The 1970s had some incredible TV theme songs—so good, in fact, that some of them were far more memorable than the shows they introduced. Whether it was a catchy melody, a dramatic orchestral arrangement, or lyrics that somehow explained the entire premise in under a minute, these theme songs stuck in our heads long after the shows left the airwaves. But while the intros were unforgettable, some of the actual series didn’t live up to the promise of their opening music. Let’s take a look back at 13 classic TV theme songs from the ’70s that were better than the shows themselves.
1. “B.J. and the Bear” (1979–1981)
The B.J. and the Bear theme was a ridiculously catchy country-rock song that made the idea of a trucker traveling with a chimpanzee seem like an adventure worth watching. Sung by Greg Evigan (who also starred in the show), it had that classic ’70s feel, making you want to roll down the highway with the wind in your hair.
The show itself? It was about a trucker and his pet chimp. That’s really all there was to it. The theme song made it seem like an epic road trip, but the actual show was a goofy, repetitive ride that didn’t have nearly as much personality as its theme music.
2. “Barney Miller” (1975–1982)
The Barney Miller theme was one of the funkiest bass lines in TV history. That smooth groove made you think you were in for a high-energy, action-packed police show.
Instead, Barney Miller was more of a dry, dialogue-driven sitcom that focused on police station bureaucracy. It was smart and well-written, but it never lived up to the energy of its bass-heavy, jazz-fusion theme song.
3. “Angie” (1979–1980) – Different Worlds
The theme song for Angie, Different Worlds, was a dreamy, romantic ballad performed by Maureen McGovern. It had that perfect mix of soft rock and sentimental lyrics that made it feel like a wedding song, and it even became a Top 20 hit on the charts.
The show itself was a short-lived sitcom about a working-class waitress falling in love with a rich guy. While it started strong, it quickly fizzled out after its first season. But the theme song remained popular, and even people who never watched the show can still hum Different Worlds when they hear it today.
4. “The Rockford Files” (1974–1980)
Mike Post and Pete Carpenter created a masterpiece with the Rockford Files theme—a slick, twangy instrumental that felt part jazz, part cop show, and all cool. It had a funky, mysterious energy that made you think you were in for a high-stakes detective thriller.
While The Rockford Files was a decent show, it was more of a slow-burn detective series, relying heavily on James Garner’s charm. The pacing and storytelling didn’t always match the energy of its opening theme, which remains one of the best instrumental TV themes of all time.
5. “Alice” (1976–1985) – There’s a New Girl in Town
Sung by Linda Lavin, There’s a New Girl in Town perfectly captured the optimism of Alice Hyatt’s new start as a waitress in Phoenix. It had a jazzy, Broadway-style energy that made it sound like a full-fledged musical number.
While Alice had its moments, it often leaned on repetitive sitcom tropes and predictable humor. The theme song, on the other hand, made you feel like you were about to watch an inspiring underdog story—something the show didn’t always deliver on.
6. “The Greatest American Hero” (1981–1983) – Believe It or Not
Okay, so The Greatest American Hero technically started in 1981, but its theme song was pure ’70s energy. Believe It or Not, performed by Joey Scarbury, became a massive hit, even reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The soaring melody and hopeful lyrics made it sound like a triumphant ballad of success.
The show itself? A goofy, often awkward superhero comedy about a schoolteacher who gets a powerful suit but loses the instructions on how to use it. It had a cult following, but it never quite lived up to the epic promise of its theme song. Even today, the song is more recognizable than the show itself, thanks in part to its famous parody moment on Seinfeld.
7. “The Love Boat” (1977–1986)
Few TV theme songs are as instantly recognizable as The Love Boat. Sung by Jack Jones, it promised romance, adventure, and excitement every week. The song made boarding a cruise ship sound like stepping into a glamorous, life-changing experience.
The show, however, was formulaic and sometimes downright cheesy. It had its fun moments, but it often relied on predictable guest-star appearances and lightweight storytelling. The theme song, however, remains an all-time classic that still makes you want to set sail.
8. “S.W.A.T.” (1975–1976)
The S.W.A.T. theme, composed by Barry DeVorzon, was an absolute banger. Its funky, high-energy beat and dramatic horns made it feel like something straight out of a high-stakes action movie. It was so good that it actually became a radio hit, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The show itself, though, was a short-lived cop drama that struggled to stand out among the many police procedurals of the time. While it had action-packed moments, it lacked the depth or character development needed to make it a long-term success. The theme song, however, still lives on as one of the most exciting instrumentals of the decade.
9. “Chico and the Man” (1974–1978)
José Feliciano’s Chico and the Man theme song was a beautiful, soulful tune that perfectly set the stage for a heartfelt comedy about two unlikely friends.
While the show had its moments, it struggled after the tragic death of Freddie Prinze in 1977. The theme song, however, remained a beloved classic, outlasting the show in cultural memory.
10. “One Day at a Time” (1975–1984) – This Is It
This Is It was a high-energy, optimistic theme song that made starting over as a single mom seem like an uplifting adventure.
The show, however, often leaned into heavier topics and could be a bit of a downer. The theme promised excitement and fun, but the actual series was often more dramatic than its peppy opening suggested.
11. “Welcome Back, Kotter” (1975–1979) – Welcome Back
John Sebastian’s Welcome Back was so good it became a hit on the radio. It had a smooth, nostalgic vibe that made you feel like you were reuniting with an old friend.
The show itself had its charm, but after the first season, it started to lose steam. By the time John Travolta left, it wasn’t the same. The theme song, though, remained timeless.
12. “Laverne & Shirley” (1976–1983) – Making Our Dreams Come True
This high-energy theme song was full of joy and ambition, making it sound like Laverne and Shirley were about to take over the world.
The show had its fun moments, but it often fell into sitcom slapstick. The theme song, however, became an anthem for dreamers everywhere.
The ’70s had some of the best TV theme songs of all time—so good that they sometimes outshined the shows they were meant to introduce. Whether they became radio hits or just stuck in our heads for decades, these theme songs proved that sometimes, the best part of a TV show is the first 60 seconds. Which ones do you still sing along to? Let’s keep the nostalgia going!
