Here are my favourite TV themes from the decade I was born, the 1970s. I have linked to Youtube videos for you to hear the themes yourself and they are in no particular order.
Gotcha (Theme from Starsky and Hutch)
Composed by Tom Scott (1976)
Not the first theme from the show, the original was a more serious tune composed by Lalo Schifrin but certainly the most famous. In fact, it is not even the last theme as season three had a completely different one until this returned for the 4th and final run, albeit in a slightly different arrangement. The full season 4 version was released on Tom Scott's album, Blow It Out, released in 1977.
Season 2 opening credits
Eye Level (Theme from Van Der Valk)
Composed by Jack Trombey, Performed by the Simon Park Orchestra.(1972)
I was not around in the early 70s when this show first aired but I am sure I heard this on the radio as a kid. This got to number one in the charts in 1973, so that is entirely possible. The theme for a British cop show that was set in Amsterdam, it was resurrected with a faster tempo for the show's revival in the early 90s. That is what I may be more familiar with but I certainly love the original chart topper.
Eye Level
Mork & Mindy
Composed by Perry Botkin Jr (1978)
A fondly remembered sit-com that was insanely popular for its first season until cast and tonal changes saw a severe decline in ratings leading to its cancellation in its fourth year. It did make a star out of its energetic leading man Robin Williams, so it's all good. While the original version of the theme is pretty gentle and sweet, I actually prefer this Disco arrangement of the theme.
Season 2 opening credits
Fawlty Towers
Composed by Dennis Wilson (1975)
One of the best BBC sit-coms ever produced despite there only being 12 episodes, this was one of the final themes composed by Dennis Wilson. Wilson also created the music for Rising Damp, Till Death Do Us Part and Steptoe and Son. Wilson went for a rather jaunty tune that belies the often anarchic goings on in the fictional Torquay hotel it is named for.
Full theme
Making Our Dreams Come True (Theme From Laverne and Shirley)
Composed by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, Performed by Cyndi Grecco (1976)
This American top 40 tune from the classic sit-com is just so damn wholesome. Sung by Cyndi Grecco, this was the first of 5 singles for the singer but the only one to chart, making her a one-hit wonder. By the time season 8 of the show rolled around, it had lost the Shirley of its title duo but kept the name and the song remained the theme until the very end.
Making Our Dreams Come True single version
Theme From S.W.A.T.
Composed by Barry De Vorzon, Performed by Rhythm Heritage(1975)
Another theme tune to a TV show that got to number one in the charts, this time in the US. This is probably the most well known thing about the relatively short lived ABC show (only 37 episodes were made) but it had a big screen movie in 2003 and is currently enjoy rebooted success on CBS. Composer De Vorzon was the founder of Valiant Records and composed the music for cult classic 1979 movie The Warriors.
Opening Credits
Makin' It
Written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris, Performed by David Naughton (1979)
A case of the theme song being more known than the show it was spawned from. Makin' It starring David Naughton was inspired by the movie Saturday Night Fever and the producer of that film (and manager of the Bee Gees) Roger Stigwood had a hand in the show's creation. The show lasted 9 episodes and while early pressings of the single stated it was from the show of the same name, later ones would state it was from the movie "Meatballs" in which it also featured. This was Naughton's only released song and two years later he would star in An American Werewolf in London.
Makin' It single version
Hong Kong Phooey
Written by Hoyt Curtin, Performed by Scatman Crothers (1974)
Opening Credits
Jamie and the Magic Torch
Written by Joe Griffiths, Performed by Tony Steven (1976)
This is a kid's show that, like Hong Kong Phooey, I watched repeats of in the 80s. A lot of Cosgrove Hall shows were a big part of my childhood and their theme tunes like this, Count Duckula and Danger Mouse were so memorable. The cartoon itself saw a young boy and his dog travel to a magical place called Cukoo Land via a magic torch. As you can imagine, the theme and the opening credits are the most memorable things about the show.
Opening credits
Angela (Theme from Taxi)
Composed by Bob James (1978)
This is possibly they most relaxing tune on this list. The immensely popular sit-com Taxi lasted five seasons across two networks, winning a total 18 Emmy awards and 4 Golden Globes. The theme, written by Jazz keyboardist Bob James was not the original choice. Another track by James called Touchdown was the first choice but producers heard Angela, that was written for a scene in the third episode and used it as the theme instead. Both can be heard on James' album Touchdown and incidental music from Taxi can be found on his album The Genie. It's good stuff.
Full Length Version
