"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale" of a time when television shows began with awesome TV Theme Songs. "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name" and sometimes you want to go back to when TV Theme songs were special. "Here's a story... of a lovely" time when TV Theme Songs served to identify, distinguish and set the stage for the television program that followed. "You take the good, take the bad, take them both and there you have" what unfortunately has become a lost artform. "Believe it or not", sadly it seems no effort or pride is taken in the TV Theme Song ever since Seinfeld proved a short synth-bass riff could be used instead. “Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!” This regular feature may not "make all our dreams come true", but it will remember some of the best TV Theme Songs from years past (with a focus on the '80s decade). "Come aboard, we're expecting you."
This time we will cover the theme song for My Two Dads titled "You Can Count On Me". "You can count on me. No matter what you do. You can count on me. No matter where you go." My Two Dads debuted in September of 1987 and ran three seasons and 60 episodes. The show stars Paul Reiser and Greg Evigan as two potential dads that share custody of Staci Keenan after her mother passed away due to uncertain paternity. Each episode revolved around the mix-ups and trials of two single men raising a teenage daughter.
The theme song "You Can Count On Me" was composed by Michael Jacobs, Lenny Macaluso and Greg Evigan. Jacobs was one of the creators and producers of My Two Dads. He is also responsible for other television series like Charles in Charge, Boy Meets World and Dinosaurs among others. Macaluso went on to write songs for many films including co-writing "The Touch" for Transformers: The Movie and "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" for Spaceballs. Evigan was best known previously as the star of the television series B.J. and the Bear which ran from 1979-1981. Evigan was chose to perform the theme song as well which allowed him to show off his singing skills. He actually began his career in musical theater, appearing in the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar followed by a touring production of Grease where he played the lead, "Danny Zuko". So it is no surprise that he easily handled this snappy '80s television theme song which is solid, but probably doesn't stand out among some of the best of the decade. Here are the opening credits for My Two Dads featuring "You Can Count On Me" performed by Greg Evigan...
The lyrics are relatively simple, but this verse was well written especially with the subject of the show:
I can see a part of me in you.
A little something special that comes shining through.
I hear it in your laughter,
And I feel it when you cry,
I will be right there for you,
Until the day I die.
Many teenagers tuned in to see Staci Keenan or the boys that were competing for her attention played by Giovanni Ribisi and Chad Allen. Certainly not critically acclaimed, My Two Dads did win the People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy in 1988.
Hope you enjoyed tuning in for another "episode" of TV Theme Songs!