The Mod Squad 1968 - 1973 Opening and Closing Theme

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The Mod Squad is a television series that ran on ABC from September 24, 1968, until August 23, 1973.
This series starred Michael Cole, Peggy Lipton, Clarence Williams III, and Tige Andrews. The executive producers of the series were Aaron Spelling and Danny Thomas.
In 1997, the episode "Mother of Sorrow" was ranked #95 on TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time. The Mod Squad was a police drama that featured three young, hip crime fighters.
One White, One Black, One Blonde, was the promotional hype-line. The casting was intended to appeal to a youthful, counterculture audience. The basic premise was that the youthful investigators were offered work fighting crime as an alternative to being incarcerated themselves.
The show's primary premise centered on the three cops using their youthful, hippie personas as a guise to get close to the criminals they investigated.
The theme song was written by Earle Hagen, who also did My Sister Eileen, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gomer Pyle - USMC, That Girl and Eight Is Enough.

[@judd442009]

Rest in peace Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams.

[@Capcoor]

Michael Cole must be in his feelings right now.

[@creoleDJ]

And they both died of cancer, ironically..

[@junecat1597]

I forgot Peggy Lipton was gone too! 😞

[@lawrenceklein3524]

So sad... Back in the '60's they were two of our Role Models... Rest in Peace, friends.

[@ramonluismartinez8522]

Abd their boss Tige Andrews is dead, too.

[@bobcurtis3958]

One of the things TV shows nowadays don't have, a kickass theme song!

[@kevincarter4902]

Man you got that right!

[@kuahmelallah]

New shows need to get back to that. I have a feeling that won't happen with streaming and binge watching culture.

[@kevincarter4902]

@@kuahmelallah Person of Interest had a cool theme.

[@aldoferrone1099]

Definitely one of my favourites of all time. Great show.

[@collegeman1988]

Because an hour long series is only about 40 minutes long, they’d only show a title card with THE MOD SQUAD on it at the beginning of the show if it aired today.

[@marwatson7408]

Rest In Peace Clarence Williams III the only one left now is Michael Cole.

[@seanodwyer4322]

when cole turns too a ghost then the 3 ghosts can run down the alley together iff the alley still there from 1968 los angeles town.

[@EdSmith-bq1ox]

Live on my man live on

[@dgray9020]

Rest In Peace Mr Clarence Williams, III, Ms Peggy Lipton and Mr Tige Andrews.

[@seanodwyer4322]

as Cole had too run futher he lived the longest off the champ runners

[@brucebarron7052]

One of the hottest openings for a TV show...it made you want to watch it! RIP Peggy Lipton...forever beautiful

[@gertraba4484]

a QUINNMARTIN PRODUCTION??????????

[@craigramsay53]

@@gertraba4484 No Aaron Spelling. Everything ELSE was a Quinn Martin production though!

[@XHellphyreX]

Agreed. I managed to burn a few MOD SQUADS to DVD. Undeniable the most adrenaline pumped opening to any show back in the 60s or now.

[@anissueofursincerity]

Lincoln Hayes was so cool.

[@squatch545]

One of the weirdest opening montages on television. The music was good though.

[@doncnunez6231]

RIP Clarence William's my brother! ✊🏽

[@alfiechat]

RIP Clarence Williams III

[@thethirdman225]

Watching this as a 10 year-old in Australia, I thought he was the coolest looking bloke I’d ever seen.

[@seanodwyer4322]

@@thethirdman225 -''His Brother was Michelle Obama.

[@tonymullenix9281]

Such a sad day. Rest in eternal peace Peggy Lipton. You were a fighter and a beauty.

[@anissueofursincerity]

Was she a member of the Lipton Tea family?

[@belair90210]

anissueof ursincerity I read her book and the answer is no

[@bryanpotter3882]

@@anissueofursincerity no dumbass

[@alexeimscruz2893]

the quintessential 70s chick Peggy Lipton... hip but chic...

[@seanodwyer4322]

@@anissueofursincerity A.- Has too be ,, as Lipton tea give's you the Run's.

[@lusmas99]

Before there was 21 Jump Street, there was The Mod Squad.

