Theme from the short lived soap Generations. I found it to be so original and unique.

It's funny how the memory works... my great-grandmother watched Generations and until it showed up on WoST I had rememberd the opening theme being Joplin's "The Entertainer".

I wasn't referring to the particular theme music, but the opening sequence itself, the one that lasted from 96-the 00s. That is what had an urban feel to it with the shots of the buildings, the people on the sidewalk, etc. The piano version would only be good to use IMO for heavy emotional episodes, and yes the holidays too.

As for OLTL not exactly having a urban feel to it, perhaps not at this exact moment, but when I think of urban I automatically think of diversity, and OLTL definitely had that around November or so with African Americans, Gays, etc. etc. all being on the forefront. Plus, Llanview isn't portrayed as some small town you know. Sure it's not close to oh say what watching The City felt like, but out of all the soaps on air today, OLTL just feels more realistically urban with it set in Llanview JMHO. Now if only we can get some stories featuring some of the characters in their workplace.

Okay, I thought you meant that specific piano version....

I'm not sure if someone else disagreed that OLTL has urban characteristics. I think there are urban elements to the show... I think it is definitely diverse, though "diverse" and "urban" aren't inextricably tied. My comment was that the piano music didn't have an urban vibe... but that was only because I thought YOU meant the music was urban! Sorry for the miscommunications, Michael...

I always LOVED the music in this late 70's/early 80's GL opening. I think Bridget Dobson once said that they would try to write the most compelling opening tag, and then it would flash to "That thing with the dead looking leaves." LOL!

I'm not sure if someone else disagreed that OLTL has urban characteristics.

That was me. I think that OLTL at its best has a true community spirit, like we saw in the gay marriage storyline, but the urban sensibilities I feel like are whittled away every time they're built up again. And then there's poor Carlotta and her diner being made into the Bonjour Cafe of Llanview.

Here are the credits for Trading Places. Bob Woods as RJ is a classic, but the ones I loved are Roger Howarth's Viki pose and Cat Hickland/HBS as Nora and Lindsay. I could watch some of those poses a million times. And it's eerie how much Fiona looks like JDP

Edited February 20, 201015 yr by CarlD2

I also LOVE this early 70's GL opening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2LlUzOH4fE

That was me. I think that OLTL at its best has a true community spirit, like we saw in the gay marriage storyline, but the urban sensibilities I feel like are whittled away every time they're built up again. And then there's poor Carlotta and her diner being made into the Bonjour Cafe of Llanview.

Here are the credits for Trading Places. Bob Woods as RJ is a classic, but the ones I loved are Roger Howarth's Viki pose and Cat Hickland/HBS as Nora and Lindsay. I could watch some of those poses a million times. And it's eerie how much Fiona looks like JDP

What...the...HELL? Why is this my first time ever seeing this or even hearing of this?

Roger Howarth as Viki

What...the...HELL? Why is this my first time ever seeing this or even hearing of this?

Roger Howarth as Viki

That was from the parody OLTL did in July 2001 where Rae had a dream of going to a very strange version of Llanview. The end involved Starr dressed as Rae and Rae dressed as Starr. Most of it was a lot of fun.

A year later they did another parody, Babes Behind Bars, when Lindsay and Allison Perkins were cellmates. I mostly remember Allison singing "Ben."

I'd forgotten Heather McRae was in that too. Did she sing "Easy to be Hard"?

Edited February 20, 201015 yr by CarlD2

You guys posted my favorites, particularly the OLTL mid-80s theme, both the instrumental and Peabo Bryson versions, and the 1990s GL Hold On To Love theme, with the dancing Harley.

I also liked the EON theme. (Boy, do I miss watching these soaps during these periods).

If you ever need a visual aide when trying to define "camp":

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name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="

type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Why she got her purse!? And spinnin'!? Of course it could have been a wrap after Danny, oh my Lord... and Cricket looks like she's working the end of the runway at a church fashion show ("Git it goral, you betta wear dat!")

How any of them did that with a straight face, I shall never know. And I think the purse spin proves why theBritsoften refer to camp as "handbag"

That was me. I think that OLTL at its best has a true community spirit, like we saw in the gay marriage storyline, but the urban sensibilities I feel like are whittled away every time they're built up again. And then there's poor Carlotta and her diner being made into the Bonjour Cafe of Llanview.

Here are the credits for Trading Places. Bob Woods as RJ is a classic, but the ones I loved are Roger Howarth's Viki pose and Cat Hickland/HBS as Nora and Lindsay. I could watch some of those poses a million times. And it's eerie how much Fiona looks like JDP

I miss Carlotta's (and before that Wanda Webb's) diner. The Bonjour just seems ugly to me--and we don't even see Noel there anymore anyway so what's the point.

