The Wire - Opening Titles (Seasons 1 - 5) 

Rest in peace Lance Reddick, you were perfect in every character you ever played.

Bodie breaking the camera was such a great shot that they had to keep it in every season, even at the last episode

Love the shot of them breaking the camera in every season lol

RIP Reg E. Cathey (August 18, 1958 - February 9, 2018), aged 59 RIP Robert F. Chew (December 28, 1960 - January 17, 2013), aged 52 RIP Lance Reddick (June 7, 1962 - March 17, 2023), aged 60 RIP Michael K. Williams (November 22, 1966 - September 6, 2021), aged 54 You will be remembered as legends.

That ominous swooshing sound at the end of every season is incredibly underappreciated. I can't even imagine any of them without it

Pick a favorite? Sheeeeeeit...

Season 3 has to be my favorite intro. It feels so frantic and passionate and it perfectly fits with the shadow of conflict and war that looms over Season 3. Barksdale vs Stanfield, Avon vs Stringer, Old Generation vs New, Carcetti and his bid for mayor, as well as Bunny and Stringer both battling the systems they participate in. Its so good, especially with the shots of the punching bag, dogfights, and guns loading up which just adds more element to it. It has a very “dog days” feel to all of it, and it’s definitely a turning point for the show.

One of the greatest shows ever.

Can't beat the season 1 song, it's so good

The fact each season uses a different version of the opening intro is one small example of the brilliance of this show. Typical thought is if the show is popular you keep the same familiar intro each season, maybe just the most minor tweak to it after a time. But using a completely different interpretation of the same song not only keeps it fresh each season but hearing each theme individually brings you back to memories of that specific season. Then, the fact each season focused on a different group (corner boys, police, kids, politicians, newspaper writers) but still kept everything from previous seasons tied together makes it that much more epic. Also, there was nothing Hollywood about the show. Living around a similar environment this is the one TV show that seemed the most genuine to what really goes on in the streets. There was some suspect acting here and there but overall you can tell much time and thought was put in to making this show as close to true-to-life as possible. I know people who swear The Sopranos was the greatest show in TV history but, to me, The Wire outshines The Sopranos without question. Not even close, in my opinion.

Same shit, new players. Brilliant idea to have one of the central themes of the show reflected in the opening titles.

The fourth one is my favorite, that "keep him in the hole" part is just perfect!

Season 4 shit gets dark fast and hard Just like life

0:00 Season 1 - The Blind Boys of Alabama 1:30 Season 2 - Tom Waits 3:00 Season 3 - The Neville Brothers 4:29 Season 4 - DoMaJe 6:03 Season 5 - Steve Earle

Season 4 is the truly breath-taking season and had the best theme ♥

Each different song seems to fit it's specific season perfectly.

Seasons 3 and 4 were always my favorite. Upon re-watching, they're all great. Love Tom Waits' song, but the Blind Boys version was always my favorite.

Just finished my first watch of The Wire and seeing this compilation just makes me miss it so much already

Hard to look past season 4. One of the best seasons of any television series ever. Sounds like hyperbole but it really isn't. That being said, the other seasons are ALMOST as powerful, particularly season 1, which comes fairly close to season 4. Season 2 is underrated, I prefer it over season 3. Season 5 is obviously the 'weak' spot of the series, but still much better than 99% of tv shows out there. Astonishing show.

The second season song really fit the season. The blues version of the song goes well with the guys that are so down on their luck and what happened to Frank. Season 4 song was also a great fit for the season. It featured the kids and it was sung in a sad tone which goes with the despair that season 4 showed.

I love the 4th opening

Season 5 opening wasn’t that bad yall. It’s hella catchy, I love the shot with the papers printing

I like 5 the most, but 2 is the best sung version. The breakdown in 4 is amazing too :)

I'm actually in tears listening to this. I miss this show so much. Someone hit me with a shovel so I can forget it and rewatch it please

1 and 4 are the best ones IMO.

Season 5 of The Wire was really good, in many ways it was such a perfect end to the series, bringing back every character for a cameo except for Brother Mouzone

I went to college with one of the kids who sang on the Season 4 version! (And yes, it was in Baltimore. I love the city and I love this show!)

I always imagine: Lester singing season 1 Frank singing season 2 Clay singing season 3 The school kids singing season 4 Walon singing season 5

all great themes and opening montages, part of what makes me appreciate each season in its own unique way. At first I thought season 4 sounded too catchy but it soon became my favorite...prob because of how great that season was that the opening would get me so excited. My personal order is: 4, 2, 1, 5, 3...season 2 Tom Waits is tied for first. Thanks for posting these, I'm tempted to run through this show again! I'm always impressed by how many characters there are and the depth of their character. Would be great to watch again now that I can put faces to the names better.

Season 3 was my favorite by far. Season 4 has my favorite theme song.

Honestly I think Season 3 is the best season of the Wire -- followed by Season 4

season 1 00:00 season 2 01:30 season 3 03:00 season 4 04:29 season 5 06:02

everything about season 4 just fits perfectly

The season 2 intro has the original version of the theme song, sung by Tom Waits.

THAT 5TH ONE HIT HARD AF! 🤦🏽‍♂️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Season 2 aka the Original is my favorite version: Love that guttural, raspy, swallowing gravel sound.

R.I.P Micheal Williams🖤 Love the fourth intro and saison, even the first. A few quotes for you to remember: "You only got to fuck up once. Be a little slow, be a little late. Just once." "There you go again. Acting like we got an inelastic product when we don't." "I'm an XL" "I got the shot gun you got the briefcase. All in the game" "Mr. Little, how does a man rob drug dealers for eight or nine years?" "Day at time, I suppose."

this show is very underrated I consider it the best show that HBO ever aired!

