"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale" of a time when television shows began with awesome TV Theme Songs. "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name" and sometimes you want to go back to when TV Theme songs were special. "Here's a story... of a lovely" time when TV Theme Songs served to identify, distinguish and set the stage for the television program that followed. "You take the good, take the bad, take them both and there you have" what unfortunately has become a lost artform. "Believe it or not", sadly it seems no effort or pride is taken in the TV Theme Song ever since Seinfeld proved a short synth-bass riff could be used instead. “Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!” This regular feature may not "make all our dreams come true", but it will remember some of the best TV Theme Songs from years past (with a focus on the '80s decade). "Come aboard, we're expecting you."
This time we will cover the theme song for Hart to Hart. The series debuted in August of 1979 on ABC running for five seasons and 110 episodes into the '80s. After the series ended in 1984, it was later followed by eight made-for-television movies that aired from 1993 to 1996. Hart to Hart starred Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers as wealthy married couple Jonathan and Jennifer Hart who find themselves as amateur detectives.
The premise of the show is summed up in the opening credits sequence, narrated by Max, the Harts' majordomo (played/voiced by Lionel Stander), as he introduces the characters:
This is my boss – Jonathan Hart, a self-made millionaire. He's quite a guy.
This is Mrs. H – she's gorgeous. What a terrific lady.
By the way, my name is Max. I take care of them - which ain't easy; 'cause their hobby is - murder.
Beginning with Season 2 onward, the opening lines were slightly changed:
This is my boss – Jonathan Hart, a self-made millionaire. He's quite a guy.
This is Mrs. H – she's gorgeous. She's one lady who knows how to take care of herself.
By the way, my name is Max. I take care of both of them – which ain't easy; 'cause when they met, it was murder.
Lionel Stander was known for his distinctive raspy voice and tough-guy demeanor. Stander played Max the majordomo which is mean he is a combination of butler, cook, and chauffeur to the Harts. In 1982, Stander won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.
The theme song for Hart to Hart was written by Mark Snow. He is probably best known for composing the theme music for The X-Files in the '90s, but has extensive work within television and film. In addition to Hart to Hart, some shows Snow worked on in the '80s include: The Love Boat, T.J. Hooker, Cagney & Lacey, Falcon Crest, Pee-wee's Playhouse among many more as well as the 1988 film Ernest Saves Christmas.
Here is the opening for season 2 of Hart to Hart featuring the theme song...
The theme song definitely has a '70s disco vibe and is probably more memorable for Stander's voiceover narration at the beginning. I love it when he says, "She's gorgeous!"
Hope you enjoyed tuning in for another "episode" of TV Theme Songs!
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