12 Awesome Canadian TV Show Theme Songs

I couldn’t get enough of Flashpoint when it was on the air. The characters, the writing and the production values were incredible; every week I knew the writers would throw a storyline my way that would draw me in. And it all started with that iconic opening theme music.

Whether it be instrumental or with words, a TV show’s theme is very often the audience’s first look at a program, and sets the tone for the rest of the broadcast. And, in the case of old shows, the opening strains trigger memories of what you were doing at the time in your life when the show was on.

Here’s a look at some of my favourite Canadian TV show themes; let me know if you agree, disagree or list your fave in the Comments below.

Flashpoint

Why I like it: The mix of brief shots of Toronto’s skyline and that melody hooked me right away, followed by the one-two images of the main cast. But the biggest impact Flashpoint‘s opening theme still has on me is the percussion that ramps up in intensity until the final note, punctuated by the clicking off of the rifle’s safety. That signified to me that the drama was about to begin, and no one was safe from harm.

Traders

Why I like it: Traders spotlit the world of investment banking, and the theme reflected that with strings and a vocal section delivering what sounds like a hymn to money. Steady and stately, the rising crescendo plays underneath shots of the lead characters looking serious while lightning crackles, tanks roll and protesters rage.

Murdoch Mysteries

Why I like it: In my house, no one is allowed to fast-forward through the Murdoch Mysteries theme. Robert Carli’s bass-heavy score trundles along with wispy, tinkly, almost supernatural notes above it. That in itself is cool enough, but by adding in those shots of the magnifying glass going over the Toronto Gazette, a hand and its fingermarks and the morgue instruments makes MM an instant classic. (Carli is responsible for a ton of Canadian TV themes, including Remedy, Cracked, Still Life: A White Pines Mystery, Bomb Girls, Good Dog and Wild Roses.)

The Littlest Hobo

Why I like it: Hobo was in my wheelhouse as a lad, a weekend staple on my grandparents’ television set when I was over for a visit. Looking back on it now, Hobo is almost crying-worthy in its cheesiness and the theme reflects that. With those memorable first lines, “There’s a voice, keeps on callin’ me, down the road, that’s where I’ll always be. Every stop I make, I make a new friend…” the tune lets viewers know not only that we’re in for an adventure, but that the dog is always on the move and will be getting into scrapes along the way. (And the dog can apparently sing too; the song is written as if the pooch is performing it.) “Maybe Tomorrow,” composed and performed by Terry Bush, can be purchased in the iTunes store. Yes, I checked.

The Beachcombers

Why I like it: No list of Canadian TV themes is complete without The Beachcombers and it was my first real introduction into television outside Sesame Street, Polka Dot Door and Mr. Dressup. And while I don’t really recall any storylines other than every week seemed to pit Nick against Relic, I remember the theme fondly. B.C.’s rugged coast is paired with fast-flying motorboats juxtaposed over a jaunty orchestral production that beckoned me west for adventure … and pie at Molly’s Reach.

The King of Kensington

Why I like it: Admittedly, I wasn’t a huge fan of King of Kensington when it was on, but that opening theme always drew me in. A little love letter to Kensington Market, those bustling streets always fascinated me. I always equated Larry King with being like Archie Bunker, the king of his own little neighbourhood, so to see him walking around those streets, slapping backs and shaking hands like a politician held me in thrall. The theme song is pretty straight-forward, introducing Larry, his long-suffering wife Cathy and mother Gladys, who says her son is the “only King around without a buuuuuck.” Good stuff.

Corner Gas

Why I like it: There might not have been a lot going on in Corner Gas, but the theme sure did. “Not a Lot Goin’ On,” written by Craig Northey and Jesse Valenzuela, not only works as a theme song but a legitimately good tune on its own. Sly nods to the flatness of Saskatchewan are interspersed with shots of the cast of characters to let you know wackiness will ensue. This and the theme from Friends are my favourite “themes that are real songs.”

The Kids in the Hall

Why I like it: I didn’t watch The Kids on the Hall on the regular, but I sure loved the theme, “Having an Average Weekend.” Written and performed by Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet, it’s twangy and fun and comes off more as a music video than introduction to the show. It certainly didn’t give any hint as to the off-the-wall sketches to come.

Hilarious House of Frightenstein

Why I like it: Vincent Price at his creepiest + endless crackles of lightning + a Moog synthesizer = classic TV.

Friendly Giant

Why I like it: Thanks to the fact every Canadian (or Ontario) kid is given a recorder in Grade 4, we all learned to play the theme for Friendly Giant. And why not? It was easy and non-threatening, just like the show. As an aside, I always wanted to sit in the rocking chair and look up. Look waaaaay up.