[@JAWrightonline]

lusmas99 Good eye! Just like before there was Boston Common there was Room 222, before there was The Simpsons there was The Flintstones, and before there was That '70s Show there was Happy Days. ABC was FOX before FOX: An upstart network with edgy, off-the-wall programs. And they were both looked on as legit networks after they brought the NFL into their folds.

[@LS-ki9ft]

Much cooler show than 21 Jump Street. However, who knew at that time that Johnny Depp would become such a great actor. Sort of like DiCaprio appearing on Growing Pains.

[@anissueofursincerity]

Good observation. 21Js was not as good as the original. There was an episode where Sammy Davis Jr. played a friend of theirs who got hooks on drugs.

[@terrytyler3139]

Both MOD Squad and 21 jumpstreet were great in their respective The theme song goes to MOD Squad

[@kendallrivers1119]

@@JAWrightonline and then ABC took from Fox with Roseanne after Married with Children had come out the year before.

[@tracydavis8982]

LOVE, LOVE the Theme Song, of The Mod Squad!!!!!😍 I use to watch this Show, as a 9-year-old, in 1968!!!! A HUGE fan of Pete, Julie, and Linc!!!! The Mod Squad, The Rookies, SWAT, Baretta, Starsky & Hutch, and The Streets Of San Francisco, had the BEST Theme Music, of the 1970's!!!!😎 There are others, but these are my FAVORITES!!!! Also, Kudos, to Aaron Spelling (Tori's Dad), and Leonard Goldberg, the Executive Producers of The Rookies, and SWAT, and Danny Thomas (Marlo's Dad), and Leonard Goldberg, the Executive Producers of, The Mod Squad, for having BLACKS as MAJOR Stars, on these T.V. Shows!!!!🤗 The Character, "Huggy Bear," played by the Black Actor, Antonio Fargas, was NOT a Major Character, on Starsky & Hutch, but he was an integral part of the Show, and he was Hilarious!!!😂 In closing, RIP to the Beautiful, Peggy Lipton, 1947-2019, who played "Julie," on The Mod Squad, who passed away from Cancer, several Months ago!!!😣 My Condolences go out to her Beautiful Daughters, Rashida Jones, and Kidada Jones, and her former Husband, the VERY Talented Music Producer, Quincy Jones. Peggy Lipton, LOVED you on The Mod Squad, Twin Peaks, and several Lifetime Movies!!!😇

[@ruidadgmailcanada8508]

I knew nothing of this show, amazing intro and theme song…you had such a nice post about it I had to say something. 😊

[@jackdumont1481]

Ever notice how the themes songs were even better then? Anyone remember theme songs?

[@laminage]

I do, when I was a Kid I wondered what they or whom were they running from?

[@gregoryyoung8823]

I do. I loved theme songs in the 60s. It's hard to believe Earle Hagen wrote the themes to Andy Griffith, Dick Van Dyke, Gomer Pyle AND this one! (And Eight is Enough, too.) Completely different styles. Very talented composer!

[@seanodwyer4322]

@@laminage in new zealand they be runnin from the night savages who run the streeets att night form kaitaia too oban.

[@kuahmelallah]

I grew up in the 80s and came of age in the 90s, but I'm convinced after listening to themes of Mod Squad, Mannix, McCloud, Family Affair, Name of the Game, Adam-12, It Takes A Thief, Barnaby Jones, Get Smart, I Spy, Search, Eischied, Space: 1999, and The Farmer's Daughter, 60s and 70s were the strongest decades for TV themes.

[@randythompson5154]

Peggy Lipton was one of those rare women who was beautiful in her youth, and just as beautiful in her later years.

[@michaelgasiciel9317]

Lucky Quincy Jones.

[@seanodwyer4322]

randy- ''it was the intense running that must have killed her, as start off show confirms.''

[@Rescue162]

Sentiments and prayers for Peggy Lipton 1946-2019

[@anissueofursincerity]

She was in Twin Peaks.

[@seanodwyer4322]

thhat bigg runn from a Bogeyman at begginning off show was too much for her pretty little heart muscles.

[@VideoFanatic02]

Rest in Peace Peggy Lipton.

