The Rockford Files Theme

[tostare]

best theme EVAR

[NeoTronDesign]

[Rockford at a casting office pretending to be a filmmaker]

JIM: I'm looking for a child with a serious overbite.

SECRETARY: A serious overbite...

JIM: A woodchuck.

Funny the stuff you remember. A lot of that snappy dialog came from Juanita Bartlett.

[seven2nds80]

If you live in Canada they are playing 'The Rockford Files' daily @ 11:00 A.M EST (repeated at 5 A.M) on Deja-Vu. Channel 143 on the Cogeco cable system.......I love this show!

[laforge27]

I watch Rockford Files on Hulu Plus regularly. May be on regular Hulu, but for $7.95/month you can get Plus and have access to EVERYTHING!

[latitudeCheck]

The best fun watching tv anyone can have is watching James Garner in Rockford Files. Garner made the character Jim Rockford very believable, as if Jim Rockford were a real life person.

[coololds85]

Does anybody know where you can watch this tv show on tv anymore like for real?

[latitudeCheck]

@coololds85 Some local stations schedule it. Guess it depends upon your location. Also check Netflix & Amazon.

[j516710003]

This theme reminds a bit of The Who circa Who's next..maybe its the synth?

[sauquoit13456]

SON-OF-GUN; JUST MADE IT!!! In 1975 "Theme from The Rockford Files" peaked at No. 10 thus just making the Billboard's Top 10 and it spent a total of 16 weeks in the Top 100...

[sheka216]

whenever i get the chance i watch rockford files and alaways crank up the theme song

[BRADpaisley21]

Peter <3

[DonetelloEsiable]

Johnny Kings - Suuuu Whiiite Arrrmyyyyy

[wingman572]

television or not, this is a jam

[muzzmatrix]

Jim Rockford reminds me of may dad. The 1970's was a great time to own a television. Not anymore though.

[mistermamaluigi]

@muzzmatrix Channel 5.2 METV Classics

[ElZappata]

@muzzmatrix I bet your dad rocked (get it ) lol!

[RedOnyxProductions]

I listen to this when I am driving my minivan... =)

[klimber10001]

Man oh man I loved this song as a kid....Great show too. Wish they still made shows like this..

[enterprise160]

I always loved this show. I wish Jim Rockford had married Beth Davenport, though. They would've been quite a couple.

[Nestonyouse]

Suuuuwhite aaaarmy



[alworkedup]

I love the photo of his father on his desk (Noah Beery) :)

[robyrobot]

My all time favorite TV show!!

[beebtv]

Nearly every episode is on Netflix instant streaming service. One of the only reasons I have Netflix. God Bless James Garner for making a show this great that it stands the test of time. My dad and I used to watch this show together.

[LoisHaywood]

@beebtv I also have great memories of watching this with my dad on Friday nights during the 1970s.

[Cool2BCeltic]

Someone should upload the opening titles with one of the classic responses to Jim Rockford's voicemail.

[sovbo101]

HEY jIMMY. God Bless You

[sovbo101]

I love James Garner

[11bumbu]

Love this!!!!!!!Takes me back......

[410missmonkeyful]

this song hit #10 on Billboard hot 100 in 1975.

[8584zender]

It just gets better with age, this has got to be one of the best TV themes of all time.

[TheSuperEupher]

Love the guitar solo.

[popeyenick]

@castlebar67...James Garner still going strong...you can see him as the grandpa in series 3 of 8 Simple Rules...very funny

[jsimons16]

Great Theme Song :D

[Cool2BCeltic]

The best US detective series of the 1970s.

[momo19992000]

This song isa the best of bests TV theme ever.Thank you for uploading !!

[mrseangeraghtyesq]

thankyou for posting the original!! So much bollocks available on the net. This is a really good tune!

[stuka1966]

Thanks for posting this. I rember this from my younger days.

THanks.

[Leethepowertrfc]

This is played at every Tranmere Rovers home game when the players come out :)

[castlebar67]

thanks again for your answer wonder if he still with us? his dad actor dead for years pb manchester kind regards. constantine chernabog.

