Mission: Impossible Theme and Title Sequences

Mission Impossible Theme by Lalo Schifrin
1. Intro Seasons 1-4, 6
2. End Credits Season 1-4, 6
3. Season 5 Intro
4. Season 5 Credits
5. Season 7 Intro
6. Season 7 Credits
7. Mission Impossible '88 Intro
8. Mission Impossible '88 Credits

[@ftjam5783]

Through the years , this theme never gets tired. Mission Impossible for ever !

[@christopherphillips8027]

One of the best TV theme songs ever. This is what television is missing today. The TV theme song. Mission impossible again, one of the best TV theme songs ever recorded.

[@Fa_Qx2]

1) Mission Impossible 2) The streets of San Francisco 3) I Spy 4) Name of the game 5) The Protectors 6) Starsky and Hutch (closing) 7) The Saint (second score) 8) S.W.A.T Alternates...Get Smart, Hawaii Five 0

[@therugburnz]

rock, yes I wood. bluse wood. ill leave now

[@fjtalleyauthor2242]

@@Fa_Qx2 As I read your list (I agree with many of them!) I forgot about The Persuaders, the show with Tony Curtis and Roger Moore. That was a great theme, as was the photo montage at the beginning.

[@ElAviadorNegro]

One of the boldest, most ambitious TV themes of all time. Right up there with Peter Gunn, Johnny Quest and The Pink Panther.

[@mariakelly5]

Rodd Amos AND Hawaii 5-0!

[@causeeffect7624]

pink panther, Beretta, Hawaii 5-O

[@jeffcharlton9660]

Tied for my all time favorite TV theme with H50

[@mariakelly5]

@@jeffcharlton9660 I also really like the theme from the British cult SciFi series UFO.

[@thomasphetteplace117]

@John Mondovi yes I agree . Mort Steven's original arrangement was native instruments

[@alcd6333]

Lalo Schifrin is the coolest music composer ever for films and TV. Mission Impossible, Enter the Dragon, Starsky and Hutch, Dirty Harry, Bullitt, and so many others.

[@jamesoraltheacatlett1258]

He was BRILLIANT! ~ Althea

[@emmanuelwilliams4957]

And Lalo did the theme for the original The Amityville Horror

[@dalewolf9684]

He also did the original music for the Exorcist shown in the original movie trailer which freaked out test audiences.

[@SymphonyBrahms]

One of the greatest tv series of all time. The ratings for the first season weren't great, and CBS wanted to cancel it. But Lucille Ball, who was the president of Desilu, liked it, and insisted it be renewed. By the end of the second season it was one of the top rated tv shows.

[@explorer806]

The season 1 theme is so much more vital and driving. It is a superb​ arrangement​.

[@christopherking7949]

I can't stand the "sped-up" version.

[@sarahswomley2580]

I enjoyed Steven Hill more, even though I thought Peter Graves did a good job too

[@burtonrivera5253]

The millenial version still excellent music, but it's for the bloody masses to be reborn in 5/4

[@dukeofdubuque950]

Agreed

[@hugejohnson5011]

@@christopherking7949 It sounds "cheap".

[@csjames69]

Lalo Schiffrin is such a master of his craft.

[@gingerladyaubern]

As much as music improves, sometimes you cannot beat the original theme...still the best one even today, in a class of its own !!

[@user-dt1ko6gj3n]

As always, should any of IM music be improved or not, the original will disavow any knowledge of its modifications. This original theme will not be self-odsoleted in any future.

[@brianhammerstein]

'66 was all about the bongos, and rightly so.

[@executivedecision6141]

The final season theme heard from 1972 to 1973 is my favorite, and the 2 seasons of the late 1980s / 1990 sequel series too.

[@edgarfrank5712]

Amen

[@mariakelly5]

Mission Impossible was the first American TV series I saw after living in Ireland from 1967-69. And I've adored it ever since.

[@MildlyAnnoyedAHM]

As a kid, I used to watch this show just to rock out to the opening credits.

[@CHRISRepAZ]

I loved it

[@SCSilk]

Same. I couldn’t follow it then. I love it now.

[@hbermpi]

The bongos put the coolest accents on this 5/4 time signature and don't forget the claves that help define the "1" (there's a triangle with the flutes in the intro).

[@dan_hitchman007]

I agree that the very first arrangement was THE BEST Mission: Impossible theme.

[@MadeMyBONES]

The first one is raw and edgy. The bongos is what makes it. Killer solo riff..

[@sallymjmj750]

Yes. I also noticed, if it’s not my imagination, that besides the first version, all the other ones are higher pitched, maybe a whole active, I’m not sure. But I agree with you the original is raw and compelling. And that’s a damn long flute note at the beginning!

[@gabe_s_videos]

Yeah but give credit to the drummer on the second one. That's like a drum n bass beat before it was technologically possible! And it's being played by a human being!

[@technodon9]

YES, INDEED. That makes such feeling of suspense. By the way, the 3rd one has a different key.

[@0000syuable]

やっぱり、このオープニングってテレビドラマ史上に残る傑作ですよねえ！ いつ観てもワクワクします！

[@ramipo1]

THE FIRST THEME IS THE BEST

[@douglasquaid4518]

And the one with Peter Graves too

[@stephenjoiner3738]

Absolutely. It sounds like a hundred piece orchestra.

[@Orlanzepol123]

Wait! 1st and 2nd are exactly the same. If there is a subtle difference I can’t recognize it.

[@pntbtr]

Yes! This would help me at my work if they played it! 😁

[@abdulwahid-vi2uo]

Yes..the original theme is always and forever the best of the best!!

[@PhilipAlexanderHassialis]

Still love the fact that they cast Greg Morris' son for the 80s series. Second best series theme after the original one too, imho.

[@jamesoraltheacatlett1258]

Agree...that was awesome! ~ Althea

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

Especially for that one episode where they brought Barney Collier back for a father-son dynamic between the two.

[@SCSilk]

I wish I could find episodes of it.

[@jmason2838]

♥️🕵🏿‍♂️♥️🕵🏿‍♂️😎😎

[@pamelawhitfield9406]

The original will always be tight. I remember this music in the 60s, especially during school how the little boys love this music as well as Batman. This tape will disintegrate in 10 seconds

[@smellykelley69]

it still gives me chills whenever i watch the original theme song. the intro where jim phelps (peter graves) receives his mission briefings was also a favorite moment of mine. although after seeing Graves in the "airplane" movie, i could never again see him in a serious role. "hey jimmy, have you ever seen a grown man naked?" LOL, such a funny movie!

[@gingerladyaubern]

The 1st theme will always be the best imo :) Great series back then too.

[@wanderer1955]

The theme tunes to the spy/cop shows back then we're masterpieces. And this was top of the list😁👍👌

[@vinman1017]

Saw all the originals as a kid. The best. It`s the music that captures your FULL attention to watch.

[@LtStone1]

The first Theme is how I remember it from the Telly.

[@ewaf88]

The opening of the 1988 series still looks really modern with digital face composition and computerised location graphics.

[@delaney6689]

I didn't know/remember they did a late 80's series of this

[@ewaf88]

@@delaney6689 It wasn't great - a bit out of time until Tom brought it up to date

[@fredkelly6953]

Love that original theme, it's got a rough urgency that's lacking in later more polished renditions.

[@arykant]

3:10 the third opening to me seems the most urgent, but the first ofc is my favorite.

[@donovanmierlak]

thank you for that insightful analysis

[@DanielGullo]

It's the grooviest. It screams Sinatra cool, baby...

[@cinnamon.s5946]

I wasn't even in America, I (my friend's house ,black and gray screen,,,) watched..... This music makes, my skin not even breathing seconds.. , still remember+ love it .!!!!!

[@jegr3398]

It the time signature, it's in 5/4

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

I just got the DVD boxset. All I can say is I am thoroughly enjoying rewatching this unmatachable classic.

[@MarinaB63]

I loved everything about this show, but the two main reasons I watched it were the title theme 💕 and Martin Landau 😍. It was never the same after he left the show.

[@nhmooytis7058]

Agree!

[@paulputnam8211]

First series with Stephen Hill (pre Peter Graves) was ground breaking as was Lalo Schrifins' terrific (5:4 time !) theme !

[@cobrajetter]

Paul Putnam so that is 5/4 time? I guess Paul Desmond had a real influence. I think it was re-scored into 4/4 or 6/4 for later renditions.

[@alcd6333]

D.A. Adam Schiff from Law & Order.

[@jamesoraltheacatlett1258]

Missed that...I wasn't in America yet. 🥰 -~ Althea

[@nhmooytis7058]

@@alcd6333 yup first time I saw him on L&O I’d forgotten he was on the first season of M:I!

[@JonnyQ358]

One of the very best programs ever on American Television..

[@ronaldchang5491]

The original TV series is the best! It is all about team work, always detailed planning and professional execution. No frequent set up or betrayal by insiders, missions succeed beautifully but not by luck. Too bad most of these great elements are missing in the movie series.

[@vinman1017]

We all know the originals were the best.

[@madunwagbo4769]

Let’s be fair, they only had insider betrayal in 1 and 3

[@Ideatheke-wordpress-com]

@@madunwagbo4769 When? Give me more details please. Thank you.

[@genioz736]

@@Ideatheke-wordpress-com watch tom cruise mission impossible movie 1 and 3

[@SymphonyBrahms]

The movie series is lousy. And Tom Cruise is lousy.

[@davidlichner9349]

The bongos make it happen.

[@offthewallproductionsltd6326]

Right. The same guy played on the Man From UNCLE theme.

[@stephenjoiner3738]

The bongos and the wooden sticks.

[@MaxxMcGeeImpactStudios]

And that's what Lorne Balfe did for MI Fallout, so great.

[@vxy357]

Naw, it's the horn section, although the bongos are a great lead-up.

[@jime3281]

vxy357 Perfect timing and everything! :) Hawaii Five O and this one are great!

[@70sgirl42]

This show was sooo ahead of its time!!!! I have all episodes on DVD.

[@guessmyname6210]

Possibly the best tv show theme ever!

[@CJ_7519]

Mission: Impossible fans: the greatest TV show intro ever. Hawaii Five-0: really?!

[@missfefeloves]

Fantastic four animated , Batman begins

[@SerialGothQueens]

This theme song is one of my best childhood memories, lol.

[@farscape319]

I miss the tv series

[@arturoromerojr.8105]

Me too...my old man was very fond of this along with the FBI tv series..

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

The season 5 theme was first heard on episode 5x03, "The Innocent" (October 3, 1970). The original theme was last heard that season on episode 5x07, "Butterfly" (October 31, 1970). For season 6, the original 1966 version of the theme tune was used again, but a much-abridged version of the same was used for the closing credits (which was now 30 seconds instead of 45).

[@alanr4447a]

A feature of the opening titles during only the first season was that each time the animated "fuse" would revert to the left, the picture behind it would shift to the left as well. This (supposedly) gave the impression that we were "panning" across a multiple wide view of the action. Starting in season 2 the picture did not shift when the fuse did.

[@ricogo2447]

My youth, in a single tune. I just LOVED that series !!!!!!!!!! And all the toys they used !!!!

[@allensagalla6340]

The original and the best. Thanks for uploading :-)

[@daver7867]

i remember this as a kid because of the theme song......and Barbara Bain........the whole cast i liked....every episode was a good watch.....classic

[@dixiedale6779]

Bongos yes, but at least give some credit to the wood block sound in the beginning.

[@theartfuldodger935]

Plus the double kick on the bass drum.

[@ElAviadorNegro]

Not to mention the horn and woodwind sections.

[@aitch3]

The flute.. The horn section.

[@Quartermaster323]

George Michael Bluth would be proud

[@charlesfrakes7056]

claves

[@ryann8680]

I listen to this in my head whenever i'm doing anything dangerous and or foolish, and thus fun

[@jay108jayakrsna5]

And me when I am driving fast

[@nhmooytis7058]

Like climbing the Burj Khalifa?😊

[@MrEab2010]

name me one person who doesn't go around singing "duh-duh, duh-duh-duh-duh, duh-duh-duh."

[@j.m.youngquist419]

You ought to see my face right now I'm grinning from ear-to-ear this brings back some fantastic memories as a kid

[@jamesoraltheacatlett1258]

🥰 IKR! ~ Althea

[@georgeweber7101]

"Good Morning Mr.Phelps... your mission, should you decide to accept...." Watched this as a kid and now am watching again during COVID-19 on Amazon Prime.

[@frankenberry70]

The 5/4 time signature, awesome!

[@mario_19_sagitario34]

Lalo Schifrin won the Oscar. Well deserved he has it. He is argentinian.

[@marcparella]

He won an Emmy because it was television not a feature film.

[@mario_19_sagitario34]

@@marcparella Lalo Schifrin received an Honorary Lifetime Achievement Oscar from Clint Eastwood in 2018.

[@darktruth8013]

Love those bongos man!!!

[@paulputnam8211]

Barbara Bain - whew !

[@mosiarmstrong]

LOL retro ladies are the best

[@terratitanic2490]

Yeah, Barara Bain was gorgeous...

[@jamesoraltheacatlett1258]

:) ...and, her Hubby was there too; but, this doesn't show a sequence with him. ~ Althea

[@MrEab2010]

the prototype femme fatale, male villains were like putty in her hands. Three-time Emmy winner for portraying Cinnamon Carter Crawford.

[@1mespud]

Thanks 4 this!

[@dionnedimmier7955]

Still watching in 2021 my favorite show... I watch on Pluto all day long. It’s better than this other stuff on television.

[@jamesoraltheacatlett1258]

Awesome!

[@richardlang1140]

Other stuff? You're too kind.

[@MrEab2010]

I subscribed to Amazon Prime just to get commercial free episodes of the original series.

[@rickmedlin5389]

I really like that in the 1988 version Phil Morris played Grant Collier, son of Barney Collier who was played by his dad, Greg Morris in the original series.

[@rickkilimun5430]

Wait, wait, wait... Mr. Spock was in Mission: Impossible???

[@AndrewBrZa]

Both this and Star Trek were created by Lucille Ball's Desilu studios which became Paramount Television, so when Star Trek finished he went to work at the same lot. So two of Paramount/CBS's biggest franchises today were developed by Lucille Ball.

[@michaelproctor8100]

Desilu also gave MI a bigger budget than Star Trek.

[@bam_bad]

before he was beam up to the enterprise 😁

[@deckofcards87]

He sure was. But he came on the show when it started to get kinda shit, unfortunately.

[@jcb3393]

And Miss Scarlett!

[@aitch3]

THanks for making this superb video.

[@stevenareid]

One of the few popular pieces in 5/4. Many musicians simply can't play it in that time signature.

[@jwzehnder2]

I was only 3-years old when the series started. I remember seeing the fuse burn across the television screen many times so my parents must have watched it regularly. I caught an episode a few years ago on MeTV & decided to watch the entire series on Paramount+. Some of the multi-part episodes seemed a bit dry but I loved watching it overall. Just for fun I made a video last summer of my 3 & 6-year old grandchildren watching the opening for S1.E3 Operation Rogosh. When Willy karate chopped the guy with the rifle & they both did a karate chop in unison. Those little ones are characters.

[@menaseven9093]

Awesome mission impossible theme, this is one of the best tv series and movie themes.

[@entranced3366]

I used to watch this as a kid. Great show. This and Mod Squad.

[@apolloniaaskew9487]

I enjoyed the show a lot better than the movies. Steven Hill was OK, but Peter Graves was the best.

[@cessaly100]

Yep!

[@mikegalvin9801]

Wasn't Peter Lupus the first guy in Playgirl? He and Greg Morris always got the scut jobs while the others were up in the Palace.

[@SCSilk]

@@mikegalvin9801 peter was not the first model.

