I wonder why the theme tempo never changed

[JoshLarson24]

When many shows started transitioning into the 80s their theme songs changed to more fast pacing and upbeat tempos.

The Facts of Life's tempo changed in the last 3 seasons and Diff'rent Strokes changed for it's final season as well as A Different World. The Growing Pains theme even changed for their last season. Small Wonder got better music for the final 2 seasons which made the theme more upbeat.

ODAAT's tempo stayed the same the entire time. I don't have problems with that but I am shocked because many shows were going in that direction. The hairstyles changed but the opening music stayed the same.

[DJM77]

One Day At A Time stopped production about a year or so before updating theme songs became commonplace.

[BigManMike]

Originally Posted by DJM77

One Day At A Time stopped production about a year or so before updating theme songs became commonplace.

That's true. Actually I don't think the theme songs on any of Norman Lear's shows except All in the Family/Archie Bunker's Place ever changed. One Day at a Time, as well as Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons, and Sanford and Son all had the same theme throughout the entirety of their runs.

[ThomasE]

Originally Posted by DJM77

One Day At A Time stopped production about a year or so before updating theme songs became commonplace.

Exactly! I was saying the same thing as I read Josh24's comment. I know because the fall of 1985 was the year that the updated theme songs came into place:

Diff'rent Strokes
The Facts Of Life
Silver Spoons
St. Elsewhere
The Love Boat
What's Happening (Now)

and there are others.