How Law & Order’s Iconic Theme Was Created in Just 6 Hours
One of television’s most recognizable theme songs was born in 1990 — and it only took six hours. Tasked with creating a score that “defines New York City,” composer Mike Post delivered a jazzy, gritty masterpiece that has become synonymous with Law & Order.
The story began when series creator Dick Wolf sent Post the pilot script. The two had collaborated on previous shows, including Hill Street Blues. When asked for musical direction, Wolf gave Post very specific instructions:
“Basically, it’s steam coming out of the street. It’s gonna be streety on the cop side, but have majesty to it and the scales of justice. Overall, it’s got to define New York City.”
Post, inspired by George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, quickly found the first keyboard riff. Experimenting with a new guitar and snapping strings, he merged the elements into a sound that captured both the city’s grit and grandeur. For the bridge, he added a clarinet homage to Gershwin, completing the theme in hours.
When Post played it for Wolf, the reaction was instant.
“Dick Wolf, he really, really liked it,” Post recalled. “He went, ‘Oops, that’s my show. That’s what I was hoping for.’”
The final touch came later. Wolf wanted a dramatic “stamp” for scene changes. Post initially resisted, insisting it wasn’t his role, but ultimately collaborated with Danny Lux to create the now-famous “dun dun” — officially called The Clang.
“Two or three years later, [Wolf] sends me a note one day. He says, ‘Isn’t it funny after all the great music that you’ve written all anybody’s going to care about is two notes that aren’t notes?’” Post laughed. “He was right.”
Decades later, the theme continues to captivate audiences. Recently, a TikTok dance using the soundtrack went viral, even inspiring SVU stars Mariska Hargitay and Kelli Giddish to recreate it. Six hours of creativity, precise instructions, and a little Gershwin magic created a musical legacy that defines Law & Order — and New York City — forever.