Does anyone have any idea?

------------------

The theme song was sung by Janet Dubois, who played Wilona. She also sang the Jeffersons theme song and can also be seen on The Wayans Bros. She plays grandma.

Johhny Brown, who played Bookman, also sang the theme song.

I'm pretty sure Ja'net Du Bois did not sing the Good Times theme song. However, she did sing the Jeffersons theme song.

Well I kinda think she did too.

I am sure she did not sing the theme song to Good Times. It was a group of folks who were meant to micmick the cast.

Janet Du Bois sang the theme song. There is absolutely no question about that.

Janet Du Bois sang the theme song. There is absolutely no question about that.

Oh, but there is. First of all, compare her on The Jeffersons theme and then listen to the Good Times theme. Just maybe she's singing with the group towards the end of the theme when the whole group sings the last line but that certainly isn't her singing "Any time you need a friend" or "Just lookin' out of the window, watching the asphalt grow" or "Easy credit and ripoffs".

After hearing The Jeffersons' theme as many times as I have, you will automatically know her voice when you hear it.

I love the theme song, i don't care who sang it. I saw Bookman recently on a Popeye's chicken commercial.

Where's the proof that Janet Du'bois sang the 'Good Times' theme song. I definately know about The Jefferson's. Quite a difference in the voice quality.:happyface

Very Interesting trivia question!

Personally I've never seen her name listed in the credits as a singer for Good Times.

In the closing credits you'll see who sang the theme song to Good Times. They were Marilyn & Alan Bergan and Dave Gersin.:dog:

Originally posted by laneyday
In the closing credits you'll see who sang the theme song to Good Times. They were Marilyn & Alan Bergan and Dave Gersin.:dog:


I always thought the cast of Good Times sung the theme song-LOL

I'll be honest with you. When I was a kid I thought it was John Amos and Thelma who sang the lead so you're not alone there.:lol:

I believe Alan and Marilyn Bergman wrote the song but not sang it. Those are definately black voices singing that song.

The people who sang the Good Times theme were Jim Gilstrap and Blinky Williams, according to The Tv Theme Soundtrack Directory.

Jim Gilstrap and Blinky Williams sound far more like it than Marylin and Dave Bergman.:lol:

Wilona and Bookman sung the Good Times theme song. Alan and Marilyn were writers. I thought everyone knew that. And yes, she sang the Jefferson's them too! :wave:

Bookman wasn't on the show when the theme song was recorded. Willona could have been a background singer though.

That voice is not Wilona's.:dog:

This is the real honest truth

Good Times theme song :
written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman and David Grusin
sung by Jim Gilstrap and Blinky Williams

Good Times Anytime you meet a payment.
Good Times Anytime you need a friend.
Good Times Anytime you you're out from under.

Not getting hassled,not getting hustled
Keepin' your head above water,
making a wave when you can.

Temporary layoffs.Good Times.
Easy credit rip offs.Good Times.
Scratchin' and Surviving Good Times.
Hangin in a chowline. Good Times.

Ain't we lucky we got 'em.Good Times

I realize it wasn't them but "Temporary Layoffs" sounded like John Amos and "Scratchin' and Surviving" sounded like Jimmie Walker. "Hangin in a chowline" definitely sounded like Janet Du Bois. Perhaps the singers were instructed to try and sound like the cast members.

Good Times.
Any time you meet a payment.
Good Times.
Any time you need a friend.
Good Times.
Any time you're out from under.

Not getting hastled, not getting hustled.
Keepin' your head above water,
Making a wave when you can.

Temporary lay offs.
Good Times.
Easy credit rip offs.
Good Times.
Scratchin' and surviving.
Good Times.
Hangin in a chow line
Good Times.
Ain't we lucky we got 'em
Good Times.

Dave Grusin with Andrew and Marilyn Bergman where the composers.

Sung by: Jim Gilstrap and Blinky Williams. There is also a gospel choir that attributes to the song. :singer:

Good Times.
Any time you meet a payment.
Good Times.
Any time you need a friend.
Good Times.
Any time you're out from under.

Not getting hastled, not getting hustled.
Keepin' your head above water,
Making a wave when you can.

Temporary lay offs.
Good Times.
Easy credit rip offs.
Good Times.
Scratchin' and surviving.
Good Times.
Hangin in a chow line
Good Times.
Ain't we lucky we got 'em
Good Times.

Dave Grusin with Andrew and Marilyn Bergman where the composers.

Sung by: Jim Gilstrap and Blinky Williams. There is also a gospel choir that attributes to the song. :singer:



I read that Roaches Roamin the Hallways was taken out of the closing theme when the show went into syndication

Are you sure it was hangin in the chowline, because I honestly believe it was hangin in the jury.

I read that Roaches Roamin the Hallways was taken out of the closing theme when the show went into syndication
"Roaches roamin' the hallways"?!?
Is that really in the original end theme? On the DVD, is that on the end theme? This sure is news to me!

"Roaches roamin' the hallways"?!?
Is that really in the original end theme? On the DVD, is that on the end theme? This sure is news to me!


