A week or so ago, I featured the theme song from Soul Train and noted that it was one of five television theme songs to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This week I’ll cover the other four.
Before I get to those, I’ll throw a bone to the only TV theme to reach #2. That was Joey Scarbury’s ‘Believe It or Not (Theme from “Greatest American Hero”),’ which was kept from the top spot in 1981 by the eight-week chart-topping run of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross’ ‘Endless Love.’
The lyrics to this song were written by Stephen Geyer, and the music is courtesy of Mike Post, who composed many memorable theme songs (including those of Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, The A-Team and Law & Order).
This yacht rock tune stayed in the top 40 for 18 weeks, giving Scarbury the only hit of his career. The Greatest American Hero, which followed the exploits of a high school teacher who discovers a red suit that gives him powers (including flight), ran for three seasons in the early 80s.
I can’t believe it myself
Suddenly I’m up on top of the world
It should have been somebody else
Believe it or not, I’m walking on air
I never thought I could feel so free
Flying away on a wing and a prayer
Who could it be?
Believe it or not, it’s just me
Just like the light of a new day
It hit me from out of the blue
Breaking me out of the spell I was in
Making all of my wishes come true
Believe it or not, I’m walking on air
I never thought I could feel so free
Flying away on a wing and a prayer
Who could it be?
Believe it or not, it’s just me
This is too good to be true
Look at me falling for you
Believe it or not
Believe it or not
Believe it or not
Believe it or not
Believe it or not, I’m walking on air
I never thought I could feel so free
Flying away on a wing and a prayer
Who could it be?
Believe it or not, it’s just me
Believe it or not, I’m walking on air
I never thought I could feel so free
Flying away on a wing and a prayer
Who could it be?
Believe it or not, it’s just me
Believe it or not, I’m walking on air
I never thought I could feel so free
Flying away on a wing and a prayer
Meet Me In Montauk 
My nerdy teenage self loved this show and this theme song!