14 Sitcom Theme Songs That Hit the Billboard Charts
At least 50 TV theme songs have hit the charts, according to Billboard, including 14 from television comedies. There are some surprises on this list, though, so crank up the speakers and rock out to these laugh-track-fueled jams.
“The Ballad of Jed Clampett”
Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs spent three weeks at #1 on the country charts with the theme from The Beverly Hillbillies.
“Welcome Back”
Lovin’ Spoonful frontman John Sebastian wrote and recorded the Welcome Back, Kotter theme, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1976. Inexplicably, it also reached No. 93 on the country chart.
“Those Were the Days”
Sung by the show’s stars, a longer version of the All in the Family theme song hit #43 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in early 1972.
“Happy Days”
While Happy Days originally used “Rock Around the Clock” as its theme, it was replaced by the made-for-the-show song “Happy Days.” The song peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Making Our Dreams Come True”
The Laverne & Shirley theme was actually the title track of the debut album from unknown Cyndi Grecco. “Making Our Dreams Come True” made it to #25 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Makin’ It”
Makin’ It was a sitcom rip-off of Saturday Night Fever, with David Naughton as a wannabe disco star. Naughton recorded the show’s eponymous theme song, which stayed in the Top 40 for 16 weeks, peaking at #5. It was the 14th most popular song of 1979.
“Different Worlds”
Nope, “Different Worlds” isn’t the theme to A Different World — it’s the theme to the 1979 sitcom Angie. The song was performed by pop star Maureen McGovern, hitting #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.
“WKRP in Cincinnati”
A longer version of the WKRP theme song peaked at #65 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981, while making it to #29 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
“Where Everybody Knows Your Name”
The Cheers ode to drinking with friends only hit #83 on the Billboard Hot 100, despite TV Guide naming it the best TV theme song of all time.
“As Long As We Got Each Other”
Growing Pains fans got this baby all the way up to #7 on the Hot 100.
“I’ll Be There for You”
Clap clap clap clap. The Rembrandts rode the Friends bop to the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 Airplay chart for eight weeks.
“Boss of Me”
They Might Be Giants scored their first Grammy Award for the theme to Malcom in the Middle, a song that reached the top 50 on Billboard’s Alternative and Pop charts.
“Best of Both Worlds”
Somehow, the Hannah Montana theme is still considered one of Miley Cyrus’ signature songs, even though it barely cracked Billboard’s Hot 100 at #92.
“Leave It All to Me (iCarly Theme Song)”
Jack Black must have been proud of his School of Rock protege Miranda Cosgrove when she hit the Hot 100 — barely. The iCarly theme song topped out at #100.