[@frankdenardo8684]

Tige Andrews he was Captain Adam Greer.

[@mikevanriel7573]

Sad News: Clarence Williams III has died.

[@TubenIt83]

RIP Clarence Williams III - so cool

[@laurah6845]

RIP Peggy Lipton. She may have done a part on Twin Peaks, but her part in Mod Squad show WAS her signature role ❤❤❤

[@audiotango]

Wow! Having only ever seen this in reruns during the latter 70s on our independent TV station (with their less than pristine prints), I'm BLOWN AWAY at the quality of this open/close. It's "eye-poppingly" pristine!

[@johnhereth2692]

One of the most exciting Television intros ever made. The musicians are so tight and dynamic ,they make your heart start to race!!! Truly a trendsetter for the time.

[@fernmann7]

Real instruments

[@kentshelton3451]

You're right. I can never get enough of the dynamic intro. Truly exciting.

[@emerybayblues]

RIP Peggy Lipton.

[@gertraba4484]

and now DORIS DAY gone, it comesin threes, one more in next 72 hrs

[@Gopitt100]

RIP Clarence Williams III

[@dietpepsivanilla3095]

RIP Linc. You were SOLID.

[@Danny451]

😎

[@normandecaesen286]

I remember playing this theme song in the marching band at my high school. I loved it ♡♡☆☆♡♡☆☆♡♡

[@TommyBBQBessinger]

Loved this show as a kid.

[@x-menbasketball2639]

Trying to hit that 1k like you

[@briansetpente1019]

Had all 5 seasons on DVD👍

[@robertbutler2360]

Clarence Williams III Rest In Peace 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@hectorsandoval9759]

Rest in peace Clarence Williams III .

[@1986SSMONTECARLO]

Back in the early 70's me and my friends used to imitate them running in the intro

[@chrischipps7583]

2016BMWi8 Lol

[@nickhill8612]

We did the running to haha

[@coolied2865]

ME TOO!!!

[@adrianneiglesia4472]

Yep... we did too! I still laugh hysterically when I think about it. That's what brought me here.

[@anissueofursincerity]

LOL we saw it in reruns syndication and did that too.

[@jamesowensiii9475]

This what led me here when I heard Peggy Lipton passed away. I remember watching this as a kid RIP!!!

[@bobbysfolly]

Absolutely one of the FINEST intros ..EVER !!

[@lisetteeliseparis7070]

Totally!

[@rebeccaquartieri5509]

Absolutely!

[@bigdeal39]

Solid !

[@Zeldarw104]

Yes indeed!!!! 🎵🎵🎵🎺🙂

[@tvtitlechampion3238]

Top 10 urgency-based intro themes: Mod Squad, I Spy, Ironside, Jonny Quest, Lost in Space, Streets of San Francisco, Batman, SWAT, Baretta, and Mission Impossible. Oh man, Emergency! has to be in there somewhere, Kojak, too. The 70's...

[@stevej6339]

Rest easy Clarence Williams

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Tige Andrews furious because his employees clocked out too early.

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

I wonder if in the outtakes Tige couldn't open the door.

[@gabbyhyman1246]

RIP to Earle Hagen who wrote this theme and for the Andy Griffith Show, Dick Van Dyke show and dozens more.

[@Newton14alan]

My mother used to sing this to me, every night, before bedtime...Well, she hummed it.

[@bethk3773]

OMG, I remember this theme song as clear as anything, but I can't remember what I went in the kitchen for.

[@tvtitlechampion3238]

Pickles?

[@jeancarpenter5283]

RIP Clarance Williams III

[@americangiant1003]

RIP Peggy. My older sister was a big fan of this show and of Peggy

[@stephaniestanley8041]

This is who we need right now. One white, one black, one blonde. Rest well beautiful Peggy. If you don't get goosebumps when they are locking arms, running together, there's something wrong with you.

[@davidphillips2177]

Oh how my sister and l loved to watch this show. It makes one feel nostalgic for days of yore. 😢

[@chipchip1541]

I use to watch this show when it originally aired. I always loved this theme and I used to think they were running from Tige Andrews. Lol

[@cbikle]

The way Tige opens that door is almost like he's saying. "There you are!".

