Law & Order Theme

Theme from Law & Order by Mike Post

"DUH DUN."

Classic, right?

Take a look at Mike Post's resume, and you'll see that he's something like the John Williams of television theme music.

Since he was twenty four, Post has been writing theme music for which he has garnered various prestigious awards, including multiple Grammys and Emmys. His and Stephen Geyer's theme for The Greatest American Hero reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, which really just doesn't happen for television theme songs (x).

While the Law & Order theme never made it onto the radio or into Billboard charts, it certainly made its way into our hearts.

Post composed for the show not only the opening theme but also the dramatic noise that plays between scene changes. It has been called the "ominous chung CHUNG," "The Dick Wolf Cash Register sound," or, by Post himself, "The Clang" (x).

Funny story about that sound effect: it's created from a mixture of almost 12 sounds, including a judge's gavel, a jail door slamming, and - I kid you not - 500 Japanese monks crossing a hardwood floor (x). Mike Post, ladies and gentlemen.

The theme song itself is a little simpler in its composition, using only electric piano, guitar, and clarinet.

Both have become synonymous with the show and franchise. Which, you know. #ThemeSongGoals

Overview:

Genre:
Instrumental

Verdict:
sets the tone