[@MrEab2010]

@@mikegalvin9801 that was necessary b/c a) Lupus really couldn't act, and b) it was the segregated 60s, there were few opportunities for Morris to interact with the white jet set as an equal, however they gave him more opportunities to do the James Bond thing in Europe and the mobbed-up 70s. Frankly, I always chuckled when the guards waived Greg and Peter along as just the janitors or repair men. Ever since no one has looked at the maintenance man in quite the same way.

[@rogerwhittaker4189]

I never saw the mission impossible series just only the one with tom cruise,but tom cruise took it to a whole new level.

[@rippi37]

Love it.....damn...Peter Graves was hot !! Even Spock was a looker !! Great memories...thank you !! xxx

[@timzahniser2102]

still remember this, always waited for:"this tape will self destruct in 10 seconds"

[@browngirlinaclownworld2077]

This, the Peter Gunn theme and the James Bond theme = the holy trinity of spy themes.

[@ForceMaximus84]

Honorable Mentions: The Saint, The Avengers and Thunderbirds.

[@MrEab2010]

don't forget season 2 of Man From U.N.C.L.E. and I Spy, which M:I borrowed a bit from but vastly improved upon it.

[@fredsalfa]

Ive seen every episode up till Season 7 so far and will watch the rest soon also.

[@canman5060]

The first is always the best. Set the standard for most high school Jazz bands !

[@pawsnclaws2115]

Best theme music for any show ever done...period end of story

[@causeeffect7624]

Paws n Claws Peter Gunn?

[@briane173]

@@causeeffect7624 Peter Gunn was THE best -- until Mission Impossible.

[@Cryptonymicus]

Johnny Staccato equals both.

[@Fa_Qx2]

I agree...With the streets of San Francisco a close, close second

[@billh.6135]

Paws n Claws, yes the MI themes is great, but Hawaii 5-O is probably the best theme music for a tv show. Subjective opinions of course. 😁

[@theengineersdaughterblw5951]

I like how the intro features a mask and quarantine!

[@jamesoraltheacatlett1258]

I zoned in on the Quarantine sign...will have to go back and see the mask. :) _ Althea

[@CJ_7519]

That was a "sign" of things to come, lol😆!

[@MichaelSHartman]

Loved this music and show growing up. (When I was allowed to stay up and watch it.)

[@MrEab2010]

every 6-10 year old had that same problem when it was on Sunday nite (school was the next day). My parents never knew it but I watched it on the tv in their bedroom from the bedroom door.

[@barrylonyai1530]

i wish they would keep this show on one of the many cable networks this is a very very classic show from the 1960s great great actors and actresses .

[@directorwafflejr4120]

Never gets old 😉

[@jamesoraltheacatlett1258]

Ikr...that's what quality is like 🥰 ~ Althea

[@joseangelperezpelicano9000]

The first theme Epic!

[@ah2552]

Bruce Lee used to train to this music. So the person who did the music to Enter the Dragon kept it in mind. So Lalo Schifrin, the composer of Mission Impossible after meeting Lee, created the theme to Enter the Dragon.

[@filosofee]

Fricken awesome!

[@CAjones-yy6mg]

Awesome TV show and actors the music fantastic this series second to none number one.

[@nonabenz_]

First theme is the besttt❤️

[@stephenjones8928]

Always enjoyed watching Barbara Bain.

[@MrEab2010]

I always felt sorry for the male villains she royally screwed. They never had a chance.

[@mayaromero838]

Serie favorita de mi papá junto con combate, creci viendolas.

[@mohammadarshi3981]

The First One Was Awesome

[@teddownum7428]

Brilliant stuff, one of the greatest TV themes ever. As an aside, I had forgotten about that eighties revival of M:I, costarring Phil "Son of Greg" Morris and Jane Badler (woof!).

[@craigharrell7144]

Greatest theme song ever. The original of course .

[@123ucr]

I also like the 90's version of the theme song. That version of the theme would give the season 1 version of Mission Impossible a run for its money. But the original is the best. Also, the Mission Impossible movies are completely different than the original series. The closest Mission Impossible film that would be closest to the series is the first one. If they did not have the Phelps character as a traitor and have Phelps retire, then that film would have been improved.

