What Was That Television Theme? Quiz

Answer: Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams

Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams shared singing duties on the "Family Ties" theme. They also scored a hit with "That's What Friends Are For" in 1982. The song was first done by Rod Stewart on the soundtrack of "Night Shift" the same year and Dionne Warwick and Friends later did a version for the "American Foundation for AIDS Research" benefit.

In addition to her duets with Mathis, Williams has had solo hits with "Let's Hear It for the Boy" and "It's Gonna Take a Miracle". Johnny Mathis had been scoring hits on the Billboard Pop and Adult Contemporary charts since "Wonderful! Wonderful!" reached Number 14 in 1957. Paul Anka and Odia Coates had a hit in 1974 with "You're Having My Baby". Paul Anka also composed the theme for the "Tonight Show". "Every Time Two Fools Collide" and "What Are We Doin' In Love" are among the duets by Kenny Rogers and Dottie West. "With You I'm Born Again" became a smash for Billy Preston and Syreeta after it was released in December, 1979.

Answer: Everywhere You Look

"Full House" ran from September 1987 to 1995. Stamos began his acting career on "General Hospital". He then landed a role playing Jack Klugman's son on "You Again?" before getting the role of Hermes Jesse Katsopolis on "Full House". Jesse Frederick also composed the themes to other shows including "Perfect Strangers", "Family Matters" and "Step By Step" with Bennett Salvay. "As Long as We Got Each Other" was the "Growing Pains" theme. B.J. Thomas sang the original 1985 version solo, then did duets with Jennifer Warnes and Dusty Springfield during the run of the seven seasons. Rik Howard and Bob Wirth wrote "Together", the theme to "Silver Spoons" (1982).

There were three versions done during the history of the show. "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now", the theme song for "Perfect Strangers", was performed by David Pomeranz beginning with the premier 1986 episode.

Answer: Flatt and Scruggs

Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs were members of the Blue Grass Boys in 1946. They left in 1948 and formed their own group they called the Foggy Mountain Boys. They released the Bluegrass standard, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" in 1949. The song became a staple of movie chase scenes and was on the "Bonnie and Clyde" soundtrack in 1967. By 1955 they had become members of the Grand Ole Opry. "The Ballad of Jed Clampett" reached Number One on the Country charts in 1963.

The duo went their separate ways in 1969. Earl wanted to experiment with different styles while Lester preferred the traditional style of Bluegrass music. Lester Flatt was 64 when he passed away in 1979 and didn't live to see the duo inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1985. Earl Scruggs continued to perform as his health allowed.

Answer: Mary Tyler Moore Show

The theme song for "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", "Love Is All Around", was written and performed by Sonny Curtis. Sonny was a member of Buddy Holly's band and later gained a reputation as a songwriter after composing songs such as "Walk Right Back", "More Than I Can Say" and "I Fought the Law".

He has been a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame since 1991. Cast members Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor sang the opening theme to "Green Acres" (1965). The theme lyrics set up the premise of the show. "Eyes of a Ranger", the theme to "Walker, Texas Ranger", (1993) was sung by Chuck Norris. Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton sang the opening song on "All in the Family" called "Those Were the Days". Roger Kellaway and Carroll O'Connor composed the closing theme, "Remembering You".

Answer: Everybody Loves Somebody

"Everybody Loves Somebody" was actually written in the late forties by Irving Taylor and Ken Lane. Frank Sinatra and other artists had recorded the song over the years without significant success. In 1964 Dean needed another track for his "Dream With Dean" album and Lane happened to be playing piano on the session.

He suggested "Everybody Loves Somebody" and it was included on the album. Even though the US was in the middle of the British Invasion the song rapidly climbed the charts and became Dean's signature tune.

Another album was released titled "Everybody Loves Somebody" and it was fitting that Dean use the song as his theme when his show premiered in 1965. "Everybody Loves Somebody" is on Dean's gravestone.

Answer: The Ventures

The "Hawaii 5-0" theme made it to Number Four on the Billboard charts for The Ventures. They first hit the Top Ten in 1960 with their recording of "Walk, Don't Run". The single reached Number Two. Don Wilson and Bob Bogle formed the band, with Bogle originally on lead guitar.

When Nokie Edwards joined the band, Bogle switched to playing the bass as Edwards proved to be a solid lead guitarist. Nokie Edwards took a break from the band after recording "Hawaii 5-0" in 1968 and was replaced by Gerry McGee. Edwards would rejoin in 1973 and tour with the group until 1984. Morton Stevens was a television theme songwriter who scored shows such as "Gunsmoke" and "Police Woman".

He earned a Grammy for the "Hawaii 5-0" theme as well as seven other nominations for his work on various television shows.

He passed away in 1991.

Answer: Rock Around the Clock

The first two seasons of "Happy Days" featured "Rock Around the Clock" as the opening music. "Happy Days" was played at the end of the show when the credits rolled. Starting with the third season the show's theme was played at the beginning and the end.

After the show premiered the original 1954 recording of "Rock Around the Clock" made a resurgence on the charts. Studio musicians recorded the original theme, but in 1976 a version recorded by Pratt & McClain made the Top Ten. For the final season the song was redone with singer Bobby Arvon and more backing vocalists.

Another opening sequence with the cast was also filmed. Ritchie was occasionally heard singing "I found my thrill" from "Blueberry Hill" in various episodes.

Answer: The Jeffersons

In January, 1975, Edith Bunker's friend and neighbor, Louise Jefferson moved on up to the East Side. Ja'net Dubois sang the theme, "Movin' on Up".
"And Then There's Maude" was composed by Marilyn Bergman, Alan Bergman and Dave Grusin. It was sung by Donny Hathaway. Coincidentally, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and a spin-off, "Phyllis", ended the same week. Cloris Leachman appeared on the final episode of both of the shows.
After Carlos Santana declined an offer to do the theme for "Chico and the Man" the producers asked Jose Feliciano. Feliciano and his wife composed the opening and closing songs and Jose sang them.

Answer: The Lovin' Spoonful

John Sebastian was the front man for The Lovin' Spoonful. The band formed in the mid-sixties when various members of Folk groups in the New York area united to form a group. They named the band named after the title of a Mississippi John Hurt song. Sebastian left the group in 1969, but briefly reunited with them when the band appeared in "One Trick Pony" in 1980. Sebastian composed "Welcome Back" and took it to Number One in 1976. Sebastian and the producer for the show shared the same agent and the opportunity arose for Sebastian to compose a theme.

The producers were so impressed with the theme that the name of the show was subsequently changed from "Kotter" to "Welcome Back, Kotter".

Answer: Making Our Dreams Come True

Laverne and Shirley were seen at the opening of the shows chanting "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight! Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!" before the theme song, "Making Our Dreams Come True", began. The theme would remain part of the show through eight seasons and a locale change. Laverne and Shirley first appeared together on "Happy Days" and during the second season of their own show they outpaced "Happy Days" in the ratings. "Brand New Life" was the theme for "Who's the Boss?". "As Days Go By" was from "Family Matters" (1989). "Too Close for Comfort" was the theme for the 1980-1986 show of the same name starring Ted Knight.