The Bill Cosby Show Theme (1969-1972) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Tiger32 · 01-29-2002, 11:04 PM

Anyone know where I can get the original Bill Cosby Show theme? Not any of his recent series, but this series ran from 1969-1972 in which he played a High School Physical Education teacher.

TJ · 01-30-2002, 11:27 PM

If you mean download it, it is available in the 'B' section of the main Sitcoms Online page. The show ran for only 2 seasons, 1969-1971 - not 1972.

caladon · 04-06-2006, 03:37 PM

I remember the theme being written by quincy jones. But has anyone noticed how similar it sounds to the theme from Barney Miller? I wonder if the composer for Barney Miller was a fan of The Bill Cosby Show. I believe that both themes are available on this site. Compare the two and decide.

TV Knowledge Fan · 04-10-2006, 07:10 PM

...but the two themes are different. Quincy Jones wrote "Hikky-Burr" exclusively for Cosby, while Jack Elliott & Allyn Ferguson wrote "BARNEY MILLER"'s theme for Danny Arnold's production company. Both have an "urban" feel and 'get-down' guitar licks, but Jones' theme is more funky. Elliott & Ferguson's theme has a horn solo that stands out towards the end....different neighborhoods, I suppose........

01-29-2002, 11:04 PM	#1
Tiger32 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 14, 2002 Posts: 624	The Bill Cosby Show Theme (1969-1972) Anyone know where I can get the original Bill Cosby Show theme? Not any of his recent series, but this series ran from 1969-1972 in which he played a High School Physical Education teacher.

04-10-2006, 07:10 PM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	In RHYTHM, yes... ...but the two themes are different. Quincy Jones wrote "Hikky-Burr" exclusively for Cosby, while Jack Elliott & Allyn Ferguson wrote "BARNEY MILLER"'s theme for Danny Arnold's production company. Both have an "urban" feel and 'get-down' guitar licks, but Jones' theme is more funky. Elliott & Ferguson's theme has a horn solo that stands out towards the end....different neighborhoods, I suppose........

01-30-2002, 11:27 PM	#2
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,653	If you mean download it, it is available in the 'B' section of the main Sitcoms Online page. The show ran for only 2 seasons, 1969-1971 - not 1972.

04-06-2006, 03:37 PM	#3
caladon Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2001 Location: Massachusetts state home for the bewildered Posts: 1,151	I remember the theme being written by quincy jones. But has anyone noticed how similar it sounds to the theme from Barney Miller? I wonder if the composer for Barney Miller was a fan of The Bill Cosby Show. I believe that both themes are available on this site. Compare the two and decide.