There is nothing like partaking in a good television show. Before the rise of technology, watching television was almost everyone’s favorite pastime. With the world’s dominance of social media, we no longer have to tune in every week for our favorite shows. Now, we can just stream them or watch them on YouTube. While these services are more convenient, they take away the nostalgia of the weekly anticipation we once felt. Just knowing each week that our favorite television show was returning made each stressful week a lot better.
Of course, no good television show is complete without a catchy theme song. There have been many great ones through the years, especially in the ’80s and ’90s. Sadly, only a few are still heard today, as theme songs on television shows are no longer significant. Only a decent introduction is needed. Thankfully, we are still able to see our favorite shows and hear their fabulous theme songs online. Now, let’s hop in the time machine to experience four of the most impactful television themes of the ’80s and ’90s.
“Where Everybody Knows Your Name”- Cheers (1982)
Video of the Cheers Theme Song courtesy of Tiktook
Cheers Created by James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles, Cheers debuted on NBC on September 30, 1982. For 11 seasons, viewers felt like part of the popular Boston crew who assembled daily to relax, drink, socialize, and briefly escape from reality. As always, no great television show is complete without the perfect theme song.
In his musical debut, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” was performed by Gary Portnoy in 1982. Written by Portnoy and Judy Hart-Angelo, the uplifting sing-along anthem lived rent-free in everyone’s head for its entire run. Shortly after the premiere of Cheers, Portnoy recorded a longer version of the song which made the U.S. and British pop charts. Eventually, it became one of many reasons why people couldn’t wait to tune in on Thursday nights.
“Thank You For Being A Friend” – The Golden Girls (1985)
Video of Golden Girls Theme Song courtesy of TV Land
“Thank you for being a friend
traveled down the road
and back again
your heart is true
you’re a pal and a confidant”
In the 80s, hardly any television show had a better theme song than The Golden Girls. For seven seasons, this upbeat tune was one of the highlights of everyone’s Saturday night. With its feel-good vibe, the song’s heartfelt lyrics embody the meaning of true friendship. Originally recorded by multifaceted musician Andrew Gold, “Thank You for Being a Friend” was covered by singer Cynthia Fee, and played throughout the show’s entire run. Appearing on Gold’s third album, All This and Heaven Too, the song reached number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978.
Although Fee’s version was more well known, it didn’t originally have any chart appearances like its predecessor. After Betty White’s passing in 2021, this changed. Both the theme song and sitcom were streamed over 300 million times. With its brilliant cast of Beatrice Arthur, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, and Betty White, The Golden Girls went on the win several awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes. Each of the four stars also received Emmy Awards, proving just how “golden” those “girls” truly were.
“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
Video of The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air Theme Song courtesy of Honglien Le
Yo homes, to Bel-Air!
Of all days, Monday remains the one loathed by many. Why? Because it means that the weekend is over, and work must resume. The arrival of Monday also meant that nothing worth watching was on television. This remained true for years until September 10, 1990. Like an answered prayer, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air premiered on NBC.
Created by Andy and Susan Borowitz The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ran for six seasons becoming one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 90s. Produced through Quincy Jones Entertainment, the series starred Will Smith, in his acting debut. Known to many, Smith’s character on the show was a slightly fictionalized version of his real-life persona. As a street-savvy teenager from West Philadelphia, Smith was sent to live with his wealthy uncle and aunt in Bel-Air, Los Angeles. Throughout many different adventures, Smith’s lifestyle often clashed with his upper-class relatives.
With hip-hop mastery, Smith raps about his mother being afraid of him falling victim to his tough neighborhood. She wants a better life for her son in a better environment. As a result, she sends him to live with his aunt and uncle in Bel-Air.
“I got in one little fight
And my mom got scared
She said you’re moving
With your auntie and uncle
In Bel-Air”
Produced by DJ Jazzy Jeff, the lyrics of the song The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air were written by Smith and Jeff. Released as a single in 1992, the song peaked at number three in the Netherlands, and number two in Spain. To date, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme remains one of the catchiest and most creatively written songs of the 1990s.
“I’ll Be There For You” – Friends (1995)
Video of Friends Theme Song courtesy of Friends official YouTube channel
Created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane, Friends aired on NBC and lasted ten seasons. It has a talented cast starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and Matthew Perry. The popular sitcom revolved around six friends living together in Manhattan. Played as the cast happily danced around a water fountain, “I’ll Be There for You” was written by Kauffman, Crane, and Allee Willis. The music was composed by Kauffman’s husband, Michael Skloff.
Since their first choice for the theme song fell through, the show’s producers wrote their own and enlisted pop rock duo, The Rembrandts to record it. Consisting of members Danny Wilde and Phil Sōlem, The Rembrandts initially did not want to record the song. However, they were on the production company’s record label (Warner Bros Records) and were the only group available at the time. As a result, they had to comply with the company’s demands. This proved to be a fruitful decision after a Nashville radio station brought “I’ll Be There for You” to mainstream popularity in 1995.
Soon after, the Rembrandts expanded the popular song with two new verses. They included their new version on their third album, L.P. (1995). Regardless of how retro they are, our favorite television theme songs become new again each time that we hear them. As a result, they will never leave us.
