Who's first in the credits in clash of the classic TV theme tunes?

It might be the gentle opening bars of Last of the Summer Wine, or the crashing drums at the start of EastEnders; it could be a programme we remember from our childhood, or one we've been watching for donkeys years. Either way, we probably feel just that little bit better

whenever we hear it.

But what is top of the pops in TV Theme Land? According to a survey published this week, Match of the Day is the most recognisable tune on British television, narrowly beating EastEnders, Doctor Who and Coronation Street.

The study, conducted by PRS for Music, canvassed more than 2,000

people, with the football tune, written for the show in 1970 by Barry Stoller, getting the most votes.

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker says he's not surprised it came out on top. "The theme tune never fails to excite me even after all these years. You automatically know exactly which programme it is associated with and it seems to be timeless. You just know what's coming next, lots of football action and goals – and everyone can hum it."

It's fair to say that sometimes we enjoy the theme tune more than the show itself. But while the music can make the difference between a good programme and a great one, it can also send us running for the remote control faster than you can say Usain Bolt.

Composer and songwriter Tony Hatch has penned some classic tunes in his time, including Emmerdale, Crossroads and BBC's Sportsnight, but his Neighbours theme wasn't one of them. Yes, even the best songwriters have their off days. The late Ronnie Hazlehurst was a titan of TV theme writing, producing such classics as The Two Ronnies, Yes Minister and Last of the Summer Wine. But his theme for Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em almost makes me wish I didn't have ears – even if it is fiendishly clever, spelling out the title of the programme in Morse code.

When it comes to sports themes, though, British TV is the footballing equivalent of Brazil. As well as Match of the Day – Grandstand, The Big Match and the Wimbledon theme, written by Keith Mansfield, are all bona fide classics. But what is the secret to a good TV tune? Yorkshire-based composer Tolga Kashif has written musical scores for TV

programmes like QED and believes simplicity is the key.

"EastEnders is one of the classic themes that started off as a library tune which someone played around with. It's simple, but clever, and encourages you to whistle along. It's a musical page-turner."

What also makes it so recognisable is the fact that it has become ingrained in the nation's consciousness. "The more you repeat something the more familiar it becomes to the point where it's part of our culture," he says.

Theme tunes, though, aren't only about simple melodies and catchy hooks, they also work on a more a subliminal level. "A composer will use certain techniques, like quicker tempos during suspense scenes. Casualty, for instance, uses a classic heart beat while the BBC news has that incessant beat."

In other words, the music tells a story. "When it comes to writing a theme tune, you're always trying to find a motif that people will enjoy wherever they are in the world, " says Kashif.

Theme tunes often reflect the cultures and countries they emanate from. Police TV shows, in particular, offer interesting contrasts. In the United States, popular shows like Starsky and Hutch and Hawaii Five-O have a faster pace compared to many of their British counterparts like The Bill, or Z Cars. "The British TV police shows tend to be more sedate whereas the Americans draw very much on funk and soul music."

Ultimately, of course, a good theme tune should be part of the

soundtrack of our lives. "The best theme tunes are usually simple and instantly recognisable. If you take Match of the Day, it's like a kind of rap, or chant, which is easy to sing on the terraces. If you slow it right down it sounds like a hymn, and if you can create a chant, or a hymn, then you're on to a winner."