[Vanasse1]

Loved Loved Loved this song back in the day.... major crush on Jim Rockford, too..... miss this show!

[castlebar67]

hi didnt this Tune BECOME A CHART HIT WAY BACK THEN. pb manchester.

[anomnomnomaleez]

@castlebar67 yes.

[ahmidis74]

Simply wonderful!

[tommiej3]

Jim Rockford - theres only one!!!

[pixiepancake]

love this show; so, so cool....

[calibermoon]

I LOVE IT!! I remember when I was 7 years old watching this show. That song is forever etched in my memory!

[Ellorenzo1]

BOSS!



[streak998]

my parents got me addicted to this show and song but I WANT TO LEARN THIS ON GUITAR SO BAD!!!!!!!

[Phoenix44cc]

This brings back the memories.. Rockford.. Angel.. etc. love it.

[wingman572]

@WelloDaDon- friggen jams dont it

[WelloDaDon]

badass theme song

[Yellowswift3]

Quite a lot of theme tunes imo lose something, too lenthy, have a weak part in the middle or whatever, but not this. Great tune.

[Yellowswift3]

Quite a lot of them tunes imo lose something, too lenthy, have a weak part in the middle or whatever, but not this. Great tune.

[progrocker69]

Born in '69, I was barely starting school when this show made it big. I still remember catching occasional episodes with my parents and/or brothers, though, and laughing at some of the jokes because even that young I sorta got them.

That is the hallmark of great TV. Humor and other elements which are simple enough for almost anyone to understand, without being patronizing. I miss The Rockford Files so much.

[take5t0ky0j]

It's my Best AmericanTV Program ever !!!

Thank you !!!

[time5154]

god bless jim rockford!

[EnglishGarden11]

James Garner what a fox!!

[WilllieMaysHays]

bad asas theme , I was to young to watch. The show being born in 85 but James garner is a bad ass for sure

[RagnarOdinsson]

I remember sitting down to watch this show. Wearing bell bottoms with a 16 oz coke in a glass bottle wrapped in the thin foam. I would bust open a bag of Doritos and enjoy. Well until my brother heard it was on and would come kick my ass for eating the Doritos......

[iParatrooper]

@RagnarOdinsson Sorry bro I'll buy you some Doritos.  haha

[MrSluggo666]

@RagnarOdinsson That was you ???

[KodiacTotem]

This brings back memories and the show was one of the best ever produced.

[narox]

Brilliant theme song! love it love it!

[janbob73]

mike post was the man when it came to tv themes!

love him (:

[Roadrunner440]

This is one of the best instrumental pieces ever.Even if it wasn't attached to "The Rockford Files",I'd still love it.

[roquefortfiles]

@Roadrunner440 Have to agree entirely. This piece just makes me smile and feel happy every time i hear it. The fact its attached to Rockford just always tells me a good time is directly ahead. The harmonica is just so down home... Jim.. and the lead guitar solo is epic. Mike Post put it out of the park with this one. A VERY inspired piece of music. A GREAT piece of music on its own.

[argonaut815]

@roquefortfiles Hey...the harmonica was played by my old friend/family member, Eddie Gordon. Check out my posting on FB (Jason Doucette)... awesome show AND theme song!

[roquefortfiles]

@argonaut815 Are you serious:? WOW!! I don't like too many theme songs but this one is just on its own. Mike hit a home run on this. And the harmonica just screams Rockford. This song is tv masterpiece.

[Yellowswift3]

Eric, if you see this, then you may chuckle a bit. ;) :D

Great theme tune. :)

[7771SB]

DIS IS DAT OLD SCHOOL, FUNKY JUNKYARD DOG WHITE BOY FUNK.

[Aeolis7]

Kick-ass theme!

