Western Television Series Themes
The timbre of a theme was often a guide to the character of the series. Some themes, in the vein of “The Magnificent Seven, are exciting orchestrations. Others, such as How the West was Won, are sweeping paintings of the American frontier. Contrast the ambling gate of The Restless Gun, the loping pace of the Lancer theme and the full gallop of Bonanza. The themes of F Troop and The Rounders clearly pointed to an upcoming comedic presentation. Alternatively, there are themes that are just downright hokey. You pick your favorite for that category.
Some themes had song titles. Others were simply noted as “Theme From (Name of Series)” or “(Name of Series) Theme.”
Many artists performed the themes either on the series itself (Johnny Cash sang the theme for The Rebel) or as recordings (“Bonanza” was adapted and recorded by a number of artists, including Lorne Greene).
Variations in the pace of a series original theme for a new season, and sometimes even midseason, occurred by design or due to music union regulations. All of the variations have not been included. Sometimes themes were changed to support a change in direction in the series (for example, with the change from a 30 minute to 6o minute time slot and the addition of new main characters and Jim Hardies’ ranch in Tales of Wells Fargo, the theme changed from a rousing to wistful arrangement).
Some themes were written by members of the Performing Rights Organizations (PRO):
- BMI, Broadcast Music, Inc. (1939)
- ASCAP, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (February 13, 1914)
- SESAC, Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (1940)
- GMR, Global Music Rights (1978)
- SOCAN, T he Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (1990)
Other composers were not members. Themes were, at times, attributed to someone other than the true composer or lyricist (for example: Ken Darby may have ascribed some songs and lyrics (that he wrote) to Vera Matson, his wife). There were composers that wrote the theme and never contributed any other piece of music to the series. Others continued to be involved in the series. In at least one case, Four Feather Falls, the composer (Barry Gray) originated the idea for the series, wrote the themes and additional songs, scored music for the series, and conducted music for the series.
Care has been taken to cross-check the names of the composers and lyrists. Attributions on the web have sometimes been made to individuals noted as writing music for the series. This does not necessarily mean that individual actually wrote the theme. Instead, it may be simply a notation that the individual worked on or with music for an episode(s).
There are opportunities to hear the opening and closing theme(s), within the tables below, thanks to the loading of opening, closing and full episode examples from the actual series on YouTube. At times, the themes appear as stand alone files, at other times it will be necessary to scroll through the episode to find the opening and closing themes.
Enjoy!
# and A
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Men | Western / drama | October 15, 1957 (per IMDb) or November I , 1957 (Wikipedia) - June 30, 1959 | "26 Men" | Russ" (Russell) Hayden | Yes | "Hal" (Harold) Hopper | "26 Men" | Russ" (Russell) Hayden | Yes | "Hal" Hopper | ||
| Above the Law | Western / drama | January 13, 1966 | ||||||||||
| Action in the Afternoon | Western / live variety | February 2, 1953 - January 29, 1954 | "Billy the Kid" | Aaron Copeland | Narration | Narrator: Blake Ritter | Same as opening theme | Aaron Copeland | Instrumental only | |||
| Adam MacKenzie, Frontier Doctor | Western / drama | March 27, 1963 | ||||||||||
| Alias Smith and Jones | Western / drama | January 5, 1971 - January 13, 1973 | Billy Goldenberg | Narration | Roger Davis (January 5, 1971 – January 27, 1972), Ralph Story (February 3, 1972 - January 13, 1973) | Same as opening theme | Billy Goldenberg | Instrumental only | ||||
| A Man Called Shenandoah | Western / drama | September 13, 1965 - May 16, 1966 | "Shenandoah" | Anonymous folk song | Yes | Attributed to Robert Horton | Robert Horton | "Shenandoah" | Anonymous folk song | Yes | Attributed to Robert Horton | Robert Horton |
| Annie Oakley | Western / drama | January 9, 1954 - February 24, 1957 | "Annie Oakley M and E (1270 and 1271) / "Deadwood Dick" from the 1940 film Deadwood Dick / Third opening theme "West of Tarkio" | "Annie Oakley M and E (1270 and 1271) attributed to Lee Zahler/ "Deadwood Dick" from the 1940 film Deadwood Dick / Third opening theme "West of Tarkio" by Walter W. Greene (ASCAP) | Narration | "Western Theme Reel 3" (MUTEL) / "Theme No.215" (Capital "Q" Series) / "Annie Oakley" | "Western Theme Reel 3" (MUTEL) attributed to Joseph Mullendore, possible co-writers Herb Taylor, and Herschel Burke Gilbert / "Annie Oakley" Benjamin Weisman (ASCAP) and Fred Weiss (Wise) (ASCAP) | "Western Theme Reel 3" (MUTEL) Instrumental only/ "Theme No. 215" (Capital "Q" Series) Instrumental Only / "Annie Oakley" | "Annie Oakley" by Gail Davis |
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| Arroyo | Western / drama | October 26, 1955 |
B
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Lyrics of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbary Coast | Western / crime with comedic overtones | September 8, 1975 - January 9, 1976 | To hear the opening theme from Barbary Coast, click here. | John Andrew Tartaglia | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from Barbary Coast, click here. | John Andrew Tartaglia | Instrumental only | ||||
| Bat Masterson | Western / drama | October 8, 1958 - June 1, 1961 | Attributed to Havens Wray. May have been composed by David D. Rose | Instrumental only | Attributed to Havens Wray. May have been composed by David D. Rose | Yes | Bart Corwin | Bill Lee (of the Mellowmen) | ||||
| Bearcats | Western / drama with comedic undertones | September 16, 1971 - December 30, 1971 | To hear the theme from Bearcats, click here | "Hal" (Harold) Hopper | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme | "Hal" (Harold) Hopper | Instrumental only | ||||
| Best of the West | Western / comedy | September 17, 1981 - June 21, 1982 | "Best of the West" | Earl Pomerantz | Yes | Rex Allen | Earl Pomerantz | |||||
| Big Bend Country | Western / drama | August 27, 1981 | Instrumental only | |||||||||
| Black Saddle | Western / drama | January 10, 1959 -May 6, 1960 | To hear the theme from Black Saddle, click here | Jerry Goldsmith | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme | Jerry Goldsmith | Instrumental only | ||||
| Bob Archer and Western Stories | Western / juvenile | |||||||||||
| Bonanza | Western / drama | September 12, 1959 - January 16, 1973 | "Bonanza" (September 12, 1959 - April 19, 1970)/"The Big Bonanza" (September 13, 1970 - April 2, 1972) "Bonanza" was used as the theme for the made-for-TV movies | "Bonanza" - Jay Livingston and Ray Evans / "The Big Bonanza" - David Rose (a reorchestration of "The Ponderosa" cue) | .The lyrics to "Bonanza" were cut from the pilot. | "Bonanza" - Jay Livingston and Ray Evans / "The Big Bonanza" - David Rose (a reorchestration of "The Ponderosa" cue) | ||||||
