Happy_days_theme_song May 2026

The opening theme was "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets. This choice was inspired by the song's successful use in the 1973 film American Graffiti , which also starred Ron Howard.

A final, more "contemporary" version of the theme was introduced for the show's farewell season. The Songwriters and Singers happy_days_theme_song

As the show shifted to a live studio audience and focused more on Henry Winkler's Fonzie character, producers replaced the opening with the now-iconic "Happy Days" theme. The opening theme was "Rock Around the Clock"

The "Happy Days" theme was penned by the prolific duo and Charles Fox , who were also responsible for hits like "Killing Me Softly with His Song" and the theme for Wonder Woman . Performer(s) Usage Period Original Recording Jim Haas (lead) & session singers Seasons 1–2 (Closing Credits) The Hit Version Pratt & McClain Seasons 3–10 (Opening & Closing) Final Version Bobby Arvon Season 11 (Opening & Closing) Commercial Success and Pop Culture Impact The Songwriters and Singers As the show shifted

The show did not originally open with the song "Happy Days." Instead, it relied on a 1950s rock-and-roll classic to set the mood.

The " Happy Days " theme song is one of the most recognizable pieces of television music, synonymous with 1950s nostalgia and the adventures of the Cunningham family and the Fonz. While most associate the show with its titular anthem, the series actually utilized multiple themes and vocalists throughout its 11-season run from 1974 to 1984. The Evolution of the Opening Theme

The version by the duo Pratt & McClain was a massive success beyond the television screen. Released as a single in 1976, it climbed to . Interestingly, the song was not originally intended to be a radio single; it was recorded quickly—from the first meeting to a finished record in just seven days—to meet audience demand after the show became a hit.