Top 10 TV-Show Theme Songs of the '70s: Lyrics, History and More

1)M*A*S*H (for pictures and reviews click link)

First Telecast: September 17, 1972
Last Telecast: September 19, 1983

(Theme song : "Suicide is Painless" by Johnny Mandel)

(Lyrics that were shortened for television theme song)

Through early morning fog I see,
Visions of the things to be,
The pains that are withheld for me,
I realize and I can see...
That suicide is painless,
It brings on many changes,
And I can take or leave it if I please.

M*A*S*H was set in South Korea, near Seoul, during the Korean War. The series focused on the group of doctors and nurses whose job was to heal the wounded who arrived at this "Mobile Army Surgical Hospital" by helicopter, ambulance or bus. The hospital compound was isolated from the rest of the world. One road ran through the camp; a mountain blocked one perimeter and a minefield the other. Here the wounded were patched up and sent home--or back to the front.

2) Happy Days (for pictures and reviews click link)

First Telecast: January 15, 1974
Last Telecast: July 12, 1984

Original Theme song : "Rock Around the Clock" (original recordings by Bill Haley & His Comets) (Seasons 1-2)

Theme song of later episodes : "Happy Days" (Gimble-Fox); recordings by Fats Domino, Connie Francis, Johnnie Ray, Kay Starr, and other stars of the 1950s ans 1960s. (Seasons 3-10)

"Happy Days" - written by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox; performed by Bobby Arvon (Season 11)

Golden Globe Awards Nominations for "Happy Days"

Outstanding Production - Musical Or Comedy Series

1976
1977

Actor In A Leading Role - Musical Or Comedy Series

1976 - Henry Winkler (winner)
1977 - Henry Winkler (winner)
1977 - Ron Howard

Actor In A Supporting Role - Series, Mini-Series, Or Television Movie

1982 - Anson Williams

3) All in the Family (for pictures and reviews click link)

First Telecast: January 12, 1971
Last Telecast: January 25, 1992

Original Theme song : "Those Were the Days," by Strouse and Adams, sung at the opening of each show by Archie and Edith until 1979.
(Replaced by an instrumental version in 1980.)

Theme song lyrics :