1. The Rockford Files
When you heard that bluesy harmonica kick in, you knew you were about to hang out with Jim Rockford, the laid-back private eye played by James Garner. The theme, composed by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter, was unusual for TV at the time because it wasn’t bombastic or jazzy, it was cool, understated, and surprisingly modern. The mellow groove perfectly matched Rockford’s charm and his somewhat reluctant attitude toward detective work. It even charted on the Billboard Hot 100, which says a lot about its popularity back then.
Nowadays, you rarely hear it outside of retro TV stations, but the tune still brings back instant nostalgia for anyone who watched it in the ’70s. It’s one of those themes that perfectly captured the essence of its main character without needing lyrics or fanfare. Just a few bars in, you were right there in Rockford’s trailer office waiting for his answering machine to play a sarcastic message.
2. Barney Miller
The funky bass line of the Barney Miller theme was as iconic as the cops in the 12th Precinct. It set the perfect mood for a show that was both comedic and grounded in real, everyday police work. The theme was unusual because it sounded more like something you’d hear in a jazz club than a sitcom, but that’s what made it stand out. Every time it started up, you knew you were in for some witty banter and a little bit of New York grit.
Even though the show ran for years and racked up critical acclaim, the theme doesn’t get the love it deserves today. Younger viewers might not recognize it at all, but fans from the era can hum that bass line without missing a note. It’s one of those pieces of TV music that had personality, almost like another cast member.
3. One Day at a Time
This show had one of the most uplifting, catchy themes of the ’70s, complete with a sing-along chorus of “This is it, this is life, the one you get.” Sung by Polly Cutter, it was both optimistic and realistic, reflecting the struggles and joys of a single mom raising two daughters. Unlike other sitcom themes that were sugary or generic, this one had real heart. It encouraged viewers to face life head-on, which made it memorable.
Yet today, the song doesn’t get much recognition outside of hardcore TV fans. It was replaced in the Netflix reboot by a Latin-flavored remake, which means the original version feels even more forgotten. For anyone who grew up with the show, though, hearing it now still feels like an instant comfort blanket.
4. Alice
“Early to rise, early to bed, in and between I cooked and cleaned and went out of my head.” That’s how Alice welcomed you in, with Linda Lavin herself singing about starting over in Phoenix as a waitress at Mel’s Diner. The theme had a real storytelling quality, setting up the premise for viewers every week. It wasn’t just a jingle, it was a little narrative set to music.
The song fit the working-class struggles portrayed on the show and resonated with women who felt seen in Alice’s story. Sadly, it isn’t remembered nearly as much as other TV themes of the decade. You rarely hear it mentioned now, but in its time, it was instantly recognizable, especially with Lavin’s warm, conversational singing style.
5. Soap
The Soap theme was a quirky, jazzy piece that perfectly matched the show’s parody of soap operas. It was dramatic, tongue-in-cheek, and instantly recognizable thanks to its narration by Rod Roddy (“These are the Tates, and these are the Campbells”). The music itself had a kind of mock-seriousness that made you laugh before the episode even started.
Although the show was controversial in its time and broke a lot of barriers, the theme has faded from collective memory. It’s a shame, because the playful music and narration combination was one of the most creative openings of the decade. It told you right away that you were about to see something both ridiculous and smart.
6. Welcome Back, Kotter
The theme to Welcome Back, Kotter was so good it actually became a radio hit. Sung by John Sebastian of The Lovin’ Spoonful, the song “Welcome Back” went all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard charts. With its warm lyrics and easygoing melody, it captured the feeling of coming home and reconnecting with your roots. For a sitcom about a teacher returning to his Brooklyn high school, it couldn’t have been more fitting.
While the song was a hit in the ’70s, you don’t hear it referenced much anymore outside of nostalgic playlists. That’s surprising given its crossover success. But anyone who remembers the Sweathogs knows how perfectly the song set the stage for their antics every week.
7. Chico and the Man
Sung by José Feliciano, the theme to Chico and the Man had a soulful, heartfelt quality that made it stand apart from other sitcom openings. The lyrics, “Chico, don’t be discouraged, the man, he ain’t so hard to understand,” reflected the unlikely friendship at the center of the show. Feliciano’s voice gave the song an authenticity that really connected with audiences.
