The best TV show instrumental themes: #8 "The Fishin' Hole" from "The Andy Griffith Show"
By John Roberts
@JohnRoberts (109846)
Los Angeles, California
July 24, 2017 8:34am CST
One of the most iconic opening scenes to any TV show is Sheriff Andy Taylor and son Opie going fishing. “The Andy Griffith Show” (1960-68) runs seconds to “I Love Lucy” in terms of enduring popularity and relentless reruns. Who does not love Don Knotts’ Barney Fife? The theme appropriately titled “The Fishin’ Hole” was created by Earle Hagen and Herbert Spencer with Hagen himself performing the famous whistling. Hagen was a prolific Emmy winning composer who also did “I Spy,” “Gomer Pyle” and “The Mod Squad.” Spencer was an orchestrator who had a longtime collaboration with John Williams. “The Fishin’ Hole” has passed into popular culture as symbolic of father-son relationships.
NOTE: NO copyright infringement intended. TAGS is owned by CBS.
11 people like this
10 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
24 Jul 17
Aw..I do love this John..I really liked the show.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37369)
• Toccoa, Georgia
25 Jul 17
It is a great opening song and closing song, along with it being my favorite old show.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50607)
• United States
24 Jul 17
I never grow tired of old shows like this. I am especially fond of Andy and Barney 
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35721)
•
25 Jul 17
Mr. Hagen and Mr. Spencer's opening scene captures the essence of the small town and is a perfect lead into the show.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (182000)
• United States
24 Jul 17
I always loved the opening of the Andy Griffith show..so cool with the whistling.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68918)
• United States
24 Jul 17
I think that's one theme song that "everybody" recognizes immediately. I have a 45 of Andy singing the lyrics.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Jul 17
For some reason, I always assumed it was Andy doing the whistling.
1 person likes this
@thecrystalblood (2)
•
24 Jul 17
Even in 2017 I still love the Andy Griffith show theme. Definitely a classic
1 person likes this
