Can You Name the '90s TV Show From the Lyrics to Its Theme Song?

John Miller

Image: Warner Bros. Television

About This Quiz

The 1980s were packed with so many hit TV shows that even pop culture fanatics can hardly name them all. The ‘90s may not have created quite as many 20th century stars, but it did spawn some big hits, too – and those TV shows spun their way into our hearts (and ears) thanks to their unforgettable theme songs. In this '90s-heavy quiz, do you think you can match the following lyrics to the correct television program?

Not all theme songs have words, but that doesn’t make them any less memorable. Think “The A-Team” or “Airwolf” for starters. But the right lyrics for the right show can set the tone for an entire series. Do you recall the show that started off with the ominous line, “But you're one in a million / You've got that shotgun shine (shame about it) / Born under a bad sign, with a blue moon in your eyes”? It was one of the biggest hits in television history, and it featured a family of mobsters who may have felt occasional twinges of regret for the hideous crimes they committed.

How about this classic line: “If the teacher pops a test / I know I'm in a mess / And my dog ate all my homework last night / Riding low in my chair / She won't know that I'm there
If I can hand it in tomorrow it will be alright”? Those words are from, of course, “Saved By The Bell.”

But Screech won’t chime in with hints on this tough quiz – you’ll have to go it alone. Try this '90s TV show lyrics quiz now!

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "(I'll be ready) I'll be ready / (Whenever you fear) No, don't you fear / (I'll be ready) Forever and always, I'm always here"?

Whether you needed a hairy hero like David Hasselhoff or a blonde burnout like Pamela Anderson, "Baywatch" was there to save the day. And they'll point the way to the outdoors showers, too.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Bad boys bad boys / Watcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do / when they come for you"?

Inner Circle, a Jamaican reggae group that formed in the late 1960s, could never have guessed that its biggest hit would be due to a reality show like "Cops." The song propelled the band to worldwide fame.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Oh, this is a story 'bout a guy named Al / and he lived in the sewer with his hamster pal"?

You've never heard of "The Weird Al Show"? The famous singer did have a show in 1997, but it lasted for just one season, in part because it was torn between targeting kids or adults as its audience.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "In West Philadelphia, born and raised / On the playground is where I spent most of my days / Chillin' out, maxin', relaxin all cool / And all shootin' some B-ball outside of the school"?

Remember when Will Smith was just a some young guy? Neither do we. He performed the theme song for "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and shot to superstardom like no one else in his generation.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Scrambled eggs all over my face. What is a boy to do"?

For 11 seasons, "Frasier" featured Kelsey Grammer as Frasier, a therapist who tries to helps his clients deal with the scrambled eggs that are their emotional lives. Once in a great while, he was actually successful.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "I am human and I need to be loved / just like everybody else does"?

In 1998, The WB network debuted "Charmed" a supernatural drama starring Alyssa Milano, Shannen Doherty and other notable '90s stars. But were any of the starring ladies really human? Inquiring minds want to know!

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Tell me why, I love you like I do / Tell me who, could stop my heart as much as you / Let's take each other's hand / As we jump into the Final Frontier"?

In 1992, Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt demonstrated remarkable onscreen chemistry as a married couple in "Mad About You." They were so popular, in fact, that the show is coming back for another round in the near future.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Stop all your fussin' / Slap on a smile / Come out and walk in the sun for awhile"?

Actress Mayim Bialik was a breakout star thanks to "Blossom." And she does indeed "slap on a smile" even though her mother totally abandoned her.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Hangin' out / Down the street / The same old thing / We did last week"?

With the funky clothes, the long hair and the "dude" attitude, "That '70s Show" was a major '90s hit. It helped Ashton Kutcher and Laura Prepon, among others, find incredible fame.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Who would have guessed that the girl we described / was just exactly what the doctor prescribed"?

In "The Nanny," Fran Drescher was Fran Pine, a nanny in New York. At first, it seems like a clash of cultures, but Fran's warm personality brings a welcome bit of warmth to a hoity-toity NYC family.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "I found a man who has a PhD in personality / That man you found may be a catastrophe / It's more of a reality"?

Mark Curry, a real-life NBA star, became Mr. Cooper in "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper." The show also starred Holly Robinson Peete and Raven-Symoné.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "But I believe I'm ready / for what love has to bring / I've got myself together / Now i'm ready to sing"?

