The only reason the Miami Vice theme was popular was the show.

[originalpckelly]

I don't get it musically, it's basically just a bunch of crappy effects.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQDU-2qMre0&feature=related

There's no melody, no theme to it. Any attempts at musicality to break through are obscured by the funky arrangement. And by the way, I'm a fan of '80s music, so I don't just dislike based upon that. It's not music, it's really just noise. Noise that went to a popular program.

Compare that to the opening of Hawaii 5-0, and it becomes clear what a theme song should sound like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w

Hawaii 5-0 Had the best theme song. It had a strong theme with variations on it, almost like a classical piece.

[Runcible Spoon]

1. no you got it backwards!

It is so awesome! I love the aerial pans of Miami with the flamingos and the Corvette and shit along with it. It was the 80's man. It was perfect cheese. You leave that theme alone! :cry:

[originalpckelly]

2. Title sequence was good, minus the music, err, noise.

There are plenty of good 80s songs, it's just that the Miami Vice theme, is devoid of a catchy melody.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

3. I agree

about the 5-0 theme! One of the best ever and a damn fine piece of music in it's own right :)

[Aristus]

4. On the other hand, "Crockett's Theme" and "Evan" from the soundtrack album

are both terrific. Haunting, atmospheric pieces that capture perfectly the tropical torpor and seedy glamour of Miami. "Crockett's Theme" was ubiquitous for a while, especially in Europe. There was a time in the late 80's and early 90's when you couldn't go into a music shop in Germany, or watch a commercial on British television without hearing that one.

[originalpckelly]

7. Definitely agree on that...

I was referring to the main theme, however. I think that sucks ass.

[pokerfan]

5. And 1:13 is the only reason the theme was popular

I still remember my girlfriend laughing the first time she saw it.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. You're all wrong. The best 1980s cop show/movie theme song was Beverly Hills Cop.

But only if it is being sung by Family Guy's Peter Griffin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m24Qnyhamlc&feature=related

[originalpckelly]

8. The TV version has no real melody...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGkurWAXgZs&feature=related

It's just an improv, so lame.