Top Ten 90s TV Themes - Number 10

So, after a small delay in getting the true countdown rolling I am proud to present the #10 greatest television theme song of 1990s primetime television.  If you read the comments frequently, you’ll note that Mr. Tickles need not fear the lack of Frederick in the countdown because he’s already claimed the number 10 spot (as well as at least one more).   Frederick devotees will also remember his inclusion with the outstanding Perfect Strangers theme on our prior list, and here we have another similar strong that resonates just as strongly. 

Here it is, “Second Time Around” by Jesse Frederick (& Bennett Salvay) from Step by Step.

Starting off with a twinge of lament in his voice, Frederick recalls the dream that his life once was before the divorce broke apart his family (how Frank ended up raising all three kids instead of the mother I don’t think was ever addressed, I’m guessing Mother Lambert was an alky).  Openly asking if he’ll ever have a second chance to achieve that dream again, Frederick gets us into the psyche of Frank Lambert (expertly played by the Patrick Duffy) and challenges us to ask hard questions about the nature of divorce and its effect not only on the children but on the former spouses.

Of course, divorce is not the only difficult issue broached in this theme as the female voice (channeling a little Dusty Springfield) expresses her dismay upon having to raise three kids in the wake (pardon the pun) of her husband’s death.  First needing to find salvation in the Lord, our female singer (clearly the representative of Carol* Foster) has a feeling that  she has found someone that can help her put together both her personal life and family life again.

* Also just now noticing that in this obvious rip off of The Brady Bunch, Suzanne Sommers’ character’s name is Carol.

And, as every great Frederick seems to do, we get that great guitar lick, a chord change, and our introduction to the chorus – here sung by the voices of children.  We, as the viewer, now realize that not only are the parents going to have to adjust to this new lifestyle but their numerous kids as well.  But have no fear because even though these kids might get into some hijinks and arguments, they will make this arrangement work. The power of this song is so great the parents aren’t just shooting for “acceptable” in their new relationship but aiming to “make it better the second time around.”

Another huge plus for this song is that the intro for the show takes place in a freaking theme park. I know I wasn’t the only kid at home begging my parents to find out where the hell in Wisconsin this place was and how we could possibly get there for a vacation.  Unfortunately, that dream was dashed not too long into the show’s run when my buddy Evan Kahn* told me he had ridden that roller coaster in California.  And on that day my childhood television innocence was taken from me.

* Shout out to Evan Kahn, haven’t seen that dude in almost fifteen years. Hope life is treating you well. 

Still, the kids all looked like they were having so much fun at the theme park that I wanted to be a member of the Lambert clan (sort of like Balki became in the season’s later, horrible episodes).  One caveat to that observation is that I never would have wanted to hang out with Mark. That whiny twerp was one of the original buzzkills. Not only does he ruin his giant tub of pop corn by sneezing in it, but he also is too big of a puss to ride the rollercoaster.  And how big of a mench was Code-man for standing out there with him? Dana never gave him a fair shake at all.

Of course, former TGIFers will immediately realize that the version of the theme featured prior to the break was not the original iteration of the theme song but a shorter, better sounding version from the second season. If you’d like to take a listen to the original, weaker version – here you go.* See how overproduced that one sounded?  The fact that it also includes the only two characters worse than Mark – Carol’s sister and mom – doesn’t bode well for it either.  

*And while you’re at it, how about season five too? They change up the kids' individual intros though still give JT the same activity to do while everyone else is doing something different than in the original intro.

And thus ends our first dip into the theme song wading pool. I’ll be out of town for a good chunk of the week but plan on having updates each day either with new clips, new songs, or some other feature.