Nope it was only heard when the show first premeired in feb of 74

Are you sure it was hangin in the chowline, because I honestly believe it was hangin in the jury.
Uh
I'm pretty sure its hanging in the chowline

I read that Roaches Roamin the Hallways was taken out of the closing theme when the show went into syndication
NOW WHERE DID YOU READ THAT
:crazy:

NOW WHERE DID YOU READ THAT
:crazy:



1974 Jet magazine

1974 Jet magazine
INTERESTING

NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THAT ONE
:crazy:

INTERESTING

NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THAT ONE
:crazy:


I guess the only way to confirm it would be to find a CBS broadcast of the very first episode of Good Times

I guess the only way to confirm it would be to find a CBS broadcast of the very first episode of Good Times


I don't have to do that when I have you RetroTVCollector :wave:

I read that Roaches Roamin the Hallways was taken out of the closing theme when the show went into syndication

I can believe that since the Cabrini Green projects were infested with them :eek:

Wish I could have seen Cabrini Green before they tore it down, even though Good Times wasn't actually filmed on location. Some of the people from the original Cabrini Green projects are now fortunately living "Good Lives" :)

I can believe that since the Cabrini Green projects were infested with them :eek:

Wish I could have seen Cabrini Green before they tore it down, even though Good Times wasn't actually filmed on location. Some of the people from the original Cabrini Green projects are now fortunately living "Good Lives" :)

I did see the outside of Cabrini Green Before they tore it down it looked just like it does it the credits

I always thought it was "Hanging and Jiving"

Side note: James Gilstrap sung the opening lines of Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life".

Uh
I'm pretty sure its hanging in the chowline

Good Times Opening Theme
Good Times
Any time you meet a payment
Good Times
Any time you need a friend
Good Times
Any time you're out from under
Not gettin' hassled, not gettin' hustled
Keepin' your head above water
Makin' a wave when you can
Temporary lay-offs
Good Times
Easy credit rip-offs
Good Times
Scratchin' and survivin'
Good Times
Hangin' in a jury
Good Times
Aint we lucky we got 'em
Good Times

Good Times Opening Theme
Good Times
Any time you meet a payment
Good Times
Any time you need a friend
Good Times
Any time you're out from under
Not gettin' hassled, not gettin' hustled
Keepin' your head above water
Makin' a wave when you can
Temporary lay-offs
Good Times
Easy credit rip-offs
Good Times
Scratchin' and survivin'
Good Times
Hangin' in a jury
Good Times
Aint we lucky we got 'em
Good Times

It's definitely "hangin in achowline". "Hangin in a jury" would not be applicable to living in the projects.
Good Times Theme Song Lyrics
Good Times.
Any time you meet a payment.
Good Times.
Any time you need a friend.
Good Times.
Any time you're out from under.

Not getting hastled, not getting hustled.
Keepin' your head above water,
Making a wave when you can.

Temporary lay offs.
Good Times.
Easy credit rip offs.
Good Times.
Scratchin' and surviving.
Good Times.
Hangin in a chow line
Good Times.
Ain't we lucky we got 'em
Good Times.

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh :D

I don't have to do that when I have you RetroTVCollector :wave:


Hold It Folks......
On The DVD......before the theme song comes on the very first episode of Good Times....I hear an announcer say something like "live from Hollywood, California"

The episodes shown must be the ones originally broadcasted.

If you notice during the end credits, the theme music is sung COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from any other episode.

It's weird.....

If you have the DVD, watch it for yourself.

Hold It Folks......
On The DVD......before the theme song comes on fir the very first episode of Good Times....I hear an announcer say something like "live from Hollywood, California"

The episodes shown must be the ones originally broadcasted.



Yeah that's before the opening credits

Yeah that's before the opening credits

Right...so that has to be an original broadcast...so the "roaches roaming the hallways line" is not in the theme song.

Right...so that has to be an original broadcast...so the "roaches roaming the hallways line" is not in the theme song.



Roaches roamin the hallway line was in the closing credits

Roaches roamin the hallway line was in the closing credits

Retro...I checked the closing credits of the 1st episode on my DVD. No mention of roaches roaming the hallway.

If you notice during the end credits, the theme music is sung COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from any other episode.

It's weird.....

If you have the DVD, watch it for yourself.


It's not on the DVD, this version is shown only on TV Land.

OK...I noticed something else on the DVD. Parts of the closing credits are missing. Will start a new thread on this. Time for a newbie investigation.

Retro...I checked the closing credits of the 1st episode on my DVD. No mention of roaches roaming the hallway.



It wouldn't be on the DVD, it was only heard ONCE on Feb 8, 1974 on CBS during the CLOSING credits. Then it was Taken out and never heard again.

It wouldn't be on the DVD, it was only heard ONCE on Feb 8, 1974 on CBS during the CLOSING credits. Then it was Taken out and never heard again.
Oh ok.....but that sucks...I guess "roaches" was too graphic to put in a theme song back then.....lol

Oh ok.....but that sucks...I guess "roaches" was too graphic to put in a theme song back then.....lol


I know, that's why I'm now on the hunt for the Original CBS broadcast of the first episode of Good Times on feb 8. 1974 so I can hear for myself.

I know, that's why I'm now on the hunt for the Original CBS broadcast of the first episode of Good Times on feb 8. 1974 so I can hear for myself.

Good Luck finding that. You've got a better shot at fing "Checking In."

Good Luck finding that. You've got a better shot at fing "Checking In."



I know, it will be tough. But if I find it I will change my name to "KingofRetroTV"-lol

sounds like Thee Mavis Staples to me.In fact it sounds like all the Staple singers!!!Anyone not familiar listen to ''I'll take you there''famous staples hit!!!!Just a theory

I agree that Alan and Marilyn Bergman did not sing it. They are songwriters. And they wrote the song. I do hear Bookman's voice though in there.