Listen to 12 different versions of the 'Bonanza' theme
Few television theme songs have spawned so many hits. Here radically different takes, from Johnny Cash to Jamaica.
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/d6Xxz-1445445934-37-lists-bonanathemes_main_1200.jpg)
There have been many memorable television theme songs, but when it comes to measuring the greatest of all time, it's hard to argue with the numbers. The twangy, galloping theme from Bonanza has been recorded dozens of times in various styles, both instrumentally and with vocals. It was voted the 58th best western song of all time by the Western Writers of America. A guitar instrumental broke into the Billboard Top Twenty in 1961. The Man in Black performed it on television.
1. Jay Livingston, Ray Evans and David Rose (1959)
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/8yN0U-1445447597-393-list_items-bonanza_davidrosest.jpg)
2. The cast of Bonanza (1959)
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/dNy7s-1445446460-388-list_items-bonanza_cast.jpg)
3. Marty Gold and His Orchestra (1960)
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/6agoO-1445446914-390-list_items-bonanza_martygold.jpg)
4. Johnny Gregory and His Orchestra (1960)
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/Xxhc1-1445446638-389-list_items-bonanza_johnnygregory.jpg)
5. Buddy Morrow and His Orchestra (1960)
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/91wV8-1445447317-392-list_items-bonanza_buddymorrow.jpg)
6. Al Caiola (1961)
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/OqV5X-1445446170-385-list_items-bonanza_alcaiola.jpg)
7. Johnny Cash (1962)
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/9MyQY-1445446273-386-list_items-bonanza_johnnycash.jpg)
8. Valjean (1962)
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/P7KL8-1445447946-395-list_items-bonanza_valjean.jpg)
9. Billy Vaughn (1962)
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/dmjR8-1445447826-394-list_items-bonanza_billyvaughn.jpg)
10. Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra (1963)
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/LWtZw-1445447096-391-list_items-bonanza_riddle.jpg)
11. Lorne Greene (1964)
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/RFS8c-1445446125-384-list_items-bonanza_lorne_it.jpg)
12. Carlos Malcolm & The Afro Caribs "Bonanza Ska" (1965)
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/bCVPz-1445446355-387-list_items-bonanza_ska.jpg)
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