Why Monk’s Theme Song Changed After Season 1

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Why-Monk’s-Theme-Song-Changed-After-Season-1 Custom Image By Yailin Chacon

Tony Shalhoub's long-running police procedural Monk switched theme songs after the first season, but the show never explained why. Thanks to all the great episodes of Monk, Shalhoub's police procedural became one of the most beloved TV shows ever. There are so many iconic elements at play that helped it gain a huge following, from Adrian's idiosyncrasies to all the famous guest stars Monk was able to secure. One of the most memorable parts of Monk - its theme song - actually changed partway through the show, and the series never explained why.

In the first season of Monk, the show had a completely instrumental theme written by Jeff Beal. Fans of the show liked the smooth jazz feel of the song, and the Monk theme even won an Emmy for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music in 2003. Despite how popular the original theme song was, Monk switched to a new song at the onset of its second season, and it kept the newer version until the show ended in 2009. It's one of the few unexplained parts of Monk's history, and many viewers still wonder why the show abandoned its original theme song after a single season.

"It's a Jungle Out There" By Randy Newman Was Used For Monk Season 2 Onward

Both The Original Monk Theme & Newman's Song Won Emmys For Best Original Theme

Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) talks to Marci (Sarah Silverman) in Monk season 2, episode 12

At the start of Monk season 2, the show switched from its original theme to "It's a Jungle Out There" by Randy Newman. Unfortunately, no one involved in Monk ever explained the decision to switch theme songs. Producer David Hoberman simply approached Newman and commissioned the new song based on Adrian's anxious personality. "It's a Jungle Out There" actually helped Monk make TV history. In 2004, Newman's song won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music, the year after the original Monk theme won the same award. Because of that, Monk was the first show to have back-to-back wins for best title song.

"It's a Jungle Out There" was actually very unpopular when Monk season 2 began, and the USA Network received complaints. Monk had a bit of fun with the backlash it received from the change in theme songs, though. In Monk season 2, episode 12, Sarah Silverman plays a fan of a TV show who desperately wants it to switch back to the original intro song. Multiple characters say that the show was "perfect" and they should have left it alone, and Silverman's character even tells Adrian to promise that if he ever has a TV show, they will never change the theme song.

Mr. Monk’s Last Case Brought Back The Original Theme Song For The Ending Credits

Both Versions Of Monk's Theme Song Play In Mr. Monk's Last Case

While "It's a Jungle Out There" would be Monk's theme song until the show's final season, the original theme wasn't completely forgotten. In the same episode that Monk made fun of shows switching theme songs, it played the original theme just before the credits. Years later, at the end of Mr. Monk's Last Case, both "It's a Jungle Out There" and the original theme song play. Newman's song plays just after the movie ends, but Beal's original theme plays during the movie's credits. Mr. Monk's Last Case was filled with great references to the original Monk show, and the theme songs were one of the best.

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Starring Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, Monk follows the titular detective, a private investigator with OCD who helps solve crimes with the San Francisco Police. On the side, he also investigates the death of his wife, who was killed by a car bomb. Bitty Schram, Traylor Howard, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford also star. 

Release Date July 12, 2002

Finale Year November 30, 2008

Network USA

Seasons 8

Story By Tony Shalhoub

Directors Randy Zisk , Jerry Levine

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