Because of the sheer volume of theme songs to choose from, this list proved to be very difficult. After listening to 250 to 300 songs in the past week, however, I feel I have compiled an accurate list, although there were at least 25 other songs that very feasibly could have gone in the top 10. The criteria for a song to make the list ranged from, obviously, how good the song is to how closely related it is with the show (and the show being good helped, too).

1. “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”

We know what you’re thinking: “What a cliche first pick.” It is cliche, but “The Fresh Prince” is the quintessential TV theme song for our generation and thus deserves the top spot. If you’re between the ages of 20 and 30, you know at least the first two lines of this song – and probably the whole thing. I love this song even though it’s butchered at least once any time a bar has a karaoke night. Also, this song did a great job of storytelling to set up the plotlines (at least for the first season), something that isn’t done with a lot of TV themes anymore.

2. “The Jeffersons”

“The Jeffersons” theme song is along the same lines as the “Fresh Prince,” but for a different generation. Whether a fan of the show or not, everyone knows exactly where the Jeffersons were moving (to the East Side) and what they were moving into (a deluxe apartment in the sky). This song gets extra points because the main character on the show coined the phrase “honkey.”

3. “Diff’rent Strokes”

Not only was this show and its theme song – inspired by a line in the 1968 song “Everyday People” by Sly and the Family Stone – one of the best things to come out of the early ’80s (except, of course, for Atari), they both strived to foster patience and understanding among races. It appears the American public took the message to heart, as it has been relatively patient with Gary Coleman’s antics, including suing his own parents, punching a woman in the head for trying to get his autograph while he was shopping for a bulletproof vest, and running for governor of California in 2003. By the way, he placed 8th in a field of 135 in the election, just behind smut king Larry Flynt and just ahead of Gallagher – yes, that Gallagher.

4. “Cheers”

“Cheers” was almost canceled after its first season because it was No. 77 in the Nielsen ratings (although some TV scholars maintain it was because Kirstie Alley’s addiction to fatty foods was bankrupting the studio), but somehow the show stayed on the air – many speculate it was because of the rave reviews the theme song was getting. Plus, anyone can identify with the “Cheers” song – honestly, who among us doesn’t want to go where everybody knows their name?

5. “Mission: Impossible”

No lyrics? No problem. “Mission: Impossible” doesn’t need words to be the song on the this list most closely associated with its show. Even Scientologist and cradle-robbing enthusiast Tom Cruise couldn’t bring down this song, and that’s a pretty amazing feat.

6. “Laverne and Shirley”

In the summer of 1976 – the year “Laverne and Shirley” came out – its theme song was so popular that it was released as a single and reached No. 25 on the Billboard chart. The Lenny and Squiggy bathing-suit calendar, however, was less well-received.

7. “Three’s Company”

“Three’s Company” wins the award for most improved theme song. The original theme to “Three’s Company” sounded like a commercial for Meow Mix. It was the same song, but over the top of the lyrics was a bunch of cats and dogs meowing and barking the beat. It makes sense though, considering the guy who wrote it also wrote the theme to one of the most nonsensical, acid-fueled shows ever – “Sesame Street.”

8. “The Golden Girls”

No matter how disturbing it is to listen to Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty and Betty White prattle on about their sexual escapades, I can look past that and realize how great this show was. Although the theme song didn’t really capture the show – the song was very tame compared to the show’s risque nature (risque for the late ’80s, anyway) – it is still extremely recognizable. Especially when it can be heard every 30 minutes between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. while flipping past the Lifetime network.

9. “Charles in Charge”

Despite being in charge on the show, Scott Baio needed to give the Powell sisters a little bit more guidance off of the set. Nicole Eggert (who played Jamie) was on “The Real Gilligan’s Island,” and Josie Davis (who played Sarah) went on to star in such blockbuster hits as “Slammed,” “Kalamazoo?” and “Lotto.” But then again, what’s Chachi doing these days? He played the day care guy in “Baby Geniuses 2”? OK … he’s doing well then.

10. “Salute Your Shorts”

When we were 8 years old, this song was probably the funniest thing we’d ever heard. The song – and the show – stood out among its Nickelodeon counterparts: “Hey Dude,” “Wild and Crazy Kids,” “Double Dare,” “Clarissa Explains it All,” “Pete and Pete,” etc.

Runners up

“Saved by the Bell”; “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids”; “Mary Tyler Moore”; “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”; “The Facts of Life”; “Shaft”; “Gilligan’s Island”; “The Brady Bunch”; “Good Times”; “The Dukes of Hazzard”; “The Beverly Hillbillies”; “Growing Pains”; “Greatest American Hero”; “Green Acres”; “Blossom”