[moproducer]

YOU DO NOT OWN OR CLAIM TO OWN THE RIGHTS, AND ARE NOT PROFITING FROM THIS. YOU DO NOT OWN YOUR OWN UNDERWEAR. YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS. YOU ARE A FREEBASING LITTLE STUNTED COCKROACH WITH HAIRY LEGS. YOU ARE AN INBRED LEECH UPON THE BLOODBANK OF SOCIETY. GET OFF OF EARTH. GO AWAY. SUCK ON A BRICK. CHASE A PARKED CAR. SMOKE A LOAF OF BREAD.

[jmkorczak]

j adore la serie et je trouve James Garner super!!! bravo bravo bravissimo

[dwinCeffyl]

The coolest thing is that my football team Tranmere Rovers comes out to this song!!!

[gerflukten2]

@dwinCeffyl It's called Soccer...srsly...



[dwinCeffyl]

@gerflukten2 It's really not...seriously

[nbelsky]

Synthesizer and harmonica.

Damn this rocks!

[wotan237]

A Television masterpiece....one of a very very few

[johnLA1961]

Best damn tv show ever!

[rimsdothemacarena]

lol

[TheZayne34]

Poor Jim! was always gettin the shit kicked outta him --like every episode ,my dad and I would freakin watch and bust out laughing all the time watchin this show back in the 70,s!

[manyamile]

thanks for this great post!

[Timasion]

The Rockford Files is on Hulu. 

[masoojz]

I don't know many western movie fans out there,but I'd just like to say that(Maverick)starring James Garner,And Dennis Weaver(Jester from Gunsmoke),both had sucsessfull shows in the 70's.Mcloud and The Rockford Files!Before those hit TV shows,they did a kickass western together.(A Man Called Slade)was the title,if you have the westerns channel-check it out.If not-it's most likely posted on YouTube.

[DisneyWorldAddict214]

my mom showed me this song, im 13, and ive fallen in love with it

[ruhtraeel]

@DisneyWorldAddict214

Ok... I don't see how you being 13 has to do with anything though.

[Blabloo72]

Tranmere Rovers FC - Super White Army!!!!!

[silverfish1]

2 people got busted by Jim Rockford.

[anulhyf34]

Definitive sound of the 70s.

[irish73tjk]

Watched this every week with my Dad, to me this is his theme song. I wish I could watch them with him now. What a great show with a wonderful theme song that brings back these memories. Love ya Pop.

[Crabsdonthum]

Awesome guitar player.

[mistabassman1]

Many Thanks for posting! I looked after this version for many years, but all versions I found were always different... But - this is the version which was played by AFN Frankfurt every day in the seventies!

[WrecksKrieger]

2 people need to be "re-educated."

[lorret90]

@WrecksKrieger ye your right couldnt agree more...

[TheMajorHawke]

1st is this, second is the a team, third is airwolf.

[Mrjosemartin2008]

Great tv tune!!, I love it since the 70's. I also like Hawaii-0-5 theme.

[DemOnicxFEAR]

125 episodes on netflix

[TheBumjuice]

haha...my brother used to dance with our jack russell when this came on...funny as feck....great tune!

[cLa007]

I just heard this song on the radio. Thought it was Rockford I was Right!!!

[bertski60]

like how it goes from the "techno" start, then switches to old fashioned harmonica...

[gabler9274]

The 70s ... nice but i had to go to school. Today i drive my own car ... thats nicer ;-)

[DaveWollenberg]

Mike hit #10 in Billboard, 8-9-75. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx!

[63sawdust]

ahhh...the 70s....miss them so much....

[angmhalp]

2 people must like Kojack.

[bjroberts65]

This tune is....Los Angeles California

[take5t0ky0j]

Is this 1st season ?

[JOEY3687]

This is played at Tranmere Rovers FC when the players come onto the field.

[bttrue10]

i've got the Rockford car and just dreaming of painting it that gold

[wavehopper100]

@bttrue10 Is it a Firebird Esprit? (or '400') -'74 - '78. If you have a chance pick up James Garner's book "The Garner Files". In it he talks about the car and provides the correct paint name for the exterior colour, as well as the correct interior colour. (Most who have the 'Rockford' Firebird mistakenly have the copper instead of the gold.) He also tells how to correctly execute a 'J-turn'; a must-know for anyone owning such a car! :D

[rick9565]

What was it about the 70's that made keyboards so popular?

