your face. It’s like a warm hug, telling you everything will be okay. We all need that, especially now.

Highlander

I am immortal
I have inside me blood of kings
I have no rival
No man can be my equal

This is almost a cop out, since this is a classic song from Queen that was first used in the Highlander movie but damn it, it’s a TV show opening! God, no wonder this show ran for six seasons. That opening alone would make anyone want to stick around. What else can you say about it? It’s Queen singing about how powerful you are.

Living Single

Keep your head up, what?
Keep your head up, that's right
Whenever this life get tough, you gotta fight
With my homegirls standing to my left and my right
True blue, it's tight like glue

This is one of the most 90's things I've ever heard. Which means it's amazing. The '90s was so filled with optimism and this song could be a good candiate for personifying that. Even with that upbeat tune, its lyrics still reminds that you've got to fight but it's allright, you've got your friends to the left and to the right.

As I said at the top, this list is not exhaustive. If you’ve got an inspiring TV theme you think I missed, throw it in the comments. We could all use some good tunes. 

He was Shamus, a mighty princess forged in the heat of battle. Follow him on Twitter!