| Boomtown | Western / juvenile | 1956-1974 | "Boomtown" | Yes | Rex Trailer | |||||||
| Boots and Saddles | Western / drama | September 19, 1957 - May 29, 1958 | To hear the opening theme from Boots and Saddles, click here | Fred Steiner | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from Boots and Saddles, please click here | ||||||
| Bordertown | Western / drama | January 7, 1989 - March 17, 1991 | To hear the theme from Bordertown, click here | Adaptation of Jean Sibelius's Third Symphony | Instrumental only | Adaptation of the Third Symphony | Jean Sibelius | Instrumental only | ||||
| Branded | Western / drama | January 24, 1965 - April 24, 1966 | "Branded" | Dominic Frontier | Yes | Alan Alch | "Branded" | Dominic Frontier | Yes | Alan Alch | ||
| Brave Eagle - Chief of the Cheyennes | Western / drama | September 28, 1955 - March 14, 1956 | To hear the opening theme from Brave Eagle - Chief of the Cheyennes, click here | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme, please click here | Instrumental only | ||||||
| Bret Maverick | Western / drama with comedic undertones | December 1, 1981 - May 4, 1982 | Ed Bruce, Glenn Ray, Patsy Bruce | Yes | Ed Bruce, Glenn Ray, Patsy Bruce | Ed Bruce | Same as opening theme | Ed Bruce, Glenn Ray, Patsy Bruce | Instrumental only | |||
| Broken Arrow | Western / drama | September 25, 1956 - June 24, 1958 | To hear the opening theme from Broken Arrow, click here | Paul Sawtell | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from Broken Arrow, click here | Instrumental only | |||||
| Bronco (See The Cheyenne Show) | Western / drama | September 23, 1958 - April 30, 1962 | Jerry Livingston | Yes | Mack David | Originally sung by "Hal" (Harold) Hooper with backup singers from Jack Hallora's vocal group | ||||||
| Buckskin | Western / drama | July 3, 1958 - May 25, 1959 | Stanley Morton, Mort Green | |||||||||
| Buffalo Bill, Jr. | Western / drama | March 1, 1955 - September 21, 1956 | Narrative | To hear the closing (end of episode) theme for Buffalo Bill, Jr. please click here. | ||||||||
| Buffalo Billy Show | Western / juvenile - live puppet show | October, 1950 - 1951 | ||||||||||
| Butch & Billy & Their Bang Bang Western Movies | Western / juvenile |
C
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cactus Jim | Western / juvenile | October 13, 1949 - February 1, 1952 | ||||||||||
| Cade's County | Western / 20th century crime drama | September 19, 1972 - April 9, 1973 | To hear the theme from Cade's County, please click here | Henry Mancini | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme | Henry Mancini | Instrumental only | ||||
| Casey Jones | Western / drama | October 8, 1957 - May 6, 1958 | "The Ballad of Casey Jones" | American folk song - "Jimmy Jones" | Yes | "The Ballad of Casey Jones" | American folk song - "Jimmy Jones" | Yes | ||||
| Centennial | Western / dramatic mini-series | October 1, 1978 - February 4, 1979 | To hear the opening (beginning of episode) theme for Centennial, please click here | John Addison | Instrumental only | To hear the closing (end of episode) theme for Centennial, please click here | ||||||
| Cheyenne | Western / drama | September 20, 1955 - December 17, 1962 (from September 20 1955 - May 22, 1956 Cheyenne was part of the Warner Bros. Presents rotation of Cheyenne, Casablanca, and King's Row. ) Cheyenne was suspended during the 1958-1959 season due to a contract dispute between Mr. Walker and Warner Bros. with the time slot filled by alternating presentations of Bronco and Sugarfoot. From September 15, 1959 - May 15, 1961 Cheyenne, Bronco and Sugarfoot alternated in the time slot. September 25, 1961 - April 30, 1962 Cheyenne and Bronco alternated within the same time slot. September 24, 1962 - December 17, 1962 Cheyenne was presented alone. | Mack David and Jerry Livingston (September 20. 1955 - September 11, 1956), attributed to William Lava (September 25, 1956 - December 17, 1962) | Yes | Attributed to William Lava (September 25, 1956 - December 17, 1962) | Yes | Stan Jones | |||||
| Chuck Connors' Great Western Theatre | Western / anthology | February 25, 1982 (Australia as Chuck Connors Western Theatre) | ||||||||||
| Cimarron City | Western / drama | September 27, 1958 - April 4, 1959 | To hear the theme from Cimarron City, please click here | Stanley Wilson | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme | Stanley Wilson | Instrumental only | ||||
| Cimarron Strip | Western / crime drama | September 7, 1967 - March 7, 1968 | To hear the theme from Cimarron Strip, please click here | Maurice Jarre | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme | Maurice Jarre | Instrumental only | ||||
| Circus Boy | Western / juvenile | September 20, 1956 - December 12, 1957 | To hear the opening theme from Circus Boy, please click here | "Hal" (Harold) Hopper | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from Circus Boy, please click here | Hal Hopper | Instrumental only | ||||
| Colt .45 | Western / drama | October 18, 1957 - June 21, 1960 | Yes | Mack David and Jerry Livingston | Mack David and Jerry Livingston | Yes | Douglas Heyes | |||||
| Command | Western / drama | 1958 | ||||||||||
| Corky and White Shadow | Western / juvenile mini-series | January 30, 1956 - February 22, 1956 | ||||||||||
| Cowboy G-Men | Western / crime drama | September 13, 1952 - June 13, 1953 | To hear the opening theme from Cowboy G-Men, please click here | Instrumental only | To hear the closing (ending of episode) theme from Cowboy G-Men, please click here | |||||||
| Cowboys and Injuns | Western / juvenile | |||||||||||
| Crash Corrigan's Ranch | Western / juvenile | July, 1950 - September 1950 | ||||||||||
| Curley Bradley "The Singing Marshal" | Western / drama | |||||||||||
| Custer | Western / drama | September 6, 1966 - December 27, 1966 | Leif Stevens | Narration | Same as opening theme | Leif Stevens |
D
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dale Evans: Queen of the West | Western / drama | |||||||||||
| Daniel Boone | Western / dramatic frontier mini-series | December 1960 - March 1961 | ||||||||||
| Daniel Boone | Western / frontier drama | September 24, 1964 - May 7, 1970 | Lionel Newman | Yes | Vera Matson (may have been attributed to her by her husband, Ken Darby) | The Imperials | Lionel Newman | Instrumental only | ||||
| Davy Crockett | Western / frontier drama | December 15, 1954 - December 14, 1955 | "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" | George Bruns | Yes | Thomas W. Blackburn | The Wellingtons | |||||
| Dead Man's Gun | Western / drama | March 2, 1997 - March 26, 1999 | attributed to Terry Frewer | Narration | Kris Kristofferson | Instrumental only | ||||||
| Dead Man's Walk | Western / dramatic mini-series | May 12, 13, 14,1996 - | attributed to David Bell | |||||||||
| Deadwood | Western / drama | March 21, 2004 - August 27, 2006 | To hear the theme from Deadwood, please click here | David Schwartz | Instrumental only | |||||||
| Death Trap | Western / drama | May 9, 1961 | ||||||||||
| Death Valley Days | Western / historical drama | March 1, 1952 - April 24, 1970 | To hear the opening theme to Death Valley Days "Call of the West," please click here. , | Herbert Taylor | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme for Death Valley Days, please click here. | Herbert Taylor | Instrumental only | ||||