[@arifinamdar8239]

Today is Sunday. This is Atif What a brilliant show.

[@doginstine]

Many of the crews on Mission also did Star Trek at the same time. The Executive in charge of production was Herbert F. Solow Both on mission and Star Trek.

[@xyzzy5821]

I love the use of the odd time signature (5/4). Kinda rare outside of jazz, progressive rock, and experimental music. Of course for the movies they rewrote it to be in 4/4, I assume for Modern Audiences.

[@snoopypeanuts5364]

That A-List Cast tho👍Great Memories waiting for the new episodes to come on. Peter Graves the OG!!! Original theme always got me as a kid! STILL DOES. TC taking it to the Big Screen was Awesome. Can't wait for the Newest one Mission impossible Fallout.

[@mariakelly5]

Snoopy Peanuts Steven Hill have been IMF leader for season one, but his Dan Briggs was pretty good too. Briggs was more of a behind the scenes kind of leader, Phelps more of an extrovert type. I liked them both.

[@springpan]

On TOP for me as the best TV theme song. The 1st variation, with the crisp, perfectly tuned bongos, is what made me want to become a bongocero to this day! Unbeatable theme from Lalo Schifrin!

[@springpan]

BTW, those nice clave hits are also impeccable!

[@cindydufala7646]

Excellent piece of music, production. Bravo ⚘entire group credited creators and all those unlisted helped do this.

[@atulasitani7246]

Amazing , never seen this before

[@bankman58]

The first version is absolutely the best.

[@victor666ification]

Beautiful

[@robertporreca5356]

The increasing tension of the composition juxtaposed to the coolness of the flute !

[@nikstone2420]

What a great show this was.

[@tnawcwvictoria]

The Original Mission: Impossible Debut on CBS the same year Desilu and Paramount Debut The Original Star Trek on NBC The only difference was MI lasted 7 years while Trek lasted 3 years and in the 80's, Paramount Television brought both shows back to life Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987 on syndication and The NEW Mission: Impossible on abc The only difference was that TNG lasted 7 years and The NEW MI lasted only 2 seasons due to bad time slots, especially on Thursday Nights against The Cosby Show and its spin-off A Different World

[@davidlichner9349]

Good TV programing that year: '66

[@davidlichner9349]

And in living color.

Super Video. Super Cool.

[@billgreen3138]

cool thanks God Bless

[@ballaeva4]

Ez az igazi sorozat, szerettem nézni, jok voltak a trükkök kivitelezése. Kár hogy már nem adják , ezt a változatot.

[@robertyglesias9673]

Love that theme

[@jerrybarbier4612]

not only the music but the greatest tv series ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!tom cruise sit down homey!!!

[@MrEab2010]

making Jim Phelps the villain was a VERY bad idea for diehard fans.

[@gingerladyaubern]

The first theme is the best of them all :)

[@edgeofbed]

Play this when you see your gran trying to thread a needle. It's priceless

[@jamesoraltheacatlett1258]

😁 I found this, coz I recently saw a TikTok video of it playing to some monkey sliding down some power lines to cross between buildings. It is great! ~ Althea - 15Mar2021

[@nhmooytis7058]

One of the top themes in history!

[@sierria64]

The first theme was great ,and I loved shi as a kid

[@barryrisper1166]

Here's why I think the first season theme was superior: Perfect balance of stealthy flutes, cool and laid back rhythm section driving the track, but sweetly counter-balanced by the tension built by the bongos and released by the horns. The other iterations sound like a mere attempt to out-class the original, but to no avail. Just my opinion.

[@hugejohnson5011]

The newer versions sound "cheap" compared to the original. Trying to change with the times I guess, and make what they thought that people wanted. The newer ones' stripped down, fast tempo, electronic sounding cheapies do not stand up to the full instrumentation of the original, in my ears.

[@PEHUEN004]

Lalo Schiffrin appears in second place at the ending credits