The theme was written by Neal Hefti for the 1966 Batman television series starring Adam West, and it quickly became one of the most recognisable television themes of the decade. Its simple guitar riff and shouted Batman chant helped define the show's campy, colourful tone and made the hero instantly identifiable even without a picture. The song has since been covered, sampled and parodied countless times, appearing in films, cartoons and commercials. Online, it remains a shorthand for a heroic entrance, which keeps it popular in memes, edits and nostalgic tributes.