The era of 1970s was a great era and a turning point for American television. At that time, three-channel networks entertained audiences across the America in the comfort of their home. Many shows were broadcast that tackled tough and sometimes difficult issues of those times. Since these shows were new and had a diverse range of genres, they captivated all the viewers and audiences across the world. However, the storylines of these shows were remarkable and the iconic theme songs of these shows were enough to captivate the audiences and the new generations even today.
Let’s delve into and explore ten such theme songs of the 1970s and their legacy:
10) Happy Days 1974-1984:
Happy Days is a classic TV show that reminds us of good times and nostalgia. The show was based on the life of a high school student, Richie Cunningham. The story of Richie was relatable and the show featured the most talented characters of those times. The theme song of the “Happy Days” was written by veteran TV theme writers, Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox. The show previously had another theme song “Rock Around The Clock”, later on, “Happy Days” became the official opening and closing theme song. This classic theme song was famous due to its vibrant and catchy lyrics and a bouncy rhythm.
9) The Waltons 1972-1981:
The Waltons emerged as a beloved television series during the 1970s. This show was created by Earl Hamner Jr. and was based on the novel Spencer’s Mountains. The story revolves around a boy named John Boy Walton who was an aspiring writer. But, the family instilled their traditional values in their children and grandchildren. The genre of the show revolves around emotions like family unity and the importance of enduring love.
The theme song of this show was composed by Gerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage, becoming an unforgettable masterpiece for the world. The song’s melody was so well composed that it attracted the audience. This masterpiece gained widespread acclaim, winning two Golden Globes and an Emmy award.
It’s beautiful to know that the legacy of the Waltons still lives today and has been a favorite show for generations of generations.
8) The Muppet Show 1976-1981:
The Muppet Show was a popular show that was aired in the 1970s. Each episode of the show featured the Muppets from Sesame Street. The show was hosted by Kermit the Frog and each episode had a special guest star invited. The show was a mix of music and comedy and many iconic characters were invited to the show. The show’s theme song “Its Time to Put on Makeup” was filmed in the UK and became a timeless classic that showcased 1970s talent.
7) M*A*S*H 1972-1983:
MASH was a popular American TV show that aired from 1972 to 1983. This show was set during the times of the Korean War. The show’s iconic theme song was composed by Johnny Mandel. The show is based on Richard Hooker’s autobiographical novel and is directed by Robert Altman. The main focus of the series is on survival, where the surgeons work tirelessly to save lives amidst the chaos.
6) The Jeffersons 1975-1985:
In the 1970s, there was a racial dispute among African Americans as they were portrayed as people from poor backgrounds. So, as a result, it culminated in the curation of a black family show, The Jeffersons. It was the first show that depicted the black family as a wealthy family. They lived in good suburbs and had a very successful business.
This show was loved by the blacks especially because it depicted the positive side of the image and supported black’s rights. To add more charm, the theme song of the show was curated namely “Moving on Up” which is still remembered today. The music had a gospel and smooth tune which attracted the audiences, paving the way for even better TV shows.
5) Welcome Back Kotter 1975-1979:
The Welcome Back Kotter was one of the famous sitcoms from the 1970s. The sitcom is based on a teacher named Mr.Kotter who returns to his old high school as a teacher to teach a class of students who needed help. The students of Mr.Kotter were known as the Sweethogs. Many students were hardworking and smart but few of them were funny and didn’t do very well in school. The show had a dark humor based on some sensitive topics like pregnancy, drugs etc.
Undoubtedly, the show was interesting and its theme song was outclassed. It was written by John Sebastian became a number-one hit and reached number-one on the music charts. This incredible journey fun and emotional ride makes audiences of every generation too intrigued about the show.
4) The Rockford Files 1974-1980:
The Rockford Files was a popular TV show which aired from 1974-1980. The lead starrer for the show was James Garner who played a role of a private investigator in Los Angeles. The character played by James was that of a financially troubled detective. It was one of his spectacular performances. What attracted the most about the show was its main theme song, which was written by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter who won a Grammy award for the show. The show remains one of the best shows with a diverse blend of humor and mystery.
3) Dallas 1978-1991:
The TV show Dallas was created by the revolutionary David Jacobs, who amazed the world with its debut in 1978. Initially, it was just conceived as a mini-series and later it transformed into a weekly show. The show usually featured the life of Ewing’s family. The main head of the family J.R. Ewing fought with rivals to keep the business safe and secure. The genre of this splendid show is evident from its cowboy music mixed with orchestral sounds. This beloved classic show allowed many directors to showcase their talent by inspiring Ewing’s character. It remained a beloved classic TV show.
2) All In The Family 1971-1979:
All In The Family was a popular TV show that was set in New York during 1971-1979. The show usually features Archie Bunker and his family. His political views and arguments with Mike, son-in-law were very amusing. This is the reason why it hooked everyone with the show, making it a global success. The show’s theme song is very iconic as Archie and his beloved wife sang the song “Those Were The Days” together. The legacy of this show remains because it tackled every topic from politics to racism to careers, every single of them so perfectly.
1) The Mary Tyler Moore Show 1970-1977:
The Mary Tyler Moore Show is one of the most anticipated shows, which featured a single woman living in Minneapolis in her 30s. She worked as a TV producer and won more than 29 awards. The show’s excellent direction and production made it one of the best TV shows ever. The impact of this show remains significant through its memorable theme song. The theme song of the show was curated “Love is All Around” by Sonny Curtis. The lyrics of the theme song are so inspirational, that one can not listen to it without humming to it.
