“By the Power of Theme Songs!”
There was something special about Saturday mornings and 1980s cartoons. Before the episode started, an epic and exciting theme song pulled you into another world. Some were dramatic, some were catchy, and others were just amazing fun.
Many great 1980s cartoon themes could have made this list, but I had to narrow it down to a very personal Top 10. These are some of my favorites, not necessarily because they were the most popular, but because they were creative, dramatic, memorable, and musically awesome. From the epic sounds of ThunderCats and Transformers to the energy of M.A.S.K. and G.I. Joe, these songs still get stuck in my head decades later!
Thundercats
This theme will immediately pull you in with its strong, energetic feel! From the opening “Hoooooo!” to the action-packed scenes, I couldn’t wait for the episode to start!
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
From the first “Yo, Joe,” you are brought into a patriotic adventure and it almost makes you want to join up to fight against the evil forces of COBRA!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The cartoon was nothing like the comics, but this theme song’s fun beat not only gets your “COWABUNGA” going, but it also makes you crave pizza!
Kidd Video
This cartoon had a really interesting, original concept, topped only by an amazing opening song and scene! It went from real-life people to animated characters trapped in a cartoon world, and it also included original songs at the end of each episode featuring the “real-life” band!
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Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors
I really loved this series as a kid and wished we had gotten more seasons! This dramatic theme song was perfect for this amazing story, style and action!
Transformers
This is a classic that people can still hear in their heads today! It may be a simple theme, with the only memorable words being “Transformers, robots in disguise,” but the robot voice made it epic when I was a kid!
M.A.S.K. (1985)
While I was older when this series came out, I not only enjoyed the show and concept but this theme song is one of my top favorites! An absolute tribute to 80s synth styles, and I challenge you not to get into this song!
Galaxy Rangers
This was an amazing series. I was always a fan of the “adventures in space” shows, and this has that, plus an almost Hollywood-movie quality! I feel like I’m with the heroes in battle when I listen.
Star Wars Ewoks
When the next two Star Wars animated series premiered, it was at a time when Star Wars was “over!” The Return of the Jedi had come out the year before to end the story of George Lucas forever (or so we thought back then), so it was a welcome treat when the adventures continued in a galaxy far, far away, and they both have epic theme songs that would impress Luke Skywalker himself.
Star Wars Droid
BONUS
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
The POWERFUL theme song with only ONE WORD! While a simple opening theme song, you have to admit that it is the most powerfully felt theme song in animation! Nothing captures that feeling of power like the chorus of “HE-MAN!” blasting out of the TV screen!
What was YOUR favorite 80s cartoon theme song? LEAVE A COMMENT!