[joeknee4767]

@rick9565 the keys were getting into more synthisized sounds and created so many more sounds to express a certain vibe. at the time i went with it and liked it-yet i knew deep down that "this might replace organic sounds" and sadly it has.i only write lyrics now for the most part..Rock is Dead(Pete saw it) and no metal thats pure as Sabbath or Megadeth is heard.I am saddenned by the technology

[hubbaman9885]

@rick9565 I can answer that, in 1967, Robert Moog introduced a keyboard that could produce a variety of sounds, (The Monkees first used one that year in one of there songs, "Daily Night" is the track). The Moog Synthesizer was simply a cool device that could make funky sounds. They were analogue until about '74 or '75 when digital and digital/analogue synths were introduced, these keyboards helped pave the way for most of the 80's largely known as synth-pop, they were easy to play to.

[turtwigtrainer123]

Thumbs up if family guy brought you back to these days

[zero2blur]

I remember the days with no cable television and I would watch this all the time...Can you imagine? No Cable TV!?

[rem1973us]

A #10 hit for Mike Post in 1975. I actually have the MGM 45 rpm for this (recorded and released in 1974)

[Bdawg9891]

This is how I lured wayward sailors to their death.

[15yankeeman]

This theme song and Jim Rockford's answering machine were a total hoot ! Great show loved the song and James Garner.

[memphisjosh]

James Garner was a great American actor

[KallyJones]

Ha. This was the theme from my childhood. 1 TV, 3 TV channels and you watched what mom and dad watched and you loved it. They put so much more effort into their shows back then. They had to be completely inoffensive but rich with story. They only fill niches nowadays.

[TECHLIFE20]

BEST SHOW EVER! i watch this with my dad all the time. this song makes me feel happy. haha.

[jscottrockford]

"Hey Jim, this Lenny from down at the grocery store. The check you wrote us last week bounced. Do you want us to tear it up, send it back, or put it with the others." LMAO!!

[DUSTYBASS]

There isn't one "actor" in Hollywood now who could match this guy. Put all of the so called actors up against this guy or Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood. Hell...Cruise, Pitt, actors???? LMFAO. They don't even look like men.

[muzzmatrix]

Jim Rockford was the man. I still tune in because there's 543 channels of shit on cable.

[johnLA1961]

Best show,best theme!

[patrick9648]

I've been looking for the long version of this song for years. This got airplay on AM radio back in 75. Sadly nobody plays it on the radio anymore. Thanks to the consultants that ruined radio.

[golok5]

Some guy: i oughta mess u up!

Rockford: you'd have trouble messin up a bed!

LOVE IT!!

[RobbyTheTurtle]

I may not be from generation when Rockford Files played back then... but I really, really do love this show!

[RobbyTheTurtle]

@RobbyTheTurtle *-that-

[arkyfriplobastard]

Almost positive this is Pete Carr on Guitar. Even if it isnt and it's his musical genetic clone Pete is one of the greatest unknown treasures around. Not a word on it for those who like this if you can find it. good luck

[jscottrockford]

@arkyfriplobastard I think you're right, but I think the guitarist's name is Pete Carpenter. MIke Post obviously did TONS of T.V. themes "back in the day" and I know for a fact Pete used to play regularly for him because he is credited on the "Hill Street Blues" theme. I had the 45 of it, and I remember seeing his name on the sleeve :)

[drjohncarter1962]

But can somebody tell me who played the amazing guitar solo on this?

[roquefortfiles]

@drjohncarter1962 It is an amazing solo i agree. And i play guitar!! It has so much vibe and feeling to it. When they cut this from the intro i was REALLY pissed. I always love the version with the solo. This theme is simply stunning. It has so much vibe, energy and feeling to it.

[FRSFreeStatePlus]

This and Mannix are my favorite Private Detectives shows of all time

[KKolchak]

That is one heck of an intro song.



