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The theme song ofThe Big Bang Theory,The History of Everything, performed by the Canadian bandBarenaked Ladies, became famous as the show itself. The catchy tune, which explained the history of the universe in a few short verses, resonated with fans and is considered one of TV’s most memorable opening songs.
When the rock band recorded the song in 2006, they were already well-established in the music industry. However, the sitcom’s monumental success, which lasted 12 seasons, turned their 3-minute song into a pop culture phenomenon.
For over 15 years, the theme song has brought hefty residuals to the band’s members. However, behind the scenes, the song’s success led to a legal dispute between the band members, that raised questions about royalty distribution and band agreements.
The iconic theme song fromThe Big Bang Theoryled to a lawsuit betweenBarenaked Ladiesband members
The bandBarenaked Ladieshas enjoyed the financial rewards of their involvement in the show, with residuals from the theme song continuing to flow asThe Big Bang Theoryremains a fixture in reruns.
Ed Robertson, the band’s co-founder and lead vocalist, has openly stated that the royalties fromThe History of Everythinghave earned him more money than any other song in his career.
In 2009, Steven Page, another co-founding member ofBarenaked Ladies, left the band to pursue a solo career. By 2015, he filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates, accusing Robertson, of keeping all the royalties generated by the theme song for himself.
Page alleged that he was promised 20% of the song’s earnings, but had never received his fair share, despite the song’s massive success. At the time of the lawsuit, Page estimated that the song had made over $1 million, making his 20% share a considerable sum. He argued that the theme song’s royalties should be split equally, or at least a 20% agreement, which he claims was made when the song was written.
Recorded in 2006, the song became an instant hit after the show’s debut in 2007, and its continued popularity only increased its value. The court proceedings initially seemed to favor Page. According toPryor Cashman LLP, in 2016, the judge presiding over the case, Barbara Scheper, decided to stay the lawsuit in favor of Robertson and other band members– Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, and Taylor Stewart.
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The decision effectively halted the legal proceedings and led to a prolonged period of uncertainty about whether Page would ever receive his due royalties. While there’s no public information about whether the case was ever settled, Page did reunite with the band, indicating that the situation may have been resolved or the suit dropped.
Barenaked Ladiesband members are seemingly on good terms with Steven Page
In 2018, the band was proudly inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame during the Juno Awards in Vancouver. They took the stage alongside former bandmate Page, marking his first performance with them since departing in 2009. Page appeared to be on good terms with his former bandmates, reuniting for a one-off performance.
Robertson, in a 2009 interview withVail Daily, had kept a positive tone about Page’s departure from the band, saying,“We don’t keep in touch, but we certainly wish him the best, and there’s good will there.”Despite the personal and financial friction, the band’s continued success proved that they had found a way to move past their differences.
Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, the legacy ofThe History of Everythingremains a key part of the show’s success.The Big Bang Theorysong, with its fast-paced lyrics recounting the history of the universe, became as iconic as the show itself.
Barenaked Ladies‘ contribution to the show has been continuously celebrated by fans, and the song is still widely regarded as one of the best TV theme songs of all time.
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Despite personal and financial tensions,Barenaked Ladieswill always be remembered for their timeless TV theme song. Their legacy, despite controversies, will remain etched in fans’ hearts for years to come.
Kaberi Ray
Articles Published :532
Kaberi is an Entertainment Writer at FandomWire with over one year of experience specializing in pop culture and entertainment trends. She has written over 500 in-depth articles covering everything from fan theories to narrative dissection, focusing on platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Paramount Plus.Before joining FandomWire, Kaberi honed her storytelling skills through literary analysis and creative projects rooted in her academic background in English Literature. Her strengths lie in her ability to decode layered storytelling across genres whether it’s analyzing thrillers or exploring new trends. She continues to expand her creative horizon as she’s currently learning a new language.
