Barney Miller Theme (All Versions) 

That bass guitar is killer!

The third version is the one i remember as kid, (at 2;26) and is by far the best one.. The production is better and fatter, with a full sound on all the instruments, especially the horn section..It's also a lot tighter in that it is more structured arrangement wise, regarding the instrumentation.. Genius theme, and one of , if not the best from the 70's..

(Barney Miller)Hal Linden is 92 yrs young this year 2023; My wife & I loved the series & music & Loved being 70’s kids growing up in this era. We had real theme music for television series. It was really at it best back then. This one is still at the very top themes of music with the smokin bass opening at the very beginning is just classic! 🎸

Doesn't matter which version - I can listen to this theme all day long!

As long as we’re talking about the bass line, the bass player was the legendary LA session cat Chuck Berghofer. He was part of The Wrecking Crew and is also known for the famous bass line in These Boots Were Made For Walkin’.

According to Cliff Burton's dad, this theme is what started him on playing the bass

Funkiest TV show theme in history. Anything that comes out today couldn't possibly measure up.

Rest in paradise Ron Glass

When I used to go to NY as a kid I would sing the theme songs. Brooklyn interior got Welcome Back Kotter. Brooklyn on the East River facing Manhattan got Barney Miller. And of course driving over the Queensboro bridge got the Theme from Taxi. It's not NYC, but later when I crossed the Ohio River into Cincinnati.."..I'm living on the Air in Cincinnati..Cincinnati WKRP..." The 70's ruled.

70s sitcoms have the best theme songs (Barney Miller, Taxi, WKRP, Welcome Back Kotter)

Good music and a cool show.I loved it back in the 70's and 80's.😊

2:32 has that iconic Rhodes piano bite and sustain. Such an underappreciated element in the song.

The first one is bare bones & gritty like NYC used to be. That bass line is great. I’d play my air bass every time it came on.

RIP Abe Vigoda We Will Miss You!!

2:26 season 3 is my favorite. I love them all. That Bass and brass and guitar work. I watched this show at night when I was little. The intro was my favorite part. And Chips too.

One of the greatest sitcoms of all time and one of my favorites, "Barney Miller" (ABC, 1975-1982) and all versions of the theme song and the exciting, beautiful New York City's (NYC) Manhattan skyline shown in the opening and closing credits: Midtown Manhattan seen from across the Hudson River in New Jersey in the 1st season (open and close) in January 1975 and Lower Manhattan (open) and Midtown Manhattan (close) seen from across the East River in Brooklyn from the 2nd season on in September 1975. The entire cast, including Hal Linden as the title role and crew have done and great job working in this iconic and legendary show. 👍👍

I just love these themes!! RIP Jack Soo and Abe Vigoda!! I'll miss ya!!

This show was so cool, and absolutely hilarious; need these kind of shows today!

Thanks SO much for the work that went into this. As a professional bassist who grew up with this series, I had several times looked into finding all the variations. I've been MOST interested in the "raw" first version, and the later "more familiar versions", that resulted from transcribing and arranging themes from the original improvisation. Magnificent !! I had the good fortune to meet Chuck Berghoffer(sp?), the bassist…he came to Vegas back when I was playing with the Joe Lano Trio, and Chuck stopped by to see his old friends, Tommy Check our drummer, and Joe (WORLD CLASS guitarist). Chuck is also a wonderful upright bassist, having played with too many jazz greats to mention. Thanks again for the full history of this iconic theme!!

One of the best, most distinctive theme songs of all time. The quality and "tastiness" of this piece rivals any crossover popular mainstream jazz you care to name, although it's a short piece. But it packs a ton in the short play time.

I love how during the freeze frame Hal Linden always lifts his head up and laughs.

Bumped into Barbara Barrie at a supermarket on the Upper West Side a while back. I told her I loved her in Breaking Away back in 1978. I said I forgotten her name and she whispered it to me. A NY moment.

I saw an interview with the late Cliff Burton’s father who said the bass intro to this song inspired Cliff to pick up the bass guitar! 🎸

Harris on the bass Wojo on the drums Dietrich on guitar Barney on the horn

It's 2024, and Hal Linden and Barbara Barrie are still alive and kicking in their 90's. I believe Max Gail is still with us as well.

I watched the show as a kid during its original run but now when I watch it, I watch because of the theme song. It's in my personal top ten themes of all-time.

