The 10 Best 1970’s Television Theme Songs — Part 1

Earworms from a groovy era

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TV show theme songs’ most memorable era

As a kid growing up in the ’70s, TV-watching was a staple of everyday life. If you’re part of Generation X, you likely spent a lot of time in front of the boob tube. It’s safe to say that those of us who live to tell of our experiences spent equal amounts of time either playing outside, untethered by “Find My iPhone” and similar tracking devices, and watching television (most likely black and white with static and all, for good measure).

Back in the day, entertainment on demand, à la Netflix, Disney + or plain old YouTube was a science fiction fantasy.

What was on was what you got. End of story.

And what you got was limited — there was no 24/7 smorgasbord of entertainment choices that we’re so used to today. With a few channels, we made do and, in many cases, enjoyed what was served up via the old rabbit ears.

The shows that entertained us did so for more than the obvious reasons. I don’t know what it was about this era, but the theme songs for television shows were a cut above what we get these days. 

Was it because our expectations weren’t as sophisticated then as they are today? After all: Dolby surround sound, spatial audio and similar advancements were not part of the television-watching experience of the day. No, it was likely just a simple appreciation of the story being told, most often starting with a musical trademark that set the tone for the entertainment to come. Even if it was in mono, a good song is a good song, regardless.

If you were there, cast your mind back to your memories of TV-watching circa 1970–1980 and bask in the aural glory of television’s theme song golden age.

If you weren’t there, you’re in for an auditory treat. They don’t write songs like these anymore. The criteria required to make the list are simple: the songs have to be memorable, singable and have that “earworm” quality.

In no particular order, here are the top 10 TV show theme songs from the 1970s that that still cause those of us who remember them to belt out each word, phrase and note and as if it were yesterday.

The Top 10 Television Theme Songs From the 1970s

1. The Jeffersons — “Moving On Up

Source: Wikipedia

The story of George and Louise (“Weezy”) was one that many could relate to. Here we had a previously working-class dude who finally “hit it big” with his dry-cleaning business, allowing him to “move on up” to the East Side of The Big Apple. He finally got a piece of the proverbial, financial “pie,” and this fact was the joyous raison d’être behind the couple’s luxurious lifestyle. Equally as important was this same infectious joy that was conveyed each week during the opening credits of the show. The exuberance of the song perfectly suited the often ridiculous but always entertaining day-to-day activities of the ensemble cast. Listen to the song via the clip below and see if you can get through it without singing (or tapping your feet…or snapping…).

2. Mary Tyler Moore — “You’re Gonna Make It After All”

CBS Archives

Well, actually, the title of the Mary Tyler Moore show’s theme song is “Love is All Around,” but try telling that to the millions of fans who know it as “You’re Gonna Make it After All.” The iconic scene of the newly-divorced, independent, self-sufficient woman gleefully throwing her hat up in the air resonated with everyone from the era who welcomed the new feminism that was on display.

The song that accompanied her joy in the opening scenes of the show encapsulated said joy perfectly.

Here’s the opening from the first season:

And of course, the later version: