Our brains are funny things. You could go 30-odd years without seeing a TV show but still instantly know all the words to the intro like you were sitting there watching it yesterday in your jim-jams with a bowl of Lucky Charms.

Well, you might have still done that yesterday, but you get our point.

We've trawled through the archives and selected the best of the best kids' TV themes from the 1970s and '80s (it wasn't a chore), and made our own Top 40 of the absolute greatest. (Don't worry '90s kids - yours is coming.)

That doesn't mean these are necessarily the best kids' shows of the era, but they at least made an effort when it came to a killer song that we would genuinely still keep on our iPod.

40. Muppet Babies

This show-that-shouldn't-work-but-did has pretty much ripped off 'One Fine Day', but that ain't no bad thing.

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39. Mr Benn

Short and sweet, this is a great little ditty that makes you wish you could play the xylophone. And the bassoon.

38. Penny Crayon

This theme gets bonus points for rhyming "wishes" and "fishes".

37. Raggy Dolls

We've all had a day when we feel like one of the Raggy Dolls. But at least this tune makes us feel better when we do.

36. Cops

What it lacks in lyrics, it makes up for with its Jean Michel Jarre-on-acid instrumental.

35. He-Man

By the power of Greyskull, how is this one so low? Yes, it's a great intro, but it lets itself down after the hook. Still: "I HAVE THE POWERRRRRRR!"

34. Heathcliff

It might go on a tad too long, but this 1950s doo-wop number is so damn catchy.

33. The Wombles

So good, they were the biggest-selling group of 1974. FACT. (Songwriter Mike Batt later went on to invent Katie Melua and become a zillionaire.)

32. Sharky & George

Before we were old enough to watch Goodfellas, we had these dudes and their brilliant finger-snapping theme tune.

31. The Raccoons

It's a fantastic intro that summed up our Saturday mornings, but it would have been a lot higher up this list with fewer talky bits.

30. Danger Mouse

Up there with The Saint and The Man from UNCLE in the spy-thriller theme tune game. They re-recorded it for the 2016 reboot but, brilliantly, barely changed it.

29. Bertha

"Bertha, lovely Bertha, sometimes I think you're a dream!" - that lyric alone puts it in the Top 30.

28. Stoppit and Tidyup

Any theme that sounds like the dearly departed Terry Wogan rapping over a rejected Aphex Twin track gets our vote.

27. Trap Door

It takes a while before the main theme kicks in, but when it does: "DON'T YOU OPEN THAT TRAP DOOOOOR!" It sounds like an Iron Maiden B-side.

26. Rhubarb and Custard

Short but iconic. It's as if Jimi Hendrix fancied a bit of glam rock before it was even invented.

25. Grange Hill

SO classic, and one of the best instrumental themes of all time. Did you know it's actually called 'Chicken Man' and was also the original theme for Give Us a Clue? You do now.

Watch out for the flying sausage

24. Postman Pat

It's a real laid-back treat. If you were off home "sick", Pat would make you feel better.

23. Around the World in 80 Days

Willy Fog might not be able to sing in tune, but we don't mind. Plus, we always misheard "I'm a Tico D'Mascota" as 'I'm a big ol, dumbass cat'. Still makes us giggle.

22. Dogtanian

Made from the same folks as Willy Fog, it's an absolute classic. It's only this low because it actually gets a tad irritating if you attempt to do a marathon of it. Which we definitely haven't.

21. Terrahawks

This Gerry Anderson cult classic couldn't be more '80s if it tried. And you've gotta love that SuperMacroMation.

20. Alvin and the Chipmunks

As much as you want to hate the Chipmunks and their annoying voices, you can't help but sing along to this '80s pop anthem. Alvin, Simon, THEODORE!

19. Knightmare

Pure heavy metal goodness. You knew you were getting down for some serious shit when this blasted out your speakers.

18. Jamie and the Magic Torch

We're jealous if your name was Jamie in the '70s and '80s. JAMIE! JAMIE! Plangent start, rocking finish.

17. Inspector Gadget

He might not be the coolest superhero of all time, but he had a proper good electro tune wherever he went.

16. Chorlton and the Wheelies

Genuinely better rap skills than Jay Z.

15. Rainbow

Back when life seemed so much more innocent. 30 seconds of pure joy.

14. Thomas the Tank Engine

Surprisingly catchy over 30 years on, and made only better by adding Notorious BIG on top of it. Trust us.

13. Count Duckula

Once this intro gets to the main tune, it's like an unearthed Tina Turner power ballad. Incredible.

12. Gummi Bears

Not the best Disney offshoot of all time, but what an amazing tune about what is essentially animated candy. Adventures don't get much more beyond compare than this.

11. Rescue Rangers

Another Disney classic, this sounded like it should have been an '80s Hollywood movie theme tune by Kenny Loggins. Ch-ch-ch-chip and DALE!

10. Family Ness

For a cartoon about musical notes, they had to smash it out the park with its theme tune. AND THEY BLOODY WELL DID.

9. Transformers

A classic example of explaining the entire plot of the show in the theme tune so you never have to catch up. All in one line: "Autobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons!"

8. Thundercats

Thunder! Thunder! THUNDERCATS HO! We miss having this many guitar solos in one theme tune.

7. Mysterious Cities of Gold

Not just a great theme, but a great tune. Honestly sounds like it could have been Toto's sequel to 'Africa'.

6. Poddington Peas

You might not remember a single episode of this, but we guarantee you know all the words to this amazing intro.

5. Ulysses 31

If Queen, Daft Punk and JJ Abrams met up for a few pints and got a bit tipsy, they'd probably end up creating this truly epic tune.

4. Defenders of the Earth

There is NO theme that does a better job of selling its heroes. Phantom! Mandrake! Lothar! And the reason it's so good? Stan Lee wrote the lyrics.

3. Fireman Sam

Postman Pat might be a more popular name, but his mate Sam has SUCH a catchy tune, complete with gorgeous guitar licks and harmonies. He really is the hero next door.

2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Dudes, this tune is bodacious AND rad. Catchy, rocking and it explains all four of the turtles' skills. Though, we feel bad that Michelangelo is limited to just being a 'party dude'.

1. DuckTales

This tune has it all. Beyond catchy, it sounds like the Hall & Oates hit we never had. It has clever puns, amazing '80s rocker vocals, saxophones and a key change. Ooh-woo-woo!

Oh hell, we forgot the Munch Bunch.