| Destry | Western / drama with comedic undertones | February 14, 1964 - May 8, 1964 | Yes | Randy Sparks | ||||||||
| Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater | Western / anthology series | October 5,1956 - May 18,1961 | To hear the theme from Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater, please click here. | Hershel Burke Gilbert | Instrumental only | To hear the closing credits theme, go to the end of this video | Hershel Burke Gilbert | Instrumental only | ||||
| Dirty Sally | Western / drama with comedic overtones | January 11, 1974 - April 19, 1974 | Yes | |||||||||
| Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman | Western / drama | January 1, 1993 - May 16, 1998 | To hear the theme from Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, please click here. | William Olvis | Narrative, First Season Only | Same as opening theme | William Olvis | Instrumental only | ||||
| Dundee and the Culhane | Western / drama | September 6, 1967 - December 13, 1967 | To hear the theme for Dundee and the Culhane, please click here. | David Rose | Instrumental only | |||||||
| Dusty's Trail | Western / comedy | September 11, 1973 - April 12, 1974 | Sherwood Schwartz | Yes | Mel Street | Same as opening theme | Sherwood Schwartz | Instrumental only |
E
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Coyote | Western / drama | 1957 | ||||||||||
| Empire | Western / 20th century drama | September 25, 1962 - May 14, 1963 | To hear the theme from Empire, please click here | Johnny Green | Instrumental only | Johnny Green | Instrumental only |
F
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F Troop | Western / comedy | September 14, 1965 - April 6, 1967 | "F Troop" | William Lava | Yes | Irving Taylor | To hear the closing theme, please click here | William Lava | Instrumental only | |||
| Father Murphy | Western / drama | November 3, 1981 - September 18, 1983 | To hear the theme for Father Murphy , please click here | David Rose | Instrumental only | Same as the opening theme | David Rose | Instrumental only | ||||
| For Cowboys Only | Western / juvenile | |||||||||||
| Four Feather Falls | Western / juvenile | February, 1963 - November, 1963 | Barry Gray | To hear the introduction to Four Feather Falls, please click here | Barry Gray | Michael Holliday | "Two Gun Tex of Texas" | Barry Gray | To hear the closing theme, "Two Gun Tex of Texas," please click here | Barry Gray | Michael Holliday | |
| Fremont the Trailblazer | Western / drama | 1956 | ||||||||||
| Frontier | Western /anthology series | September 25, 1955 - September 9, 1956 | ||||||||||
| Frontier | Western / frontier drama | November 6, 2016 - November 23, 2018 | To hear the "Frontier Title Theme," please click here | Andrew Lockington | Instrumental only (chanting in background) | |||||||
| Frontier Circus | Western / drama | October 5, 1961 - September 6, 1962 | To hear the theme from Frontier Circus, please click here | David Buttolph | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from Frontier Circus, please click here | David Buttolph | Instrumental only | ||||
| Frontier Doctor | Western / drama | September 26, 1958 - June 20, 1959 | To hear the opening theme from Frontier Doctor, please click here | William Loose and John Seely | Narrative varies with each episode | To hear the closing theme from Frontier Doctor, please click here | Instrumental only | |||||
| Frontier House | Western / frontier-based reality series | April 9, 2002 - May 3, 2002 | Edward Bilous | Narrative | ||||||||
| Frontier Justice | Western / anthology series | July 7, 1958 - September 28, July 6, 1959 - September 14, 1959, August 3, 1961 - September 28, 1961 | ||||||||||
| Fury | Western / juvenile | October 15, 1955 - March 19, 1960 | Ernest Gold | Narrative |
G
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Godless | Western / dramatic mini-series | November 22, 2017 | To hear the theme from Godless, please click here | Carlos Rafael Rivera | Instrumental only | |||||||
| Gun Shy | Western ./ comedy | March 15, 1983 - April 19, 1983 | To hear the theme from Gun Shy, please click here | |||||||||
| Guns of Paradise (see Paradise) | Western / drama | January 4, 1991 - May 10, 1991 | To hear the theme from Guns of Paradise, please click here | Jarrold Immel | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme | Jarrold Immel | Instrumental only | ||||
| Gunslinger | Western / drama | February 9, 1961 - May 18, 1961 | Dimitri Tomkin | Yes | Ned Washington | Frankie Laine | ||||||
| Gunsmoke | Western / drama | September 10, 1955 - March 31, 1975 | "Theme from Gunsmoke" / "Opening Theme - Gunsmoke" / "Gunsmoke Main Title" / "Gunsmoke Theme" / "Gunsmoke Main Title" To hear the opening theme from Gunsmoke, please click here | Rex Koury / Rex Koury and "Fred" (Frederick) Steiner / "Fred" (Frederick) Steiner / Rex Koury (ASCAP) arrangement by "Fred" (Frederick) Steiner (ASCAP) / Rex Koury (ASCAP) arrangement by "Mort" (Morton) Stevens (ASCAP) | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from Gunsmoke, please click here | Instrumental only |
H
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harts of the West | Western / comedy | September 25, 1993 - July 18, 1994 | "In a Laid Back Way" | Clint Black | Yes | Clint Black | Clint Black | |||||
| Have Gun - Will Travel | Western / drama | September 14, 1957 - April 20, 1963 | To hear the opening theme, please click here. | Bernard Herrmann | Narratives that vary with individual episodes or instrumental only | To hear "The Ballad of Paladin," please click here. | Johnny Western, Richard Boone, Sam Rolfe Arranged by Bob Thompson | Yes | Johnny Western, Richard Boone, Sam Rolfe, arranged by Bob Thompson | Duane Eddy | ||
| Hawkeye | Western / frontier drama | September 24, 1994 - May 14, 1995 | To hear the theme from Hawkeye, please clcik here | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme | Instrumental only | ||||||
| Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans | Western / frontier drama | April 3, 1957 - December 25, 1957 | Narrative | |||||||||
| Hec Ramsey | Western / drama | October 8, 1972 - April 7, 1974 | "Where Did He Come From?" a.k.a. "The Ballad of Hec Ramsey | Jerry Wallace | Yes | Instrumental only | ||||||
| Hell on Wheels | Western / drama | November 6, 2011 - July 23, 2016 | To hear the theme from Hell on Wheels, please click here | Gustavo Santaolalla | Instrumental only | Kevin Kiner & Gustavo Santaolalla | Gustavo Santaolalla | |||||
| Here Comes the Brides | Western / comedy | September 23, 1968 - April 3, 1970 | To hear the theme from Here Come the Brides, please click here | Hugo Montenegro, Jack Keller, Ernie Sheldon | Yes (mid-Season 1) | The New Establishment | Same theme as the opening theme. | Hugo Montenegro, Jack Keller, Ernie Sheldon | Instrumental only | |||
| Hondo | Western / drama | September 8, 1967 - December 29, 1967 | To hear the theme from Hondo, please click here | Richard Markowitz | Instrumental only | Same theme as the opening theme. | Richard Markowitz | Instrumental only | ||||
| Hopalong Cassidy | Western / juvenile | June 24, 1949 - 1952 | ||||||||||