Heartland

Why I like it: I’ve become a big fan of Heartland since I’ve been reviewing it full-time here on the site, and every Sunday this tune worms its way into my brain where it replays at least midway into Monday. Written by Jenn Grant, just the chorus of “Dreamer” is used by CBC’s long-running family drama but it’s enough to let you know the show is about living your dream—and life—to the fullest.

Republic of Doyle

Why I like it: Smash cuts of St. Johns’s, cast shots jumping across the screen, the beloved GTO pealing around a corner, the chorus of Great Big Sea’s rocking’ tune lets you know in scant seconds that you are in for one hell of a fun ride. Oh yeah!

What did I miss? What are your favourite Canadian TV show themes? Let me know below.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

11 thoughts on “12 Awesome Canadian TV Show Theme Songs”

  1. While you mentioned it in passing, obviously you missed Mr.Dressup, a show I worked on in the 80s. I’ll give you some inside trivia about the piano based theme that everyone knows. The music was performed live for every taping of the show with a live band in the studio, watching the cartoon animation opening as playback as they played. Compare any two episodes and you’ll notice it the music isn’t quite the same.

  2. I’m a little biased but LESS THAN KINDS credit sequence and theme song I Hate Winnipeg (aka One Great City) by The Weakerthans is a pretty cool thing.

    1. Definitely gets an honourable mention. I discovered The Weakerthans BECAUSE of Less Than Kind. I’ll look for a link to the credits and will plug it in.

  3. Well—when I was a kid there was “The Racoons”, “The Edison Twins”, re-runs of “Rocket Robin Hood” (an understated classic!) and all the Degrassi themes; though as a child I really loved Wayne and Shuster’s closing number: “Well I see by the clock on the wall….”
    Police shows need intense dramatic music and you get that with “DaVinci’s Inquest”, “Fortier” (was that the Quebec equivalent of DaVinci??), “Cold Squad”, “Blue Murder”, and (serious throwback!) “Wojeck”!!—let’s throw in the contemporary “19-2” as well here. (IMO that whole series is awesome!)
    From the legal side of the justice system there’s “The Associates”, “This Is Wonderland”, and my all-time fave Canadian TV theme song—David Wilcox’s bluesy little opener for “Street Legal” (I think that was for the first season only—the show went a more demure usual instrumental afterwards, but no less interesting, but perhaps more ‘fashionable’).
    If your show was comical, you typically got an upbeat song; “Blackfly”, “Bordertown”, “Nothing Too Good For A Cowboy”, “An American In Canada”, “Royal Canadian Air Farce” (by the Barenaked Ladies!), even “Lord Have Mercy”.
    Then there were the “rock” supplied theme songs:
    “dueSouth” from Northern Pikes’ Jay Semko;
    “Taking The Falls” (starring Cynthia Dale as a private investigator in Niagra Falls) used Dobb and Dumela’s “Quicksand” for their theme song;
    “Big Sound” featuring Jeff Healey’s eponymous song;
    Showcase’s original series “Paradise Falls” featured a rare M+M song titled “Paradise” over the closing credits.
    the theme to “Train 48” intrigued me until I found out it wasn’t Canadian—Boo!

    Perhaps the weirdest theme song(s) belonged to “Slings and Arrows”.
    And if a TV theme song is supposed to reflect some sort of aspect of the show, I dunno what’s up with “Trailer Park Boys”.

    1. Agree with DUE SOUTH – I was surprised to see that left off. How about DANGER BAY, SCTV and HANGIN’ IN?

  4. Wow, what a lot of memories! Great to see the Kids in their prime. I always got a kick out of “Seeing Things”. Loved the show. The theme wasn’t as good as the ones you’ve picked, perhaps, but it went with the show and it was funny. http://youtu.be/ryWsVFkJ1QI

  5. I’m with Marvin on the Less Than Kind theme. My wife and I watched every fine episode of that show and every time, we always chimed along with ‘I….Hate….Winnipeg.’ Even though I had nothing against Winnipeg, for some reason I really enjoyed that.

  6. How about Junior Forest Rangers? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpV4-JlwWt0
    The original Littlest Hobo theme from the sixties? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFIj9oJmF6w

    I mention these two because I’m an old fart and they were an important part of my childhood.

    Also Mosquito Lake -although there was little love for the show from critics and it lasted just one season, Ian Thomas wrote the catchy tune. Still plays in my head from time to time. No link to that I’m afraid. Seems the only memories of that show are as “the worst Canadian sitcom ever” My little claim to fame.

Comments are closed.