The Buffy the Vampire Slayer theme tune was written and performed by the band Nerf Herder. The band took their name from a line in The Empire Strikes Back where Princess Leia called Han Solo a “stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy looking nerf herder”. Joss Whedon said in his DVD commentary for 1.01 Welcome To The Hellmouth that Alyson Hannigan brought the band to his attention by constantly playing their self-titled first album. Joss contacted them to compose Buffy’s title music.
Nerf Herder’s original recording of the Buffy theme tune had a point where the beat was lost slightly and it had to be re-recorded. The theme tune is available on the compilation Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Album (1999, TVT Records). Nerf Herder’s song ‘Vivian’ (from How to Meet Girls, 2000) played during the episode 4.16 Who Are You? when Faith (in Buffy’s body) danced at the Bronze.
The band appeared on stage in 7.19 Empty Places when Faith, the Potentials and Dawn went dancing there, playing ‘Rock City News’ and ‘Mr. Spock’.
Kennedy: “What kind of band plays during an apocalypse?”
Dawn: “I think this band might actually be one of the signs”.
In the Nerf Herder song For You, one of the verses says:
And I’d bid too high on The Price Is Right
And I’d sweat to the oldies all night/
And I’d be depressed like Morrissey
And slayed by Buffy every week
I’d do anything for you.
In the commentary for 7.13 The Killer In Me, David Solomon says (though it’s unclear whether or not he is kidding) that the lead singer for the band Nerf Herder grows orchids in his free time and also judges orchid growing contests.
Related episodes: 4.16 Who Are You?, 7.19 Empty Places
Comments on this trivia
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Saintsaucey on August 20th, 2005 at 8:30 am
Just a question the logo on that pic is used during the first two seasons then they change and begin using the other better known logo. was that one not designed yet
hannah_wish01 on December 27th, 2005 at 1:15 am
hmm i would think not sainsaucy. although i think most people would agree when i say that the second version of both the logo and the theme tune for buffy were right on!! the second theme tune was much better by far as it was much rockier, i havn’t met any1 who liked the 1st attempt at the theme better (yes i am sad enough to bring this subject up in conversation with my one and only buffy fan friend)
outforawalkbitch on August 18th, 2006 at 2:02 am
I think the Buffy title music is one of the best of any television show. i love it