The Mary Tyler Moore Show Had One Of The WORST Theme Songs?!? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-19-2010, 02:28 AM

I read an old article where the author rips apart TMTMS Theme as pure saccarine! I disagree, but what do you think?

Who can turn the world on with her smile?

Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?

Well it's you girl, and you should know it

With each glance and every little movement you show it

Love is all around, no need to waste it

You can have a town, why don't you take it

You're gonna make it after all

You're gonna make it after all

How will you make it on your own?

This world is awfully big, girl this time you're all alone

But it's time you started living

It's time you let someone else do some giving

Love is all around, no need to waste it

You can have a town, why don't you take it

You're gonna make it after all

You're gonna make it after all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBTWF1bDPn0

dlemond · 08-19-2010, 09:38 AM

Though I didn't watch much of TMTMS growing up, it is one of those theme songs that can actually take me back to the early-mid 70s.

I hear it and the feelings and memories come back.

As for the actual song, it's pretty good.

catlover79 · 08-19-2010, 12:39 PM

Oh, I highly disagree. The song and lyrics were perfect for TMTMS - especially after they changed the lyrics after the first season from "you might just make it after all" to "you're gonna make it after all".

old grouch · 08-19-2010, 04:05 PM

Let me throw my hat in the air while I give you my opinion. The words to this song are uplifting and positive, perfect for a woman like Mary Richards who is trying to make it on her own for the first time. The tune is catchy. And the scenes that are shown of Mary and her friends during the opening credits are pretty cool. Sweet but not too sweet.

catlover79 · 08-19-2010, 04:14 PM

^

Mr. Television · 08-19-2010, 05:21 PM

TMTMS had one of the best theme songs of all times. Just hearing it, takes me back to the 1970's. And it's very easy to sing also. Those are the best kind.

PGood97041 · 08-19-2010, 10:01 PM

That person is entitled to his or her opinion, but I'd like to join the "totally disagree" chorus, in fact I think it's one of the BEST television theme songs ever.

1) If you didn't know the context and you just read the lyrics, you could POSSIBLY conclude they were saccharine, but when you apply them to Mary Tyler Moore, America's sweetheart, they are actually completely accurate and appropriate!

2) The lyrics also perfectly spell out the overall idea of the show.

3) The tune is, indeed, catchy.

4) We all remember it these many years later, so it must have somehow connected to all of us.

So, even if I were to agree that the lyrics were too sweet, which I don't, the song has a lot of other things going for it. And even then, it's like, and I realize this reference will only be understood by people of a certain age, I realize "Sugar, Sugar" by the Archies is total bubble gum pop, but that doesn't mean I don't want to hear it once or twice a summer!

TV Knowledge Fan · 08-20-2010, 05:02 AM

...Sonny Curtis wrote and performed one of THE great TV themes of the '70s. Whoever wrote that "old article", knocking "Love Is All Around", was obviously too "tragically hip" for their own good (a symptom most TV critics and observers of TV history and "cultural phenomenon" suffered during the 1990's). What did the writer expect Mary's theme to be- perky and vapid, like this?

That's our Mary,

Sweet as a cherry,

Her sunny disposition

like nuclear fissition,

Will make your world explode with wonder and magic!

That's our Mary,

Just like a dinglederry,

She's perky and furthermore you'll wonder,

Just what she's wearing under

That big wide grin

And dainty chin,

She's make you love her from now

'Til doomsday calls,

Yes, that's our Mary,

the news gal of Minneapolis-St. Paul's!

ClassicTVGal · 08-26-2010, 09:34 PM

Yes, I have to disagree, as well. It's always been one of my all-time favorite TV themes. (Ironically, the show is also my all-time fav. and Mary is my all-time fav. actress!

)

And sung and written beautifully by a Cricket.

(Sonny Curtis was part of the group with Buddy Holly)

Marvo301 · 08-26-2010, 10:40 PM

The TMTMS theme song is a classic! And it's perfectly suited to the show.

LUNCH · 10-11-2011, 03:28 PM

It is one of the best theme songs ever.And it was sung so well by Sonny Curtis.I do prefer the first seasons song however because the arrangement is better.And I even think the first seasons theme was also sung just a little better too.

OH Nuts! · 10-12-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

It is one of the best theme songs ever.And it was sung so well by Sonny Curtis.I do prefer the first seasons song however because the arrangement is better.And I even think the first seasons theme was also sung just a little better too.

Totally. And Mary tossing her hat in the air is a classic visual bite.

gopyle · 10-22-2011, 07:06 PM

The song was totally appropriate for the show and is a classic. Hard to imagine the show without it as it was. So what if it is sappy and saccharin? Wonder what they think of the theme for Family Ties, then.

born2late · 10-22-2011, 10:48 PM

I thought the song was perfect for the show, and very catchy. Great job by Sonny Curtis. Hated the Joan Jett version.

