TV Theme Song Top Ten: The Ballad of Jed Clampett (#4)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (67703)
United States
February 25, 2023 11:24am CST
Sorry I’m late. I was up with a stomach bug. Oh, well, I’m better (I think) and eating (I know). It’s time for another one of my ten favorite television theme songs. Sing along!
#4: The Ballad of Jed Clampett - Paul Scroggins with Flatt & Scruggs
And here is where I remind everyone that the order of this countdown is based on the music, not on the TV show. NO way is this a better series than Night Court.
But that theme? It’s aces! The theme song in the show (which I’ve linked below) was sung by Jerry Scroggins; however, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, who provided the background music, released their own version as a single.
Flatt & Scruggs appeared on the show a few times, as did Roy Clark. Homer & Jethro’s Kellogg’s Corn Flakes commercials were frequent sponsors in the early seasons, too, so this was genuine down-home entertainment that you could sit around the cee-ment pond and enjoy!
The show eventually wore thin on me, but the classic bluegrass of Lester and Earl hasn’t.
The Ballad of Jed Clampett
Written by Paul Henning
Recorded by Paul Scroggins with Flatt & Scruggs
(Released as a single by Flatt & Scruggs)
From The Beverly Hillbillies, 1962-71
Jed, move away from there!
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16 people like this
17 responses
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
25 Feb 23
Classic show and song! I love it. I have fun memories of this show from childhood.
I'm glad you're getting over the stomach bug.
4 people like this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
25 Feb 23
I’ll have to talk to my doctor, because this may be related to the waffles I ate. I might be developing a gluten sensitivity. We’ll see.
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47256)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
25 Feb 23
Remember when Miss Hathaway was looking at Ellie Mae's barefeet and saying she'd have to get her some pumps and mules?
3 people like this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
25 Feb 23
Miss Hathaway was such a scene stealer in that show.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
25 Feb 23
I think this almost started the spinoff craze (with Petticoat Junction which also had a good theme song). It really blew up in the 70s.
3 people like this
@DWDavis (25805)
• United States
25 Feb 23
@FourWalls I remember two successful spin-offs from The Andy Griffith Show. Well, one spin-off, one successor. Gomer Pyle, USMC, and Mayberry, RFD.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79648)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Feb 23
I know it well and have heard it umpteen times watching The Beverly Hillbillies, Granny was such a hoot,
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79648)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Feb 23
@sallypup well, looking it that way then most of the old grannies in Latvia would be witches because they grow, pick, and use different herbs as cures for simple ailments and the herbs really do work.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (60954)
• Centralia, Washington
27 Feb 23
@RasmaSandra I was just talking about how Granny actually was a witch cause she cured folks from her own folk wisdom.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
25 Feb 23
As Dan and Abby said at the end of last week’s Night Court, “city folk.”
3 people like this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
25 Feb 23
Hooray! I’ve got you down being 0-3 for the remainder of the countdown, but you’ll probably surprise me.
3 people like this
@popciclecold (38586)
• United States
25 Feb 23
Could never forget the ballad or show.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89832)
• Arvada, Colorado
26 Feb 23
He was quite the handsome man in his younger days and even older.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
26 Feb 23
Wonder what The Wizard of Oz would have been like if he hadn’t been allergic to that paint they used on the Tin Man?
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
26 Feb 23
This song I know and can sing. The Clampetts were a favorite and I didn't want to miss anything. I own the DVDs with all their shows as well as the two movies.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
26 Feb 23
Aw, you’re just funnin’ with me now! YOU know a song???
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
26 Feb 23
@DaddyEvil — will wonders never cease! You know this one and NJ Chic knows it!!!
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
26 Feb 23
@FourWalls I KNOW! I was walking around singing it a few days ago...
2 people like this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
27 Feb 23
@sallypup x- probably a long time ago.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (60954)
• Centralia, Washington
27 Feb 23
@FourWalls Have you done a post on The Dillards- Andy Griffith? I really like them.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
27 Feb 23
Hooray for Lester and Earl’s popularity!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (177893)
• United States
26 Feb 23
I used to watch this ridiculous show and remember the theme song very well. I hope you are feeling better.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
26 Feb 23
Thank you, I’m better. And yes, it was ridiculous. But it forever changed the name of a “swimming pool.”
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (177893)
• United States
27 Feb 23
@FourWalls Who can forget the ceement pond?
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35549)
•
11 Mar 23
"Come and listen to a story 'bout a man named Jed…" A little bluegrass in Beverly Hills, how's that for being out of place, just like the Clampetts. Great concept for a TV show and loads of laughs. I always felt sorry for Jethro, he was picked on by Granny, Ellie Mae and even made fun of by Jed. Thank goodness for Miss Jane.
I love hearing some great banjo
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
11 Mar 23
Well, you certainly can’t be Earl for great banjo!!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (105819)
• Marion, Ohio
26 Feb 23
Glad you got to feeling better. The show and song was fun
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
26 Feb 23
Thank you. I’m making notes for the doctor visit Wednesday. Let her deal with it. Meanwhile, I won’t eat THAT again!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67703)
• United States
26 Feb 23
If it’s a gluten problem then it’s easily solved. We have to make sure that IS what it is, though.
1 person likes this