[@ARMEN-wb7ve]

Peggy Lipton is still a hottie

[@gertraba4484]

RIP PEGGY...................

[@Fatherflot64]

RIP peggy

[@SCBarnabas]

RIP Peggy Lipton

[@dietpepsivanilla3095]

RIP

[@anissueofursincerity]

She was in Twin Peaks.

[@waynethomas623]

Michael, Peggy, and Clarence you will always be loved.

[@seanodwyer4322]

God loves those who Run too him , even on t.v.

[@yewniversalviews7246]

"Mod Squad" has an excellent theme song and clip ! The intro for "Mod Squad" exemplifies the theme of the show and each episode : Unity & Caring. It was a cool message then ; and it always will be . :)

[@gabbyhyman1246]

Earle Hagen also wrote the theme for Andy Griffith and Dick van Dyke

[@nytewrtr]

@Yewniversal Indeed!

[@redheadsarenotdeadred4562]

I listen to Billy May on MC. He composed and played trumpet to so many movies and shows. Rip Billy May, you were a genius.

[@anneaires3984]

One of my all time favorite shows & the opening song with Julie, Pete & Linc running for their lives was the best...Peace be with the beautiful Peggy Lipton💔😪🙏

[@anissueofursincerity]

Linc was the trustworthy partner, like Mingo in Daniel Boone, or Mr. Spock.

[@rebeccaquartieri5509]

@@anissueofursincerity solid

[@theresecallahan8548]

Can't watch this without crying now that Clarence Williams III is gone. RIP.

[@johnobrien2829]

This music always plays in my head when I have to run, lol

[@mikem9252]

peggy lipton was cute and was even prettier on twin peaks 20 yrs later

[@StolenEyesX]

Mike M Clarence Williams III made a guest appearance in the second season of Twin Peaks, including a scene the diner run by Peggy Lipton’s character, Norma.

[@gertraba4484]

and she did a cameo on her daughters series ANGIE TRIBECA

[@anissueofursincerity]

She filled out by then.

[@RubenMartinez-bj2ic]

Her daughter Rashida Jones is beautiful!

[@anissueofursincerity]

Yeah she's cute. Did you notice how in the show intor all three are very nicely dressed? Pete has nice dress shoes. It was before everybody wore sneakers..

[@rubedogg6969]

Legend has it Pete, Linc and Peggy are still being chased by Tige Andrews!

[@macmiles278]

Hahahaha!!😂

[@DarianBTaylor]

That's hilarious

[@jameswatson5487]

You-re funny. Never looked at that angle.

[@robertbrittenham5475]

. . . Julie.

[@vividwatch47]

No way. Tige Andrews is deceased.

[@samuelgriffin4167]

TV themes awesome

[@Zeldarw104]

Rest in power & peace Clarence Williams III. ✊🏾🌹

[@TheNaturalPatHarris]

“I just wanna hang out…No Big Deal!!”

[@bryanpotter3882]

Rest in peace Peggy lipton and tige andrews

[@ramonluismartinez8522]

Michael Cole is the only alive member of the team.

[@harperstacey9604]

TV stars from the sixties and seventies are dropping like flies this year.

[@MrEab2010]

the first "modern" cop show. You could literally tell by the way they talked that someone had been watching Mod Squad lol

[@Sirgromulus]

As a young middle class white kid, I watched the show primarily for Clarence Williams III. I thought he was the epitome of cool back then. "Solid"! RIP Peggy Lipton.

[@stevencochran4959]

I was also a middle class white kid Dialed into “The White Shadow”

[@seanodwyer4322]

@@stevencochran4959 met a dark Arab lady in Starbucks who told me she finds Negro's very funny, and grilled me for hours when ahh told her ahh had cousins who were part negro and looked exactly like ''Micheal jackson when he was haveing a race identity issue...

[@jaynehaught9715]

I loved the music....and beautiful Peggy.....❤️❤️❤️

[@debradireen3625]

RIP Peggy Lipton I loved this show

[@donna1215H]

Loved this show when I was little and the theme song

[@don64]

Rest in Peace,Peggy,Doris and now Tim Conway.😞

[@XHellphyreX]

What's sad about the old time actors passing away is there is ABSOLUTELY NO ONE in their league to replace them. So many "actors"/"comedians" today are just a joke.

