Jim Johnston: It’s Dumb And A Horrible Idea To Use Commercial Songs As Your Entrance Theme

Jim Johnston composed some of the most memorable theme songs in wrestling history that were instantly recognizable.

In putting the themes together, Johnston would capture the character, not necessarily what they wanted as an entrance song.

Speaking to All Access Entertainment podcast, Johnston said he would rarely speak with the wrestler when composing a theme because most of their suggestions were what they listened to in the car, and not what best fit them as a persona.

“There’s nothing more self-defeating, and it almost never works out, than to base a theme on a commercial song. I always thought it was a horrible idea when guys got big enough that they could convince Vince (McMahon) to let them use a commercial track. This is music and pure emotion. If suddenly your entrance theme is a theme where it was playing the first night a guy slept with his girl, his association is sleeping with his girlfriend, not with you. When you come out, you want people to only be thinking of you. That is the only thing in the universe you want them to be feeling. That happens in the case with Undertaker or Stone Cold. People aren’t thinking about other songs or experiences; they are thinking about what Steve Austin is doing tonight or in the moment and excitement. If part of your mind and heart is over here, ‘Oh yeah, I remember that song.’ It’s dumb, I think,” he said.

The Hardyz and Bob Holly used commercial songs for their themes, while CM Punk and others have used licensed songs.

Elsewhere during the interview, Johnston explained why he believes he’s no longer in WWE. You can find his full comments here.

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