Chuck Norris was a man of many talents. But singer probably isn't on that list. Still, that didn't stop the late legend from belting out the theme "Eyes of a Ranger" to Walker, Texas Ranger.
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But Norris wasn't the first to sing the now iconic theme song. In fact, the actor wanted one country legend to sing the tune instead. Speaking with US Weekly, Norris explained, "I wanted Randy Travis to sing the theme song, 'The Eyes of a Ranger,' but CBS insisted that I had to sing it."
Unfortunately, for one reason or another, Norris didn't get his wish. Producers instead chose for Norris to sing the theme song like a "rap in the style of Johnny Cash." Thus, the iconic theme was quickly born. Producers loved the theme so much that they organized a New Year's Eve musical performance for Norris.
Chuck Norris Wanted to Sing Theme
Not bad but we still wonder what Randy Travis might have sounded like belting the tune. Or heck, maybe even the Man in Black himself. When it came to reboot the hit series, Jared Padalecki didn't have to strut his stuff in the vocal department despite stepping into Chuck Norris's iconic shoes.
But fortunately for the now-ended reboot, Norris did ultimately give his blessing to the show. Apparently, the Hollywood icon reached out to Padalecki and explained that he was okay with the show being rebooted. That show ultimatley ran for four seasons.
"He did have to give his blessing," Padalecki told "Good Morning America." "He helped create the original version, and so he still co-owns it. He didn't have any problem with it, thank goodness, because I don't want to mess with Chuck Norris."
Sadly, though, it didn't quite match the pop culture status as the original programming. Perhaps that is in part because it was missing its iconic theme. You just can't replace Norris on the track. So while he wanted someone else to step in, everything worked out how it was supposed to.