08-19-2010, 02:28 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	The Mary Tyler Moore Show Had One Of The WORST Theme Songs?!? I read an old article where the author rips apart TMTMS Theme as pure saccarine! I disagree, but what do you think? Who can turn the world on with her smile? Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile? Well it's you girl, and you should know it With each glance and every little movement you show it Love is all around, no need to waste it You can have a town, why don't you take it You're gonna make it after all You're gonna make it after all How will you make it on your own? This world is awfully big, girl this time you're all alone But it's time you started living It's time you let someone else do some giving Love is all around, no need to waste it You can have a town, why don't you take it You're gonna make it after all You're gonna make it after all http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBTWF1bDPn0 Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

08-19-2010, 12:39 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Oh, I highly disagree. The song and lyrics were perfect for TMTMS - especially after they changed the lyrics after the first season from "you might just make it after all" to "you're gonna make it after all".
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

08-19-2010, 05:21 PM	#6
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	TMTMS had one of the best theme songs of all times. Just hearing it, takes me back to the 1970's. And it's very easy to sing also. Those are the best kind.
	__________________ Sonny

08-19-2010, 10:01 PM	#7
PGood97041 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 03, 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 747	That person is entitled to his or her opinion, but I'd like to join the "totally disagree" chorus, in fact I think it's one of the BEST television theme songs ever. 1) If you didn't know the context and you just read the lyrics, you could POSSIBLY conclude they were saccharine, but when you apply them to Mary Tyler Moore, America's sweetheart, they are actually completely accurate and appropriate! 2) The lyrics also perfectly spell out the overall idea of the show. 3) The tune is, indeed, catchy. 4) We all remember it these many years later, so it must have somehow connected to all of us. So, even if I were to agree that the lyrics were too sweet, which I don't, the song has a lot of other things going for it. And even then, it's like, and I realize this reference will only be understood by people of a certain age, I realize "Sugar, Sugar" by the Archies is total bubble gum pop, but that doesn't mean I don't want to hear it once or twice a summer!
	Last edited by PGood97041; 08-20-2010 at 02:58 PM.

08-20-2010, 05:02 AM	#8
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Let's face it... ...Sonny Curtis wrote and performed one of THE great TV themes of the '70s. Whoever wrote that "old article", knocking "Love Is All Around", was obviously too "tragically hip" for their own good (a symptom most TV critics and observers of TV history and "cultural phenomenon" suffered during the 1990's). What did the writer expect Mary's theme to be- perky and vapid, like this? That's our Mary, Sweet as a cherry, Her sunny disposition like nuclear fissition, Will make your world explode with wonder and magic! That's our Mary, Just like a dinglederry, She's perky and furthermore you'll wonder, Just what she's wearing under That big wide grin And dainty chin, She's make you love her from now 'Til doomsday calls, Yes, that's our Mary, the news gal of Minneapolis-St. Paul's!

08-19-2010, 09:38 AM	#2
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	Though I didn't watch much of TMTMS growing up, it is one of those theme songs that can actually take me back to the early-mid 70s. I hear it and the feelings and memories come back. As for the actual song, it's pretty good.

08-19-2010, 04:05 PM	#4
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	Let me throw my hat in the air while I give you my opinion. The words to this song are uplifting and positive, perfect for a woman like Mary Richards who is trying to make it on her own for the first time. The tune is catchy. And the scenes that are shown of Mary and her friends during the opening credits are pretty cool. Sweet but not too sweet.

08-19-2010, 04:14 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	^

08-26-2010, 09:34 PM	#9
ClassicTVGal Traveler Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 26, 2004 Posts: 3,457	Yes, I have to disagree, as well. It's always been one of my all-time favorite TV themes. (Ironically, the show is also my all-time fav. and Mary is my all-time fav. actress! ) And sung and written beautifully by a Cricket. (Sonny Curtis was part of the group with Buddy Holly)

08-26-2010, 10:40 PM	#10
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	The TMTMS theme song is a classic! And it's perfectly suited to the show.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

10-11-2011, 03:28 PM	#11
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	It is one of the best theme songs ever.And it was sung so well by Sonny Curtis.I do prefer the first seasons song however because the arrangement is better.And I even think the first seasons theme was also sung just a little better too.

10-22-2011, 07:06 PM	#13
gopyle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2011 Posts: 235	The song was totally appropriate for the show and is a classic. Hard to imagine the show without it as it was. So what if it is sappy and saccharin? Wonder what they think of the theme for Family Ties, then.

10-22-2011, 10:48 PM	#14
born2late Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 01, 2011 Location: Tn Posts: 360	I thought the song was perfect for the show, and very catchy. Great job by Sonny Curtis. Hated the Joan Jett version.