The series itself is rarely talked about today, and the theme has faded along with it. But in the ’70s, this was a big part of TV culture, and the theme was instantly recognizable when it came on. It deserves more credit for being one of the more touching and thoughtful sitcom songs of the era.
8. Quincy, M.E.
The Quincy, M.E. theme wasn’t flashy, but it had a brisk, investigative feel that fit the show’s medical-detective premise. The opening was full of energy, almost like you were being pulled straight into Quincy’s lab. It wasn’t the kind of theme you hummed at random, but the second it started, you knew you were about to see Jack Klugman get to the bottom of a mystery.
Unlike the Law & Order “dun-dun” that later became iconic, this one hasn’t stuck around in pop culture memory. Still, for fans of ’70s crime shows, that theme music was a signal to settle in for some serious sleuthing. It deserves a nod for being one of the more workmanlike but effective TV themes of the decade.
9. The Love Boat
Before the big band horns kicked in, you already knew you were about to set sail with Captain Stubing and crew. Sung by Jack Jones, the Love Boat theme was one of the most cheerful and romantic TV openings of its time. It promised adventure, love, and fun, and it made you want to book a cruise right then and there. The music was pure optimism wrapped in a melody.
Even though the show ran well into the ’80s, the theme is rarely mentioned today compared to other classic TV tunes. It’s almost kitschy now, but back then, it set the tone for the entire show. If you grew up with it, hearing those first few notes still feels like a trip back to Saturday night TV.
10. Fantasy Island
“Da plane! Da plane!” might be the line everyone remembers, but the Fantasy Island theme itself was equally memorable. With its dramatic orchestration, it made you feel like you were about to witness something magical and mysterious. The theme was lush, almost cinematic, which was fitting since every episode played out like a mini-movie.
Today, the theme is overshadowed by Tattoo’s catchphrase and the show’s unique concept. But back in the day, that opening music built up excitement in living rooms across America. It was the sound of escapism, promising adventure and just a hint of danger.
11. Laverne & Shirley
This one had a theme you couldn’t help but sing along with, thanks to its opening chant of “Schlemiel! Schlimazel!” followed by “We’re gonna do it!” Sung by Cyndi Grecco, the song was upbeat and optimistic, perfectly matching the fun and scrappy tone of the show. It celebrated friendship and ambition, which resonated with viewers who were carving their own paths in life.
Though the chant is still quoted sometimes, the theme doesn’t get the attention it once did. That’s surprising because it was one of the catchiest openings of the decade. Fans who grew up watching can still belt out every word, though, making it one of those tunes that lives quietly in people’s memories.
12. Diff’rent Strokes
“What might be right for you, may not be right for some.” With lyrics like that, the Diff’rent Strokes theme was catchy, wholesome, and straight to the point. Sung by Alan Thicke, who also wrote it, the theme explained the show’s premise while giving viewers a feel-good melody to sing along with. It was one of those openings that both kids and adults could enjoy together.
Even though Gary Coleman’s “Whatchoo talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” is the more lasting legacy, the theme song deserves more credit. It perfectly encapsulated the show’s message of family, love, and unity, all in under a minute. It’s definitely one of those ’70s TV themes that doesn’t get enough love today.
13. Eight Is Enough
The theme to Eight Is Enough had a warmth that reflected the big family at its heart. Originally an instrumental, it later gained lyrics sung by Grant Goodeve, who played David Bradford on the show. The song spoke of love and family, with a soft, melodic tone that made it feel comforting. It was exactly the kind of theme you’d expect for a show about navigating life with a large household.
Nowadays, the show is less remembered, and the theme has faded into obscurity with it. But at the time, it was instantly recognizable when it came on TV. It’s another example of how much care went into making sitcom themes match the emotional core of their shows.
14. Taxi
Few TV themes captured the mood of a show better than Bob James’ “Angela,” which became the opening to Taxi. The gentle, melancholy piano melody gave the sitcom a sense of quiet reflection, which contrasted with the chaotic and funny stories of the cab drivers. It wasn’t flashy or upbeat, but it stuck with you in a deeper way. The theme set the tone for a show that balanced humor with real life struggles.
Today, people remember the stars who launched their careers on Taxi more than the theme song itself. But for those who watched it in the ’70s, those opening notes were unforgettable. It’s a hidden gem of TV music, one that deserves to be talked about more often.
