This song is built around a guitar hook reminiscent of spy film scores and surf music.

A common misconception is that the chorus is actually a horn section, a rumor began shortly after the TV series ended its initial run in 1968, and gained attention from Adam West's 1994 book Back to the Batcave, in which he incorrectly recalled that the theme featured horns rather than vocals.

[1] According to TV's Biggest Hits by Jon Burlingame, which includes an interview with Hefti about the creation of the song, the song consists of "bass guitar, low brass and percussion to create a driving rhythm, while an eight-voice chorus sings 'Batman!'

[4][5] In addition to Neal Hefti's original version, and the movie soundtrack version by Nelson Riddle,[6] versions were covered by The Marketts (single "Batman Theme" (#5 CAN[7]) and album The Batman Theme by The Marketts), The Ventures (The Ventures Play the "Batman" Theme, Dolton BST8042, 3/1966), Al Hirt, The Standells and actor/musician David McCallum.

The theme has been re-recorded by dozens of artists, including Link Wray,[8] Voivod,[9] the Jam,[10] the Who,[11] and the Kinks.