That '70s Show

Todd Griffin Made A Fortune From The That ’70s Show Theme Song, But The Track Went Through Major Changes Behind The Scenes

Todd Griffin enjoyed lots of success thanks to That '70s Show, but there were some complications regarding his hit theme song.

Theme songs are one of the most fascinating aspects of a TV series. A bad one is instantly forgettable and lost in time, but a great way will stick around forever. The theme song for Friends, for instance, might have cost the band fans, but it also etched their name in entertainment history.

That ’70s Show was great in its own right, and having a timeless theme song was the cherry on top. People know all the words to the song, but they don’t know everything that happened behind the scenes to get the song just right for TV audiences. Needless to say, it was a lot of reshaping over time.

Let’s take a look at the show’s theme song, how it was developed, and how much money the writer of the song was making each time an episode aired.

That ’70s Show Was A Hit Show With An Iconic Theme Song

Hyde Moves In
via IMDB

That ’70s Show is a classic American television series that captured the essence of the 1970s with humor, heart, and a memorable theme song. Created by Bonnie and Terry Turner and Mark Brazill, the show made its debut in 1998 and continued for eight successful seasons.

That ’70s Show garnered both critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase during its run. While it didn’t accumulate numerous Emmy Awards, it achieved remarkable popularity and maintained consistently strong viewership numbers. Its success can be attributed to its relatable characters, witty humor, and nostalgic appeal.

One of the most iconic aspects of That ’70s Show is its opening theme song, “In the Street.” The song was originally written by Alex Chilton and Chris Bell of the band Big Star and was performed for the show by Cheap Trick. The catchy and upbeat tune perfectly encapsulated the carefree spirit of the ’70s and set the tone for each episode.

The use of “In the Street” as the theme song became synonymous with the series itself. It not only evoked a sense of nostalgia for the ’70s but also added to the show’s overall charm and appeal. The song’s lyrics, “We’re all alright,” reflected the carefree attitude of the main characters as they navigated the challenges of adolescence.

The song made a fortune for its performer, but it had a lot of changes on its road to the small screen.

The Song Had Lots Of Changes Made Behind The Scenes

That '70s Show
via IMDb

According to Looper, “It took the show’s producers a season to get it just right. Long-time fans are certainly aware that the first season’s version of what came to be known as “That ’70s Song” was much more spare, performed in a different key, and featured a much different vocal from the version that would become a fixture for each of the series’ next seven seasons.”

As we mentioned previously the song began as “In The Street,” and Todd Griffin did his best to rework the tune for the series. After it failed to meet expectations during season one, a big change was made for season two.

“That situation was remedied for the second season, as the legendary powerpop outfit Cheap Trick was brought in to give “That ’70s Song” a chunkier, more layered sound. Unlike Griffin’s version, Cheap Trick’s concluded with the repeated refrain, “We’re all alright,” a reference to the band’s hit 1978 single “Surrender,” Looper wrote.

Turns out, this was a stroke of genius, as it elevated the song and the show, becoming one of the most recognized theme songs on TV.

Circling back to Big Star, the band wrote the original tune, but they didn’t make a lot of money from it.

The Original Band Made $70 Each Time An Episode Aired

via Peacock

“It’s actually ironic that the amount is $70. To me, it’s That $70 Show,” said singer Alex Chilton

Now, it should be noted that this happened every time the show was broadcast. Over time, this was a nice chunk of change for the band.

According to Pitchfork, another one of Chilton’s songs was used on the show.

“As simple as its title, the Radio City closer is just Chilton with his guitar, singing some of the most straightforward lyrics about love you’ll ever hear. This song played in the background of a pivotal scene in the Eric/Donna romantic arc of “That ’70s Show”, and I remember thinking as I watched the scene, “If only suburban Wisconsin teens in the real 70s had the chance to listen to that song,'” the site wrote.

The show itself will always have a smudge thanks to Danny Masterson, but it achieved a lot during its time on TV, and its theme song remains one of the best in history. And to think that it underwent so much change before being just right for audiences.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button