The Best Western TV Themes
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My Five Favourite TV Western Themes
Over the years, more than 170 television westerns have been produced, especially during the 1950s and 1960s. In fact, the peak year for the TV Western in the USA was 1959, with several appearing in the Top 20 most watched shows of the year.
However, the five themes listed here are from those shows I remember watching back in the day, and which resonate with me the most. For me, they are among the best Western TV themes, but I know I have omitted some other good ones. Do you remember these?
Memories of the TV Western
1. The High Chaparral
Broadcast: 1967-1971
John, Victoria, Buck, Blue and Manolito were the principal characters trying to survive the dangers of the Wild West, protecting and maintaining their property against those that might want to separate them from it.
The music was written by David Rose, the man behind the Bonanza theme, and remains my favourite among many.
2. Alias Smith and Jones
Broadcast: 1971-1973
Tragically, Pete Duel was killed by a self inflicted gunshot wound during the run of the show, and his replacement never managed to capture the special magic between the two characters who had a bounty on their heads, but who were genuinely trying to reform their outlaw ways.
Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry
Alias Smith and Jones
3. Bonanza
Broadcast: 1959-1973
I have not seen the show in years, but I believe it is still repeated today. I will try and catch it again some time to remind me of more innocent times!
4. Lancer
Broadcast: 1968-1970
Possibly the comparisons come from the fact that there are similar characters, with a patriarch and his sons running a ranch and protecting their property on a weekly basis. Do you remember Murdoch Lancer and his sons Scott and Johnny?
This short-lived series also sported one of the best theme tunes, evoking images of action and adventure in the Wild West.
Music From the Western
Great TV & Movie Theme Music
Way Out West
Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 05/30/2012)
Not only can you enjoy some great TV Western themes on this compilation, but also many of the most well-known music tracks from the world of the Western movies.
5. Rawhide
Broadcast: 1959-1965
Rawhide has one of the few vocal theme tunes to which I enjoyed listening. Recorded originally by Frankie Laine, the song became a hit in its own right in 1958.
The TV Westerns Debate
Did I pick the best Western TV themes?
Yes, you have them right!
Ruthi says:
Yes, you have a list of the great westerns on TV for sure. Hmmm... how about Wagon Train?
inhousefinancing says:
High Chaparral was my favorite western composition. I would probably pick Bonanza second as probably the most recognizable to the general population. I think Wild, Wild West would have been my third choice with an honorable mention as well as the Rifleman. Great discussion piece and lens.
DLeighAlexander says:
You have a great list of some of the all-time best Western music themes ... however, The Big Valley, The Lone Ranger, My Friend Flicka, and Cimarron Strip maybe should be included also. Loved the lense :)
TheLittleCardShop says:
Yes, Bonanza was my favourite
nestboxes says:
Yes although I never saw Lancer. Still love Eastwood Films too
prosperity66 says:
Indeed, I saw a few of those we watched at home with my parents when I was young. However, one of our favorite Wild West style series was the Monroes... Could it enter your list? Or aren't they related enough?
No, I prefer this Western TV theme:
KathyMcGraw says:
no...you left off the Rifleman! That was indeed one of the best! And Bonanza should be at the top although High Chapparel is a good one ;) There's another great one too ....it was a weird one that I am surprised you didn't pick...the Wild Wild West :)
Enjoy These TV Westerns on DVD
The Old West is on Amazon
More TV Western Themes & Intros
Click On A Title to Play
- The Rifleman
- The Rifleman starring Chuck Connors ran on ABC from 1958 to 1963.
- Gunsmoke
- Gunsmoke is an American television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West.
- The Big Valley
- Based on the movie The Big Country, here is the introduction to TV's The Big Valley.
- The Virginian
- Here, brought to you 'in living color', is the introduction to The Virginian from 1963/4.
- Cheyenne
- From late 50s, early 60s comes this classic Western TV show.
- Wild Wild West
- Original Wild Wild West TV show intro and TV theme song, starring Robert Conrad and Ross Martin as James West and Artemus Gordon.
- Cimarron Strip
- This is the opening credit from the 1967-68 TV western Cimarron Strip, starring Stuart Whitman.
