So I guess that’s it, nothing much left to say here. Below is the original opening sequence from the first season. After that comes the second season modified disco theme.
Wow, imagine Tom Hanks in a 1980s television series.
Bosom Buddies might well have been Tom Hanks’ big break; the show is about two men (the other being Peter Scolari) who disguise themselves as women in order to live in a women-only apartment because of the dirt cheap rent.
The show had a good theme song. Why? Because it is a Billy Joel song. “My Life,” which was originally from Billy’s 1978 release 52nd Street. In 1978, it reached #2 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart, and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Additional
The version of “My Life” used in the show is not the Billy Joel original. As to who performed the song is not confirmed, but rumor has it that Tom Hanks himself sang the song with the rest of the cast doing backup.
The ending theme of the song is entitled “Shake Me Loose,” performed by American R&B and soul singer, Stephanie Mills. Due to copyright issues, all DVD releases of Bosom Buddies used “Shake Me Loose” for its opening theme.
Bosom Buddies theme song lyrics
First, the narration.
Henry: When we first moved to New York we had a great apartment that was dirt cheap. Kip: And we found out why it was so cheap. Henry: Our friend Amy said there was a great apartment in her building. Kip: Dirt cheap, but it’s a hotel for women. Okay, we made one adjustment. Henry: Now these other ladies know us as Buffy and Hildegarde. Kip: But they also know us as Kip and Henry, Buffy and Hildy’s brothers. Kip: I am crazy about the blonde. Henry: This experience is gonna make a great book. Kip: See? It’s all perfectly normal.
Now, the song (show edit)
I don’t need you to worry for me cause I’m alright
I don’t want you to tell me it’s time to come home
I don’t care what you say anymore, this is my life
Go ahead with your own life, leave me alone
I never said you had to offer me a second chance
(I never said you had to)
I never said I was a victim of circumstance
(Of circumstance)
I still belong, don’t get me wrong
You can speak your mind
But not on my time
I don’t care what you say anymore, this is my life
Go ahead with your own life, leave me alone
Let’s just complete all Jesse Frederick theme songs, shall we? This is the last. By the way, I just found out that these shows associated with Jesse Frederick are known as “Miller-Boyett sitcoms.” Shows developed and produced by Thomas L. Miller and Robert L. Boyett.
The theme song for Step by Step, contrary to popular belief, is not entitled “Step by Step.” The actual title of the song is “Second Time Around,” as said in the last line of the chorus. By now you should know that this song was composed by Jesse Frederick, and again, along with Bennett Salvay. As the song is a duet, Frederick had help from someone named Theresa James.
Step by Step theme song lyrics (full version from season 1)
The dream got broken
Seemed like all was lost
What would be the future
Could you pay the cost
You wonder,
Will there ever be
a second time around?
Woah-a, woah-a
When the tears are over
And the moment has come
Say “My lord,
I think I found someone”
And no one would be better
To be putting it together
For the second time around
We got the woman and man
We got the kids in a clan
Only time will tell
If all these dreams fit under one umbrella
Step by step
Day by day
A fresh start over
A different hand to play
The deeper we fall
The stronger we stay
And we’ll be better
The second time around
Step by step
Day by day
(Day by day)
A fresh start over
A different hand to play
Only time will tell
But you know what they say
We’ll make it better
The second time around
If you were to ask me, I’d associate Family Matters with Steve Urkel—the Winslow’s nerdy neighbor, played by Jaleel White, who later became the focus of the show.
The show’s theme song is “As Days Go By.” It was written by Jesse Frederick, Bennett Salvay, and Scott Roeme, and performed by Frederick. Jesse Frederick, remember, was also responsible for the themes of Perfect Strangers and Full House.
Additional
The show used a different theme song for its pilot and two more episodes—Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”
Family Matters theme song lyrics
It’s a rare condition, this day and age,
to read any good news on the newspaper page.
Love and tradition of the grand design,
some people say it’s even harder to find.
Well then there must be some magic clue inside these chisel walls
Cause all I see is a tower of dreams
real love burstin’ out of every seam.
As days go by,
We’re gonna fill our house with happiness.
The moon may cry,
But we’ll smother the blues with tenderness.
When days go by,
There’s room for you, room for me, for gentle hearts an opportunity.