| Hopalong Cassidy | Western / juvenile | September 19, 1952 - April 2,1954, | "Hopalong Cassidy March" | Nacio Herb Brown | Yes | L. Wolfe Gilbert | ||||||
| Hotel de Paree | Western / comedy | October 2, 1959 - June 3, 1960 | To hear the theme from Hotel de Paree, please click here | Dimitri Tomkin | Instrumental only | |||||||
| How the West was Won | Western / drama | February 6, 1976 - April 26, 1979 | To hear the theme from How the West Was Won, please click here | Jerrold Immel | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme | Jerrold Immel | Instrumental only | ||||
| Howdy Doody Show (originally Puppet Playhouse) | Western / juvenile | January 3, 1947 - September 24, 1960 | "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay" | attributed to Henry J. Sayers who stated he originally heard the song "Ta-Ra-Ra Boom-De-Aye" sung by Mama Lou in the 1880s | Yes | "Buffalo" Bob Smith, Edward Kean | Children's choir | |||||
| Hudson's Bay | Western / drama | 1959 | Narrative |
I
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Spinoff from | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Into the West | Western / dramatic mini-series | June 10, 2005 - July 22, 2005 | To hear the theme, "Into the West," from Into the West, please click here | Jeff Zanelli |
J
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Drum | Western / drama | April 25, 1958 - December 11, 1958 | ||||||||||
| Johnny Moccasin | Western / drama | 1956 | ||||||||||
| Johnny Ringo | Western / drama | October 1, 1959 - June 30, 1960 | Don Durant | Yes | Don Durant | Don Durant | ||||||
| Judge Roy Bean | Western / drama | September 9, 1955 - 1956 | Yes |
K
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klondike | Western / drama | October 10, 1960 - February 13, 1961 | Yes | Instrumental only | ||||||||
| Klondike | Western / dramatic mini-series | January 20, 2014 - January 23, 2014 | To hear the theme from Klondike, please click here | Adrian Johnston | Instrumental only | |||||||
| Kung Fu | Western/drama | October 1972 - April, 1975 | "Caine's Theme" | Jim Helms | Yes |
L
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer | Western / drama | September 24, 1968 - June 23, 1970 | To hear the theme from Lancer, please click here | Jerome Moross | Instrumental only | Jerome Moross | Instrumental only | |||||
| Laramie | Western / drama | September 15, 1959 - May 21, 1963 | To hear the Seasons 1, 3 & 4 theme from Laramie, please click here and click on "Laramie Opening Theme" | Cyril J. Mockridge | Not used on the series | Bill Olafson (lyrics not used on series) | Same as opening theme | Cyril J. Mockridge | Instrumental only | |||
| Laredo | Western / comedy | September 16, 1965 - April 7, 1967 | To hear the theme from Loredo, please click here | Russ (Russell) Garcia | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme | Russ (Russell) Garcia | Instrumental only | ||||
| Law of the Plainsman | Western / drama | October 1, 1959 - May 5, 1960 | To hear the theme from Law of the Plainsman, please click here | |||||||||
| Lawman | Western / drama | 1958 - 1962 | "Lawman" | Jerry Livingston | Yes | Mack David | "Lawman" | Jerry Livingston | Yes | Mack David | ||
| Legacy | Western / drama | October 9, 1998 - July 30, 1999 | "The Mummers' Dance" | Loreena McKennitt | Yes | Loreena McKennitt | ||||||
| Legend | Western / science fiction | April 18, 1995 - August 22, 1995 | To hear the theme from Legend, please click here | |||||||||
| Little House: A New Beginning (See Little House on the Prairie) | Western / drama | September 27, 1982 - March 21, 1983 | ||||||||||
| Little House on the Prairie (See Little House a New Beginning | Western / drama | September 11, 1974 - May 10, 1982 | "The Little House" | David Rose | Originally written as incidental music for a Bonanza episode | David Rose | ||||||
| Loggers | Western / drama | 1961 | ||||||||||
| Lonesome Dove | Western / dramatic miniseries | February 5-8, 1989 | To hear the theme from Lonesome Dove, please click here | Basil Poledouris | To hear the closing theme for Lonesome Dove Part 1, please click here | |||||||
| Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years (See Lonesome Dove: The Series | Western / drama | 1995 -1996 | To hear the theme from Lonesome Dove, please click here | |||||||||
| Lonesome Dove: The Series (See Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years) | Western / drama | September 26, 1994 - May 29, 1995 | To hear the theme from Lonesome Dove, please click here | |||||||||
| Longmire | Neo Western / drama | June 3, 2012 - November 17, 2017 | To hear the theme from Longmire, please click here | David Shephard | Instrumental only | |||||||
| Luke and the Tenderfoot | Western / drama | 1955 | To hear the opening theme for Luke and the Tenderfoot, please click here | Same as the opening theme. To hear the closing theme, please click here |
M
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackenzie's Raiders | Western / drama | October 1, 1958 - July 4, 1959 | Narrative | To hear the opening theme for Mackenzie's Raider's, please click here | Narrator: Art Gilmore | Narrative | Instrumental only | Narrator: Art Gilmore | ||||
| Man From Blackhawk | Western drama | October 9, 1959 - September 9, 1960 | To hear the theme from The Man from Blackhawk, please click here | Instrumental only | ||||||||
| Man Without a Gun | Western / drama | November 5, 1957 - September 10, 1959 | To hear the theme adaptation of "Red River Valley" from Man Without a Gun, please click here | Folk song of unknown origin | Instrumental only | "Red River Valley"Folk song of unknown origin | Folk song of unknown origin | Instrumental only | ||||
| Matt and Jenny... on the Wilderness Trail | Western / drama | October 21, 1979 - February 29, 1980 | To hear the theme from Matt and Jenny ... on the Wilderness Trail, please click here | Ron Harrison | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme for Matt and Jenny on the Wilderness Trial, please click here | Ron Harrison | Instrumental only | ||||
| Maverick | Western / drama | September 22, 1957 - April 22, 1962 | To hear the opening credits for Maverick, please click here | David Buttolph | Instrumental only | David Buttolph | First Season Instrumental Only Yes, Season's 2-5 | Paul Francis Webster | ||||
| McCloud | Western /20th century crime drama with western influence | February 17, 1970 - April 17, 1977 | To hear the theme from McCloud, please click here | To hear the closing theme for McCloud, please click here | Instrumental only | | ||||||
| Melody Ranch | Western / variety | September 1964 | ||||||||||
| Men of Defiance | Western / drama | April 19, 1960 | Yes | |||||||||
| Mountain Man | Western / drama | 1960 | ||||||||||
| My Friend Flicka | Western / juvenile | February 10, 1956 - February 1, 1957 | To hear the opening theme from Flicka, please click here | Paul Sawtell | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from Flicka, please click here | Paul Sawtell | Instrumental only |
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| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nichols / James Garner as Nichols (October 28, 1971 - March 14, 1972) | Western / drama | September 16, 1971 - March 14, 1972 | To hear the theme from Nichols, please click here | Instrumental only | Instrumental only | |||||||
