The Evolution of Monk’s Theme Song: Changes Made After Season 1

The beloved police procedural Monk, starring Tony Shalhoub, is renowned for its quirky charm and compelling storytelling. One lesser-known aspect of the series is its change in theme songs after the inaugural season—a shift that remains unexplained by the creators. Despite this mystery, Monk garnered a massive following, largely due to its well-crafted episodes, Adrian Monk’s unique characteristics, and the numerous A-list guest stars who appeared throughout its run.

Fans instantly fell in love with the show’s original theme song, which captured the smooth jazz essence that became synonymous with Monk. In 2003, this melody even earned an Emmy for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music. While the original track was widely embraced, Monk made a notable pivot at the beginning of its second season, adopting a new theme that resonated with audiences until the series concluded in 2009. Viewers continue to speculate about the impetus behind the theme change after just one season.

“It’s a Jungle Out There”By Randy Newman: The New Theme From Season 2

Both The Original And New Theme Songs Won Emmys

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

At the start of the second season, Monk transitioned to “It’s a Jungle Out There,”composed by the legendary Randy Newman. Despite the absence of a formal explanation for this decision, producer David Hoberman revealed that the new theme was tailored to reflect Adrian Monk’s anxious persona. This song not only resonated with viewers but also helped the series achieve a remarkable feat in television history; in 2004, the theme won the Emmy for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music, just one year after the original theme secured the same honor. Consequently, Monk became the first series to achieve consecutive Emmy wins for best theme song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_IOsLYVKkY

Return of the Original Theme in Mr. Monk’s Last Case

Both Versions Featured in Mr. Monk’s Last Case

While the new theme, “It’s a Jungle Out There,”remained the show’s official music throughout its later seasons, the original theme was not entirely forgotten. In a self-referential moment, there was an episode where Monk humorously addressed the issue of shows changing their theme songs, cleverly incorporating the original tune before the credits rolled. In a fitting tribute, both theme songs were featured in the finale movie, Mr. Monk’s Last Case. Newman’s composition played right after the film concluded, while Beal’s original theme provided a nostalgic backdrop for the ending credits, highlighting the ongoing legacy of the beloved series and its music.

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