This famous song was called "Searchin' My Soul," and clearly it was a parody tune. Because "Ally McBeal" was a show all about lawyers.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Robot roll call, let's go"?

Take some robots and have them make witty comments during B-movies of the worst kind … and you have a '90s hit. Mystery Science Theater 3000 still has a timeless quality that few '90s shows can match.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "I believe that lovers stars are uncrossable / Because I've moved my share of rubber tree plants?"

It had plenty of star power in Tony Danza and Lori Loughlin, and it even got good reviews. But the 1996 sitcom "Hudson Street" lasted for just one season.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Ample parking day or night, people spouting: 'Howdy, neighbor!'"?

We picked the one line from the "South Park" theme song that's printable in a family forum. The rest of the words, like the show, are rather raunchy.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Up every morning just to keep a job / I gotta fight my way through the hustling mob / Sounds of the city pounding in my brain / While another day goes down the drain"?

The theme song for "The Drew Carey Show" summed up the program's storylines. The song, performed by The Vogues, was all about a typical guy just trying to get by.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "I wanna be the very best / Like no one ever was / To catch them is my real test / To train them is my cause"?

Gotta catch 'em all! That's the whole point of the Pokemon craze, which is now entering what seems like its third century.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "I'll be there for you, like I've been there before / I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too"?

The Rembrandts composed "I'll Be There For You," the theme song for "Friends." It's one of TV's most iconic theme songs ever.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Well, I don't tell jokes / And I don't take notes / And you'll be sayin' there ain't much hope / You've got nothin' on me"?

In 1996, Brooke Shields finally got to star in her very own show, "Suddenly Susan." And the theme song? Courtesy of Shawn Colvin.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Well it's Monday night / And we're ready to strike! / Our Special Forces are in full flight"?

Hank Williams Jr. sang the raucous anthem for "Monday Night Football" in the '90s. And he managed to name check himself in the lyrics, too.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "They're movin' in together / Gonna work around the clock / Care to mix some oil and water / Makes this business hot"?

"Fired Up" debuted in 1997 and ran for two seasons. It starred Sharon Lawrence and Leah Remini as business partners trying to recover from losing their jobs.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Only time will tell / But you know what they say / We'll make it better / The second time around"?

Put Patrick Duffy and Suzanne Somers in charge of six kids and what do you get? "Step by Step," a huge hit from the '90s. The show started on ABC and then moved homes to CBS halfway through its 160-episode run.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "I can hardly believe it, Oh, / But now I know I can see this is my place to go / and now I'm home. I'm home, I'm home. Thank you, Boston"?

In 1996, "Boston Common" hit TVs everywhere thanks to NBC. But the show, which was all about the weird dynamics between brother and sister, didn't pan out for long.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "You woke up this morning / All the love has gone / Your Papa never told you / About right and wrong"?

The "Sopranos" theme song was an original tune from a band called Alabama 3. They are sometimes called "the best live band in Britain."

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "The lady's got the universe on a string / She's got everything"?

Kirstie Alley never really followed up the success she found on "Cheers." But she tried in "Veronica's Closet," in which she played a lingerie retailer on the East Coast.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "My posse and my crew / It's all of that! / So sit still 'cause we're coming right back"?

If these seem like the lyrics to a children's show, you're right. It was "All That," a sketch comedy show that aired on Nickelodeon starting in 1994.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "If there's one thing that I've learned / While waiting for my turn / It's that in each life some rain falls / But you also get some sun"?

The ups and downs of the actress who played the title character in "Roseanne" affected this show's popularity. But it also gave rise to the steady star of John Goodman.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "So here's Acme Acres / It's a whole wide world apart / Our home sweet home, it stands alone / A cartoon work of art"?

From 1990 to 1992, the cute little characters in "Tiny Toon Adventures" aired on television, hoping to spark new interest in old Looney Tunes characters. Steven Spielberg was the show's executive producer.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Gonna take pollution down to zero / He's our powers magnified / And he's fighting on the planet's side"?

Starting in 1993, "Captain Planet and the Planeteers" set about saving the planet from environmental woes. But given the current state of global warming, it's clear that Captain Planet should be demoted to Corporal.

Which '90s TV theme song goes, "Absorbent and yellow and porous is he"?

Who knew that a talking sponge like SpongeBob SquarePants would turn into a billion-dollar franchise for Nickelodeon? The show is a huge moneymaker and has won four Emmy Awards, to boot.

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