| Northwest Passage | Western / drama | September 14, 1958 - March 13, 1959 | To hear the opening theme for Northwest Passage, please click here | Instrumental only |
O
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oky Doky Ranch | Western / juvenile | |||||||||||
| Outlaws | Western / drama | September 29, 1960 - May 10, 1962 | Hugo Friedhofer | |||||||||
| Outlaws | Western / criminal drama / science fiction | January 3, 1987 - May 2, 1987 | Narrative | |||||||||
| Outpost | Western / drama | March 22, 1962 | ||||||||||
| Overland Trail | Western / drama | February 7, 1960 - June 6, 1960 | To hear the theme from Overland Trail, please click here | Jeff Alexander, "Dave" (David) Kahn | To hear the closing theme from Overland Trail, please click here |
P
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paradise (See Guns of Paradise) | Western / drama | October 27, 1988 - April 28, 1990 | To hear the theme from Paradise, please click here | Jerrold Immel | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme | Jerrold Immel | Instrumental only | ||||
| Peacemakers | Western / crime drama | August 6, 2003 - October 8, 2003 | To hear the theme from Peacemakers, please click here | |||||||||
| Pistols 'n' Petticoats | Western / comedy | September 17, 1966 - March 11, 1967 | "Pistols 'n' Petticoats" | Jack Elliot | Yes | Jack Elliot | ||||||
| Ponderosa | Western / drama | September 9, 2001 - May 12, 2002 | To hear the theme from Ponderosa, please click here | Bruce Rowland | ||||||||
| Pony Express | Western / drama | 1959 - May 31, 1960 | Narrative |
Q
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen of Swords | Western / drama | October 7, 2000- May 30, 2001 | "Behind the Mask" | Spencer Proffer | Jose Feliciano | Yes | Steve Plunkett | |||||
| Quick Draw | Western / comedy | August 5, 2013 - October 2, 2014 | ||||||||||
| Quick Draw McGraw | Western / animated juvenile | September 28, 1959 - October 20, 1961 | Hoyt Curtin | Yes | Hoyt Curtin | Yes |
R
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randolph Scott Theater of the West | Western / anthology | |||||||||||
| Rango | Western / comedy | January 13, 1967 - May 5, 1967 | "Rango" | Earle Hagen | Yes | Ben Raleigh | Frankie Laine | |||||
| Rawhide | Western / drama | January 9, 1959 - December 7, 1965 | "Rawhide" | Dimitri Tomkin | Yes | Ned Washington | Frankie Laine | "Rawhide" | Dimitri Tomkin | Yes | Ned Washington | Frankie Laine |
| Red Ryder | Western / juvenile | 1951 | ||||||||||
| Red Ryder | Western / juvenile | 1956 | Yes | |||||||||
| Redigo | Western/ drama | September 24, 1963 - December 31, 1963 | To hear the theme from Redigo, please click here | Instrumental only | ||||||||
| Ride the Trail with Rex Trailer | Western / juvenile | 1950 - 1956 | ||||||||||
| Riverboat | Western / drama | September 13, 1959 - January 2, 1961 | To hear the theme from Riverboat, please click here | Gerald Fried | Instrumental only | |||||||
| Rough Riders | Western / dramatic mini-series | July 20, 21, 1997 | ||||||||||
| Russell | Western / anthology series | 1961 |
S
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sagebrush Theater | Western / juvenile | |||||||||||
| Sara | Western / drama | February 13, 1976 - May 7, 1976 | "Sara's Theme" | Lee Holdridge | ||||||||
| Saturday Roundup | Western / dramatizations of James Oliver Curwood's western films | Summer 1951 | ||||||||||
| Sergeant Preston of the Yukon | Western / juvenile | September 29, 1955 - February 27, 1958 | Overture to Donna Diana | Emil von Rexnicek | Narrative | Overture to Donna Diana | Emil von Rexnicek | Instrumental only | ||||
| Shane | Western / drama | September 10, 1966 - December 31, 1966 | Victor Young | Narrative | Same as the opening theme. | Victor Young | Instrumental only | |||||
| Shotgun Slade | Western / crime drama | October 24, 1959 - June 1961 | To hear the theme for Shotgun Slade, please click here | Instrumental only | ||||||||
| Sky King | Western / juvenile | April 5, 1952 - March 8, 1959 | Milton Raskin and Joseph Solon (Herbert Taylor) | Narrative | To hear the closing theme for Sky King, please click here | Milton Raskin and Joseph Solon (Herbert Taylor) | Instrumental only | |||||
| Stagecoach West | Western / drama | October 4, 1960 - June 27, 1961 | To hear the theme for Stagecoach West, please click here | Skip Martin | Instrumental only | "Stagecoach West" | Skip Martin | To hear the closing theme, please click here | Terry Gilkyson | Bud and Travis | ||
| State Trooper | Western / 20th century crime drama | February 3, 1956 - June 25, 1959 | To hear the theme for State Trooper, please click here | Instrumental only | ||||||||
| Steve Donovan, Western Marshal | Western / crime drama | September 24, 1955 - June 6, 1956 | Narrative | |||||||||
| Stoney Burke | Western / 20th century drama | October 1, 1962 - May 20, 1963 | To hear the theme from Stoney Burke, please click here | Instrumental only | ||||||||
| Stories of the Century | Western / crime drama | January 23, 1954 - March 11, 1955 | Herschel Burke Gilbert (ASCAP) | |||||||||
| Strange Empire (a.k.a. Strange Empire Rise of the Women) | Western / drama | October 6, 2014 - February 2, 2015 | To hear the theme from Strange Empire, please click here | Instrumental only | ||||||||
| Sugarfoot | Western / drama | September 17, 1957 - April 17, 1961 | Max Steiner | Yes | Paul Francis Webster |
T
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tales of the Texas Rangers | Western / juvenile crime drama | August 27, 1955 - December 26, 1958 | "These Are Tales of Texas Rangers," an adaptation of "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You" and "I've Been Working on the Railroad" | An adaptation of “The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You” (adapted from Franz von Suppé’s “Poet and Peasant,” August 24, 1846) and “I've Been Working for the Railroad” (1894 - Anonymous) | Yes | |||||||
| Tales of Wells Fargo | Western / crime drama | March 18, 1957 - June 2, 1962 | To hear the first theme (30 minutes episodes) from Tales of Wells Fargo, please click here. To hear the second theme (60 minute episodes) from Tales of Wells Fargo, please click here. | Mort Greene (Theme 1, September 30, 1961 - June 2, 1962), Harry Warren (Theme 2 September 30, 1961- June 2, 1962) | Instrumental Only | To hear the first closing theme (30 minutes episodes) from Tales of Wells Fargo, please click here. To hear the closing theme for the 60 minute episodes, please click here | Mort Greene (Theme 1, September 30, 1961 - June 2, 1962), Harry Warren (Theme 2 September 30, 1961- June 2, 1962) | Instrumental only | ||||
| Tate | Western / drama | June 8, 1960 - September 14, 1960 | To hear the opening theme from Tate, please click here | Instrumental Only | To hear the closing theme from Tate, please click here | |||||||
| Temple Houston | Western / crime drama | September 19, 1963 - April 2, 1964 | "The Yellow Rose of Texas" | Arranged by Frank Comstock, Ned Washington | ||||||||
| Texas John Slaughter | Western / crime drama | October 3, 1958 - April 1961 | To hear the theme from Texas John Slaughter, please click here | Yes | ||||||||