One of the best shows ever made... very realistic.. remember when McNulty had to "make an accent".. and he does the English/British accent?... and the other actors laughed.. well, the guy is from London!! =)

Season 3 had the most memorable scenes in my opinion. Omar and brother stand-off, Mcnulty grilling Brianna, Lestor grilling Mcnulty, stringer and Avon feud , Bunk and Omar, the paper bag speech sheesh

there is no series that can make diversity between all the seasons than the wire

What I like about each openings that the show is telling us what's to come that upcoming season without giving out spoilers, or the plot it's amazing

The fact the darkest and most haunting themes of all seasons being the one that focuses on kids and the school system is very yelling at how much we are failing our young people in this country with our under supported communities. It’s very chilling but also very true.

RIP Michael I guess it's time to rewatch the wire

I always thought the brass section in Season 2's version was like a ship's horn, quite fitting with the longshoreman's perspectives. My personal favourite is Season 3, with season 1 right behind. Blues really fit this show.

I always thought it was a brilliant move to never show the main characters faces in the intros, its not about the specific characters because they're really irrelevant. They're all going to be replaced eventually

I was in the midst of my own heroin addiction when "The Wire" premiered. It is still the most realistic portrayal of the drug trade that I've seen. The only thing that rang false was Bubbles and Johnny shooting up baking soda. They would have known as soon as they put water on it that it wasn't dope.

Whoever thought of doing a different intro for season 2 and onward….. they’re a genius!!!

This is SO AWESOME!!! Thanks for the smash up!!!

Rightfully The Wire gets praised is one of the, if not *the* best show of all time... But people don't praise the opening credits enough. For me, the best tv show of all time with the best opening credits of all time ❤️🔌❤️🎤❤️🎶❤️📺❤️

I just love this entire series

My top 5 The Wire opening intros: 1.Season 4 2.Season 5 3.Season 1 4.Season 2 5.Season 3

Seen the entire series like four times now. I think I might have to make it a yearly thing. Best show ever made.

listening to the first theme in the last episode of season 5 really hits right in the nostalgia. what a show!!

SEASON 4 WAS THE BEST SEASON BY FAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

That editing on point. Coincides with the music so well.

sheeeeeeeeeeeit the series is the thing am addicted to

Simply the most UNDER RATED Show in T V history! Simply UNFORGETTABLE writing, acting and characters!!💯💫💯💫

I watched entire series and I never realized it’s the same song every season but different versions...

Just started watching this show on HBO on demand and I gotta say it's really good

The bassline of season 5 is impeccable.

4 > 1 > 3 > 2 > 5 but they are all great. What a unique concept by a tv series

I just love the editing of season 4. Marlo putting down his hole cards at 4:57

1 and 2 are the best and I also love the shot of the broken camera.

Season 4 FTW!

#4 is it for me, especially the instrumentals as well

Tom Waits version is best version. It's like he gargles gravel while he sings, and I love it.

No idea why but i love tiny changes like how at 3:05 he walks from left to right and then in season 4's intro at 4:33 its the same shot and guy but walking in the opposite direction.

Best song - Season 3 Best visuals - Season 5 Best blend of the two -Season 4

Just finished watching the series and honestly love season 2 and season 3 intros

With a little imagination you can hear Bubbles as the voice of the season 1 intro

i find season 5 the most catchy also the way they made the opening reminds me alot of Oz.

IN MY OPINION season 4, season 5, season 1, season 2, season 3 (in no particular order)

Thank you so much kind sir.

5 and 1 are my favorite themes and 2 and 4 are my favorite seasons

Did you notice that they didn't show any of the main characters' faces in any of the opening themes?

I think Season 3 might be my favorite. Really 2,3, and 4 are all out of this world.

First and Fourth season had the best openings IMO

I love that the line scrape in the season 2 intro matches up wit the music😂😂

Season 2 hit different

The wire is every American inner city across the USA. One of those shows were they could went to season 50

Season 4 FOREVER!!! This version is amazing!🎉

I think the S5 opening is the best, when it hits it really makes you get excited for the episode, especially with the catchy jingle of the beat

Those opening horns in the season 3 intro are really awesome yet foreboding sounding, you can feel the war coming to Baltimore.

First and fourth seasons were the best seasons period.

Season 1 - 0:00 Season 2 - 1:29 Season 3 - 3:00 Season 4 - 4:29 Season 5 - 6:02

i think i like the School season song the best cuz its different and all RnB. i like that😊

4 and 1 all the way.

That season 4 guitar riffs @ 4:33 . Straight gangsta

All five versions are superb This is one of the greatest t.v series theme intros. Love the lyrics. "Got to keep the devil down in the hole" #thewire

Season 2! I loved the guitar at the end that sounds like a sad siren while the building is on fire.

The way the note goes down and tails off as you see snoops silhouette in the playground in season 4. Word

They should have just kept the opening theme the whole way through, it's easily the best version.

Season 4 had the best intro

First 3 intros are **chef's kiss**

Season 3 & 5... Top work

Essa seria é épica, surreal, não há nenhuma outra que chegue perto. É simplesmente genial!

season 2 intro is the best

Noone else thinks Season 3 was the best? Watching Stringer's world collapse as he tries to get out of the game was some of the best TV I've ever had the pleasure of seeing, and the ending of such a powerful friendship was the perfect epitaph, poignantly captured in that scene on Avon's rooftop. Not to mention Hamsterdam and growing prominence of Politics in the series. Season 3 was one of change, and carried off perfectly. In terms of theme, I can't believe what they did to it in the last season, it's just terrible. 4 is probably my favourite simply because it's nice to have a female lead, although the original (S2) is also very powerful.

I BEG YOUR PARDON, ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW TRACK