Memorable Television Sitcom Theme Songs

Music is a funny thing. Some songs you hear and no matter what you do you can't seem to get them out of your head. All day long you find yourself humming the song over and over again. The worst is when you think you are alone humming through your day and you realize somebody is there watching and listening to you.

It is even more embarrasing if the song you are humming is the theme song to your favorite sitcom. But admit it, it happens. The following is a short list of those annoying little sitcom theme songs that deep down you really love.

Cheers was a sitcom that appeared on NBC from 1982 through 1993. Cheers was a show located in a quaint little Boston Bar owned by a former Major League Pitcher Sam Malone. The show centered on Sam and his relationships with women, but also featured the other people who worked at the bar and of course the bar patrons. There was Dianne, Coach, Carla, Norm and Cliff. Later there was Woody and Rebecca.

The theme song, Where Everybody Knows Your Name, was performed by Gary Portnoy. The song was fitting for a show that focused on the relationships between the people tied to this tiny Boston Pub who were drawn there because it was where they were loved.

All In The Family was a controversial sitcom that aired from 1971 through 1978. Everyone remembers the bigoted patriarch of the family with a heart of gold, Archie Bunker. For a sitcom, the show took on serious issues like race, feminism and the war and anti-war movements of the seventies. The show focused around Archie Bunker and his wife Edith, their daughter Gloria and her husband Michael.

The theme song was simple yet memorable. The show started with Archie and his wife sitting at the piano singing. The song, Those Were The Days, was written written by Lee Adams and Charles Strouse but performed by Carrol O'Conner and Jean Stapleton who played Archie and Edith. The two sang it live before the studio audience.

Charles in Charge was a sitcom that first aired on CBS from 1984 through 1985, then had a more successful syndication run from 1987 through 1991. Oddly, when the show returned in 1987, Charles was in charge of a totally different family that was related to the prior family, only the new one included a very young Nicole Eggert. 

Charles in Charge starred Scott Baio, who played a 19 year old college student who worked as a live in babysitter in exchange for room and board. The show centers on Baio's relationships with the children of the house and his best friend, Buddy, played by Willie Aimes.

The theme song, Charles in Charge, was created by David Kurtz, Al Burton and Michael Jacobs. It is performed by Shandi Sinnamon. It is cheesy but fun and indicative of many of the theme songs for shows that aired in the 1980s.

Three's Company aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984. The show is a story about three roomates, two girls and one guy. In order to allow co-ed living in their Apartment buidling, Jack Tripper (played by the late John Ritter) must pretend he is gay to appease the old fashioned landlord (first played by Norman Fell and later played by Don Knotts). The show tells the lives of the three roomates as they try to fail at love, career and life. Throughout the show, the running gag about Jack's homosexuality brings laughs.

The theme song, I will call Come And Knock On My Door, was performed by Ray Charles (not that one) and Julia Rinker.

 Family Ties aired for seven years, 1982 to 1989 on NBC.  The show was about a family with former hippie parents, a young Reganite son and two other daughters.  The show focused on the relationship between the parents and their children, the children and each other, and the pains and joys of growing up.  The show starred Michael J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton and promoted Fox to stardom.

The theme song, Without Us, was performed by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams and the opening credits usually contained a collection of family photos.

Laverne & Shirley aired on ABC from 1976 and 1983. Penny Marshall played Laverne and Cindy WIlliams played Shirley. The show told the story of these two roomates' lives in Milwaukee in the late fifties and early sixties. Laverne & Shirley was one of many spin offs from Happy Days as Laverne & Shirley appeared on Happy days as Fonie's friends.  There was also an animated version of the show that aired on Saturday Mornings on ABC.

The theme song, Making Our Dreams Come True, was perfromed by Cyndi Grecco. Each episode began (except for the final season) with Laverne & Shirley skipping arm and arm saying: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Schlemiel, Schlimazel, Hasenpfeffer Incorporated" and then the theme song would begin. This opening scene has been spoofed many times including by Wayne and Garth in Wayne's World when the two visit Milwaukee to see Alice Cooper.