| The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. | Western / drama | August 27, 1993 - May 20, 1994 | To hear the theme from The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., please click here | Randy Edelman | Instrumental Only | Same as opening theme | Randy Edelman | Instrumental only | ||||
| The Adventures of Champion | Western / juvenile | September 23, 1955 - March 3, 1956 | "Champion the Wonder Horse" | Norman Luboff | Yes | Marilyn Bergman | Mike Stewart | |||||
| The Adventures of Cyclone Malone | Western / juvenile - marionettes | 1949 - 1951 | ||||||||||
| The Adventures of Jim Bowie | Western / drama | September 7, 1956 - August 29, 1958 | "Adventurin' Man" | Ken Darby A.S.C.A.P. | Yes | Ken Darby A.S.C.A.P. | "The King's Men" a.k.a. Ken Darby Singers | "Adventurin' Man" | Ken Darby A.S.C.A.P. | Yes | Ken Darby A.S.C.A.P. | "The King's Men" a.k.a.Ken Darby Singers |
| The Adventures of Kit Carson | Western / juvenile | August 11, 1951 - January 22, 1955 | To hear the theme from The Adventures of Kit Carson, please click here | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme for The Adventures of Kit Carson, please click here | |||||||
| The Adventures of Pow Wow | Western / juvenile / animated shorts | January 30, 1945 - March 14, 1945, 1956 - 1958 | Yes | |||||||||
| The Adventures of Rick O'Shay | Western/ drama | 1951 | ||||||||||
| The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin | Western / juvenile | October 15, 1954 - May 8, 1959 | To here the theme from The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin, please click here | To hear the closing theme to The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin, please click here | ||||||||
| The Adventures of the Tucson Kid | Western / crime drama | 1954 | ||||||||||
| The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok | Western / drama | April 15, 1951 - May 16, 1958 | Narrative | |||||||||
| The Alaskans | Western / drama | October 4, 1959 - June 19, 1960 | "Gold Fever" | Jerry Livingston | Yes | Mack David | Yes | |||||
| The Americans | Western / drama | January 23, 1961 - May 15, 1961 | ||||||||||
| The Big Valley | Western / drama | September 15, 1965 - May 19, 1969 | To hear the first theme from The Big Valley, please click here. To hear the second theme from The Big Valley, please click here | George Duning (October 6, 1965 - November 18, 1968) | Instrumental Only | Instrumental Only | Same as opening theme | George Duning (October 6, 1965 - November 18, 1968) | ||||
| The Buckskin Rangers | Western / drama | To hear the opening credits for The Buckskin Rangers, please click here | To hear the closing credits for The Buckskin Rangers, please click here | |||||||||
| The Buffalo Soldiers | Western / drama | May 26, 1979 | ||||||||||
| The Californians | Western / drama | September 24, 1957 - May 26, 1959 | "I've Come to California" | Harry Warren | Yes | Harold Adamson | Ken Darby Singers | |||||
| The Cheyenne Show (See Cheyenne, Bronco, and Sugarfoot) | Western / drama | September 17, 1957 - December 17, 1962 | To hear the opening theme for the combination of Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, and Bronco, please click here. To hear the Cheyenne and Bronco opening theme combination, please click here. | |||||||||
| The Chisholms | Western / dramatic mini-series | March 29, 1979 - April 19, 1980 | To hear the adaptation of "Simple Gifts" as the theme for The Chisholms, please click here | Joseph Brackett, adapted by Aaron Copeland | To hear the adaptation of "Simple Gifts" as the theme for The Chisholms, please click here | |||||||
| The Chisholms | Western / dramatic mini-series | January 19, 1980 - March 15, 1980 | "Simple Gifts" | Joseph Brackett, adapted by Aaron Copeland | ||||||||
| The Cisco Kid | Western / juvenile | September 5, 1950 - March 22, 1956 | Narrative | The music is the same as the opening theme. There were variations in the closing credits narratives | ||||||||
| The Code of Jonathan West | Western / drama | April 17, 1960 | ||||||||||
| The Cowboys | Western / drama | February 6, 1974 - May 8, 1974 | John Williams | |||||||||
| The Dakotas | Western / drama | January 7, 1963 - September 9, 1963 | To hear the theme from The Dakotas, please click here | |||||||||
| The Deputy | Western / drama | September 12, 1959 - July 1, 1961 | To hear the theme from The Deputy, please click here | Same as the opening theme. To hear the closing theme from The Deputy, please click here | ||||||||
| The Drifter | Western / drama | 1965 - 1966 | "The Drifter" | Marty Robbins | To hear the opening theme for "The Drifter," please click here | Marty Robbins | Marty Robbins | Marty Robbins | To hear the closing theme for "The Drifter," please click here | Marty Robbins | Marty Robbins | |
| The Gabby Hayes Show | Western / variety | December 11, 1950 - January 1, 1954 | Instrumental only | |||||||||
| The Gabby Hayes Show | Western / variety | May 12, 1956 - July 14, 1956 | To hear the theme from The Gabby Hayes Show, please click here | Instrumental only | ||||||||
| The Gene Autry Show | Western / drama | July 23, 1950 - August 7, 1956 | "Back in the Saddle Again" | Ray Whitley with variations by Ray Whitley and Gene Autry | Narrative | Ray Whitley and Gene Autry (The lyrics were not used in the opening credits) | Narrator: Gene Autry | "Back in the Saddle Again" | Ray Whitley with variations by Ray Whitley and Gene Autry | Instrumental only | Ray Whitley and Gene Autry (The lyrics were not used in the closing credits) | |
| The Gray Ghost | Western / historical drama | October 10, 1957 - July 3, 1958 | "The Gray Ghost" | William Paul Dunlap | To hear the opening credits theme with narrative, please click here | Narrator: Tod Andrews | To hear the closing credits of The Gray Ghost, a variation of "The Yellow Rose of Texas," please click here | attributed to William Paul Dunlap | Instrumental only | |||
| The Guns of Will Sonnett | Western / drama | September 8, 1967 - September16, 1969 | Earle Hagen and Hugo Friedhofer | Narrative | Narrator: Walter Brennan | To hear the closing credits, please click here | Earle Hagen and Hugo Friedhofer | Instrumental only | ||||
| The High Chaparral | Western /drama | September 10, 1967 - March 12, 1971 | To hear "The Theme from "The High Chaparral," please click here | David Rose | Instrumental only | To hear the theme for The High Chaparral, please click here | David Rose | Instrumental only | ||||
| The Iron Horse | Western / drama | September 12, 1966 - January 6, 1968 | To hear the theme from The Iron Horse, please click here. | Dominic Frontiere | Instrumental only | To hear the closing credits from The Iron Horse, please click here | Dominic Frontiere | Instrumental only | ||||
| The Lariat | Western / drama | March 29, 1960 | ||||||||||
| The Lazarus Man | Western /drama | January 20, 1996 - November 9, 1996 | John Debney | |||||||||
| The Legend of Jesse James | Western / drama | September 13, 1965 - May 9, 1966 | To hear the opening credits theme, please click here | To hear the closing credits theme, please click here | ||||||||
| The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp | Western / drama | September 6, 1955 - June 27, 1961 | "The Legend of Wyatt Earp" | Harry Warren | Yes | Harold Adamson | The Ken Darby Singers | "The Legend of Wyatt Earp" | Harry Warren | To hear closing credits for The Legend of Wyatt Earp, please click here | Harold Adamson | The Ken Darby Singers |
