What is the opening theme of The Big Bang Theory called?

The opening theme of The Big Bang Theory is called “Big Bang Theory Theme.” It was written and recorded by the Canadian alternative rock band Barenaked Ladies.

The song describes the history and formation of the universe and Earth, making it a deliberate match for a sitcom centered on physicists and scientific ideas. The producers, Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, approached the band after attending a Barenaked Ladies concert in Los Angeles. Singer Ed Robertson had recently read Simon Singh's book Big Bang and improvised a rap about the origins of the universe, which helped inspire the show's theme.

The song is often called “The History of Everything” because that phrase appears prominently in its lyrics and is used by some unofficial listings. However, the commercially released single's cover identifies the title as “Big Bang Theory Theme,” which is the canonical title used for the program's opening music.

A full-length version was released commercially in October 2007. The television opening uses a shorter version, accompanied by a rapid visual summary of cosmic and human history.