[TheMashwatcher585]

i think the 70`s was the best decade for tv.........comedies and dramas.there should be a cable station or directv should make a 70`s channel thumbs up if you aggree with that

[upperdarbybill]

@TheMashwatcher585 can we suit TV Land for miss representation

[ConstantineChernabog]

@upperdarbybill I'll support that, if next we go after SyFY! They got 13 reality shows lined up to go, and 3 real scifi series!

[RichardVanWagner]

@TheMashwatcher585 RTV



[janbob73]

@TheMashwatcher585 and an 80s channle

[walrusking14]

@TheMashwatcher585 actully there is a station thats on standard tv im not sure what the channel would be where you live but its called rtv or retro televison. my parents showed it to me a couple months ago and now its all i watch. its sad we dont have good shows like this anymore

[meeces13]

@TheMashwatcher585 oh totally!

[NESklok]

@TheMashwatcher585 They have it in Canada. It is called Deja View

[RedBeardTattoo]

@TheMashwatcher585 I totally agree, I think there should be either a 70's channel, or TVland should devote at least one or two days of it's programming to 70's only. I miss those days, I was just a kid, but time was simplier then.

[rhyanwood1]

@TheMashwatcher585 TV Land already shows 70s era programming every night.

[janbob73]

@TheMashwatcher585 i agree tv is nothin but crap theese days and the 80s was cool too (:

[TheMashwatcher585]

@janbob73 the best 80`s show i believe would be a show something called The A team lol

[SirMatthewz]

@TheMashwatcher585 they do. it's called Antenna TV.

[RoofFiddler]

Mike. Fucking. Post.

[americaisbacktrump]

You could not beat this great show. Best of the best!

[usmcforever02]

i'm gonna mix this with a westcoast beat...:-)

[theclanmorrison]

MATCHBOX 20 RIPPED THIS RIFF OFF AND PUT IN ONE OF THERE SONGS.SEE IF YOU CAN HEAR IT!

[sheltie33]

What an awesome TV show!

[bufumofo223]

Mike Post: King of the earworm. This thing gets stuck in my head about once a week. Has done since 1974

[jmkorczak]

super serie des annees 70 avec james Garner que j adore!! bravo bravo bravissimo

[kalinga01]

I kinda wish i wasn't born in the 90s. I wish I was with all you older generation guys watchin all these badass TV shows.

[jsilence418]

@kalinga01 buy the dvd s!

[Jmac0585]

I wonder if this hasn't been sampled by some hip-hop clown because Rockford is so white.

[daviejojo]

Brilliant :-)

[kingstonlj]

This tune is beyond awesome - and a true golden classic.

[Bdawg9891]

Thumbs up if Peter Griffin's siren song brought you here...

[DaveWollenberg]

When it went into syndication, it was 1st called, 'Jim Rockford, private investigator' , due to the original show still bein' on the air, on NBC. How could 2 folks NOT like an instrumental? IDK! God bless ya, for postin it!

[The253King]

@DaveWollenberg IM 30 AND HUSTLIN TO THIS!!!!!!!

[TheWolvie450]

Quality.

[roquefortfiles]

Mike Post was dialed in on the day he came up with this gem!! It describes Rockford musically and that is brilliant. Its both down home and downtown with a slight hint of the blues. And for those who were never there, this song got radio play on top 40 when it came out.

[cryingzombie]

I never watched this when it was new, but the theme kinda stood out there...

[fordranger797]

Enough with the "family guy". Its not funny. 

[diegorivera1201]

this is how lured sailors to their death with my siren song.

[OSWendigo]

This song, the Hawaii 5-0 song, the original Buck Rogers, Magnun P.I, and The Six Million Dollar Man song are the best TV intros ever written.

[tripfunkmonster]

@OSWendigo: No disrespect, just a friendly difference of opinion. I agree with Hawaii 5-0, but my other favorites are Kung Fu, Barney Miller, Peter Gunn, Baretta (by Sammy Davis Jr.), Starsky & Hutch, Planet of the Apes and Mission Impossible. Peace.

[robmah71]

great days great tv

[Stubborndrek123]

Peter's siren song, it's drawing me in.... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!