| The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams | Western / juvenile drama | February 9, 1977 - December 19, 1978 | Thom Pace | Yes | Thom Pace | Thom Pace | To hear the closing credits for The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, please click here | Thom Pace | Instrumental only | |||
| The Lone Ranger | Western / juvenile | September 15, 1949 - June 6, 1957 | "William Tell Overature" (Fourth section) | Gioachino Antonio Rossini | Narrative | Narrative | Gioachino Antonio Rossini | Instrumental only | ||||
| The Lone Ranger | Western / animated juvenile | September 10, 1966 - September 6, 1969 | ||||||||||
| The Loner | Western / drama | September 18, 1965 - April 30, 1966 | Jerry Goldsmith | Instrumental only | ||||||||
| The Magnificent Seven | Western / drama | January 3, 1998 - July 3, 2000 | To hear "The Magnificent Seven Theme," please click here. | Elmer Bernstein | Instrumental only | To hear the closing credits from The Magnificent Seven, please click here | Elmer Bernstein | Instrumental only | ||||
| The Marshal of Gunsight Pass | Western / crime drama | March 12, 1950 - September 30, 1950 | Yes | |||||||||
| The Marshall of Trail City | Western / drama | 1950 | To hear the opening theme from The Marshall of Trail City, please click here | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from The Marshall of Trail City, please click here | Instrumental only | ||||||
| The Men from Shiloh (See The Virginian) | Western / drama | September 16, 1970 - March 24, 1971 | To hear the theme from The Men From Shiloh, please click here | Ennio Marricone | Instrumental only | |||||||
| The Monroes | Western / drama | September 7, 1966 - March 15, 1967 | To hear the opening theme for The Monroes, please click here | David Rose | Instrumental only | |||||||
| The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca | Western / dramatic mini-series | October 3, 1958 - March 1960 | "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca", | Rich Dehr and Frank Miller | To hear the theme song "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca", please click here | Rich Dehr and Frank Miller | ||||||
| The Oregon Trail | Western / drama | September 21, 1977 - October 26, 1977 | "Oregon Bound" | Rod Taylor, Charles Napier, Danny Darst | Yes | Rod Taylor, Charles Napier | Danny Darst | |||||
| The Outcasts | Western / drama | September 23, 1968 - May 5, 1960 | To hear the theme from The Outcasts, please click here | Hugo Montenegro | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme | Hugo Montenegro | Instrumental only | ||||
| The Pinkertons | Western / crime drama | October 4, 2014 - May 23, 2015 | ||||||||||
| The Quest | Western / drama | September 22, 1976 - December 29, 1976 | Richard Shores | Narrative | Same as opening theme | Richard Shores | Instrumental only | |||||
| The Range Rider | Western / juvenile | September 23, 1951 - June 22, 1953 | "Home on the Range" | Variation on the song originally written by Daniel E. Kelley | Yes | Dr. Brewster M. Higley (the lyrics are from the poem "My Western Home" (1872) | "Home, Home on the Range" | Variation on the song originally written by Daniel E. Kelley | Instrumental only | |||
| The Rebel | Western / drama | October 1, 1959 - July 18, 1961 | "Ballad of Johnny Yuma" | R. (Richard) Markowitz | Yes | A. J. (Andrew J.) Fenady | Johnny Cash | "Ballad of Johnny Yuma" | R. (Richard) Markowitz | There were versions with lyrics and versions that were instrumental only | A. J. (Andrew J.) Fenady | |
| The Restless Gun | Western / drama | September 23, 1957 - June 22, 1959 | To hear the theme "I Ride With the Wind" from The Restless Gun, please click here | Melvyn Lenard, Dave Kahn, Mort Greene | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme. To hear the closing theme, please click here | Melvyn Lenard, Dave Kahn, Mort Greene | Instrumental only | ||||
| The Rifleman | Western / drama | September 30, 1958 - April 8, 1963 | To hear the theme from The Rifleman, please click here | Herschel Burke Gilbert | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from The Rifleman, please click here | Herschel Burke Gilbert | Instrumental only | ||||
| The Road West | Western / drama | September 12, 1966 - May 1, 1967 | ||||||||||
| The Rough Riders | Western / drama | October 2, 1958 - July 16, 1959 | Cliff Radford | To hear the opening narrative from The Rough Riders, please click here | Cliff Radford | To hear the closing narrative from The Rough Riders, please click here | ||||||
| The Rounders | Western / comedy | September 6, 1966 - January 3, 1967 | To hear the theme from The Rounders, please click here | Jeff Alexander | Instrumental only | |||||||
| The Roy Rogers Show | Western / juvenile | December 30, 1951 - June 9, 1957 | Narrative | "Happy Trails" | Dale Evans | Yes | Dale Evans | Roy Rogers and Dale Evans | ||||
| The Saga of Andy Burnett | Western / dramatic mini-series | October 2, 1957 - March 12, 1958 | ||||||||||
| The Sheriff of Cochise (See U.S. Marshal) in reruns the two series were combined and ran as Man from Cochise | Western / 20th century crime drama | September 14, 1956 - January, 1958 | To hear the theme from the Sheriff of Cochise, please click here | William Loose, John Seely | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme for The Sheriff of Cochise, please click here | Instrumental only | |||||
| The Tall Man | Western / drama | September 10,1960 - May 26, 1962 | To hear the opening theme from The Tall Man, please click here | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from The Tall Man, please click here | Instrumental only | ||||||
| The Texan | Western / drama | September 29, 1958 - September 12, 1960 | To hear the opening theme from The Texan, please click here | "Bill" (William) Loose, John Seely | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from The Texan, please click here | "Bill" (William) Loose and John Seely | Instrumental only | ||||
| The Texas Ranger | Western / drama | 1955 | ||||||||||
| The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters | Western / drama | September 29, 1963 - March 15, 1964 | To hear the theme from The Travels of Jamie McPheeters, please click here | Leigh Harline | Instrumental only | Leigh Harline | Yes | Jerry Winn | ||||
| The Virginian (See The Men from Shiloh) | Western / drama | September 19, 1962 - March 18, 1970 | To hear the opening theme "Lonesome Tree" from The Virginian, please click here | Percy Faith | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme "Lonesome Tree" from The Virginian, please click here | Percy Faith | Instrumental only | ||||
| The Westerner | Western / drama | September 30, 1960 -December 30, 1960 | To hear the theme from The Westerner, please click here | Instrumental only | ||||||||
| The Wild Wild West | Western / science fiction with comedic overtones | September 17, 1965 - September 11, 1969 | To hear the "Theme from The Wild Wild West," (1) please click here To hear the "Theme from The Wild Wild West," (2) please click here | Richard Markowitz | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from The Wild, Wild West, please click here | Richard Markowitz | Instrumental only | ||||