Is all that Trading Spaces on youtube?? I somehow missed it but now am desperate to see it--fo me, far and away the best are the Cat/HBS as Nora and Lindsay lol. I never knew HBS had that kinda humour talent!

The Boyz II Men opening! I call it that because it sounds like something they'd sing over. Jesus Christ, GL was such a different show then.

I have to offer AMC's white opening, which I will defend forever. That song, the black/white images, the leaf, the rose, the bottle, the horses, the inkwell, the keys...I flove it. And ABC went and P&Ged it up for a while with the sponsor tag.

The thing is... It's not bad. Not bad at all (especially when they made the images move), and I like the theme (especailly the one that opens with the piano), but I feel both are just lesser versions of the 1990 opening/concept. The melody, whilenotremotely the same still sounds like a variation to me--which is good I guess to keep some connection. Still, I have to say I was *thrilled* when they brought back the photographs in a book and 1990 music around 2000 or whenever.

Applcin: LOL. I was just about ready to post the EON Updated Themes the 1980-83 was the best. They updated it at least six times. The first one didn't include Sharon Gabet because she had left the show a few months early (she'd returned, but I think P&G was punishing her). The next one began the string where Raven face and eyes moved turned into Monticello (LA Skyline). Most of these have been taken off youtube in past few months. I found it in a clip. The sequence begins at 1:30. Sorry for only the link -- media box wouldn't work. (Also, the end theme actually was written and used in the late 70s of the slow music. Such a unique show -- not that I'm biased.)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wws68ZThkw0

Edited February 21, 201015 yr by edgeofnik

One of my favorites, a piano version of One Life to Live's 1996 opening. I think the opening sequence itself would be more fitting for OLTL now, rather than the 80s one, since this one is more in tune with the urban feel the show has for itself now.

Piano Version of OLTL 1996 Opening

A more recent opening that I've liked a whole lot is the ATWT opening from 2008, most notably the music. I'm not so much of a fan of the opening sequence itself though.

This opening sequence piques my curiosity....lol I wonder if the show instituted more action clips into this opening from 1985 bc it was around the time the hsow was slipping in ratings? Either way, I have always been in love with the theme song.

Not being a regular viewer, I'm always confused as to when ATWT changed their themes, but it seemed like, though I still like best that oh so 80s one, whenever they'd have a good theme they'd suddenly replace it with an utterly boring one. I like the one (music anyway) you liked to too--hate the current one.

All those fights and action scenes do NOT work with that GL theme. But thanks for posting that music, I had forgotten all about it. As much as I like the 1990s theme to death, I may even prefer this one--it sounds corny but it has sorta this achingly nostalgic sense to me. I love it.

(When I was 12 or so and getting obsessed with soaps--and there was no internet, SOD had an add for a casette tape of soap themes, and I got it. I was a bit dismayed to find out they were all synth versions, but I admit it's how I discovered many of these themes as it had long full versions of the old and new OLTL, AMC, GL, etc as well as Dallas, Knots and Twin Peaks)

Applcin: LOL. I was just about ready to post the EON Updated Themes the 1980-83 was the best. They updated it at least six times. The first one didn't include Sharon Gabet because she had left the show a few months early (she'd returned, but I think P&G was punishing her). The next one began the string where Raven face and eyes moved turned into Monticello (LA Skyline). Most of these have been taken off youtube in past few months. I found it in a clip. The sequence begins at 1:30. Sorry for only the link -- media box wouldn't work. (Also, the end theme actually was written and used in the late 70s of the slow music. Such a unique show -- not that I'm biased.)

Sigh...I wish someone had picked up showing EON when AOL Video ceased to be.

Edited February 21, 201015 yr by applcin

I also LOVE this early 70's GL opening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2LlUzOH4fE

This reminds me how much I hate the old Edge of Night logo--it makes me think it should be a kids show and was done in crayons for some reason...

As a teen I got a copy of about 90 episodes of Guiding Light's radio version--from I think from 1950, 1951 or so (the famous, and I admit actually riveting Meta Bauer murder trial, death of Chuckie, etc) The opening organ chordes (Aphrodite!) are stuck in my brain forever, but so is the jingle for DUZ detergent, which I bet people associated with GL as much as the organ, at the time.

"Putting new DUZ in your washing machine

Finest DUZ you've ever seen

Bigger news, now you can sing

D U Z does everything!"

The new Duz! Brings you, The Guiding Light, by Irna Phillips (she was the only soap writer who had it in her contract to get daily credit)