The theme for the 1964 TV series The Addams Family was written and arranged by longtime Hollywood film and television composer Vic Mizzy. The song's arrangement was dominated by a harpsichord and a bass clarinet, and featured finger-snaps as percussive accompaniment.[1] Actor Ted Cassidy, reprising his "Lurch" voice, punctuated the lyrics with the words "neat", "sweet", and "petite". Mizzy's theme was popular enough to enjoy a single release, though it failed to make the national charts.
The closing theme was similar, but was instrumental only and featured such instruments as a triangle, a wooden block, a siren whistle, and a duck call.
The song has become popular as a staple of the Addams Family. It is referenced in other media prominently, especially in the 2022 series Wednesday. In the series, the code to enter the sanctum of the secret society of the Nightshades is to snap twice (similar to how snapping twice is part of the song). Christina Aguilera recorded her own version of the song for The Addams Family 2 soundtrack in 2021.[2]