The theme song of a television show is an integral aspect of the series and should be memorable and catchy to draw in the audience from the beginning. During the 1970s, the music in TV themes reflected the groovy and funky musical style of the decade, featuring funky bass lines, lively beats, and elaborate arrangements that matched the grandeur of the shows themselves.
Revisit The 7 Famous Theme Songs On 70s TV that are still recognizable today.
Happy Days – “Happy Days”
The upbeat theme song of the popular 1970s sitcom “Happy Days” was written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel and performed by the cast members. The song became a hit and captured the spirit of the show, which was set in the 1950s and 1960s and centered around the life of the Cunningham family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
S.W.A.T. – “Theme from S.W.A.T.”
“Theme from S.W.A.T.” was composed by Barry De Vorzon and performed by Rhythm Heritage. The song was the opening theme for the 1970s crime drama series “S.W.A.T.”, which followed a fictional team of special weapons and tactics police officers in Los Angeles. The song’s funky bass line and percussion, combined with its dramatic horns, perfectly captured the show’s intense action and excitement.
The Jeffersons – “Movin’ On Up”
“Movin’ On Up” was written by Jeff Barry and Ja’net Dubois and performed by Ja’net Dubois. The upbeat theme song of the 1970s sitcom “The Jeffersons” became a hit and was widely recognized as one of the catchiest TV theme songs of the decade. The show centered around a black family who had just moved into a luxury high-rise apartment building on New York City’s Upper East Side.
Laverne & Shirley – “Making Our Dreams Come True”
“Making Our Dreams Come True” was written by Cyndi Grecco and performed by Cyndi Grecco. The upbeat theme song of the 1970s sitcom “Laverne & Shirley” was a hit and captured the show’s fun-loving spirit. The series followed the adventures of two single women working in a brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Baretta – “Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow”
“Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow” was written by Dave Grusin and performed by Sammy Davis Jr. The soulful theme song of the 1970s crime drama series “Baretta” was a hit and captured the show’s style and attitude. The series followed the adventures of Tony Baretta, an unorthodox undercover police detective in Los Angeles.
Three’s Company – “Come and Knock on Our Door”
“Come and Knock on Our Door” was written by Joseph Stampley and performed by Cyndi Grecco. The upbeat theme song of the 1970s sitcom “Three’s Company” was a hit and became instantly recognizable. The show centered around the antics of three young single roommates sharing an apartment in Santa Monica, California.
Diff’rent Strokes – “It Takes Diff’rent Strokes”
“It Takes Diff’rent Strokes” was written by Alan Thicke, Gloria Loring, and Al Burton and performed by Alan Thicke and Gloria Loring. The catchy theme song of the 1970s sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes” became a hit and was widely recognized as one of the catchiest TV theme songs of the decade. The series followed the adventures of an affluent white man who adopts two young African-American brothers after the death of their mother.