The Untold Story Behind MASH's Iconic Theme Song and Its Hidden Message

Summary

MASH's original theme song couldn't be used on the show because it talks about suicide, which doesn't align with the lighthearted tone CBS wants.

The reason the instrumental version of "Suicide Is Painless" is selected for the MASH TV show is because the lyrics are too dark. Despite the lack of a direct link to the sitcom, it is hard to envision MASH with any other theme besides "Suicide Is Painless."

The original theme song of MASH could not be used on the TV show for a specific reason. Regarded as one of, if not the best sitcom of all time, CBS' hit series follows the 4077 MASH unit during the Korean War. MASH centers around Alan Alda's character, Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce, and his colleagues as they navigate the casualties of war while grappling with their own feelings about it. Despite numerous cast changes over the years, MASH has consistently maintained its popularity due to its prioritization of storytelling.

With a total of 256 episodes, including a highly-anticipated finale that remains the most-watched TV episode of a scripted series to this day, MASH has become synonymous with memorable moments. Even though it ended four decades ago, the show's running gags still hold a prominent place in popular culture. Some notable examples include Max Klinger's affinity for wearing dresses and Radar O'Reilly's ability to predict Henry Blake's thoughts. Additionally, MASH is renowned for its iconic opening scene, which is accompanied by an instrumental theme song.

Why MASH Couldn't Use The Movie's Full Theme Song

The theme song for CBS' MASH was taken from the 1970 movie, which was the first live-action adaptation of Richard Hooker's novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors from 1968. Called "Suicide Is Painless," the music was composed by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Michael Altman. Originally not intended to be the movie's theme, it was written for Private Seidman, played by Ken Prymus, to sing during the "Last Supper" scene of Walter "Painless Pole" Waldowski, portrayed by John Schuck. This particular scene does not appear in the CBS sitcom. Director Robert Altman, the director of the MASH movie, liked the song so much that he decided to use it as the main theme for the film.

Even though MASH explores serious subjects, CBS wanted the series to have a more light-hearted tone. Due to the song's reference to suicide, the network did not permit the sitcom to use the original version of "Suicide Is Painless." While it worked as the opening for Altman's 1970 film, using it as the introduction to a weekly sitcom with over 200 episodes would create a dark and somber atmosphere. Therefore, the best solution was to remove the lyrics, keep the memorable theme intact, and combine it with MASH's iconic opening sequence featuring helicopters arriving on the hills of Uijeongbu, South Korea.

What MASH's Theme Song Is Actually About

The MASH TV show exclusively utilized the instrumental rendition of "Suicide Is Painless" due to the somber nature of its lyrics. The song explores an individual's contemplations about ending their life amidst a backdrop of despair and indifference. As the show does not incorporate the scene that inspired the song, its connection to the CBS sitcom is predominantly attributed to its association with the MASH movie. Nevertheless, it is challenging to envision MASH with any theme other than "Suicide Is Painless."