Enjoy More Popular Music
Find Out More About These TV Westerns
- The High Chaparral - Wikipedia
- The High Chaparral from Wikipedia.
- Alias Smith and Jones - Wikipedia
- Alias Smith and Jones from Wikipedia.
- Bonanza - Wikipedia
- Bonanza from Wikipedia.
- Lancer (TV series) - Wikipedia.
- Lancer (TV series) from Wikipedia.
- Rawhide (TV series) - Wikipedia
- Rawhide (TV series) From Wikipedia.
About Your Author
With each article, Richard invites you to step into his world of music, television and entertainment. He will introduce you to The Top 10 Albums in the UK, share The 20 Scariest Film Scores Ever? and even give you an up close look at some classical actors like Christopher Lee as Dracula.
For a complete list of Richard's articles on Squidoo, please visit Waxing-Lyrical on Squidoo.
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Were You A Fan of the TV Western?
Your Comments Are Welcomed!
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jadehorseshoe
Dec 25, 2011 @ 9:39 pm | delete
- Yes. Westerns are ALL great.
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DLeighAlexander
Sep 14, 2011 @ 12:53 pm | delete
- I was and still am a fan of the TV Western. I still watch Bonanza regularly. I have visited the High Chaparral movie set in Old Tucson, Arizona, the Ponderosa at Lake Tahoe Nevada, and Dodge City, Kansas where the LongBranch Saloon still exists. I have also been to Deadwood, South Dakota where Wild Bill Hickock is buried. I grew up on a farm in the Pecos Valley in Fort Sumner, New Mexico near the house where Pat Garrett shot and killed Billy the Kid and also close to the cemetery The Kid is buried in. The old west has been a prevalent part of my life.
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Wednesday_Elf
Mar 27, 2011 @ 11:27 am | delete
- TV westerns were the mainstay of the early days of my TV viewing -- way back in the 1950s. :-)
I remember these well, along with 'Gunsmoke'.
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nestboxes
Mar 26, 2011 @ 5:17 pm | delete
- Like Kathy it was part of the Saturday morning ritual for me too.
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TheLittleCardShop
Mar 26, 2011 @ 5:13 pm | delete
- My father enjoyed watching westerns, so we watched them with him. There was a nother western show called The Virginian with Doug McClure, I liked that one too :)
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aishu19
Mar 26, 2011 @ 12:20 pm | delete
- I dont really watch much Western..but these look like great shows
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prosperity66 Mar 26, 2011 @ 12:16 pm | delete
- My parents were fan of Western movies and series and such series were extremely popular even in Europe. Our favorite tv series was the Monroes but we also watched the Great Chapparal and Bonanza - my mother loved Michael Landon so much that after Bonanza ended, she started to watch the Little House in the Prairie, lol.
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pacrapacma
Mar 26, 2011 @ 9:48 am | delete
- I watched a little. Every boy used to pretend to be a cowboy years ago. Oh the simple times. Nice job showcasing westerns!
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KathyMcGraw
Mar 26, 2011 @ 12:39 am | delete
- I grew up on Westerns, every Saturday morning! I was really sad when they stopped airing on prime time or Saturdays, so you can imagine my pleasure when I found a channel that airs Bonanza re-runs. Love watching Little Joe and Hoss and their antics. To me it is just as good now as it was when I was little in the 50's ;)
Thanks for the memories :)
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by Waxing-Lyrical
I used to enjoy watching TV Westerns and really enjoyed listening to their theme music.
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The Television Western
An Essential Reference Guide
Television Westerns: Major and Minor Series, 1946-1978 (Mcfarland Classics, 12)
Amazon Price: $30.94 (as of 05/30/2012)
This book features all you could ever need to know about the TV Western, detailing and referencing all the shows that appeared over more than a thirty year period. Includes essential information about the music from all of these television series.
More Classic Television
50 Years of the Western
A Comprehensive Guide
50 Years Of The Television Western
Amazon Price: $79.29 (as of 05/30/2012)
The book includes a brief synopsis for each show, together with a list of the main actors. As you read through it, you will be reminded of many wonderful shows and characters; some you may have forgotten, or some you may be encountering for the first time. Ultimately, this is a very comprehensive photographic guide to a much loved era of television.
