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[Henchmen21]

There's no mistaking that 80s cartoons had the best theme songs regardless about how you felt about the cartoons themselves (the majority of which made by Shuki Levy).

What are some of your favorites? They don't even have to be from ones you watched either.

1. Silverhawks - Like the Thundercats, was basically the same few lyrics sung over and over but the beat was awesome and had one of the sweetest guitar riffs right in the middle
2. Jayce & The Wheeled Warrior Intro/Outro - Never really watched it myself but the theme song is boss. Could definitally see it as a pop song in its own right. Uniquely, they went with a different song for the end credits instead of doing a truncated version of the main theme like so many other cartoons
3. Adventures of the Gummi Bears - Nice and hummable
4. Adventures Of The Galaxy Rangers - Another "could have been a pop song on its own" contender
5. Dinosaucers - Ignoring the lyrics aside, the background beat is amazing
6. C.O.P.S. - Good in a "late 80s" kind of way

 

[Skellig Gra]

Ducktales is #1 for me by a wide margin.

 

[RiderKairuu]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtNPFSz9-5c - Jem and The Holograms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn0X8EknnEc - JPN Ronin Warriors opening 2

 

[AAK]

M.A.S.K.

Bionic Six

 

[Pluto]

Probably M.A.S.K.

 

[Rad Shadow]

Transformers

 

[wwm0nkey]

Silverhawks

 

[stn]

The main theme for C.O.P.S. - its just badass.

 

[haimon]

I think it's older but the super friends.

 

[Pluto]

Bionic Six

That's the german version but it is a good song.

 

[ramoisdead]

Denver The Last Dinosaur

 

[thelatestmodel]

I think Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors takes this easily.

I don't even remember a huge amount about the show, I don't think I'd buy it on DVD or anything, but that intro is insane.

 

[Txαi]

Ducktales is #1 for me by a wide margin.

I love the octave slap bass that starts off and the key change.

 

[evanswolves]

Visionaries (Knights of the Magical Light)
Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors
Gummy Bears
Dgotanian
The Mysterious Cities Of Gold

 

[JaseMath]

Probably M.A.S.K.

There it is.

 

[Henchmen21]

M.A.S.K.

Bionic Six

Probably M.A.S.K.

Damn, knew I forgot one

Denver The Last Dinosaur

Was debating putting it in my list but didn't feel like it quiet made it.

 

[PeaceUK]

M.A.S.K

Spiral Zone (seemingly unknown but was a damn good show with a fantastic theme tune.

Thundercats

 

[Vinegar Joe]

Ulysses 31

Crazy series for a kid's show too.

 

[SheHateMe]

The main theme for C.O.P.S. - its just badass.

YES.

Also, Dinosaucers.

 

[KSweeley]

This X-Men theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1qrbAGsEOw

 

[TTOOLL]

I reeeally like Pole Position

 

[Txαi]

This X-Men theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1qrbAGsEOw

Oh, so that's what that Konami beat 'em up took reference from. Never seen it before.

 

[Adam_Vania]

Inhumanoids
Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light

 

[Marvie_3]

The main theme for C.O.P.S. - its just badass.

This. So good.

 

[Captain Skeleton]

M.A.S.K

A counter terrorism team who have magic helmets and transforming vehicles!? Sign me the fuck up!

 

[Mastamind]

M.A.S.K

A counter terrorism team who have magic helmets and transforming vehicles!? Sign me the fuck up!

M.A.S.K!

Spoiler

those two may be robots in disguise

 

[Henchmen21]

Just thought of another one. Kissyfur. Never watched the show but had a nice theme song. Liked how it started off soft and then eventually kicked into a nice rock.

 

[Username1198]

Ducktales is #1 for me by a wide margin.

Yup, this or Ghostbusters

 

[Sojgat]

Defenders of the Earth

 

[Count Dookkake]

Inhumanoids

https://youtu.be/l6qm4W1qvk4

 

[Frozenprince]

Ducktales is #1 for me by a wide margin.

There's really no reason to even talk about anything else as #1, every other cartoon is jockeying for #2.

 

[Earthbound64]

Super Mario Bros. Super Show

 

[Master Of Illusion]

Pegasus Fantasy

 

[Shanlei91]

There's really no reason to even talk about anything else as #1, every other cartoon is jockeying for #2.

Exactly how I feel. Ducktales is untouchable.

 

[RustyNails]

Spiral Zone

"Surrender, or pay the consequences!"

This cartoon was legit good, and dealt with heavy stuff in a post-apocalyptic society.

 

[Slayven]

Inhumanoids

https://youtu.be/l6qm4W1qvk4

D-Compose scared the shit out of me as a kid, awkward because i had his toy

 

[HStallion]

G.I. Joe The Movie The Theme

Cobraaaaa Cobraaaaa

 

[Count Dookkake]

D-Compose scared the shit out of me as a kid, awkward because i had his toy

Best toy.

 

[Volimar]

This X-Men theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1qrbAGsEOw

Wow, I never knew there was an 80's X men cartoon.

 

[HotHamBoy]

Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers

Come on, guys.

 

[Dai101]

G.I. Joe The Movie The Theme

Cobraaaaa Cobraaaaa

Mah man

 

[HotHamBoy]

Here's some badass OST from Thundercats:

Thunder Tank Theme

Panthro

Tygra


Horns + Synth + Guitar Solo

Bonus:

Original Composer Singing Thundercats theme:

https://youtu.be/LKtg5Bwzupg

(Mini documentary about the making of the music)

Edit:

Man, 80s cartoons were all about selling those vehicle toys.

I was born in 85 so I was pretty late to the game by the time I achieved awareness. Definitely never watched a lot of these.

 

[Henchmen21]

Wow, I never knew there was an 80's X men cartoon.

That's because it never made it passed the pilot stage. Aired in 1989

 

[HotHamBoy]

That's because it never made it passed the pilot stage. Aired in 1989

Seems to be what the Konami game was based on.

 

[mattwhite924]

M.A.S.K!

Spoiler

those two may be robots in disguise

Total Brand Awareness!

Best crossover comic ever.

Anyway, my vote goes to Inspector Gadget.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-JHfXVlkik&t=7s


Edit:
If we're allowing movie versions of themes, then Transformers The Movie easily wins this. No question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaVcpfncOWs

 

[Cow Mengde]

Heathcliff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LLb8EBU9nQ

 

[HotHamBoy]

Man. What miserable time to work in animation.

 

[ColdLasagna]

Probably M.A.S.K.

Win.

 

[Henchmen21]

Seems to be what the Konami game was based on.

Not really. X-men comics around the same time had that look too. The video game & the cartoon were both using the comics as a source

 

[FuriousOne]

M.A.S.K. no contest.

Edit: GI Joe is my fave cartoon and I still think the M.A.S.K. theme is the GOAT.