Who sang the theme song? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 06-11-2001, 11:50 AM

Does anyone know who the singers were of the theme song?

callmetootie · 06-13-2001, 07:53 AM

John and Nancy Barry.

------------------
Andrew Carden

Nermal1975 · 03-12-2006, 01:22 AM

I'm desparately looking for the singer of my favorite TV theme song of all time (with "The Golden Girls" theme a close second). I know the theme was written by Jeff and Nancy Barry, but who sang it??

dandelion wine · 03-20-2006, 02:28 PM

I think two sisters did the theme song, but I couldn't tell you their names. This has been bugging me forever too, and I hope someone's able to help you out.

JeffRuss1972 · 03-21-2006, 04:13 PM

According to the "All Time Top 100 TV Themes" CD:

One Day At A Time
(J. Barry, N. Barry)
1975
Performed by Polly Cutter, Cynthia Bullens, Harry Nehls, Valerie Carter & Fred Freeman.

dandelion wine · 03-21-2006, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffRuss1972

According to the "All Time Top 100 TV Themes" CD:

One Day At A Time
(J. Barry, N. Barry)
1975
Performed by Polly Cutter, Cynthia Bullens, Harry Nehls, Valerie Carter & Fred Freeman.

Finally! Thanks for letting us know, Jeff.

Bonniegirl · 07-25-2026, 10:36 PM

I wonder if they sang any other TV show theme song?

TJ · 07-25-2026, 10:49 PM

This thread is over 25 years old. It wasn't even answered correctly. Thanks for nothing callmetootie.

The original 1975–1984 sitcom One Day at a Time featured the theme song "This Is It," sung by Polly Cutter. The song was written by husband-and-wife songwriting team Jeff Barry and Nancy Barry.

The lyrics begin:

"This is it, this is life, the one you get..."

Polly Cutter was primarily a session singer, and the One Day at a Time theme is by far the recording she's best known for. Although many viewers assumed it was sung by a more famous artist, it was indeed Cutter's performance that opened every episode of the original series.

https://chatgpt.com/share/6a6575b2-a...b-4b64d5a36321

Jeff Barry was one of the co-writers of The Jeffersons and Family Ties theme songs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Barry

I merged two threads.

Bonniegirl · 07-25-2026, 10:59 PM

I should have known that wasn't right, because there was only one voice singing and female. There wasn't a male voice in the theme song!

TJ · 07-25-2026, 11:09 PM

I think there were some male vocals (Harry Nehls and Fred Freeman) in the background. Polly Cutter is the main singer.

AI Overview

Cynthia Bullens (now Cidny Bullens) sang background vocals on the original 1975 television sitcom theme song "One Day at a Time" alongside Polly Cutter. Bullens also frequently uses the phrase "one day at a time" to describe a personal journey of long-term sobriety and gender transition.

opus · 07-25-2026, 11:18 PM

Polly had a bad agent. Her name wasn’t in the closing credits.

Bonniegirl · 07-26-2026, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

Polly had a bad agent. Her name wasn’t in the closing credits.

Instead of Polly want a cracker? It's Polly want a credit?

06-11-2001, 11:50 AM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,775	Who sang the theme song? Does anyone know who the singers were of the theme song?

03-12-2006, 01:22 AM	#3
Nermal1975 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 12, 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 16	Seriously, does anyone know who sung the theme song? I'm desparately looking for the singer of my favorite TV theme song of all time (with "The Golden Girls" theme a close second). I know the theme was written by Jeff and Nancy Barry, but who sang it??

03-20-2006, 02:28 PM	#4
dandelion wine ~ Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Behind the Couch Posts: 34,967	I think two sisters did the theme song, but I couldn't tell you their names. This has been bugging me forever too, and I hope someone's able to help you out.
	__________________ Fans of Jon-Erik Hexum Merry Christmas!

03-21-2006, 04:13 PM	#5
JeffRuss1972 70s Sitcoms Rule!!! Eternal Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 11, 2005 Location: Villa Rica, GA Posts: 1,257	According to the "All Time Top 100 TV Themes" CD: One Day At A Time (J. Barry, N. Barry) 1975 Performed by Polly Cutter, Cynthia Bullens, Harry Nehls, Valerie Carter & Fred Freeman.
	__________________ Previously JalanRuss for a SHORT time, but got my OLD Username Back! Hello Again

06-13-2001, 07:53 AM	#2
callmetootie Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 06, 2001 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 4,768	John and Nancy Barry. ------------------ Andrew Carden

07-25-2026, 10:36 PM	#7
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 66,153	I wonder if they sang any other TV show theme song?

07-25-2026, 10:49 PM	#8
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,775	This thread is over 25 years old. It wasn't even answered correctly. Thanks for nothing callmetootie. The original 1975–1984 sitcom One Day at a Time featured the theme song "This Is It," sung by Polly Cutter. The song was written by husband-and-wife songwriting team Jeff Barry and Nancy Barry. The lyrics begin: "This is it, this is life, the one you get..." Polly Cutter was primarily a session singer, and the One Day at a Time theme is by far the recording she's best known for. Although many viewers assumed it was sung by a more famous artist, it was indeed Cutter's performance that opened every episode of the original series. https://chatgpt.com/share/6a6575b2-a...b-4b64d5a36321 Jeff Barry was one of the co-writers of The Jeffersons and Family Ties theme songs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Barry I merged two threads.

07-25-2026, 10:59 PM	#9
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 66,153	I should have known that wasn't right, because there was only one voice singing and female. There wasn't a male voice in the theme song!

07-25-2026, 11:09 PM	#10
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,775	I think there were some male vocals (Harry Nehls and Fred Freeman) in the background. Polly Cutter is the main singer. AI Overview Cynthia Bullens (now Cidny Bullens) sang background vocals on the original 1975 television sitcom theme song "One Day at a Time" alongside Polly Cutter. Bullens also frequently uses the phrase "one day at a time" to describe a personal journey of long-term sobriety and gender transition.

07-25-2026, 11:18 PM	#11
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,835	Polly had a bad agent. Her name wasn’t in the closing credits.