10 Shocking Secrets Behind The Big Bang Theory Theme Song: The Lawsuit, The Freestyle Rap, And The "History Of Everything"

As of December 12, 2025, The Big Bang Theory theme song remains one of the most recognizable and enduring pieces of television music, a rapid-fire, scientifically-charged ditty that perfectly encapsulates the show's blend of theoretical physics and pop culture. Penned and performed by the Canadian band Barenaked Ladies, this 30-second blast of intellectual energy, officially titled "The History of Everything," is a deceptively complex piece of work with a story far more dramatic than any of Sheldon Cooper's social faux pas. It's a song that has generated millions in royalties, yet also sparked a bitter legal battle between former bandmates. From its unusual composition request to the surprising original theme song, here are the deepest, most up-to-date facts and secrets behind the iconic opening credits of one of the 21st century's biggest sitcoms.

The History of Everything: The Barenaked Ladies' Connection and Royalties Battle

The band responsible for the theme song is the Juno Award-winning Canadian rock group, Barenaked Ladies (BNL). While the entire band is credited with the performance, the song's creation is a story centered on one member, and its financial success led to a major legal entanglement.

Barenaked Ladies (BNL) Key Personnel & Theme Song Entities:

• Songwriter/Lead Vocals: Ed Robertson
• Band Members (at time of recording): Ed Robertson, Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Tyler Stewart, and former member Steven Page.
• Show Creators: Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady
• Song Title: "Big Bang Theory Theme" (also known as "The History of Everything")
• Debut: September 24, 2007

1. The Theme Song Was Born From a Freestyle Rap

The origin story of the theme is pure Hollywood serendipity. Series creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady attended a Barenaked Ladies concert at the suggestion of a friend. During the show, lead singer Ed Robertson performed a freestyle rap about the origins of the universe, a concept that immediately resonated with the creators who were developing a sitcom about theoretical physicists. They approached Robertson afterward and asked him to write a theme that was essentially "a short history of everything."

2. Ed Robertson Wrote and Recorded the Song in One Night

Following the concert, Robertson was inspired. He reportedly wrote the entire song—lyrics and music—in a single night. He recorded a demo on his own and sent it to the producers, who loved it instantly. The final version used in the show is essentially that original demo, with a few minor production tweaks. This rapid-fire creation process mirrors the song's own fast-paced, information-dense delivery.

3. The Original Pilot Had a Completely Different Theme

Before the Barenaked Ladies were approached, the unaired pilot for The Big Bang Theory used a different, pre-existing song as its opening theme. The show's creators ultimately decided they needed a custom-written theme that was more specific to the show's core concepts of science and history, leading them to Ed Robertson's talent.

4. The Full-Length Version is Over a Minute and a Half Long

While the opening credits version is a snappy 30-second segment, Barenaked Ladies recorded a full-length version of "The History of Everything," which runs for 1 minute and 45 seconds. This longer track was released as a single and is a fan favorite, containing more verses that delve deeper into human history, the evolution of life, and the development of civilization, including references to agriculture, the wheel, and the printing press.

5. The Song's Lyrics Are a Rapid-Fire, Nerdy History Lesson

The theme song is not just a catchy tune; it's a lyrical masterpiece that summarizes billions of years of cosmic and human history in a handful of lines. The lyrics start with the universe's origin: "Our whole universe was in a hot, dense state / Then nearly fourteen billion years ago expansion started, wait..." It then quickly moves through the cooling of the Earth, the emergence of life, the development of tool-making, and the building of pyramids. This dense, academic yet humorous approach perfectly mirrored the show's tone.

6. Steven Page Sued the Band Over Millions in Royalties

The massive success of The Big Bang Theory—which ran for 12 seasons and is in constant worldwide syndication—translated into a massive payday for the theme song. However, this success sparked a major legal battle. Steven Page, a founding member and former co-lead singer of Barenaked Ladies, left the band in 2009. He subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking his share of the royalties from the theme song, which he claimed had generated "several million" dollars.

7. The Lawsuit's Outcome Was a Victory for the Band

The legal dispute revolved around whether Page was entitled to royalties from a song written and recorded before his departure, but which continued to generate income long after. The litigation eventually resulted in a victory for the current members of Barenaked Ladies. The court ruled in their favor, essentially affirming that the remaining members were the rightful recipients of the ongoing royalties for the song. This legal battle is one of the most significant and recent pieces of news surrounding the theme song's legacy.

8. The Theme Song's Success Is a Continuous Income Stream

Due to the show's incredible longevity and its constant presence in reruns and streaming services globally, the theme song is a continuous, high-value asset. Every time an episode airs anywhere in the world, the theme song generates performance royalties for the writers and performers. Ed Robertson, as the primary songwriter, has earned a substantial fortune from this single, short piece of music.

9. It’s One of the Few Modern Sitcom Themes Not to Be Cut

In the 21st century, many sitcoms and dramas have shortened or eliminated their opening credits sequences to maximize time for the main content. The Big Bang Theory theme, however, remained a consistent and integral part of the show's identity for its entire 12-season run. Its short, punchy length and undeniable catchiness made it a signature element that the producers knew they couldn't cut without alienating the audience.

10. The Song’s Popularity Led to a Special Performance at the Final Episode Taping

When the series finale was taped in 2019, the Barenaked Ladies made a surprise appearance. Ed Robertson joined the cast and crew to perform the iconic theme song live on the set, marking a heartfelt tribute to the music that had been the soundtrack to the show's incredible journey from a hot, dense state to a pop culture phenomenon.

Topical Authority: The Science and Lyrical Entities

The theme song's topical authority comes from its direct, yet scientifically-informed, references. Ed Robertson successfully integrated complex scientific concepts into a pop-rock format, creating a powerful synergy with the show’s premise.

Key Scientific and Historical Entities Mentioned:

• The Big Bang: The cosmological model describing the universe's earliest known periods.
• Hot, Dense State: The condition of the universe approximately 13.8 billion years ago.
• Expansion: The ongoing process of the universe growing larger.
• Neanderthals: An extinct species of archaic humans.
• Cro-Magnons: An early European Homo sapiens.
• Pyramids: Ancient structures, symbolizing the dawn of complex human civilization.
• Mathematics/Physics: The core subjects of the main characters, explicitly referenced in the song's intellectual tone.

The lyrical structure is designed to mimic the rapid-fire, encyclopedic knowledge base of characters like Sheldon and Leonard. The song’s ability to weave together concepts from cosmology, anthropology, and history makes it a unique and enduring piece of television music.

Why "The History of Everything" Endures

The theme song’s legacy is secured not just by its association with a global hit show, but by its own merits as a piece of writing. It is a perfect example of a commissioned work that transcended its brief to become a cultural touchstone. The combination of Ed Robertson's witty, dense lyrics and the band's energetic delivery created a sound that is instantly recognizable and intrinsically linked to the sitcom's success. Even years after the show's conclusion, the story of the freestyle rap, the one-night writing session, and the multi-million dollar royalty lawsuit continue to make "The History of Everything" a fascinating topic of discussion for fans of both Barenaked Ladies and The Big Bang Theory.