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The ten themes on this list represent the best and most memorable from a decade that saw robots transforming into cars and anthropomorphic rodents solving crimes. But before we get into that, there's one stipulation for entrants on this list that needs saying before you all grab your pitch forks and nerf guns: the theme must contain lyrics, and not just a voice over. Therefore, as brilliant as they are, no He-Man and no Simpsons. Sorry to that one reader dressed in the furry loincloth wielding a replica Power Sword. You know who you are. That said, get ready to bust out the old discman and crank up the music because here are the Top 10 '80s Cartoon Theme Songs.
10) Thundercats
Along with pretty badass characters, a damn impressive animation style and plotlines that hold up surprisingly well for today's standards -- a far as a show revolving around anthropomorphic fighting felines from space goes -- Thundercats also featured one of the catchiest albeit most ridiculously worded theme songs of all time. It's like the creators made a deal with some ancient spirits of evil who said, "Sure it'll have a crazy cool guitar riff, but it'll also contain the lines 'Feel the magic, hear the roar.'" Not to mention the strange and conflicted feelings we got every time Cheetra run onto the screen. We're still not too sure how we feel about that.
9) Alvin and the Chipmunks
By the time they got a new animated show in 1983, the Chipmunks had already received multiple Grammy Awards and countless nominations for their musical stylings. Hell, half a decade later and people still know Alvin really wanted that hula hoop for Christmas. So, it really comes as no surprise that the theme to Alvin and the Chipmunks ranks as one of the best in cartoon history. Although, while we can forgive Alvin, Simon and Theodore (do do dodododo) for forming a tune that sticks in our heads forever, what we can't forgive is the term "squeakquel." AALLLLVVVINNNN!!!
8) Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers
Apparently, the 1980s really had a thing for furries because this makes the third, and certainly not the last, item on this list featuring animals acting like people -- except for wearing pants. For some reason, many of them choose to forgo that formality. Anyway, Rescue Rangers is only one example of Disney's ability to create a theme song that just resonates with a particular audience. Namely, those that love crime solving but doubly so when accomplished through a detective agency staffed with chipmunks, mice and a fly. What's even more crazy is that these guys didn't solve only animal-related crimes, but also human ones. Can you imagine if you hired a group of detectives that solved your case, but who then turned out to be woodland creatures? I'm pretty sure heads would literally explode.
7) Jem
What's truly outrageous about "Jem" is how insanely '80s the whole thing is -- from the theme song to the clothing to the David Bowie-esque hair and makeup. It's like they threw a bunch of legwarmers, swatches, slap bracelets and Joan Jett into a compression machine and out popped Jem and the Holograms. Just looking at that intro is like taking a Hot Tub Time Machine back to '85. But we'll say this: you were right, Jem. The music is contagious. So very, very contagious. We kind of hate you for it.
6) My Little Pony
Yeah, yeah. You've won this round, ponies. Soak it up while you can.
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