Top Ten Classic Cartoon Theme Songs from the 1960s: An Online Video and Music Collection

You gotta love 60's cartoons. The 1960s were a simpler time when shows proudly announced that they were "In Color!" The 60's were also a great time for cheaply made animation. We hadn't quite gotten to the flesh colored eyes of the 1970s, but cartoons were heading that way. Fortunately one thing they didn't skimp on were cartoon theme songs. These tunes were some of the most memorable cartoon theme songs ever recorded. Chances are, I don't need to list the lyrics because you already know the words.

Top Ten Classic Cartoon Theme Songs from the 1960s

10. Super Chicken (original pilot 1960, second pilot 1965, on air 1967)

When Henry Cabot Henhaus III would drink his Super Sauce, mayhem typically ensued. Fortunately he knew the job was dangerous when he took it. The cartoon had a short but memorable run in 1967, although syndication would keep Super Chicken on the air for many years afterward. The most important thing to remember about this cartoon is: when there is no one else to turn to, call for Super Chicken.

To watch an episode of this cartoon, including the cartoon theme song, click HERE.

To hear this theme song in Windows Media Player, click HERE.

9. Space Ghost (1966-1968)

Although Space Ghost only ran for two years, it received a rebirth of sorts in syndication. In 1994 Space Ghost returned to TV as a talk show host on Cartoon Network's Space Ghost Coast to Coast. Its continued popularity may be attributable to its classic theme song. If you're having trouble remembering the lyrics, just repeat after me... Space Ghooooost!

To watch the opening of Space Ghost and hear this cartoon theme song, click HERE.

8. The Pink Panther (1964 - 1980)

This cartoon was derived from the 1963 Pink Panther live action movie. The title sequence for the movie was such a hit that United Artists decided to turn it into a series of animated shorts beginning in 1964.

The Pink Panther became a Saturday morning staple by the late 1960s, and the cartoons continued to be produced until 1980.

The cartoon had a number of theme songs. The classic Pink Panther opening theme song can be found HERE.

Another version you may have seen, which is not the theme song that earned Pink Panther the number 8 spot on the list, can be seen HERE. It features a split-screen live action opening that is, well, rather horrible.

7. The Jetsons (original run: September, 1962 - March, 1963)

Following up on the success of The Flintstones, The Jetsons was another Hanna-Barbera prime time cartoon. It originally aired on Sunday nights between 1962 and 1963 and ran for 24 episodes. After the show was cancelled, the original 24 episodes ran for years in syndication on Saturday mornings.

You can Meet George Jetson, his boy Elroy, daughter Judy and Jane, his wife, by clicking HERE to watch this classic opening theme.

To see an original Jetson's ABC TV spot in black and white, click HERE.

6. Jonny Quest (1964-1965)

Yet another Hanna-Barbera production, Jonny Quest was the coolest kid on TV - at least for a season. From his home, a compound in the Florida Keys, Jonny jet-setted all around the world fighting evil. How cool is that for an 11-year-old?

That spider robot with the one eye and the mummy always freaked me out as a kid, but fortunately I could rely on Hadji and Bandit to calm things down.

To watch and listen to this cartoon theme song, click HERE.

5. Underdog (1964-1973, including syndication)

Underdog began as a cartoon created to pitch breakfast cereals and ended up as one of the most popular cartoons of the 1960s. In the original cartoon series, Underdog would gain his superpowers by taking a "Super Energy Vitamin Pill." However, in re-release all references to his taking a pill to gain super powers were edited out. Despite a colorful cast, including the evil Simon Bar Sinister and Sweet Polly Purebread, Underdog's most lasting memory may be the cartoon's theme song.

To watch the original Underdog opening, click HERE. Don't worry, there's no need to fear - Underdog is here.

4. George of the Jungle (1967-1968)

Why is it that some of the shortest-lived cartoons have some of the best theme songs? Sing this one out loud if you want to. No one will mind. Just watch out for that... TREE!

To see the opening and hear the theme song, click HERE.

3. Speed Racer (52 episodes beginning in US in 1967)

When I was a kid, my dream car was the Mach Five driven by none other than Speed Racer. Peter Fernandez was the show's US producer. Trans-Lux tapped Fernandez to convert the original Japanese cartoon for the North American market. In addition, Fernandez supplied the voices for Sped Racer and Racer X, and was responsible for coming up with a new theme song for the cartoon.

The theme song for the American version used the music from the Japanese version, written by Nobuyoshi Koshibe. The lyrics were re-written by Peter Fernandez and Danny Davis. The song was performed by Danny Davis, Billy Mure, Janet Lederman and Don Burkenheimer. Danny Davis would go on to found the Nashville Brass and become a regular on Hee Haw.

To watch and listen to the Speed Racer Theme Song, click HERE. Adventure's waiting just ahead...

The show also featured some riveting incidental music. The Mammoth Car theme was particularly intense. If you don't remember this theme song, you can click HERE. The video is not from Speed Racer but you'll certainly recognize the music.

2. Spiderman (1967 - 1970)

Is he strong? Listen bud, he's got radioactive blood.

The theme song lyrics were written by Paul Francis Webster, a three-time Academy Award winner who also wrote the song, "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing" among many others. The music was composed by Bob Harris. Later in the show's run the incidental music took on a real eclectic feel - like watching an animated video from The Doors. Oh, and by the way, the show's in color!

To watch the original opening and hear this classic cartoon theme song, click HERE.

1. The Flintstones (1960 - 1966)

This modern Stone Age family was the first show ABC broadcasted in color. The "meet the Flintstones" theme song that we all know and love was not the original opening for the show. This theme song didn't appear until the third season. In syndicated releases, the original theme song is replaced with the third-season theme.

To have a gay old time, click HERE. Yabba-dabba-dooooo!

Hope you enjoyed this trip through time with classic cartoon theme songs of the 1960s. If you didn't, you need to play The Flintstones' theme song again -- it's sure to bring a smile.