My dad loved this friggin' show

This brings back some great memories! TV from this era is real comfort food, like a big, warm bowl of macaroni and cheese for the mind. R.I.P., Abe Vigoda (1921 - 2016)

I used to play with a VERY talented “wedding band”, GREAT 4 pc horn section, drummer was AMAZING, like a real Billy Cobham disciple…! Great pocket on grooves like this… And our band leader would announce this song [it was in our “back-of-the-book” repertoire] by saying, “If you know this song, you’re back probably hurts.” 😂 I know & LOVE this song! And my back totally hurts‼️ **Its a quip about the age of the listener… Had to explain that to somebody once. THANKS FOR POSTING‼️ Took me right back to my late 30s! -I kid- I got Jokes…😊

The characters were effortlessly funny! Cool, unforgettable theme song.😄

fav episode was the tribute to jack soo at the end they all raised their coffee mugs in salute In the show Jack played a detective who made horrific coffee

Season 3 ...my era!!!

all these guitars solos are great.

I feel like I’m the only one who likes season 2’s opener the best. I like how it sustains the funk groove just a little longer than seasons 1 and 3 and paces itself a little better. Seems like the other versions are a little more eager to go into the upbeat portion of the theme.

This is the bassline that got Cliff Burton interested in playing bass when he was 13yrs old. Thank God for this show

For a kid growing up in the midwest in the 80s, the skylines and stock images in the opening theme completely informed my imaginings of life in the 'Big City'

This theme song slapped. 🔥

I actually find the first version on this to be my favorite..it seems to be a little slower in tempo and is a bit more laid back and funky. Not to say the others are bad I just love that more laid back feel of the first version.

Great show, I used to watch as a kid...though never fully understood all of the situations. But I always loved the music!!

You left one out...the last seasons showed Barney entering the office, Wojo lifts a baseball holding Barney's mail while on the phone, Barney says good morning, Wojo stares at the baseball, Harris is typing his novel, Dietrich is laughing, and Levitt leaves the office after no one wants his help.

I love the 3rd 1. It just had that FUNK!!!!!!

Iconic bass line from one of the greatest sitcoms of the 70s (and early 80s). Does anyone else miss the iconic "Four D" jingle and animation that played right after the end credits?

Rest in peace Ron Glass, aka Sgt. Ron Harris, NYPD.

2:26 is the one for me. I remember this bass line and guitar solo note for note. It's amazing to hear it after all these years. Now gonna hit the bass and guitar tomorrow and see if my fingers remember. :)

Rest In Peace to Abe Vigoda (Detective Fish), Jack Soo (Det. Nick Yemana), Ron Glass (Detective Ron Harris), Gregory Sierra (Det. Sgt. Chano Amenguel), Steve Landesburg (Det. Sgt. Arthur Dietrich), Ron Carey (Officer Carl Levitt), & James Gregory (Inspector Frank Luger).

Loved "Barney Miller" when it was on TV in the 70s and 80s. Thing is, I never heard much about it in terms of publicity back then. I'm glad it seems to be getting its due on YT. And like everybody else on this site, I STILL love the theme - especially the first and last versions.

2:26 is my favorite. I've had that version in my head all my life pretty much.

Brilliant show

Chuck Berghofer came up with and played the bass riff. Genius

The version that starts around 2:27 is by far the best one, being I was born in 74 I was not old enough to see the first few seasons but I remember being like 3 to 5 years old and hearing that one on the TV. The other ones sound more like a demo version

Coolest TV show theme ever. A genuine jam.

2:26 is definitely the one most of us remember. Thanks for posting!

Three is the best and the one I’ve had burned into my mind for 50 years!

Thanks for posting this. As a bass player that grew up in the 70's you "couldn't play" unless you knew the theme to Barney Miller. I played Hal Linden's show a few years ago and was devastated that I didn't get to play this iconic bass line. The arrangement gave the line to the trombones...a crime.

Miss You, Abe Vigoda.

Love that bass.

My mom’s friend used to like this show. He was nypd in the 80’s.

Thanks for sharing, pleasant memories of when me and my Dad would watch this show every week. Love the theme...

IT WAS THE THIRD ( #3) VERSION OF BARNEY MILLER, THAT WAS THE FINEST MIX OF BASS, DRUMS, STRING GUITAR, AND THE BEAUTIFUL TRUMPETS, THAT MADE THE MUSIC OF THE SHOW, SOUND PERFECTLY ORCHESTRATED ! THANK YOU. 🌝🎶🎵🔊🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Everything about this show was just right. I still watch & love it. The intro at 2:27 and ending at 4:50 top them all in my opinion - not that the other tunes are not great too. Thanks for putting them all in one place.

Possibly the most badass theme tune ever.

R.I.P. Ron Glass.

The Season 3 and 4-8 variants are my most favorite variants of the theme song, with the Season 2 variant close behind.

RIP Abe. You were a legend.

Thank you to those who pointed out the version I remembered (2:26). I'm here on the merits of finding myself @ 5 AM doing that classic bass line! Night Court kept trying to creep in but I was like, "noooo, that's not it" lol. Thanks! K, now it's time to find "Too Close for Comfort" lol.

