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Summary
The seventies was a great prison term forTV theme songsand across military action , law-breaking , comedy , and family situation comedy , had some of the just medicine ever heard on television . With a focus on funk , John Rock , and pop out , the near report tunes of the decade became so entrenched in pop polish that many people today would still make out them , even without ever having watch the original series . In an age before cyclosis and the widespread handiness of tv set on requirement , a memorable theme melodic line with a tricky hooking was all important to remaining in viewers ' retentivity in between episodes .
From funk instrumentals that set the shade of the show to heartfelt language - base ballads that quickly summarize the story , the good theme songsof the 1970s were catchy , upbeat , and easily digestible . With stimulant from iconic instrumentalist , such as Quincy Jones , to composer who specialized in TV themes , like Mike Post , one aspect that defined 1970s theme Song dynasty was their gauze-like miscellanea and the immense array of instruments in use , which mimicked the experimentation that was pass in mainstream pop medicine at the time . There were justso many fantastic TV idea song in the seventies .
10Sanford and Son (1972 – 1977)
“The Streetbeater” by Quincy Jones
One of the big signs of an iconic paper call was when mass who had n’t even seen the show forthwith recognized its euphony and this was certainly the case withSanford and Son . Titled “ The Streetbeater ” and featured on composer Quincy Jones ’ 1973 albumYou’ve Got It Bad Girl , the groovy funk stylings of its Hammond organ , sax , and horn made it an earworm that was easily dance to . TheSanford and Sontheme tune has maintain its placeable aura due to being featured in previous series likeScrubsandThe Simpsons(viaSongfacts ) , which helped cement it in popular cultivation .
9Diff’rent Strokes (1978 – 1986)
“It Takes Diff’rent Strokes” performed by Alan Thicke, Linda Harmon, Gloria Loring and Gene Morford
The content of acceptance and understanding of the NBC sitcomDiff’rent Strokeswas outlined attractively in the show ’s musical theme song by Alan Tichke , Linda Harmon , Gloria Loring , and Gene Morford . The story of a businessman and his daughter who take in two young boy from Harlem , the recognizable report song ofDiff’rent Strokesexplained that the “ world do n’t move to the beat of its own drum”and what ’s correct for you “ may not be right-hand for some ” because it takes “ different strokes to move the world . ” As a catchy tune with a progressive message , it set upDiff’rent Strokesperfectly .
8The Jeffersons (1975 – 1985)
“Movin' On Up” performed by Ja’net DuBois
The Jeffersonswas a groundbreaking ceremony sitcomthat was not afraid to tackle contemporaneous issues head - on and was the first boob tube show to conspicuously feature a marital interracial couple . The gospel choir ofThe Jefferson’stheme strain singing “ Movin ’ On Up ” represent the show ’s aspirational themesof upward social mobility absolutely and acted as an indication that this series would be more reformist than your average 1970s sitcom . With a primarily African American cast , The Jeffersonstackled report of alcoholism , racism , gun control , and even transgendered issues during an era when these issuance were not so unremarkably seen on mainstream goggle box .
7Taxi (1978 – 1983)
“Angela” by Bob James
A slow , reposeful , and melancholic subject melody , the initiative medicine to the ABC sitcomTaxiwas called “ Angela ” and brook in stark contrast to the often - over - the - top showmanship of other themes from this era . With a beautiful vertical flute whistling in the chess opening few seconds accompanied by groovy keys , sax , and a flute,“Angela ” was an effective theme line forTaxias the opening succession showcases a cab slowly driving across the Queensboro Bridge from a first - person position . A relaxing intromission before being subjected to the antics and daily lives ofTaxi’sNew York cab driver .
6The Rockford Files (1974 – 1980)
The Rockford Files by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter
The typical electric guitar - free-base theme song ofThe Rockford Fileswas one of the best of the 1970s and was make by celebrated theme euphony composers Mike Post and Pete Carpenter . An eclectic mix of guitar , synths , harmonica , and banjo the song was a top ten rack up in the United States and Canada in 1975 and dead introduce the James Garner detective serial . Mike Post made a career out of create iconic stem songs and was also responsible for the music inThe A - Team , Quantum Leap , Magnum P.I. , andHill Street Bluesin the 1980s .
5WKRP In Cincinnati (1978 – 1982)
WKRP in Cincinnati Main Theme by Tom Wells and Hugh Wilson
As a serial found on the mishap of the staff of an AM radio station it was all-important forWKRP in Cincinnatito have a memorable theme song and the intro by Tom Wells and Hugh Wilson triumphantly achieved this . A dandy soft dada , the theme call boast music by Tom Wells and lyrics by theWKRP in Cincinnaticreator Hugh Wilson . A distinctively 1970s Sung dynasty , WKRP in Cincinnatiexpertly enamour the blank - cut smooth radio style of the West Coast yacht rock strait that was popular at the time .
4The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970 – 1977)
“Love Is All Around” by Sonny Curtis
Cast
The memorable theme tune ofThe Mary Tyler Moore Showwas written and perform by Sonny Curtis and reference the show ’s main character and her struggle to set off a new living after the terminal of her human relationship . The convinced refrain “ you ’re gon na make it after all ” started the series on an optimistic notation of boost and belief . The melodic theme melodic phrase toThe Mary Tyler Moore Showwas in billet with the serial publication ' feminist messageas it showcased a cleaning lady , neither married nor qualified , survive a full , complex , and purposeful living which was rarely depicted in mainstream medium in the seventies .
3The Muppet Show (1976 – 1981)
“The Muppet Show Theme” by Jim Henson and Sam Pottle
The theme Song dynasty forThe Muppets Showwas one of the most abiding vista of the Jim Henson - created serial publication that has been continually referenced and echo in later Muppets - free-base media . Written by Henson with Sam Pottle , who also worked on the music for Sesame Street , the “ sensational , inspirational , celebrational , Muppetational ” music has been beloved by generation and was well associate with Kermit , Ms Piggy , andall the rest of the maven ofThe Muppets Show . An hold up piece of music , The Muppets Showtheme was a major aspect of the show ’s success .
2Mission: Impossible (1966 – 1973)
“Theme from Mission: Impossible” by Lalo Schifrin
The iconic theme music from the originalMission : Impossibletelevision serial that aired in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s was the most consistent part of the long - fly the coop dealership . An insanely memorable piece of euphony , allot to urban fable composerLalo Schifrin base the theme on the rhythm of the M.I. in Morse code(viaNME . ) The song was so inseparable and essential to Mission : unimaginable that has been continually used in the 1988 revitalisation TV show , as well as the Tom Cruise - led movie franchise .
1Happy Days (1974 – 1984)
“Happy Days” by The Ron Hicklin Singers
Interestingly , the absolute honorable report song of the 1970s attempted to recreate the styles of sounds of the fifties during the introduction of the ABC sitcomHappy day . An upbeat , memorable , and iconic birdcall , “ Happy Days ” was publish by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox and sung by Jan Haas with The Ron Hicklin Singers , as well as Pratt & McClain in late Son . The paper tune’sinfectious mix of 1950s sway ‘ n ’ roll , doo - Guinea backup singers , and danceable soda made it one ofthe most memorable and dear paper tunesnot just of the 1970s , but of all time .
Sources : Songfacts , NME