| The Yank | Western / drama | 1960 | ||||||||||
| The Yellow Rose | Western / 20th century soap opera | October 2, 1983 - May 12, 1984 | "The Yellow Rose" adapted from the folk song "The Yellow Rose of Texas" | John Wilder adapted the folk song "The Yellow Rose of Texas: by Jerrold Immel | Yes | John Wilder | Johnny Lee, Lane Brody | "The Yellow Rose" | John Wilder | Instrumental only | ||
| The Young Pioneers | Western / drama | To hear the theme from The Young Pioneers, please click here | Dominic Frontiere | |||||||||
| The Young Riders | Western / drama | September 20, 1989 - July 23, 1992 | To hear the theme from The Young Riders, please click here | John Debney | Instrumental only | Same as opening theme | John Debney | Instrumental only | ||||
| Tombstone Territory | Western / drama | October 16, 1957 - July 8, 1960 | "Whistle Me Up a Memory" | William M. Backer | Yes | William M. Backer | William M. Backer or Jimmy Blaine | |||||
| Trackdown | Western / historical crime drama | October 4, 1957 - September 23, 1959 | To hear the opening theme from Trackdown, please click here. | William Loose and John Seely | Instrumental only | To hear the closing theme from Trackdown, please click here. | ||||||
| Trail Blazers Theater | Western / juvenile | |||||||||||
| Trigger Tales | Western / drama | |||||||||||
| Tumbleweed | Western / drama | 1959 | ||||||||||
| Two Faces West | Western / drama | October 17, 1960 - July 11, 1961 | To hear the theme from Two Faces West, please click here |
U
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union Pacific | Western / drama | September 27, 1958 - June 13, 1959 | To hear the opening theme from Union Pacific, please click here | To hear the closing theme from Union Pacific, please click here | ||||||||
| United States Marshal (see The Sheriff of Cochise) | Western / 20th century crime drama | October 11, 1958 - May 12, 1960 | To hear the opening theme from United States Marshal, please click here | Ray Ellis (from "Shoot to Kill" 1959 - "High Fence" 1960 | Instrumental Only | To hear the closing theme from United States Marshal, please click here |
W
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wagon Train | Western / drama | September 18, 1957 - May 2, 1965) | To learn about the themes for Wagon Train, click here | Jack Brooks, Sammy Fain, Jerome Moross, Henri Rene, Stanley Wilson | Instrumental Only | "(Roll Along) Wagon Train" | Sammy Fain | Yes | Jack Brooks | Johnny O'Neill | ||
| Walker, Texas Ranger | Neo-Walker / drama | To hear the opening theme #1, please click here.To hear the opening theme #1, please click here. To hear the opening theme#2, please click here. To hear the opening theme "Eyes of a Ranger," please click here. To hear a montage of all of the themes, please click here. | Jerrold Immel (September 24, 1994 - December 17, 1994) Tirk Wilder | Yes | Tirk Wilder | Chuck Norris | To hear the closing theme for Walker, Texas Ranger, Seasons 1-2, please click here. To hear the closing theme for Walker, Texas Ranger Season 3, please click here. To hear the ending credits for Walker, Texas Ranger (2005), please click here. To hear the closing credits from the final episode of Walker, Texas Ranger, please click here. | Jerrold Immel (September 24, 1994-December, 15, 1994) Tirk Wilder | Same as opening credits | Tirk Wilder | Chuck Norris | |
| Wanted: Dead or Alive | Western / drama | September 6, 1958 - March 29, 1961 | To hear the opening theme from Wanted: Dead or Alive, please click here | Herschel Burke Gilbert | Instrumental Only | To hear the closing theme for Wanted: Dead or Alive, please click here | Herschel Burke Gilbert | Instrumental only | ||||
| Western Union | Western / drama | |||||||||||
| Which Way'd They Go | Western / comedy | April 1, 1960 | ||||||||||
| Whiplash | Western / drama | September 10, 1960 - June 10, 1961 | "Whiplash" | Edwin Astley | Yes | Edwin Astley | Frank Ifield | |||||
| Whispering Smith | Western / crime drama | May 8, 1961 - October 30, 1961 | To hear the theme from Whispering Smith, please click here | Richard Shores | Instrumental Only | To hear the closing theme of Whispering Smith, please click here | Richard Shores | Instrumental only | ||||
| Wichita Town | Western / drama | September 30, 1959 - April 6, 1960 | To hear the theme from Wichita Town, please click here | Instrumental Only | ||||||||
| Wide Country | Western / 20th century drama | September 20, 1962 - April 25, 1963 | To hear the theme from Wide Country, please click here | John Williams | Instrumental Only | |||||||
| Wild West C.O.W. - Boys of Moo Mesa | Western / juvenile animated | September 12, 1992 - December 4, 1993 | Billy Dean & Verlon Thompson | Yes | To hear the closing theme for Wild West C.O.W. - Boys of Moo Mesa, please click here | |||||||
| Wildside | Western / dramatic mini-series | March 21, 1985 - April 21, 1985 | To hear the theme from Wildside, please click here | Paul Best | Instrumental Only | |||||||
| Wrangler | Western / drama | August 4, 1960 - September 15, 1960 | ||||||||||
| Wynonna Earp | Western / horror | April 1, 2016 to present | To hear variations on "Tell That Devil" (Version 1, Version Version 2), please click desired version | Jill Andrews, Emery Dobyns | To see the lyrics, please click here |
Y
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yancy Derringer | Western / drama | October 2, 1958 - June 4, 1959 | To hear the theme from Yancy Derringer, please click here | Instrumental Only | ||||||||
| Yellowstone | Western / 21st century drama | June 20, 2018 - present | To hear "Yellowstone Theme" from Yellowstone, please click here | Brian Tyler | Instrumental Only | Changes | ||||||
| Young Daniel Boone | Western / frontier drama | September 12, 1971 - October 4, 1977 | Earl Hagen | Yes | Laurence (Larry) Weiss | |||||||
| Young Maverick | Western / comedy | November 28, 1979 - January 30, 1980 | To hear the theme from Young Maverick, please click here | David Buttolph | Instrumental Only |
Z
| Title | Genre | Original Viewing Dates | Name of Opening Theme | Opening Theme Composer(s) | Opening Theme Lyrics | Opening Theme Lyricist(s) | Opening Theme Performer(s) | Name of Closing Theme | Closing Theme Composer(s) | Closing Theme Lyrics | Closing Theme Lyricist(s) | Closing Theme Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zorro | Western / drama | October 10, 1957 - July 2, 1959, October 30, 1960 - April 2, 1961 | George Bruns | Yes | Norman Foster | To hear the closing theme, please click here | George Bruns | Instrumental only | ||||
| Zorro | Western / comedy | January 5, 1990 - January 30, 1993 | Yes | |||||||||
| Zorro and Son | Western / comedy | April 6, 1993 - June 1, 1993 | George Bruns | Yes | Variation of Norman Foster's lyrics |
Sources: Series episodes, Internet Movie Database (IMDb), Wikipedia, YouTube, Bonanza: Scenery of the Ponderosa
Note: There is a lot of missing information and links. Any assistance in filling in the blanks is appreciated. Give credit where credit is due. Suggestions for corrections, additions and deletions are welcome through the Dispatch Rider. Please provide information and the grounds on which the claim is based.