TV Theme Song Thursday – #42

Not too long ago, I came across a Watch Mojo list of the the Top 30 Greatest TV Show Themes of All Time. While I agreed with some of them, many I did not. So I decided to make my own list. As hard as I tried, I just couldn’t go with the Top 30. There were too many great themes that fell in the 50-31 range. That being said, I decided to count down my Top 50 Greatest TV Themes of All Time.

When I get to #30, I will post my #30 along with the Watch Mojo #30, and so on. For now, sit back and enjoy 20 themes that “bubbled under” the Top 30. Today, we’ve reached #42.

One Day at a Time starred Bonnie Franklin, Valerie Bertinelli, McKenzie Phillips (who celebrated a birthday this week), and Pat Harrington Jr. What I loved about the them is that it is complete life lesson. You can’t be sure of anything that is up ahead. Keep on keeping on and muddle through it. As you live it, remember to not worry and take life as it comes.

The theme song, “This Is It”, was composed by songwriter Jeff Barry along with his wife Nancy Barry. Jeff Barry had co-written many huge hits of the ’60s including “Do Wah Diddy Diddy”, “Da Doo Ron Ron”, “Then He Kissed Me”, “Chapel of Love”, “River Deep – Mountain High”, “Leader of the Pack” and “Sugar, Sugar” among many others. He also co-wrote the iconic theme song for The Jeffersons, which debuted the same year and then later co-wrote another amazing theme song for Family Ties which debuted in 1982.

Polly Cutter was chosen to provide vocals on “This is It”. As a singer, she had mild success in the mid-70s as a pop singer including a single “Ooh, I’m Satisfied” which not coincidentally was produced by Jeff Barry. She never really achieved solo success and Cutter moved on to become a background and session vocalist. Her voice will certainly live on as part of this outstanding theme song.

Here are the lyrics:

This is it.
This is life, the one you get
So go and have a ball.

This is it.
Straight ahead and rest assured
You can’t be sure at all.

So while you’re here enjoy the view
Keep on doing what you do
Hold on tight. We’ll muddle through
One day at a time.

So up on your feet.
Somewhere there’s music playing.
Don’t you worry none
We’ll just take it like it comes.

One day at a time! One day at a time!
One day at a time.
One day at a time, one day at a time.
One day at a time!

Next week, we’ll reach my choice for #41. It is a bit controversial, in that the song placed far higher on the Watch Mojo list. As a matter of fact, it was ranked as the best theme song of all time. Even though it was a popular tune, I just didn’t feel it was “the best”

We’ll check it out next week….