Few TV franchises have left as big a cultural mark as CSI, and few rock bands have a catalog as instantly recognizable as The Who. Put them together, and you get one of the most iconic pairings in television history. Across all the CSI series and spin-offs, The Who’s legendary songs provided the soundtrack to countless investigations, dramatic reveals, and yes—those unforgettable opening credits.
Here’s how each series found its perfect anthem:
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation & CSI: Vegas – Both the original and its modern revival chose “Who Are You” as their theme. With its fiery riffs and pointed question, it became synonymous with the detective work of Las Vegas crime labs.
- CSI: NY – “Baba O’Riley,” often (and lovingly) called “Teenage Wasteland,” set the stage for the gritty New York spin-off, its epic opening chords instantly pulling viewers into the city’s pulse.
- CSI: Miami – Few moments in TV history are as meme-worthy as David Caruso’s sunglasses and a perfectly timed “Yeeeaaah!”—all backed by “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” It was camp, drama, and rock ‘n’ roll rolled into one.
- CSI: Cyber – For its tech-savvy take on crime solving, the series turned to “I Can See for Miles,” a song that fit the theme of digital reach and surveillance in the cyber age.
Together, these songs did more than just open shows—they tied an entire franchise together with a unifying thread of classic rock. Each riff, drum hit, and soaring vocal line brought a sense of urgency and cool to the mysteries on screen.
The Who’s music was already timeless, but thanks to CSI, a whole new generation of viewers discovered just how powerful and versatile these songs could be. Decades later, many fans can’t hear those tracks without picturing flashing police lights, lab techs in sunglasses, and cases waiting to be solved.