Sgt Harris of the NYPD you will be missed and I have to say that he was fun to watch! EOW 26 Nov 2016.

R.I.P Ron Glass

The music starting at 2:27 is the one I remember best and the one with the best guitar part. But I also remember that extended horn part. I guess I must have connected them together in my head. This is great funk music.

Drummer here (40 years) and beginner bass player. The season 3 version is definitely the funkiest, grittiest and has the best feel and energy. I love it!

3:45 - no question. It has the fullness of the best remaining versions, a better guitar solo, PLUS the modulation up a minor 3rd. The version I remember from childhood.... As an aside, this era is definitely and regrettably over. Whatever was left of this sound sadly died in the 90s.

BEST TV BREAK INTRO

Man I loved that bass back in the Day and I still love it! Soooo Cool!

yeah,old fave of mine,early eighties repeats late night here in the uk,had been playing guitar a couple of years,me and a bass playing buddy,fond memories of the 3.45 onwards intros and outros,those guys were cookin'

A major shout out to whomever put this together. I watch and listen to these all the time. I think my favorite is the one with the double stops. However I also completely love the very first episode with the seemingly stepping out of key part at the end of the solo.

The bass sells it and the extedned trumpet section really delivers. I love the versions closer to the middle of this video. They really pollished it well.

I can hear the Bass all day.

Barney Miller was on the air the year I was born and I was born back in 1976 so Barney Miller was the first sitcom I remember seeing on t.v my mom an dad were big Barney Miller fans and watched it all the time barney miller is way better then any sitcoms that are on the air today.

sick riff. Golden age of TV theme songs. (See: Odd Couple, Love Boat, Happy Days, Taxi, Three's Company, Brady Bunch- and the king of them all- the Jeffersons.) Could see a radio station devoted to these old classics, as foreshadowed in Demolition Man

Thanks for posting this!! i always thought i was dreaming when I heard the different versions back then, lol. Didn't realize there were so many!

The drums and bass are spot on across the life of the series. But they rocked the shit out of that theme song in 1977. Any coincidence Steve Landesberg became a leading cast member that same season? Ask Abe Vigoda... I effing dare you.

Wonderful. You've done us all a great service with this.

The third one is the one I grew up remembering. I'd watch this with my grandparents whenever I was over at their house during an evening. Loved it even when I was just a tyke.

I remember the first time I watched Barney Miller was in reruns that when I was living in Germany I got to see several episodes of Barney Miller show during the summer of 1992. They were aired by an American TV network called AFRTS which was very good and run by the U.S. military. It aired on 2 days a week on Sunday Afternoons and on Thursday Afternoons. The episodes were aired for several years in English for a time. Years later, TV Land aired the series when I lived in San Antonio, Texas from 2000-01 and Walterboro, South Carolina from 2001-03. I missed it when WGN aired the series from 2007 to 2010.

I wish Barney Miller was back on the air that was a good show

The best theme music and cast. Hell it's the best sitcom ever !

Our NYC 12 precint is a famous land mark now

I just love this show!! I wish I had the DVDs!! But they're expensive!! Rip Jack Soo,Abe Vigoda and Ron Glass!!

I just added this to my playlist of favourite bass riffs of all time...to practice.

For anyone who wants a faithful and extended reproduction of this theme for their collection, you can buy the track done by the Daniel Caine Orchestra as an mp3. It's 3 minutes long. Procuring that along with the extended Night Court theme (also by the Daniel Caine Orchestra) made me as giddy as a kid.

I always wanted Phish to cover this, live.

Sooooo Funkay! Barnay Milla! Also staring Julio from next door.

RIP Abe Vigoda

Hard to choose a favorite! They're all wonderful! Love it! Thanks so much for sharing! Barney Miller is awesome! I'm so glad I rediscovered it!

One of my all time favorite TV shows. I actually would like to see this get adapted into a theatrical feature film. Surprised it hasn't happened yet.

"This show brings back tons, and tons of memory's. For, if it wasn't for watching BARNEY MILLER, as a lad with my dear old dad. We would of never of dreamed of becoming a cop!!"

third one, 1976 year, by far the best….most memorable melodies and perfect mix

This has to be my one favorite of all TV show themes, because it's so MUSICAL and fits the show perfectly. They really captured the NYC vibe, with electric Miles Davis vibes.

Lifted directly from James Taylor's 'Rock and Roll is Music Now'. Chuck Berghofer said it himself, he should know, hes the bass player on this. And the guitar wasnt Larry Carlton (as i mistakenly thought), it was Dan Ferguson. One of the best theme songs of the era. My favorite was #3.

This is pretty cool. Thanks for sharing!

This is the style of music that I'm just realizing is my favorite . Plus I like theme songs that can be played as regular songs , not just themes . Just like FRIENDS .