Yea you heard me. The songs were even better than the shows.
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1. The Greatest American Hero (1981-1983): Beeeelieve it or not I know all the words to this song, despite never having seen the show oh ohhh. That was me trying to shoehorn a statement into the song’s melody. Even George Costanza’s answering machine parody remains more memorable than the actual show itself.
2. Makin’ It: This late 70s disco-themed sitcom featuring David Naughton (from American Werewolf in London and the “I’m a Pepper” commercials) came and went quickly, but the theme song went on to become a big pop hit.
3. Cop Rock is one of the most despised shows of all time. It was sowing the seeds for Glee decades later. The Theme song is Randy Newman sounding all Randy Newmany and who does’t like that!?
4. Welcome Back Kotter Theme (Welcome Back) – John Sebastian. Another example of a show that was considered cool at the time, has not held up well at all, but EVERYONE knows the John Sebastian written song.
5. Open All Night – What? You don’t remember this mid-80s sitcom about a guy working in a 24 hour convenience store, co-starring Bubba Smith and featuring a cameo from David Letterman? The theme song, with a full minute of exposition, should get you up to speed.
6. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air – I don’t think I can recall a single plot point from a single episode of this show, but I’m pretty sure I know the theme song by heart.
7. H.R. Pufnstuf – If you think you’ll be able to get this song out of your head after you hear it, you’re sadly mistaken.
8. CHiPs – (1977-83) Don’t all those episodes just kinda blend together into a big mess of blondes and traffic jams? Killa theme song though!
9. S.W.A.T. (1975-1976) This is one of the most excellent, funk grooviest TV themes ever…and then some SWATy stuff happens, I think.
10. WKRP in Cincinnati (1978-1982) Once you hear the song, you pretty much get the general idea…
11. When the Whistle Blows Theme – Andy Millman playing Ray Stokes was unpopular with TV critics but popular with the public. The catch phrase “Are you having a laugh” took the country by storm, then the jump the shark moment came when Coldplay showed up for no rational reason. After the series ended Millman had a meltdown on the show Big Brother and then left the public eye. He did leave behind one catchy theme song.
