“Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale” – those opening lines immediately evoke a sense of nostalgia for a time when television theme songs were truly special. Before the era of সংক্ষিপ্ত synth riffs, theme songs like “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name” and “Here’s a story… of a lovely” served as crucial introductions to our favorite shows, setting the tone and character right from the opening credits. “You take the good, take the bad, take them both and there you have” a sadly diminished art form. While Seinfeld proved that less could be more with its minimalist theme, many of us still yearn for the days of elaborate and memorable TV theme songs. “Believe it or not,” crafting a great theme song seems to be a lost priority in modern television.
“Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!” In this ongoing series, we’re taking a trip down memory lane to celebrate some of the best TV theme songs, with a particular focus on the iconic tunes of the 1980s. “Come aboard, we’re expecting you.” This time, we’re diving into the heart of 80s sitcom nostalgia with the theme song from Family Ties, a beautiful ballad titled “Without Us.” “*I bet we’ve been together for a million years, and I’ll bet we’ll be together for a million more…”
Family Ties, a show that captured the shifting family dynamics of the 1980s, premiered in September 1982 and ran for seven successful seasons, totaling 180 episodes. For many, including myself, it remains a beloved sitcom from that decade, and its theme song, “Without Us,” is an equally cherished piece of television history.
“Without Us” wasn’t just a catchy tune; it was a collaboration between two musical powerhouses: Jeff Barry and Tom Scott. Barry, a name synonymous with 60s pop hits, co-wrote an astonishing number of chart-toppers including “Do Wah Diddy Diddy,” “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Then He Kissed Me,” “Chapel of Love,” “River Deep – Mountain High,” “Leader of the Pack,” and “Sugar, Sugar,” showcasing his incredible versatility and talent for crafting memorable melodies. Scott, son of prolific television and film composer Nathan Scott, was already making his mark in the industry. Before Family Ties, he composed the theme song “Gotcha!” for Starsky and Hutch and contributed to the background scores of numerous 70s shows. Scott later transitioned to film scores in the 80s and is also a Grammy-winning saxophonist with an impressive resume, having featured as a guest artist on over 500 recordings, including several hits from the 80s.
I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Tom Scott, and he shared some fascinating insights into the creation of “Without Us”:
“I got a call from Al Bart (my film & TV composing agent at the time) to meet with Gary David Goldberg, creator of Family Ties to discuss the theme. Gary chose producer-songwriter Jeff Barry to partner with me as the lyricist. We decided that the song should have an upbeat feel and took a couple of days apart to mess around with ideas. After that, Jeff called with an announcement that he had basically written the hook of the song and it was called “What Would We Do Without Us?” He sang his melody for me and I told him I thought the idea needed some refinement. After some experimentation at home, I added the word “baby” to the middle, which broke up the phrase nicely, I thought. “What Would We Do… Ba-by… With-out Us?”
I called Jeff and he agreed with my addition so we immediately made plans to meet and compose the rest of the song. In that one meeting, we came up with the verse and ending, totaling the one minute we needed. The show debuted in 1982, but didn’t become a big hit until 1984, when it was slotted after the debuting The Cosby Show. That, combined with Michael J. Fox’s success in Back To The Future, launched us into the top five television shows for three years running.”
Interestingly, “Without Us” had a slight evolution in its first season. For the initial ten episodes, it was performed by Dennis Tufano and Mindy Sterling. However, for the remainder of the series’ run, the producers opted for the star power of Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams. This change elevated the song to another level. Mathis and Williams, both possessing instantly recognizable and iconic voices, brought a richness and depth to “Without Us” that perfectly complemented the warm, family-centric themes of the show. Hearing their duet each week became a comforting ritual for viewers.
The “Sha-la-la-la” at the song’s conclusion is an instantly recognizable and endearing element, adding a touch of sweetness and lightheartedness. For many who grew up watching Family Ties, hearing “Without Us,” especially performed by Mathis and Williams, is a direct portal back to the 1980s. It’s a reminder of a specific era in television, a time when theme songs were crafted with care and intended to be as memorable as the shows they introduced. “Sit, Ubu, sit. Good dog.” And so concludes another “episode” in our exploration of great TV Theme Songs!
