Theme Songs From US Sitcoms (1980-1984) Quiz

Answer: My Life

"Bosom Buddies", which aired for two seasons and 37 episodes, may be best known for frequent scenes of the two male characters dressed and passing as women. The plot justification was that the two had found relatively inexpensive rent in New York City at a hotel where only women could live. This feature was deemphasized in the second season.

The theme song was a truncated version of "My Life", originally written and performed by Billy Joel. The version heard in the original television broadcasts had Gary Bennett on vocals and Mike Lucas on piano. The original song was from Billy Joel's 1978 album "52nd Street" and reached Number Three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as a single.

Answer: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Lasting 11 seasons and 275 episodes, "Cheers" was primarily set in a Boston bar of the same name. Cheers, the bar, was loosely based on the real-life Bull and Finch Pub in Boston. The show would win 28 Primetime Emmy Awards and spin off another critical and popular hit, "Frasier".

Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo co-wrote the theme song "Where Everybody Knows Your Name". Portnoy would sing a shortened version that could be heard in the opening credits of the show. A longer version of the song, also performed by Portnoy, was released as a single in 1983 and reached Number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Answer: Kiss Me

"The Cosby Show" was in the Top 5 of the Nielsen ratings for its first seven seasons, including four seasons in a row at Number One. The show would last for eight seasons and 201 episodes. The original cast of the show was loosely inspired by Bill Cosby's stand-up comedy routines. The show focused on a African-American family living in Brooklyn, NY.


Several different versions of "The Cosby Show" theme song, "Kiss Me", were used during the eight seasons of the show. Artists who performed the theme included: Bobby McFerrin (season 4), James DePreist performed by The Oregon Symphony Orchestra (season 5), Craig Handy (seasons 6-7), and Lester Bowie (season 8). Stu Gardner and Bill Cosby composed the song.

Answer: Without Us

"Family Ties", set in central Ohio, ran for seven seasons and 176 episodes. The series portrayed the clash of more liberal parents and more conservative children. Series co-star Michael J. Fox won several Primetime Emmys for Lead Actor during the run of the series.

"Without Us",the theme song for "Family Ties" was performed by Dennis Tufano and Mindy Sterling for the first ten episodes. For the remainder of the series, vocals by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams opened the program. Their version would appear on reissues of their 1978 album "That's What Friends Are For" beginning in 2003. Jeff Barry and Tom Scott composed the song.

Answer: You Look at Me

Less successful than several other series in this quiz, "Joanie Loves Chachi" ran for 17 episodes over two truncated seasons. A spin-off of the popular "Happy Days", "Joanie Loves Chachi" followed two lead characters as they attempted to begin a successful career as musicians in Chicago. Highly successful in its first season, rating dropped significantly in the second season, leading to the series' cancellation.

Series stars Erin Moran and Scott Baio performed the theme song "You Look at Me" in addition to other songs on the show each week. James P. Dunne and Pamela Phillips composed the song.

Answer: Along Comes a Friend

"Kate & Allie" was the story of two divorced women who shared a house along with their families and starred Susan Saint James and Jane Curtin. The series ran for six seasons and 122 episodes. The show was a Top 20 hit in the Nielsen ratings for its first four seasons.

John Loeffler and Ralph Schuckett composed the theme song "Along Comes a Friend", which was performed on the series by John Loeffler. The version used in the opening credits was an instrumental while the closing credits featured a version with lyrics.

Answer: Bless My Happy Home

"Mama's Family" was adapted from a recurring sketch that first appeared on "The Carol Burnett Show". The series would last for six seasons and 130 episodes. Vicki Lawrence would portray the titular Mama, senior citizen-aged head of a midwestern family.

The theme song, "Bless My Happy Home" was written by Peter Matz (music) and Vicki Lawrence (lyrics). The series would use an instrumental version of the song. Vicki Lawrence has performed the song on numerous occasions in her live stage act.

Answer: Every Time I Turn Around

"Punky Brewster" ran for four seasons and 88 episodes. The series was the story of a young girl and her adoptive father, a retired photographer. The first two seasons of the series were shown on NBC and the final two seasons in syndication.

Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo, who composed "Where Everyone Knows Your Name", also composed "Every Time I Turn Around", the theme from "Punky Brewster". Gary Portnoy would perform the song in the show's opening.

Answer: Side by Side

"Three's a Crowd" was a spin-off the series "Three's Company". It would last for one season and 22 episodes. Aspiring chef Jack Tripper moved in with his girlfriend in the apartment above the restaurant at which he works. The series was inspired by the British television show "Robin's Nest".

The theme song "Side By Side" was written by Michael Lloyd (music) and Al Kasha, Joel Hirschhorn, Don Nicholl & Michael Lloyd (lyrics).

Answer: Then Came You

"Webster" was the story of a young orphan who was adopted by co-worker of Webster's father and his wife after Webster's parents passed away. It was set in Chicago and lasted for six seasons and 150 episodes. Co-stars Alex Karras and Susan Clark were married in real life. The series was a Top 30 hit in the Nielsen ratings in its first two seasons.

Steve Nelson composed the theme song "Then Came You". It was performed in the series by Steve Nelson and Gail Lopata Lennon.