It's hard to forget the famous TV series, Happy Days, which ran on ABC from 1974 to 1984. The sitcom, starring Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, followed teenagers Richie Cunningham (Howard) and Fonzie or "the Fonz" (Winkler) as they navigated life in the 1950s. The show framed the '50s in an idyllic light and reinforced many of the classic visuals of the '50s, such as jukeboxes, leather jackets and greaser culture. Fans of Happy Days will also never forget the TV show's iconic theme song, "Happy Days." The tv theme song fit the narrative of the show perfectly, with singers energetically singing the classic lyrics, "Sunday, Monday, happy days / Tuesday, Wednesday, happy days," and so on. But "Happy Days" had a life beyond simply serving as the opening and closing theme of the show.
"Happy Days" was written by songwriter Norman Gimbel and composer Charles Fox, two famous creators who also composed the themes for Wonder Woman, Laverne and Shirley, and Love Boat, as well as Roberta Flack's hit, "Killing Me Softly with His Song." The song was originally recorded by Jim Haas with vocals from session singers in 1974, but the tune did not appear in the opening credits for the first two seasons of the show. "Happy Days" originally played at the end of the show, while "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley and His Comets served as the opening theme of the show. In 1975, the song was re-recorded with new words and became the opening and closing theme for seasons three through 10.
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For the first few years of its existence, the Happy Days theme song could only be enjoyed when watching the show, but in 1976, it received another life when it was recorded and released to radio by duo Pratt & McClain. Soon after its release, this version of "Happy Days" became an international hit, landing at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 7 on the Easy Listening chart, No. 31 in the UK and No. 3 in Canada.
Pratt & McClain, originally named Brother Love, consisted of Jerry McClain and Truett Pratt. The duo is considered a one-hit wonder, as "Happy Days" was their biggest hit. Their only other single was "Devil with a Blue Dress On," which was also released in 1976. While the duo never had another hit song, "Happy Days" can still be heard on television, as the show continues to be syndicated.
'Happy Days' Theme Song Lyrics:
Tuesday, Wednesday, happy days
Thursday, Friday, happy days
Saturday, what a day, rockin' all week for you
Won't you be mine? (oh, happy days)
These days are...
Oh, please be mine (oh, happy days)
She's wearing my school ring on her chain
She's my steady, I'm her man
I'm gonna love her all I can
Won't you be mine? (oh, happy days)
These days are...
Oh, please be mine (oh, happy days)
Show everybody what I found
Rock and roll with all my friends
Hopin' the music never ends
Won't you be mine? (oh, happy days)
These days are...
Oh, please be mine. (oh, happy days)
Tuesday, Wednesday, happy days
Thursday, Friday, happy days
Saturday, what a day, rockin' all week for you
Won't you be mine? (oh, happy days)
These days are...
Oh, please be mine. (oh, happy days)
'Cause nothing can hold me when I hold you.
Feels so right, can't be wrong,
A-rockin' and rollin' all week long.
Won't you be mine? (oh, happy days)
These days are...
Oh, please be mine. (oh, happy days)
She's wearing my school ring on her chain
She's my steady, I'm her man
Now I'm gonna love her all I can
Won't you be mine? (oh, happy days)
These days are...
Oh, please be mine. (oh, happy days)
Won't you be mine? (oh, happy days)
These happy days are yours and mine
Oh, please be mine. (oh, happy days)
These happy days are yours and mine
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