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Gen-X Files: The Best TV Theme Songs From the 1970s

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My immediate picks were The Waltons and The Rockford Files. The Waltons didn't make it, though.

November 13, 2024

Gen-X Files: The Best TV Theme Songs From the 1970s

by Teri Christoph
RedState.com


It's time, my fellow Gen-Xers, for something that's just for us. Something that celebrates all things 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond. We're latchkey kids. We're Reagan babies. We remember the analog and appreciate, to a certain extent, the digital. And we just helped Donald Trump win a second trip to the White House.

Welcome to the very first edition of the new weekly RedState column, Gen-X Files!

We, of course, are not ageist here at RedState, so we welcome our bookends, Baby Boomers and Millennials, to join in the fun, as they've surely seen a thing or two along the way. Gen Z might learn and share a little something, too.

But, let's face it, there's nothing quite like being an Xer. We were all out of f***s to give a long time ago; we don't start the fights, but we certainly don't have any problem stepping up and ending them. Don't ask us to do that too often, however, because we're busy being happly disaffected.

I've been wanting to do something just for our generation for a long time, and after writing this article last week about Gen-X's role in the 2024 presidential election, I realized how starved we are for things targeted just to us. If you have a second, go check out the comment section in that article — there's some good reminiscing to be found there.

I started a newsletter last year called "Latchkey" that was chock full of pop culture references unique to us, plus newsy items that might help us navigate these "pretirement" years. Like a true slacker, I kind of let it die out. But, this column will be a chance to breathe new life into the idea by serving up fun and, hopefully, valuable content that will lead to some interesting back and forth in the comments.

Okay, on to the first edition: the best TV show theme songs from the 1970s.

My selections are heavily influenced by the fact that I was the youngest of eight children and had to watch what my father and/or older siblings wanted to watch. We had one TV, no remote (if you don't count me), and a stellar lineup of shows to watch.

I narrowed my selections down to five, with an honorable mention, but I'd love for you all to point out what I've missed. Five barely scratches the surface!

In the words of The Cars: Let's go.

5. "S.W.A.T."

I'm thinking we watched this show at the behest of my older sisters, but the music was and is still a banger. "S.W.A.T." aired on ABC from February of 1975 through April of 1976. The theme song was written by Barry De Vorzon and performed by the funk group Rhythm Heritage.

4. "The Jeffersons"

A classic. "The Jeffersons" was a spin-off of "All in the Family" and aired on CBS for a whopping ten years, from 1975 to 1985. The iconic theme song, "Movin' On Up," was witten by Ja'Net DuBois and Jeff Barry and performed by DuBois.

3. "Quincy, M.E."

I don't remember a ton about this show, but I do remember loving the theme song for some reason. "Quincy" starred Jack Klugman and had a pretty good run on NBC from 1976 to 1983. The instrumental opening song was composed by Glen A. Larson and Stu Phillips.

2. "Sanford and Son"

I'm not entirely sure I got all the humor in "Sanford and Son," but it was must-watch TV at our house. It ran on NBC from 1972 to 1977, and the theme song, "The Streetbeater," was written by the late Quincy Jones.

1. "The Rockford Files"

My dad loved this show, and I remember him sometimes smoking a cigar while watching it. Without opening any windows in the family room, of course. Ventilation was for sissies. "The Rockford Files" starred James Garner and ran on CBS from 1974 to 1980. Its theme song was an instrumental by Mike Post and his co-composer, Pete Carpenter.

That opening sequence is full of manly stuff like smoking, fist fights, boozing, and women, which we don't see enough of these days. And do I spy Jim Rockford kissing the Bionic Woman?

Honorable Mention: "Dukes of Hazzard"

I include this at the behest of my Gen-X husband; the show wasn't really my thing. The politically incorrect "Dukes of Hazzard" ran on CBS from 1979 through 1985, and the theme song is, of course, by the great Waylon Jennings.

Final ThoughtsThe 1970s were the golden era for TV theme songs; all other decades pale in comparison. Also, so much synthesizer! Which is so much better than all the saxophone we were hit with in the 1980s. And it's crazy to think back on how network television ruled back then and has slowly withered into an outdated, preachy medium.

Now, head to the comments and tell me your favorites! I'll be over here popping some Geritol and slathering on the Porcelana fade cream.

http://redstate.com/terichristoph/2024/11/13/gen-x-files-the-best-tv-theme-songs-from-the-1970s-n2181763


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