Discover the Reason Behind the 'Dawson's Creek' Theme Song Switch-Up

The theme song of 'Dawson's Creek,' "I Don't Want to Wait" by Paula Cole, was not available on streaming platforms for many years. The show aired from 1998 to 2003 and starred James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams.

Why Was the Theme Song Changed?

Paula Cole wrote and released "I Don't Want to Wait" in 1996, which served as the show's opening song. Despite its popularity, the song was excluded from streaming platforms and DVD versions of the series.

After the show was acquired by streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, the theme song was replaced by Arden's "Run Like Mad," which was already owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment. However, in 2021, fans were delighted to discover that "I Don't Want to Wait" was finally added to Netflix.

Paula Cole's Role in the Licensing Battle

Paula Cole expressed that the decision to include her song was due to fan reactions and feedback. She mentioned that the fans' posts and tweets played a significant role in Sony Pictures eventually allowing the use of the song on streaming platforms.

Cole stated, "I'm so happy that the fans got what they wanted and that people will learn about my song and hopefully more of my music again. I just appreciate the opportunity very, very much." The deal to include "I Don't Want to Wait" was a result of Sony Pictures responding to the desires of dedicated 'Dawson's Creek' viewers.