[@kendallrivers1119]

@@XHellphyreX Christopher Reeve, Sherman Hemsley, John Ritter, Peter Boyle, Fred Willard, Jean Stapleton, James Avery, Dihann Carroll, Bernie Mac, John Mahoney etc. So many icons gone and irreplaceable. They certainly left behind an untouchable legacy.

[@XHellphyreX]

@@kendallrivers1119 Couldn't agree more. Never be another Superman like Reeve or a Jefferson, Tripper, Edith, etc. Why do so many actors absolutely stink nowadays? It's not always crummy scripts

[@kendallrivers1119]

@@XHellphyreX idk man. Just a sad fact. Hopefully it'll be different someday.

[@gwenfluker3436]

The coolest hippiest show ever on tv.

[@AT-xl9vs]

Saw the article about Clarence Williams III passing and asked my husband, hey you remember the Mod Squad, don't you. He answers yeah, and starts whistling the theme song. Hated to tall him , but I had to let him know he was whistling the theme song for Mission Impossible!!!!!

[@Gramblingal1]

RIP Peggy Lipton!

[@mdgraystone]

Man that tune was really groovy.

[@lisao1965]

R.i.p. Clarence Williams III.

[@jc6594]

RIP Peggy Lipton :/

[@michaelmachado2572]

R.I.P Peggy..we loved you in this

[@samuelgriffin4167]

Mod Squad was the bomb on classic television

[@jamesandersom2520]

GOODBYE PEGGY LIPTON YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.All we have to do is ,watch The Mod Squad,and Twin Peaks.and you are with us again.

[@glendadixon8319]

May you soar in the eternal happiness. Keep your arms around your family. Thank you for the great memories of Mod Squad and that beautiful singing voice

[@jmanink00]

Peggy Lipton died today. RIP Ms. Lipton.

[@christopherking7949]

Hands down, THE BEST TV opening music EVER! I mean, EVER! There was a sports talk radio show in San Diego in the 1990s that would play the Mod Squad theme as they signed off daily. I loved watching reruns of the show in the mid to late 1970s. Had a major crush on Peggy Lipton, who is actress Rashida Jones' mother. Rashida's dad is Quincy Jones.

[@tracydavis8982]

Yes, it was a Great Show!!! Rashida Jones is Beautiful like her Mom, and Quincy Jones is Handsome!!!!! Also, a GENIUS in the Music World!!!!

[@Sargebri]

Yep. The original Loose Cannons (Chet Forte and Steve Hartman) used it for years.

[@patdonnelly9392]

this song haunts me in my sleep for some reason.

[@amycooper3907]

I also loved the music that they always played when Pete, Linc, and Julie would walk off together at the end of the episode,

[@cindylopez6561]

Christopher King This and The Virginian... great music!

[@tgflux]

RIP CW3 (how much do I LOVE this theme??? Even just the last 4 notes!)

[@Toywithme200]

Love this show!😊

[@bryanpotter3882]

Rest in peace Clarence Williams the third

[@PennCentral-jn2ow]

One of the best theme songs out there. Remember it very well. It just drew you in to watch it

[@elmoboris8737]

GOOD BYE PEGGY LIPTON, I STILL GET CHILLS FROM HEAD TO TOES WHEN I SEE YOU IN THE OPENING THEME SONG. YOUR THE BEST WOMAN ACTOR, DEAD AT 72.

[@anissueofursincerity]

Yeah. She looked very winded. The boys had to carry her.

[@elisaferraro4117]

i

[@geo386]

A beautiful actress who was in some great programs.

[@gabofihi007]

“I just wanna hangout. No big deal!”

[@case139]

Considering the other shows which were on ABC in 1968, this theme music and TV series were both ahead of its time. But it was also a gateway into what the 1970s was going to look like. For goodness sake, that network was a year removed from F Troop. Now, that's a heck of a jump.

[@critter7052]

Great theme and Yay, Clarence Williams III!!

