This is part of the Animated Shows Created by Simpsons Writers series. It’s Futurama, in my opinion the best of the series, and often (SORRY HATERS) much better than The Simpsons. But we’re not here to discuss the quality of the show, are we? We want to talk about how freaking cool this opening sequence is.

It’s by Christopher Tyng (who’s done music for quite a few series), and it is a pretty clear rip-off (not meant pejoratively) of Psyche Rock by Pierre Henry and Michel Colombier. The song’s from 1967, and I highly recommend watching this video through:

Futurama’s opening sequence is so all about homage. Every episode has a different old-time cartoon playing on the screen that Planet Express crashes into. The show’s about the future, but it’s a future heavily informed by the past and present, where things are intentionally barely better, and technology has moved forward only to be marginally less convenient. I think the theme song, adapted from a trippy number from 1967, supports that. And, because I know you’re curious, here’s the opening to the Futurama movie “The Wild Green Yonder,” which has Seth MacFarlane singing lyrics to the theme song (turn your audio down, this is a terrible recording):

Enjoy!