As days go by,
It’s the bigger love of the family.
The video below shows the original opening credits (I believe coming from season 7) and theme song for Full House—that television sitcom which starred Bob Saget, Lori Loughlin, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen among others.
The theme song is entitled “Everywhere You Look,” and was performed by singer/composer Jesse Frederick (who also created the theme song for Perfect Strangers). “Everywhere You Look” is credited to Jesse Frederick along with Bennett Salvay and Jeff Franklin.
Full House theme song lyrics (show edit)
What ever happened to predictability?
The milk man, the paper boy, evening TV
Everywhere you look (everywhere you look)
There’s a heart (there’s a heart)
A hand to hold on to
Everywhere you look (everywhere you look)
There’s a face of somebody who needs you
Everywhere you look
When you’re lost out there and your all alone
A light is waiting to carry you home
Everywhere you look
Perfect Strangers, 1986 – 1993, was this American sitcom that chronicled the rocky coexistence of Larry Appleton, played by Mark Linn-Baker, and his distant cousin from a fictional Greek-like country, Balki Bartokomous, played by Bronson Pinchot.
The memorable theme song for Perfect Strangers is entitled “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now.” It was performed by David Pomeranz (who is still big here in Manila), and was composed by Jesse Frederick and Bennett Salvay. Jesse Frederick also composed the themes for Full House and Family Matters.
Perfect Strangers theme song lyrics
Sometimes the world looks perfect
Nothing to rearrange
Sometimes you get a feeling
Like you need some kind of change
No matter what the odds are this time
Nothing’s going to stand in my way
This flame in my heart
And a long lost friend
Gives every dark street a light at the end
Standing tall, on the wings of my dream
Rise and fall, on the wings of my dream
The rain and thunder
The wind and haze
I’m bound for better days
It’s my life and my dream
Nothing’s going to stop me now
The video sequence of the opening credits changed on other seasons, and the one below, which is the one I distinctly remember, came from season one.
So, we’re still in the Happy Days era, and this next show, apparently, is a spin-off of Happy Days. Surprisingly enough, composers Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel are once again associated with this show’s theme song. The theme song for Laverne & Shirley is entitled “Making Our Dreams Come True,” and it was performed by American singer, Cyndi Grecco.
The famous words and lyrics
Laverne & Shirley skipping down the sidewalk: “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Schlemiel, schlimazel, hasenpfeffer incorporated!”
We’re gonna do it!
Give us any chance, we’ll take it.
Read us any rule, we’ll break it.
We’re gonna make our dreams come true.
Doin’ it our way.
Nothin’s gonna turn us back now,
Straight ahead and on the track now.
We’re gonna make our dreams come true,
Doin’ it our way.
There is nothing we won’t try,
Never heard the word impossible.
This time there’s no stopping us.
We’re gonna do it.
On your mark, get set, and go now,
Got a dream and we just know now,
We’re gonna make our dream come true.
And we’ll do it our way, yes our way.
Make all our dreams come true,
And do it our way, yes our way,
Make all our dreams come true
For me and you.
You’d probably be surprised to know that “Happy Days,” the song, was not always used for Happy Days, the show. In its first season, “Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & His Comets was used for the opening credits. However, also in season one, “Happy Days” was used as the closing theme—used was a version performed by Jimmy Haas on lead vocals.
For the 11th and final season, a version featuring Bobby Arvon on lead vocals was used.
“Happy Days” was written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel.
Happy Days lyrics
Sunday, Monday, Happy Days. Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days.
Thursday, Friday, Happy Days. The Weekend comes, my cycle hums,
Ready to race to you.
These days are ours. Happy and free. (Oh Happy Days)
These days are ours. Share them with me. (Oh Baby)
Goodbye gray skies, Hello Blue, ’cause nothing can hold me when I hold you.
Feels so right, it can’t be wrong. Rockin’ and rollin’ all week long.
(Instrumental break)
Sunday, Monday, Happy Days. Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days.
Thursday, Friday, Happy Days. Saturday, what a day, groovin’ all week with you.
These days are ours. Share them with me. (oh Happy Days)
These days are ours. Happy and free. (oh Baby)
These Happy Days are yours and mine.
These Happy Days are yours and mine, Happy Days.