[@anissueofursincerity]

Later in the series "Lincoln Hayes" adopted Todd Bridges. Interesting plotline.

[@j.t.6700]

"One black, one white, one blond" If I remember correctly

[@StukInBuf]

@John Taylor(poener): Years later, *THE NFL TODAY* would have one white(Brent Musberger), one Black(Irv Cross), one MIss USA(Phyllis George), and yet another elder fellow of Middle East/Mediterranean lineage(Jimmy "The Greek")... a veritable "Mod Squad" in its own right!

[@tdotjazzberryram61]

Cool, sharp memories, as a 8 year old. Thanks!

[@paulargyropoulos4231]

All that suspense running from absolutely NOTHING. Hilarious!

[@brocknspectre1221]

This is the soundtrack of my childhood!

[@LS-ki9ft]

God Bless the beautiful Peggy Lipton. May she rest in peace and God give comfort to her family and friends.

[@troygoodall4825]

R.I.P Peggy Lipton

[@XHellphyreX]

Totally agree, Mason. Indisputably the most adrenaline packed opening of any t.v. show.

[@seeburg220]

This is up there with Medical Center's opening. Check it out.

[@michijimc9753]

Required watching in our USAF home back in the day.

[@Safteyswing]

Great sounding audio!!!

[@josearturogarza5114]

*One Black,One White,One Blonde* _Solid! Keep The Faith!Groovy_ ✊👊✌️

[@dgrichmondbc]

So sad to learn of Peggy Lipton's death. She was an iconic symbol of the 60's and every teenage boy of those times was in love with her. She was, without a doubt, groovy. May she rest in peace.

[@tgflux]

...and more than a few teenage girls, too. ;-/

[@dgrichmondbc]

@@tgflux Cool. She and Michelle Phillips had the look of the quintessential California counterculture girls of the 60's in my opinion.

[@AllRequired]

And the very early 1970s.

[@walterschivo9123]

But no matter how many times they ran, their commander always GOT THEM.

[@anissueofursincerity]

Captain Greer. "Who is going to suspect kids!"

[@tvtitlechampion3238]

They forgot to punch out, and he makes them go get the time cards and do it properly

[@x60hz]

Earle Hagen??? What a versatile musical genius. From Andy Griffith's down home whistlin' intro The Fishin Hole to this. As Gomer would say... "Makes ya think!"

[@jideadams4076]

I grew up watching the mod squad in the era of black and white TV really brings back wonderful memories. RIP Peggy Lipton.

[@HUFF-N-PUFF-2024]

Love that show!

[@179cpv]

Another great theme from Earle Hagen, who also wrote the themes to Make Room for Daddy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Spy, That Girl, and Gomer Pyle USMC. Oh, and he also co-wrote The Andy Griffith Show theme, as well as doing the whistling for it.

[@brucebarron7052]

I love that trivia you gave us

[@tvtitlechampion3238]

and the Peggy Lipton connection to Quincy Jones makes it the best TV theme franchise

[@princesslehaha]

@@tvtitlechampion3238 I always thought this was a Quincy Jones intro, I would've bet on it. Very similar styles.

[@tvtitlechampion3238]

@@princesslehaha the theme to Ironside would've suggested as much

[@Folma7]

RIP Peggy Lipton. My first TV crush.

[@bigdeal39]

One of the Coolest show's EVER on TV ! and Theme song ever !!! R.I.P Peggy Lipton...So Pretty !

[@tgflux]

You see her so much in her daughter Rashida Jones.

[@suzettebennett2564]

Sometimes you see her in Kidada also.

[@SeyaDiakite7]

This is my childhood. I used to hear that song playing on the tv while i was playing with my toys

[@seanodwyer8691]

sey- they should hav made and sold Mod Squad dolls

[@baldemarramirez6797]

I still see the Cable guy scene when I hear this !! LoL 😂😂😂😂

[@biomedlib]

Brings back soooo many memories, one white, one black, and one blonde.....SIP Ms. Lipton....

[@juancatfish1]

RIP Peggy Lipton. A ground breaking tv series and she was a trailblazer.

[@AllRequired]

I can just imagine a present day episode where Linc and Pete visit Julie's grave.