Writer of 'Cheers' theme song reveals rejected versions

On Where Have All the Theme Songs Gone?, a CNN special hosted by Don Lemon, one of the creators of the Cheers theme song revealed the humbling road that led to one of the most iconic theme songs in television history. Gary Portnoy, who created the song with Judy Hart-Angelo, and also performed it, played Lemon the first two songs, titled “My Kind of People” and “Another Day,” and it’s hard to fathom either of those taking the place of the song that has become synonymous with the show.

Even when Portnoy and Angelo got the melody right, the lyrics left A LOT to be desired. The song began, “Singing the blues when the Red Sox lose, it’s a crisis in your life. On the run ‘cause all your girlfriends wanna be your wife.”

Growing tired of attempting to write a song the network would accept, Portnoy and Angelo booked studio time before the song was even written. In fact, the words everyone now knows were written in a cab on the way to the studio.

Video Transcript

- We sit with our friends, the old and the true ones. Before the night ends, we're bound to make new ones. Here's the really bad part. You never know who's going to show up at Cheers.

- Gary Portnoy, who created the Cheers theme song, along with Judi Hart Angelo, joined CNN's Don Lemon for a special, Where Have All The Theme Songs Gone, where he revealed the versions that did not get chosen.

- There are times when it's fun to take the long way home. Sit around with those you've come to know, hanging out, until it's time to close.

- Even when they got the melody right, the lyrics left a lot to be desired.

- Singing the blues when the Red Sox lose, it's a crisis in your life. On the run, because all your girlfriends want to be your wife, and the laundry ticket's in the wash.

- Portnoy also revealed the humble beginnings of the song that would become synonymous with the show.

- I remember writing in a cab going down to the recording studio, working on making your way-- you know, I remember. And I don't think we ever actually played the whole song, until we got into the studio to get something to get something back for them.

- And with that, one of the most iconic theme songs in television history, finally, came to be.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

- Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot.